Good Propane Torch?

[engineer2]

I have two non-working Bernzomatic propane torches.
No damage, they are just old and won't light anymore even though the spark igniters work well.
If I light them manually, one hardly puts out a flame and the other puts out way too much gas.
Bernzomatic says no warranty, parts, or service is available.
I use a torch very occasionally for soldering (heavy wires, copper pipes), so I don't need a $300 torch.
I'd like to find a more reliable brand. Any thoughts?

 

[bonneyman]

My golden oldie. Uses a Zippo lighter flint to light the gas. Bulky but no electronics and easier than matches or a striker.

 

[Shiftless]

How old is your Bernzomatic self igniting torch?
I bought mine used at a garage sale many years ago and it still works fine. I used it yesterday.

 

[RTM]

f I light them manually, one hardly puts out a flame and the other puts out way too much gas.

sounds like a plugged tube/ jet system on the one, but I'm no expert. Seems spiders prefer to make homes in things that really piss the rest of us off.

 

[engineer2]

How old is your Bernzomatic self igniting torch?
TS4000 is 1994 and the Quickfire is 2010. Bernzomatic says I should be happy they lasted that long.


The plugged one is a Quickfire. I'm not sure if it can be easily disassembled. Not much online info for my version.
The one that sounds like a jet engine is a TS4000. Basic disassembly and cleaning made no difference, but I haven't taken the trigger valve (held in with a small e-clip) apart yet.
I don't mind buying something new, but I want decent reliability. The Bernzomatics have always been very fussy especially when it comes to tank temperature and position.

My 1960's brass one still works fine.

 

[larry4406]

I have a HF blow torch style that works well.

I’ve soldered quite a few copper pipe joints with it and works good.

I have 2 - one for wood stove for lighting and second for BBQ lighting.

When needed one of them is the soldering torch.

 

[KnurledNut]

Turbo Torch STK-9
Can be a little aggressive for delicate applications.
My preference for MAPP.

 

[zendriver]

I have a HF blow torch style that works well.

I’ve soldered quite a few copper pipe joints with it and works good.

I have 2 - one for wood stove for lighting and second for BBQ lighting.

When needed one of them is the soldering torch.

^yep, this one is a winner.

 

[CJM8515]

i have a ts8000 and 2 manual light berzomatics. never one issue ever and they are all well over 20 years old

 

[PCustoms]

I have a HF blow torch style that works well.

I’ve soldered quite a few copper pipe joints with it and works good.

I have 2 - one for wood stove for lighting and second for BBQ lighting.

When needed one of them is the soldering torch.

Why do you keep your beer and torch with the fertilizer and yard spray?

 

[whitesco]

Uses torch to warm up the yard spray so the fertilizer dissolves in it more easily, dilute with beer to the right consistency for spraying.

 

[larry4406]

Why do you keep your beer and torch with the fertilizer and yard spray?

It’s a storage location in the garage on top of a freezer. Proximate to grills. Beer added for sense of scale of torch.

 

[RTM]

Uh huh, sure
The beer can is one of those safe hidden in plain sight things I bet.