what is a good propane mini torch ?

[mbshop]

I had a nice one loong ago but some one stole it and I just kinda moved on. I bought some cheap refillable unit but it was junk from the gitgo. So now 20 years later I'm finding I need one again. What have you guys found to work well ? I already have a propane torch that uses the canisters. Need a palm sized one. Thanks,

 

[white91formula]

I have a Master MT-76 and it came with the soldering and hot air attachment. Been awesome around the garage. I use it constantly.

 

[mbshop]

Thanks, interesting because the junk one I bought was a mt-11. Will have to relook at that brand.

 

[kball]

I bought one from Harbor Freight for around $7 and it's worked great. I don't see it on the website anymore but there's a $15 one now... new model??

I also use a Portasol P2KC all the time at work and it's been great as well. Sears has it on sale for $45 right now.

http://www.sears.com/weller-174-por...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[Rubiman14]

I've been using a Vector torch for a few years and love it. It was an Xmas gift from a coworker. Until reading this I never looked them up...wow they're expensive!

 

[FigureItOut]

What are you doing with it? The Portasol kball linked is very nice. It's rebranded on the SO truck also. Caveat though, it's really set up for soldering. It has other attachments but I haven't found them particularly effective.

Portasol does have a couple more general purpose torches, I think they range from $40-$100. You can bet that just about anything you get from them will be high quality. They're made in Ireland, and are also rebranded as Weller.

 

[mbshop]

I have a bernzomatic soldering torch so I'm covered in that aspect. Just seem to keep reaching for a handy little torch that isn't there. The one from hf looks like the old one I had that was stolen. I'll look into the others mentioned. Thanks,

 

[Infinia]

I order many items from these guys, no not any tools.
https://www.fasttech.com/product/1134600-honest-503-pen-style-butane-jet-torch-and-lighter

youtube review seem decent

 

[theoldwizard1]

Most of the small handheld torches are actually butane.

Most of the various different brands are just re-branded Portasol torches.

 

[Davefr]

The Blazer microtorch is a good choice.

 

[johndeereman]

I have two of the Bernzomatics from HD they both have served me well.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Most of the small handheld torches are actually butane.

I was going to ask if the OP meant butane rather than propane.

 

[FigureItOut]

Most of the small handheld torches are actually butane.

Ha, I didn't even notice that. I've been reading butane and thinking butane in this entire thread. I'm sure the OP isn't specifically looking for a mini propane torch.

 

[drew03cmc]

Mine is a Weller Butane torch and I like it well enough.

 

[PBCampbell]

Bernzomatic used to have a torch handle/hose setup for use with the disposable cylinders that was pretty small. The only other option would be one of the high end air/fuel torch handles with the smallest tube/tip size or an oxy/fuel setup like a Smith. I kind of think the OP meant butane too though.

 

[Finky198]

Blazer are really nice I have a their big shot model Benzomatic are also really..

 

[rshadd]

I've had my blazer for 5 years and it still works great.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Yup. Got my blazer in the 80s. Still no problems.

 

[mbshop]

My bad, ment butane. Already have a propane torch. And yes, the blazer shown above is what I had and need. Thanks,

 

[dr_clyde]

I have had the Power Probe butane torch for going on 10 years. Love it.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I just bought a Power Probe butane torch. Haven't got a chance to use it yet though. Got it for small things. Like heat shrink for wiring and battery cables. I'm sure it'll be handy for several other things.


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[engineer2]

Avoid the Master Appliance MT-11 or variants thereof. A pain to use and unreliable. You better have a strong thumb to hold the trigger valve down. Mine's going out in the next garage sale.

 

[nczo6]

Which blazer model do you guys have/recommend?

 

[MoonRise]

I just bought a Power Probe butane torch. Haven't got a chance to use it yet though. Got it for small things. Like heat shrink for wiring and battery cables. I'm sure it'll be handy for several other things.

For heat shrink tubing, I have found a 'mini' hot air gun to be awesome.

Try a craft/art store for one. One of the better $10-$15 (IIRC, it's been a few years since I bought the thing) or so things I've bought. No flame, just a controllable relatively gentle hot air flow. And that air flow seems to 'wrap around' the heat shrink tubing and get the heat around the tubing a bit better than a flame does.

If it died today, I'd pick up a replacement one today or tomorrow at the latest.

Just an FYI.

 

[cliftonbros89]

For heat shrink tubing, I have found a 'mini' hot air gun to be awesome.



Try a craft/art store for one. One of the better $10-$15 (IIRC, it's been a few years since I bought the thing) or so things I've bought. No flame, just a controllable relatively gentle hot air flow. And that air flow seems to 'wrap around' the heat shrink tubing and get the heat around the tubing a bit better than a flame does.



If it died today, I'd pick up a replacement one today or tomorrow at the latest.



Just an FYI.

Yeah. A heat gun. I know what you're talking about. Like a hair dryer on steroids. If I were to get one I'd need a cordless one.


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[mbshop]

Well, threw up my hands and got the hf one. So far it works fine and is what I need for the little use it will get. Once I'm convinced it will last a bit I will take the safety off as its a pain and only I will be using it.

 

[mbshop]

Well dismantling the trigger safety is not as easy as one would think. So after looking at it for a while I saw that the part that resets or releases the lock back into place has a small tab. If the tab is gone then the safety will not reset. Hopefully.

 

[mbshop]

Well, my first try was a total disaster. Basically time spent with no results. While messing around, one old tired brain cell up and slapped me and pointed to the obvious simple solution. So I heated up a small screwdriver and while holding the safety down I melted part of the channel its in over thus blocking the safety from moving back up and blocking the button. Now I can push the button all I want at anytime without having to deal with the safety. Not for everyone but its a fix I needed. Thanks for listening.

 

[Infinia]

Should of bought the one from my link but then you'd hafta wait a little longer for gratification,

 

[FigureItOut]

Yeah. A heat gun. I know what you're talking about. Like a hair dryer on steroids. If I were to get one I'd need a cordless one.


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Hey Milwaukee R&D, did you hear that? We need a cordless heat gun, like yesterday....

Actually I'd rather see it in Bosch 12V, but they'd keep it in Europe like some of their other cool stuff and I'd have to fly there. I hate long flights.

 

[mbshop]

Well, just not sure that would have worked for me. The hf one has already payed off in melting plastic so I could weld two pieces together.

Should of bought the one from my link but then you'd hafta wait a little longer for gratification,

 

[mbshop]

just to finish this off, I have to say the one I bought has more than lived up to my expectations. it just plain works. no muss, no fuss. that is all.

 

[johninct]

Dumb question, but can a mini torch heat up a stuck bolt hot enough?

 

[mbshop]

Not really. For normal sized nuts and bolts you will need an oxy acetylene torch set up.

Dumb question, but can a mini torch heat up a stuck bolt hot enough?

 

[Finky198]

I use a Benzomatic TS8000 with propane on up to 5/8" ish hardware and it'll work just fine. Ive added a hose so I can get it into tighter places then the oxy/act setup. They both work with some cross over it just takes a bit longer. Our oxy set up is pretty large so I try to avoid rolling it out unless I need some serious heat or am bending or cutting stuff in the shop.