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Butane Torch

InsanePyro

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Aug 27, 2012
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Oconomowoc, WI
Anyone have a recommendation for a good butane torch? I don't want some cheapo Amazon **** but also don't want to spend needlessly. Using it for heat shrink mostly, but I'm sure I'll find other uses just having it around. My other thought was a DeWalt battery heatgun, but whew, thats alot of butane
 
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InOuterSpace

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Apr 11, 2013
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Anyone have a recommendation for a good butane torch? I don't want some cheapo Amazon **** but also don't want to spend needlessly. Using it for heat shrink mostly, but I'm sure I'll find other uses just having it around. My other thought was a DeWalt battery heatgun, but whew, thats alot of butane
Menards has several options that might work for you
 

dscheidt

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Apr 26, 2017
Messages
2,880
I've been using a 'Turbo Blue' torch I bought at a drugstore for less than $5 for several years. It's gotten a fair amount of use, I"ve run at least two cans of butane through it. I misplaced it a year or so ago, so I went and got another, and of course, immediately found the original. It seems just as good.
 

Cheep

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Sep 19, 2025
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USA
I have been using the Power Probe version for years, been through several cheap units first.
 

dnschmidt

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Oct 3, 2014
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Phoenix, AZ
If your use is primarily heat shrink the best option is Iroda. It's butane powered and does a great job with heat shrink without the open flame. Not cheap but very, very high quality (Iroda is owned by Steinel which makes the best heat guns in the world) and lasts forever.
 

OccupantRJ

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May 15, 2009
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Location
Eastern North Carolina
I use Pro Iroda and Pro Aries butane torches because I retired from an importer and seller of the products. Both were manufacturers based in Taiwan at the time and family related.
 

4xdog

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Aug 18, 2012
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Santa Fe, NM
As so often, this forum has a thread on something I need JUST as I need it. Amazing. Thanks for the inputs, guys.

I need to de-solder the ground wire on my Triumph TR3's Lucas distributor, and need more heat than any of my electric soldering pencils can apply. Butane is the next step.
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DAWrench

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Jan 7, 2023
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158
Location
Central AR
I know you were asking about butane torch. For heat shrink tubing I prefer a small dorman heat gun I got from NAPA. Works great for it's size and price. May not be good for your other possible uses but I find it very usefulScreenshot_20260125-105033.png
 

Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,181
I have a generic from Amazon. It works fine for $10 or whatever I paid for it. Stuff like this I just buy something on amazon that has hundreds of reviews and over 4*, and I've never been disappointed. I also have a Portasol kit that I almost never use, because I'm already done with the generic by the time I'd be able get the Portasol out of the case. Then wait for it to cool and put it away. If you are going to use it almost daily, then I can see getting something nice like a Portasol or Power Probe torch.

As I've said in other threads, I have the DeWalt heat gun and use it a lot more than I ever expected for things like removing labels and heat shrink. People love it or hate it based on their expectations, but it's fantastic for typical sized heat shrink.
 

no704

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Apr 27, 2016
Messages
5,203
Ive had a few of these. Back when i was soldering and heat shrinking wires 8hrs a day. Used to be available @ radio shack. Great little torch. IMG_0010.png
 

Crazyjake8493

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Sep 26, 2014
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Upstate NY
I've been using this PowerProbe kit for 10 years now, works great. Adjustable flame, different tips. I've used it most extensively for heat-shrink crimp connectors, but also for plenty of soldering and occasionally some heatshrink tubing. Used it last week to fix some airport lights out in the middle of the field and while I was freezing my nuts and bolts off.
 

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Beerhippie

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Oct 13, 2023
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Far NE Oregon
As so often, this forum has a thread on something I need JUST as I need it. Amazing. Thanks for the inputs, guys.

I need to de-solder the ground wire on my Triumph TR3's Lucas distributor, and need more heat than any of my electric soldering pencils can apply. Butane is the next step.
i-N2Gqgv2-X5.jpg
You will regret using a butane torch for that! Buy a cheap Weller soldering gun--not a pencil.

Just look at all that grease waiting for a reason to ignite... not to mention the plastic parts you may not see.

For the OP, a cheap-**** Amazon MIC torch is actually about as good as anything else you can buy. Better yet, the little heat gun above or a cordless heat gun is much better for heat-shrink. Using a torch takes a gentle and practiced touch and an area completely free of anything that can be damaged by heat. Small as they are, butane torches produce a LOT of heat.
 
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InsanePyro

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Joined
Aug 27, 2012
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2,188
Location
Oconomowoc, WI
I've been using this PowerProbe kit for 10 years now, works great. Adjustable flame, different tips. I've used it most extensively for heat-shrink crimp connectors, but also for plenty of soldering and occasionally some heatshrink tubing. Used it last week to fix some airport lights out in the middle of the field and while I was freezing my nuts and bolts off.
I've got the Matco flavor of that, it just doesn't seem to quite get hot enough for some **** connectors
 

4xdog

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Aug 18, 2012
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5,595
Location
Santa Fe, NM
You will regret using a butane torch for that! Buy a cheap Weller soldering gun--not a pencil.

Just look at all that grease waiting for a reason to ignite... not to mention the plastic parts you may not see...

Thx, @Beerhippie. Noted. It turns out I still have a vintage Wen soldering gun. An oldie. And I have these howitzer-class soldering irons, too. Maybe one of these needs to get dusted off after probably 50-60 years of idleness.

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RTM

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May 13, 2019
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Location
SF Bay Area
It turns out I still have a vintage Wen soldering gun. An oldie. And I have these howitzer-class soldering irons, too. Maybe one of these needs to get dusted off after probably 50-60 years of idleness.
Wow, yours is older than mine.

I have two pistols of different wattages, and they still get used for so many other things rather than wire work. Weller 8200-n & D550. Just found a new pair of smoothing irons cheap, prior to Christmas.
 
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