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I agree, but why buy a POS torch with the potential to burn down a house when you can buy quality and not worry about it, are you going to take that torch apart every time you stop soldering on a job??? every time you put it down to set up more fittings to solder??
If the torch closes properly I used to remove it from the tank going to lunch or at the end of the day... That was commercial so it was all concrete so chance of a fire was very slim.


I own 3 authentic turbo torches and all three leak gas at the tip. So yeah I take it off all the time. unless I know if its far away not to catch anything on fire. I tried to disassemble one to see if I could fix it but it's factory crimped and I destroyed it, impossible to put it back together again. (Now only 2)

When I was a apprentice noob a 4th year came along and purposefully cranked it closed. This caused a permanent leak and to never close a 100% ever again. I wish I could see him now and give a kick in the a$$ so hard his nuts would hurt for a week.
 
If the torch closes properly I used to remove it from the tank going to lunch or at the end of the day... That was commercial so it was all concrete so chance of a fire was very slim.


I own 3 authentic turbo torches and all three leak gas at the tip. So yeah I take it off all the time. unless I know if its far away not to catch anything on fire. I tried to disassemble one to see if I could fix it but it's factory crimped and I destroyed it, impossible to put it back together again. (Now only 2)

When I was a apprentice noob a 4th year came along and purposefully cranked it closed. This caused a permanent leak and to never close a 100% ever again. I wish I could see him now and give a kick in the a$$ so hard his nuts would hurt for a week.
My Turbotorch started not closing 100% about 6 months ago. I talked to Turbotorch rep at a supply house about it. He said to put it in super hot water (just under boiling) for about a half hour and it should take care of it. I’ll try that one of these days. For about 20 years I’d never take it off the bottle when not in use and it was fine.
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
If the torch closes properly I used to remove it from the tank going to lunch or at the end of the day... That was commercial so it was all concrete so chance of a fire was very slim.


I own 3 authentic turbo torches and all three leak gas at the tip. So yeah I take it off all the time. unless I know if its far away not to catch anything on fire. I tried to disassemble one to see if I could fix it but it's factory crimped and I destroyed it, impossible to put it back together again. (Now only 2)

When I was a apprentice noob a 4th year came along and purposefully cranked it closed. This caused a permanent leak and to never close a 100% ever again. I wish I could see him now and give a kick in the a$$ so hard his nuts would hurt for a week.

hmm, I dont know what to tell you, I never had one leak( acetylene) , the valve on the handle always worked and at the end of the day I closed the tank valve..Ill let you know how the propane one works out as far as leaks, but it shuts off good now, its new so time will tell, were yours propane or acetylene that leaked?
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
My Turbotorch started not closing 100% about 6 months ago. I talked to Turbotorch rep at a supply house about it. He said to put it in super hot water (just under boiling) for about a half hour and it should take care of it. I’ll try that one of these days. For about 20 years I’d never take it off the bottle when not in use and it was fine.

did he say why todo that? is there residue from the propane building up on the shutoff valve? propane has an addative that gives it that crap smell and even when you cut open old propane tanks that are dead empty and even washed out they still stink of propane..
 
hmm, I dont know what to tell you, I never had one leak( acetylene) , the valve on the handle always worked and at the end of the day I closed the tank valve..Ill let you know how the propane one works out as far as leaks, but it shuts off good now, its new so time will tell, were yours propane or acetylene that leaked?
Always used propane, very rarely mapp gas. Like this one and one without the igniter. Maybe there's a difference in either propane vs acetelyne or on jobs we had torch+hose with acetylene. They were a popular brand, I just don't know the name of it but they always closed well even if they were old and used by many other guys before me.


https://www.amazon.com/TurboTorch-0386-0851-STK-99-MAP-Pro-Lighting/dp/B00INRZJ7G
 
Discussion starter · #28 ·
did he say why todo that? is there residue from the propane building up on the shutoff valve? propane has an addative that gives it that crap smell and even when you cut open old propane tanks that are dead empty and even washed out they still stink of propane..
I don’t remember why, he was packing up his display table and I was trying to get my supplies for my next job. Plus all the donuts or whatever snacks they have out to lure you over were gone.

Probably to remove residue or get the seals spongy again if they’re drying out.

