Blazer Micro-Torch
By Lex Dodson
Blazer’s line of utility torches are powerful little monsters — you can adjust the flame from a smoky, match-like burn to a nearly-invisible jet of 2,500-degree plasma, hot enough to turn steel into a molten puddle. They run on easily-obtainable butane and can handle everything from soldering heavy-gauge wire to applying heat shrink.
You’ve got to be careful with this little bugger, but it’s a kick-ass tool for electronics techs, hobbyists, and anyone who needs to apply a bit — or a lot — of precise heat. Street pricing is about $40.
Blazer GB-2001 [Blazer]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
August 4th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
And they’re tough as nails. Mine is probably 10 years old and has been left outside exposed to the elements for weeks on end, tossed around by a toddler, stepped on and used very heavily. Awesome product.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
What’s a toddler doing playing with a micro-torch??
August 4th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Growing up right.
August 4th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
…or alight… ;-P
August 4th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Some of these torches have so many safety interlocks that they are impossible to light one handed - I use the Harbor Freight variety, which is cheap, easy to light, and fairly unreliable.
Maybe that is not fair… you can rely on it, as some point, to shoot out a flaming stream of liquid. I use mine on a workbench dedicated to torch work, with a stone top and firebrick back. If the Blazer is easy to turn on I wouldn’t mind spending more for something a bit less dramatic.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I use mine to light my cigars. Sure beats having to refill the standard lighters every few days (or so it seems).
Just don’t light a good cigar on the 2,500 degree setting. Although it might be fun to try once on an El Cheapo.