chalumiste

22:28 Aug 10, 2017 

A chalumeau was a handheld tool that used to be used by plumbers, roofers and painters. It was known in English as a "blow torch".
Blow torches burnt compressed paraffin and had to be regularly pumped to keep the pressure up. They were difficult to ignite and were usually preheated prior to ignition by burning alcohol.
They were gradually replaced by butane burning devices in the sixties and seventies.
Cutting flames usually involved burning oxygen with acetylene. These flames could also be used for braising work, which is a joining method that does not involve the melting of the matrix material (ie welding) but of an additive. Protective masks are worn. I suggest a chalumeau is a lower temperature flame, particularly as no PPE is required.

23:16 Aug 7, 2017 

...chalumeau, et tout est clair : http://www.cnrtl.fr/definition/chalumeau

20:46 Aug 7, 2017 

Cutting torch operator as mentioned by Tony is a fair description of the job. Length of torch means the man can stay away from the very hot work done by a welder, although remeber seeing a torch operator sitting between two strands of steel bars, temp about 700 C and cutting them to length.