Budget Gas Torch

djkeev · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:26 pm Post subject: Budget Gas Torch

I recently got a 90 Vanagon and I'm working on it out in Pennsylvania rather than my well equipped warm shop in NJ.

Go figure? 🤷‍♂️

Anyway, my Oxy/acetylene torch is in NJ,
I'm dealing with rusty fasteners now out in PA.

I've seen a propane torch bottle sized torch kit.
I bought one today at tractor supply fulling expecting to take it back.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I must say, I'm impressed!
It for sure won't replace my full size torch but for those who don't own a real torch it is a viable alternative for heating and removing stuck fasteners.

The gas controls are as expected, cheap and touchy but once you get the feel for it, a hot concentrated flame is possible.

Thus far it has heated every fastener I went at to cherry red and I unscrewed them.

Not my “go to" torch by any means, but it really works!

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

thatbaldwinlife · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

Nice! A torch set up at all is something my tool kit is missing.
Though we don't have as much rust out here thus not as many stuck fasteners.
nate
_________________
1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel

danfromsyr · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 3:39 pm Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

we use one of these for years just for these occasions.
exhaust nuts in tight locations.

they'll do about 9-10 nuts to cherry red if you do it diligent and quickly.
don't over run the torch flame when it's not doing it's thing.. fire it up get to task and turn it off.

it can be considered expensive to some, but I gladly pay the few $/bolt vs the time effort and costs when one breaks.
buy extra fuel tanks. and you can't tell by feel if the red oxygen is empty or full. there's very little O2 in there by weight.

I highly recommend one of these even if you have a larger torch set..
but I like tools for specific and varied tasks.

good product review

DanHoug · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

my first experience with that type of torch was a very old Bernzomatic oxy torch that used pellets that you had to strike and ignite like a flare and it somehow produced oxygen to mix with a propane cyl. miserable thing... the pellets were insane expensive and you got like 30 seconds of uncontrolled output.

this seems much better. let us know how long the O2 tank lasts. i bought a small portable acetylene rig with the pony sized bottles. needed it for work, they would have bought one, but i wanted to own it. i like it and use it mostly for bolt duty, the MIG getting most welding tasks.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

bobhill8 · Samba Member Joined: June 09, 2017 Posts: 737 Location: MA

Great to know Dave - thanks for the info. Definitely better than my feeble propane torch.

dhaavers · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

Always wondered, now I know!

I don't see me ever needing a full size gas setup but this sounds like it would
be worth picking up & keeping around for those once-in-a-while moments...

I may have to quick add this to the Christmas list! Wink

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

jlrftype7 · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2020 9:52 pm Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

I’ve had a set for several decades. One tip, at least with my older Benzo set, unscrew the tanks from the torch set when not in use, sometimes they bleed your gas out of a bottle even with the valves tightly closed.
If I leave everything apart, I don’t lose either tank while they sit unused for months and months.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

Abscate · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 5:48 am Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

About $80 bucks for the set

12-15 for each cylinder

This is totally worth it for the garage. I used my $300 set so little I gave it to my welder friend (can borrow it back, of course) but having the quick “ cherry red” solution is great
_________________
.ssS!

djkeev · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 6:01 am Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

What I miss is the ability to cut.

It produces enough heat to get the nut to a "puddle" point and I wanted to squeeze the non existent oxygen lever to blow that nut away....... but I can't.

I doubt it will be good for larger nuts or items, but for what it is? I'm quite happy with it.

I just wish they put a little more time into the gas control valves, maybe a finer thread as they open?
It goes from almost nothing to way too much way too easily.
Not unlike adjusting a cheap propane cooking stove to simmer, Super High or Off!

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

djkeev · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 11:24 am Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

Well, major disassembly is finished.

I needed the torch on six 13mm (8mm thread) fasteners, one twice ..... so seven.

I still had gas when I shut it down, it saved my butt!

I'll unscrew the tanks until it is needed next.

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

danfromsyr · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 11:39 am Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

one other trick I've used for nuts that are no longer a size or even hex shaped.
is once red hot, to give the cherry nut a squeeze with vicegrips. it'll deform the nut and the threads will disengage to allow it to be turned off with said vicegrips easily with minimal risk ot breaking the stud.

dhaavers · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 7:55 am Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

I can't find the Bernzo brand unit near me but came across this cheap ($65) Chinese option:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B087PJ44HM/?coliid=I3I..._lig_dp_it

On the plus side, it has valves on the torch itself...down side is that all the knobs are plastic...

Thoughts from the collective? <shrug>

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

cmayna · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:26 am Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch

I use my Bernz0matic torch more often heating up coals for my webber grill or webber smoker. Fantastic tool. Always have extra tanks out in the shop.
_________________
'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.

Craig

djkeev · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Budget Gas Torch


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1