Hand held butane torch purchase

[Tom Dunlap]

Its time to put new license plate tabs on. It's my preference to clean off last years and put the new one right on the plate, not in layers.

I've got a pistol grip/tube torch for plumbing that uses 1# canisters. IT works just fine but its big and clonky.

Years ago I had one. Emptied the fuel and reloaded from the larger cartridge. By the time I got out the refill cartridge again it was empty! Grrr...left me stranded.

Has anyone got a favorite small, hand sized, torch that you like?

 

[Dan Cobb]

You may also want to check sources for culinary torches, although those may tend to be butane. I was briefly surfing for those the other day (wife LOVES creme brulee) before I discovered propane is acceptable.

 

[Reach]

I have a fairly standard/basic Bernzomatic, I believe this one: https://www.amazon.com/Bernz-Matic-...ernzomatic+butane+torch&qid=1617494721&sr=8-3, which I’ve been using for probably ten years.

It makes plenty of heat, and has decent flame control. It can also double as a cigarette lighter, as it has a switch that turns the pencil flame into a “lazy” flame like a butane lighter makes. I’ve never used the soldering iron attachment, so I can’t say whether that works or not - if I’m soldering something, I’ll use my electric soldering iron.

 

[ATH]

You may also want to check sources for culinary torches, although those may tend to be butane. I was briefly surfing for those the other day (wife LOVES creme brulee) before I discovered propane is acceptable.

I just made creme bruleee for the first time today for our Easter dinner... Read up on which torch to use. Sounds like a plumbing propane torch is better than a "kitchen torch" for that. I have a couple of butane torches I keep for melting the ends of ropes. I just buy whatever is cheap at Menards.

The hottest mini-torch I have is from Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/butane-micro-torch-63170.html

 

[flushcut]

I have a fairly standard/basic Bernzomatic, I believe this one: https://www.amazon.com/Bernz-Matic-...ernzomatic+butane+torch&qid=1617494721&sr=8-3, which I’ve been using for probably ten years.

It makes plenty of heat, and has decent flame control. It can also double as a cigarette lighter, as it has a switch that turns the pencil flame into a “lazy” flame like a butane lighter makes. I’ve never used the soldering iron attachment, so I can’t say whether that works or not - if I’m soldering something, I’ll use my electric soldering iron.

I have the same one and it solders well but takes a minute to warm up and can get too hot for real fine wires but 14-10ga is smooth.

 

[evo]

I just use a propane plumbing torch for everything. Big clunky reliable. Yes it take ample finesse with lighter tasks, but I’ve always been akin to fire

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Big clunky reliable

I'm making purchases with a different strategy these days. The tools I've used my whole career have been from trusted names. Worth it to have them last decades. Now, I'm buying used or less expensive...or doing without...since I won't need them to work as hard nor for as long.

The small torch would have been nice a few times.

I think I'll keep my eyes open for a deal on a good little torch but use my pistol grip/1# propane setup for now.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Phil]

Check out some smoke shops...the ones that sell glass pipes "for tobacco only". They usually have a pretty good selection of refillable butane torches. Probably not as durable as the larger hand held industrial propane torches

 

[Bart_]

Iroda MJ-300 MICRO-JET Cordless Butane Torch

Instant 1300°C/2400°F Micro flame, auto-ignition, pocket size torch powered by refillable RC-30 lighter. Perfect for survival kits and tool boxes.

www.heatgunstore.com

Looks like my electronics heat shrink torch, different name, color but looks cloned from the same mold. Mine is black and branded Master Appliance and going on 25+ years service. Mine has adjustable flame, refillable lighter inside.