Good small torch for heating stuck bolts

[yomax4]

One obstacle with single tank heat with MAPP or Propane is if you have to turn the thing upside down it will belch liquid and flare up on you. Or try to. If you go with single tank look at the Victor Turbo Torch for good function.

 

[Cord]

The benzomatic ts-8000 map/pro gas keeps popping up, cost $50-$60.

I have several of these torches and I highly recommend them for your application. They're not as fast as acetylene, but they're pretty good. Like using them for other jobs such as preheating metal or warming a cold spray paint can. Make certain you get the piezo ignition, the cheaper versions won't have this feature. Also make certain you close the gas valve after every use.

 

[fried1765]

I have one of THESE for I don't remember what project, it's pretty nifty but the valves are very touchy and the oxygen bottles are tiny...

64 reviews on that link, with 31 of them one star BAD!

 

[Industrial Toys]

My experience is that almost without question a seized fastener isn't doing anything until RED hot.

I have a current quandry about corroded electrical terminals on a strip with torx screws. How to get any heat at that without destroying the plastic block?

I ABSOLUTELY CURSE OEMS for NOT greasing each and every fastener!

 

[rangerfredbob]

64 reviews on that link, with 31 of them one star BAD!

Yeah, it's goofy and for someone without patience it could be tough, but I haven't used it in years and only used it twice...

Plus, I'm out of the rust belt, so almost no experience with rusted fasteners...

 

[yomax4]

My experience is that almost without question a seized fastener isn't doing anything until RED hot.

I have a current quandry about corroded electrical terminals on a strip with torx screws. How to get any heat at that without destroying the plastic block?

I ABSOLUTELY CURSE OEMS for NOT greasing each and every fastener!

Struggled with this 2X recently. Same thing. Once I was able to slowly rat a tat tat it with my small impact driver and got both loose ( after an overnight of Liq wrench) the next one wouldn't budge and had to be cut, re-terminaled and a new block. Took forever. I never siezed both when re-installing. Sucked hugely !

 

[EddieWalker]

I bought the small gas/oxy set from Home Depot a dozen years ago. Maybe a little longer then that. The link to Home Depot looks very similar to what I have, but the name doesn't sound familiar. When I bought mine, I asked on here what to look for and somebody said that it was Victor compatible, and that was a good thing.

It might sit for a year, or I might use it several times a year. Last project was when I bent my forks on my forklift attachment carrying a log. I cut out the metal so I could get the fork off, then heated it up so I could bend it flat again, then welded it back in place so I could put the fork back on and use it again. The metal was half an inch thick that I cut off. The torch is super handy for small jobs like that.

To replace the bottles, I go to a welding supply house in town. I leave the bottle on their shipping dock, walk to their front counter, pay for it and when I walk out, there is a new bottle sitting there. Or both bottles since they usually go out at the same time. The last job where I heated up the metal to bend it back into place used a lot more gas then oxygen, so I just replaced that one bottle when it was empty.

I can get through just about any project with the small bottles if they are full. I've never felt the need to have the big set up, but I can't imagine living out here without the small set of bottles.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Xtremep...t-Hose-Cut-Weld-Braze-or-Form-55146/311199345

 

[mjw]

OP here.

Thanks for the advice.
I just picked up the Bernzomatic TS800 MAPP kit, $44 on sale at my local farm and fleet.
Not sure if it is hotter than my other propane torches, but it sure is noisy and started to melt a lead ingot I had laying around in less than 20 seconds outside with a breeze.

I will try to keep the bottle disconnected and the torch purged, it seems a lot of problems are blamed on leaving gas in the system.

And I will buy an extension hose, but have to go to another store for that. I probably knew using the handheld upside down was a no no, but was reminded here.

I really wish the Bernzomatic oxy/Mapp kit got better reviews, it would have cost less than this one with additional hose. And for my use the tiny oxygen bottles might have been ok.

I needed a new small torch anyway, my other self-igniter one bit the dust and I wasn’t going to mess much with trying to service it. I do need to pull the ignitor out of the trash, I realized it could be adapted to some of my lead melting stoves.
Funny, lighting them is what I use my handheld torch for 99% of the time.

Wish me luck.

 

[CADplans]

Well, you already got a torch,, but, I thought I ought to tell you about the one I like,,

This one here,

https://www.amazon.com/TurboTorch-0...8463651&sprefix=6+turbo+torch,aps,198&sr=8-12

With the T-6 tip, running on a 20 pound propane grill sized tank, this torch can heat a 1" round steel bar hot enough to bend by hand in a vise,,,

The Turbotorch is a unique design that swirls the fuel-air,, the nitrogen goes towards the outside, the fuel-oxygen stays towards the center.
In effect, you are kinda getting a propane-oxygen torch,, for the cost of a propane-air torch.

I have had a Turbotorch since 1979,, but, I only got the T-6 tip last year,,
The T-6 tip is a MONSTER torch,, the smaller size tips are also very useful.

The Turbotorch was the first air torch that could braze refrigeration lines, rather than having to also carry an oxygen bottle.

 

[lostcause]

As at least one other noted, induction heaters are a pretty cool gadget. A mechanic friend has had one for several years and it's really the way to go when flame will damage wires, seals, or boots. Looks like they can be had for a little under $200 now on ebay. Still a lot more than a torch, but if you factor in collateral damage from a flame it may not be too bad.