I’ve only used Mapp and never propane
 
I agree, but why buy a POS torch with the potential to burn down a house when you can buy quality and not worry about it, are you going to take that torch apart every time you stop soldering on a job??? every time you put it down to set up more fittings to solder??
Chuckle, Well the end of the day takes about 3 seconds so...…...yes. Never had any real issues with leakage, bending, banging, getting loose, yes. I guess I took better care of it.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-Premium-Torch-Head-328626/203718633?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-202539575-_-203718633-_-N

Oh FYI here's your positive shut off. AKA (sleep good at night)>>>>> https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-WH0159-Universal-Torch-Extension-Hose-361542/202539579
 
Ive had the hand torches leak and sometimes (oftentimes ) leak , I highly recomend unscrewing bottle . A b tank setup or the propane setup you have I think are more reliable of cource we must use caution but I think those are like 10 times more reliable .
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
Ive had the hand torches leak and sometimes (oftentimes ) leak , I highly recomend unscrewing bottle . A b tank setup or the propane setup you have I think are more reliable of cource we must use caution but I think those are like 10 times more reliable .

only 10x, I think at least 12.456X more reliable...I know people that unscrew the bottle and ones that dont, I like to live dangerously and dont, but the torch heads are of quality and I check to hear and smell if it leaks after use, they arent stored in air tight areas so even if it does leak it will dissipate, I always leave my truck window cracked to let fresh air into the truck as all the chemicals ( pvc, glue and primer and solvents) release enough fumes that are not healthy to breath on their own, so if you hear about a truck go boom it may be me..lol...:surprise::vs_laugh:
 
My boss' dad ended up throwing the tiny turbo torch head back in his side box (pickup truck) after a soldering job and it didn't shut off all the way. Someone had to pull him over going down the highway because everything inside the box was on fire and smoke was billowing out.


I always pull the head off the tank. Propane is too expensive. :p
 
I always leave my truck window cracked to let fresh air into the truck as all the chemicals ( pvc, glue and primer and solvents) release enough fumes that are not healthy to breath on


Do you smoke cigarettes?





I always pull the head off the tank. Propane is too expensive. :p


It's funny you guys do it that way. I guess we get crappy bottles and good heads because around here everyone grows up knowing to leave the propane bottle on because the valves don't close all the way again and closing the torch valve is the only sure way to not have leaks.


I wrapped my quick detach torch handle in leather ;) I have a good amount of torch stuff but for work I just use one of the screw on handle heads. The turbotorch tx503/504. Mapp gas isn't mapp gas anymore so you don't really get a benefit over propane like you used to. That and propress has made soldering anything above 3/4" pretty rare. We still braze linesets but I never do AC work. Even if I did the simple torch is enough for the split systems because the lines are small and we use high silver braze rod with the phosphorus. Sil-fos silvaloy.


I too have one of the big tank adapters for propane and some extension hose that fits the 1lb bottles. I use that for when I run out on my van and need to borrow the customers bbq tank ;) It luckily doesn't happen often, maybe once a year but it's less embarrassing than having to run to the hardware store or sit with your thumb in your arse till the supply house shows up. And most customers think the adapter is cool and then want one for camping so we have a good chat.
 

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This is what most of us use. They are cheap plastic that only last like 2 years but it's what the supply house carries so it's all the shop will pay for. I have a couple metal versions of this style but I don't use them at work because why ruin my own tools. This is actually the more expensive one with two different tips. If the shop parts woman orders it you only get the single tip. But I know I will send solder or flux inside one and ruin it so I get the spare. They are technically different sizes but realistically you can't tell the difference.
 

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Discussion starter · #36 ·
Do you smoke cigarettes?









It's funny you guys do it that way. I guess we get crappy bottles and good heads because around here everyone grows up knowing to leave the propane bottle on because the valves don't close all the way again and closing the torch valve is the only sure way to not have leaks.


I wrapped my quick detach torch handle in leather ;) I have a good amount of torch stuff but for work I just use one of the screw on handle heads. The turbotorch tx503/504. Mapp gas isn't mapp gas anymore so you don't really get a benefit over propane like you used to. That and propress has made soldering anything above 3/4" pretty rare. We still braze linesets but I never do AC work. Even if I did the simple torch is enough for the split systems because the lines are small and we use high silver braze rod with the phosphorus. Sil-fos silvaloy.


I too have one of the big tank adapters for propane and some extension hose that fits the 1lb bottles. I use that for when I run out on my van and need to borrow the customers bbq tank ;) It luckily doesn't happen often, maybe once a year but it's less embarrassing than having to run to the hardware store or sit with your thumb in your arse till the supply house shows up. And most customers think the adapter is cool and then want one for camping so we have a good chat.



no cigarettes, but a cigar here and there...I have both on the truck now, torch head right on tank with shutoff in torch body, and the turbo torch with hose setup..and I carry a few extra propane bottles and a mapp , so I wont run out..
this one works great.. https://www.amazon.com/Bernzomatic-...2?ie=UTF8&qid=1546700589&sr=8-2&keywords=propane+torch+with+push+button+igniter
 
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