Butane torch for soldering

[oilboy123]

Any brand/model that is decent. Some kits have tips and things that might be handy.

 

[mechtech2]

For small work, those pencil type butane torches are real handy.

 

[Gary Allan]

The pistol size are good for in tight plumbing repairs. I don't know how practical they would be for making something over a tank hose deal for a hobby tinkerer type thing.

 

[tom slick]

Wires or pipes?

 

[Rick in PA]

I'll second the "very handy". My wire frame glasses have two silver solder / braze repairs made with pencil torches (and yes the repairs look OK). They're good where you need a small spot of heat. I just used it to heat a stuck lug nut, then penetrating oil loosened it. A buddy at work got me a $5 butane pencil torch from Harbor Freight. It did develop a leak but I tightened the fill valve and it seems OK. I've seen Master (of heat gun fame) now offers one. I'd probably buy that one if I was shopping for one. I'ts got a larger diameter body with a bit of a base so it stands by itself and the torch head is at right angle to the body. This seems like a second generation design, a bit more practicle than the true pencil torch. The torch heads all look alike, at least in the photographs. Same manufacturer?

 

[oilboy123]

Sorry, I want to use it for light wire soldering, heat shrink and such. I have a propane torch if I need to go crazy.

 

[rpn453]

I'm not sure if you want something this small, but I love my little Solder-It Turbo-Lite torch that is about the size of a BIC lighter (though a little fatter). It's great for soldering automotive wiring. I'll never solder anything but circuit boards using electricity again, if I can help it! I have one that is pretty worn out after years of regular use for a variety of things, and another still in the package to keep exclusively for soldering if that other one dies and I can't find them anymore.

Solder-It Turbo-Lite

I used to get them on sale at Canadian Tire for around $6. Unfortunately, I haven't seen them in any stores for at least a couple of years. Canadian Tire sells a different make now, but it lacks range on the flame adjustment and has no way to lock it on:

Pro-Iroda Mini Torch

 

[Gary Allan]

Man! both are key-chain-able. A MacGyver "must have" if I ever saw one. Naturally, he'd turn a regular Bic lighter into one ..but..

 

[SecondMonkey]

I'm constantly using a small torch for soldering wires and heat shrink. I've tried several butane torches over the years, never found one I liked. They don't seem to last more than a couple refills before it starts to leak or the sparker dies. Plus butane doesn't burn as hot and cost more....

So I made this.

Holds enough propane or even MAPP gas for about an hour of run time. Cost maybe six cents to refill.

I searched and searched and searched and searched to find a refillable small propane torch, from anybody, at any cost, but could not find such a thing...

 

[oilboy123]

Pretty cool job there! How do you fill it?

I bought a couple of cheap ones at Harbor Freight. I will use them so I know what features I want in future.

The first one I got from them was on sale for like $1.99. Stopped working. Aint that a shock......

I need it for a boat project wiring job.

 

[SecondMonkey]

I fill it with this valve, from a standard 1# propane tank. The 1# tank is refilled with the same valve from a 20#.

This is it's big brother, for startin' fires in a hurry!

(no officer, that's not a bomb

)