The Joy of Butane Torches. Just in time for summer work and fun. Snap On and Bernzomatic.

[@chiphill4856]

I've been looking for a reliable small torch to do heat shrink tubing electrical for years. Every single one has eventually failed. That changed today when I received my Torch300. It's well made and lights every time. The only negative I see is it requires a bit of coordination to light and lock w one hand. Its a little tricky to maintain the trigger while relieving the lock button as they geometrically oppose each other. Anyhoo - I like it and plan to have it for awhile. Also: my first Snap-On tool! Thanks Doc!

[@jacksmith2315]

Same w me. Ive had 2 of those little bernzomatic ones and they both were junk right out the box. Got the pen style kit one too, samething.

[@chiphill4856]

@@jacksmith2315 I too tried the pen version for soldering. I could not get it to light, ever.

[@ethanjennings6442]

Heat guns are actually better for heat shrink tubing if you have access to power because they shrink more evenly and don't melt/burn the rubber.

[@chiphill4856]

@@ethanjennings6442 True, heat guns don't burn. But they take more time to heat up. The flame needs to be kept moving and kept the correct distance away. If the technique can be mastered, it's quicker and even.

[@user-et5mz5ex9s]

The Turbo Blue torches found at Lowe's are pretty good. It's smaller and from the looks of it puts out just as much heat as the snap on. I have one in my pocket every day

[@bluefj-wc3vz]

I’ve had the Snap On Luger 400 for almost 2 years and absolutely love it. Now you got me thinking I need one for vehicle tool bag. Lol

[@robbabcock_]

I use a torch quite a bit in the kitchen, for burning sugar and creme brulee, melting cheese, searing something cooked sous vide, etc. My favorite is the Iwatani.

[@justinrose407]

i use just a regular green propane bottle on my burnzomatic and then bought the adapter to refill them from a 5 gallon tank. thanks for sharing!

[@orangejulius3]

A cool little accessory I picked up a few years ago is the snowpeak mini flame. I always have so many of those camp size butane tanks with barely anything left. It’s Got really low fuel consumption and it’s a great way to burn off the last of the can with a nice light!

[@itsyaboi5861]

If you need to use a torch on something small like jewelry work or soldering, I recommend the dremel.

[@jacksmith2315]

Ill have to try it. Ive had 2 of those bernzomatics and one of the small pen style ones and all 3 of them were junk. This dude i used to work with has had one for years and works great though. Idk why i keep getting crap ones. The one i have i have to get it goin w a lighter so cant use any of the tips

[@LilasTools]

Doc your killing me with your snap on reviews, I gotta get me TORCH300 now! 👍

[@TheRealChappy]

It's made by portasol

[@IamBrian369]

Excellent video - Thank you

[@TylerSnyder305]

I use the Coleman propane bottles in my bernzomatic plumbing torch.

[@Adscam]

If you need a torch for anything related to cooking or bbq, I recommend Iwatani.

[@yopeople70]

I have a Bernzomatic 3 in 1 torch, heat gun, and soldering iron. Not for super intense or long jobs, but works great in a pinch. Just over $30 bucks with the torch and an extra can of butane.

[@xaviersequeira4831]

Had one of those, failed to light after several months so I switched to the snap on, the 3 in 1 was sweet while it worked

[@user-et5mz5ex9s]

I just carry around a Turbo Blue "Soldering and Brazing Butane Torch Head" from Lowe's for $7.98. Great little torch. It fits perfectly in the pockets of my Duluth fire hose pants. I definitely wouldn't use it for it's advertised use, but it's a good pocket lighter. I also have my map gas torch if I ever need it. It gets charcoal going pretty quickly lol

[@andrewscott8892]

I think this is the first time I've heard someone describe the snap on torch as fantastic.... I've never used it so I can't give a first hand account, I did take your recommendation and buy the flexibile one from home Depot

[@lastbesttool]

How is the flexible one working out? Worth the $5?

[@andrewscott8892]

@@lastbesttool definitely worth the $5, thank you.

[@james10739]

I use propane mostly and I'm to cheap to buy the slightly more expensive tall bottles so I get the camping short fat ones and I got an adapter to refill from big bottles but I can't imagine the butane is really any less expensive than the propane

[@felixf5211]

I use Propane, too. Don't need it that often. With wiring and shrink, I prefer a heat gun anyway.

[@3vil3lvis]

For something more portable and less expensive, consider the MK torch lighter. Right now its $21 for a 4 pack on Amazon.

[@marusholilac]

Today is July 8, 2023. You can still get a 5-pack for $20.70 or a 10-pack for $28.49.

[@will104107]

Love my torch300 great tool only complaint is it takes a min for the flame to die a bit dangerous but still an awesome tool good old benzomatic it always good to do though

[@IllusionSector]

_...good old benzomatic it always good..._ - Not according to the reviews on their own website, which are overwhelmingly negative! On Amazon, on the other hand, they're overwhelmingly positive, but those are invariably short-term reviews written by customers who haven't used it long enough for the issues to begin rearing their ugly head.

[@joshlockie9285]

I’m scared to ask the price of the snap ons

[@jacksmith2315]

Ive never had luck with those small bernzomatics. They either stop igniting w the trigger and have to use a lighter or jus stop working all together. Refilling them never works out for me too good either. I made the mistake of buying the small pen style one ina kit. Same thing right out the box wouldnt work well.

[@jacksmith2315]

Ive got 3 dif kinds of butane too, not cheap crappy ones and they still dont work well or refill well. The big bottle bernzo trigger ive had for years running map gas. The torch head part is loose and floppy since its so old and has been banged around so much and still works great. Just those little ones ive never had good luck with

[@jewittm]

Crap I’m actually going to buy something from snap on finally.

[@jeffreywenger281]

Oh thanks, you adjust the flame from low to high but leave the flame outside the shot so we can't see its range. Not useful.

[@IvanJoel]

What do you use for a mic? the audio sounds good.

[@lastbesttool]

Rode Wireless Go amzn.to/48QNGcV

[@vx-iidu]

hate those snap on torches, the safety button is a pain every single time i go to start it. they should use a safety switch like on a cordless drill.

[@marusholilac]

So frustrating: Every single solitary butane torch for sale on Amazon today (July 8, 2023) has enough 1-star reviews to scare off any sane person. They either leak or explode or just stop working after a few uses. I don't have a good excuse to spend Snap-on money on one. I assume all the Chinese torches are made in the same workshop or else use common components, which would explain why they are consistently rubbish. A recent 1-star review of the Bernzomatic at least states that it's made in Taiwan (usually a good sign) but even that one, at 3 times the price of the Red Chinese ones, rates only a bit better.