Vintage Blow Torch Question

[AnthonyBlanche]

Hello There,

I have an interest in vintage blow torches and I'm puzzled about an element that appears on some torches but I'm unaware of their purpose.

They are small copper protrusions that emanate from the pressure vessel of the torch. My question is, what is their function? Do they simply let you know, with a touch, how hot the fuel is? Are they a safety feature, like a primitive over-pressure release valve?

Thanks!

 

[Grimm_the_Grey]

Perhaps it's attached to a float to indicate fuel level? That's just a guess, I've never seen a torch with one on it.

 

[AnthonyBlanche]

Perhaps it's attached to a float to indicate fuel level? That's just a guess, I've never seen a torch with one on it.

Thanks Grimm, I’ve since learned that they were a primitive safety device to prevent the pressure tank from exploding. They are made of solid copper wire and attached to the bottom of the tank. If the fuel tank reaches the limits of its structural integrity because of excessive pressure, the dome underneath the tank (like the bottom of a champagne bottle) will bulge out and pull the wire downward, opening a hole in the tank, and allowing the hot vapor to escape rather than bursting the tank itself. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Thanks Grimm, I’ve since learned that they were a primitive safety device to prevent the pressure tank from exploding. They are made of solid copper wire and attached to the bottom of the tank. If the fuel tank reaches the limits of its structural integrity because of excessive pressure, the dome underneath the tank (like the bottom of a champagne bottle) will bulge out and pull the wire downward, opening a hole in the tank, and allowing the hot vapor to escape rather than bursting the tank itself. Thanks for your reply.

Very cool idea. Now I have to look at mine.

 

[four.cycle]

I'll bet you didn't even know there was a Blow Torch Collectors Association

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I'll bet you didn't even know there was a Blow Torch Collectors Association

No. I didn't. Just another rabbit hole.

 

[don long]

I have a collection of them so I'm going to look closer at them. I didn't know about that either Four.cycle

 

[whateg01]

I find it interesting that it points that direction. If there's an over pressure moment and it pulls that wire out, the gas is going to shoot right toward the flame, assuming it's lit. I guess that's better than blowing flammable stuff on the operator, though.

 

[four.cycle]

I have a collection of them so I'm going to look closer at them. I didn't know about that either Four.cycle

I know you do, and I am wondering if any of them are dual-cylinder alcohol fueled torches, in which case can you please look at them and tell me brand and manufacturers name and if there are any patent dates or numbers on them?
They are totally different than the type manufactured by Clayton & Lambert, Otto Bernz, Diener, or Turner.
There were four patent numbers that were used over a course of years, first by Lasher Weeber and then successively by Modern Metal Products Co., and then lastly by RECO Mfg. Co., but I am not sure if all four patent numbers were used by all three of those companies.
I couldn't find enough examples on the web to be able to definitively answer that question.

Might well be a genre you don't even collect - they are really odd.

Thanks!
BK

addendum: The patent information that you can find on the Blow Torch Collectors Association website is being worked into the database at datamp.org as we speak - give 'em a little time - I've been flooding them with stuff for two weeks now. Down to the LAST folder now - 146 files / 45 MB of can openers, jar wrenches, lid lifters, and corkscrews. Watch this space.

patent of the week

 

[john.k]

I was annealing some cases with my trusty old Primus blow torch,using diesel as fuel as kero is very expensive anyhoo,Im working on the back of my truck ,pumping up the pressure in the torch ,and it suddenly stops burning and squirts flaming diesel about 6 feet into the yard ......two old women walking past think I got a flame thrower..........also found out the spare leather pistons from a Coleman army stove fit the Primus ............mucking about with a blowtorch makes you appreciate propane.

 

[four.cycle]

^ While I was searching all over the web looking for examples of the units I was referring to just above - the dual-cylinder alcohol burners - I noticed that at least two-thirds of the photo images I saw showed burned boxes like this current listing on ebay.
I have to wonder how many house fires were started with these things.

 

[john.k]

Id suggest the copper piece is designed to melt free in the same way as a fusible plug in a boiler.........anyone using a blowlamp has had a flare up involving burning liquid fuel covering the tank would know you must release the small pressure screw (on the Primus) to stop a stream of fuel pouring out the nozzle and adding to the fire.

 

[Beerhippie]

@four.cycle : Here's an alcohol torch with the second cylinder nested inside the first:







Harmic BesJet alcohol blowtorch.

I was annealing some cases with my trusty old Primus blow torch,using diesel as fuel as kero is very expensive anyhoo,Im working on the back of my truck ,pumping up the pressure in the torch ,and it suddenly stops burning and squirts flaming diesel about 6 feet into the yard ......two old women walking past think I got a flame thrower..........also found out the spare leather pistons from a Coleman army stove fit the Primus ............mucking about with a blowtorch makes you appreciate propane

I've had the same happen with my gasoline Clayton Lambert when I didn't pre-heat it enough. I got very lucky, as the stream of gasoline didn't ignite.

 

[john.k]

I always use the blowlamp outdoors .............with diesel as fuel,it can be burning happily ,and then suddenly cutout and stream burning fuel.

 

[four.cycle]

Harmic BesJet alcohol blowtorch.

Harmic / Harmic Mfg. Co., 30 Vernon St., Somerville, MA / est. (?) acquired 1949 by Wall Mfg. Co., inc. 1950 as Harmic Mfg. Co. in Grove City, PA / "BesJet" alcohol blowtorch, soldering tools / patent D170892 Nov 17 1953 & 2711470 Jun 21 1955 Alexander Schoenwald /