BLUEFIRE propane torch Handy Torch Head Push Button Trigger Start Nozzle Torch Fuel Propane MAPP MAP PRO Gas Cylinder blowtorch is suitable for welding Soldering Brazing Cooking Glass Beads DIY(torch)
$ 6.67
- I have recently been getting into brass/bronze brazing as both a hobby and way to do small repairs, as welding generally involves a bit too much equipment/mess, and for what I’m doing, welding would just be overkill.I have a lot of good things to say, so I’m going to start with my “cons.” My main complaint with this so far is how much it heats up during use. I don’t have any fear it’s going to melt in my hands, but I would say it gets a bit too hot to handle it bare-handed. You shouldn’t braze bare handed if you can help it, but handling wise it’s something to keep in mind when you’re using it. Basically, plan on using gloves when handling this torch. I would even recommend using an extension hose to keep propane tanks away from it, and to give you something else to hold.My other gripe is the plastic parts of the torch. They just don’t feel that well done. It’s a cheap torch so it’s understandable, but it definitely feels plasticky. The igniter button has a lot of play, and I don’t know how long to plan for it to last (you can also light this with a lighter or welding lighter, so I’m not too worried). The gas flow adjustment knob also has a lot of play, and it actually feels like it’s starting to get a bit loose, so I’m already planning on making a sturdier replacement.With those “cons” in mind, remember that this is a $25 torch, so it’s not going to be perfect in every way. Its core functionality is great!Now for the good:In my searches for a good brazing torch, I’ve gone a couple different directions. My first one was a Bernzomatic TS4000, which was nice, but didn’t quite get me to the temperatures I was looking for, did not have an adjustable flame so as to be useful for other home applications, and I quickly upgraded to the TS8000. The TS8000 was a welcome upgrade, but also didn’t do great with plain propane, and performed far better with MAP/PRO gas. In the long term, MAP/PRO is a couple times more expensive than propane, so I still was looking for something that could manage to do what I wanted with regular propane.Eventually, I discovered the Bullfinch Autotorch Brazing system, which appeared to do everything the TS8000 did, but with plain propane, based on what I saw from other people’s experiences. However, getting one in the US is expensive and involves jerry-rigging adapters to make it compatible with US propane tanks. A bit too much hassle and cost for what is basically a hobby for me at this point, and my unfamiliarity with pneumatics and pressurized gases make me hesitant to try and make my own adapters, purely from a safety standpoint.I finally come upon this Bluefire cyclone torch, and see that people are fairly happy with them for soldering and general use, so at the price they’re available at ($25), I figure it’s worth a shot. From my testing, this torch is VERY much adequate for light and possibly “medium” brazing jobs using regular propane only. I still need to try it with lap joints, but I think that with a minimal heat containment set up around what you’re brazing, this would probably do lap joints just fine. And, with a supplemental heat source, I have no doubts that it would work great.Now, that’s obviously probably true of the bernzomatic torches as well, but I think what differentiates the bernzomatics from this one is that this torch throws a slightly lesser “amount” of heat more precisely. The bernzomatics undoubtedly burn hotter, especially on map gas, but they throw that large amount of heat all over the place, and the net outcome of that is a significant heat loss during the brazing process, which ultimately makes a sloppy braze. I have no doubt they’re probably better for larger applications, but for the smaller jobs that I’m doing, the bernzomatics are just too unwieldy. It really boils down to having the right tool for the job.I noticed that the area that gets heated up by this bluefire torch is smaller than that heated up by the bernzomatics, and this makes a big difference in getting the bronze / brass to flow to the proper areas of the joint. In my applications, the bernzomatics tended to heat up too large of an area, which made the brass go all over place, including areas that I didn’t want brass in. Not necessarily because it was damaging, but just because having the brass there would just be a waste of materials.With all of that said, I would say that if you’re getting into brazing and you’re not doing large pieces, this bluefire torch is probably going to cover a majority of your bases, along with having a lot of extra additional utility as a general propane torch, possibly for glass working (don’t know anything about glassworking so don’t quote me on that), loosening old bolts, lighting fires and barbecues, soldering, aluminum brazing, and perhaps even some cooking applications (such as finishing creme brulee).Again, for the price, you’re getting a lot of torch, so I strongly recommend this!
