usapyro Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 (edited) Torches are starting to piss me off... Every single time you aim them downward they start shooting a fireball. I think the tilting causes the liquid butane or propane to enter the exit nozzle and come through as a liquid which overloads the torch... Must be because they are cheap #*$*#... Dunno. This time my ENTIRE butane pen torch and my hand turned into a fireball and very strangely only burned my knuckles... I think the cold gas flowing through my hand protected it. It appeared that butane was coming out of the entire twist valve area... Torch seems to be working fine now... Making sure not to tilt the stupid thing downward... I was in the process of heating and bending some PVC to finish a greenhouse of all things... Edited June 16, 2011 by usapyro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 The TS4000 Trigger-Start Torch (TS4000T) is the only one I use in the shop and that I bring to light fireworks. I use the QUICKFIRE Hand Torch (BZ9400QF) at work for sweating fittings. I dont use the butane torches at all anymore for just the reason you state. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asilentbob Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I use a propane torch and have never had this problem... but I have never tried to re-create this either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richtee Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Crappy torch...and not made for doing PVC anyway. You need a much lower heat, and less concentrated. Even a BBQ full of charcoal would be better. Lesson learned I figger... use the right tools for the job... and glad it was minor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmandotcom Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 mine has a lid on it so i needed to angle it to light anything, i have given up on it now and have gone back to crappy old bics, at least i can hold those un angled mine has a lid on it so i needed to angle it to light anything, i have given up on it now and have gone back to crappy old bics, at least i can hold those un angled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flying fish Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 (edited) Butane torches and lighters are awful. I'm not sure about bending PVC but for lighting fuses TS4000s are perfect. Not to sound like yet another commercial for bernzomatic but I use one and practically everyone at MPAG uses them. You can go forever on a single can of propane or MAPP if you're just lighting fuses. I've never had it shoot fireballs at me or even fail to ignite for that matter, regardless of orientation or weather conditions. Edited June 20, 2011 by flying fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonny Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 (edited) Try using one of these! Not sure if it's the same as Dagabu was referring to, but they are awesome.Trigger start, looks like a gun, and no cumbersome tank hanging on the bottom. Edited June 21, 2011 by Bonny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Try using one of these! Not sure if it's the same as Dagabu was referring to, but they are awesome.Trigger start, looks like a gun, and no cumbersome tank hanging on the bottom. Yes-sir!! Thats the critter I use for sweating fittings at work, very fast heat up and adjustable fuel to boot! I have the 4000 for fireworks http://www.signwarehouse.com/shop/graphics/00000001/M_Bern_TS4000_Torch_72dpi.jpg -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwdrummer5 Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Anyone seen or herd of using small home modified co2 cylinders as a fuel tank. A few people at wwb had them and they say they last all week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
californiapyro Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 well ive been on the same tank of MAPP gas for about 6 months now... i have the bernzomatic dag pictured, i love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nater Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I use the Bernzomatic TS-8000. For only pyro, save the money and get the TS-4000 Dag mentioned. The adjustable flame on the 8000 with MAPP gas provides plenty of heat to solder and you can even braze thin pieces. I find it handy for other projects. You can't beat the torch for pyro, I even use when we handlight displays. I don't like using fusees as much because of the slag and the retina burning bright light. I keep them in my pocket for backup, but I prefer the torch every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I use the Bernzomatic as Dag's pic. Works every time. Get the yellow MAPP gas can -the gas is no better than butane but it's more obvious in the dark. For fireworks a gas can will last about a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algenco Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 TS-4000 and propane, never fails Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankRizzo Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I also use a TS4000, and would never go back to anything else. I believe the OP was referring to those refillable butane "pencil torches". The cheap ones are notorious for leaking around the area where you twist it to turn the torch on/off and adjust the flame size. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fC2%2BSredL._SL500_AA300_.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warthog Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I use the Benzomatic TS-4000 myself. I have some of those little pen things, they are not a serious torch IMO. They can be fun to play with but they aren't something I wold trust for anything that could injure, maim or kill me like fireworks can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwdrummer5 Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 I do have a TS 4000, but I found it bulky to lug around Between the B line, the rocket line and the day box. Not to mention back and forth when lighting fuses. I wouldn't trust any other lighter reliably. I was referring to having a small tank to avoid carrying the 1 lb. I'll post some photos of one that a fellow wpa member made along with my own creation as soon as I learn how to post images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwdrummer5 Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 <a href="http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv319/jwdrummer5/?action=view¤t=butane.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv319/jwdrummer5/butane.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>ok hopefully there is an image above this post. if not i need to find another way to post images Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwdrummer5 Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 BLASTED! (my favorite expletive)http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv319/jwdrummer5/butane.jpgok Here is the image. Behold the basis of my new lightweight Propane torch. http://www.suremarineservice.com//images/products/detail/G417.jpgI removed all the butane and attached the adapter using a high strength epoxy.ill let you know how it turns out. oh and here is a different kind of tank but waaaay out of my price range http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv319/jwdrummer5/Parker.jpg i was also thinking of using a threaded 90 gram co2 cylinderhttp://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv319/jwdrummer5/41GfypKBR7L_SL500_AA300_.jpg But I don't have a safe method of removing the co2 from the cylinder Blasted i tried to resize but it didn't work sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankRizzo Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 How are those more convenient than a TS4000 with the fat propane tanks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwdrummer5 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv319/jwdrummer5/image.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jwdrummer5 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Anyway there is my new setup. Much more convenient that the 1lb cylinder. It is much lighter and also fits neatly into my holster so that my hands are free to load mortars etc. it can hold up to 30 minutes of propane (80%) full. I have since pressure tested it at 120 degrees F. It started to leak just under the rolled crimp. I have since epoxied further down the sides to encompass this lip. It is now sealed. Here it is in the holster http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv319/jwdrummer5/image-2.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagabu Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 That's pretty interesting, just a small butane cylinder on top of the 4000.... I may have to try that as well. -dag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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