Sciencemadness Discussion Board - Blowtorch won't light?

Blowtorch won't light?

elementcollector1 - 15-9-2013 at 22:25

My blowtorch has become rather rusty from years exposed to acids and solvents (naturally, I learned my lesson after everything metal in the garage got a fine red coating), and won't light. It makes a spark, but the propane won't ignite. I cleaned as much rust off as I could, but I still don't think it'll change much. Has anyone had this problem before?

confused - 15-9-2013 at 23:40

is here a spark when you click the piezoelectric ignitor?
is there butane gas coming from the lighter?

[Edited on 16-9-2013 by confused]

sonogashira - 16-9-2013 at 03:51

You could try vigorously rubbing two sticks together in front of the nozzle. It should supply enough frictional heat energy to ignite the gas flow.

MrHomeScientist - 16-9-2013 at 06:17

Quote: Originally posted by confused

is here a spark when you click the piezoelectric ignitor?
is there butane gas coming from the lighter?

[Edited on 16-9-2013 by confused]

I don't think butane would be coming from a propane blowtorch.

Does gas still flow from the bottle? I.e. can you light the torch with another ignition source besides the sparker? Have you disassembled it as much as possible and cleaned everything you can reach? You might just need to buy a new torch attachment, unfortunately.

confused - 16-9-2013 at 09:22

ah, misread that, im too used to using butane

have you tried using an open flame to ignite the propane? does that work?

elementcollector1 - 16-9-2013 at 09:35

MHS: Yes. There is a noticeable flow of propane when the thing is clicked, and a spark is produced.
confused: I've tried using matches - they got blown out... If I had a BIC lighter, I'd try that, but I do not.
sonogashira: I've had to do that before to start a regular fire. Never again.

EDIT: Now that it's clean, the blowtorch lights every seventh try or so. Good enough!

[Edited on 16-9-2013 by elementcollector1]

DraconicAcid - 16-9-2013 at 10:15

Quote: Originally posted by elementcollector1

MHS: Yes. There is a noticeable flow of propane when the thing is clicked, and a spark is produced.
confused: I've tried using matches - they got blown out... If I had a BIC lighter, I'd try that, but I do not.
sonogashira: I've had to do that before to start a regular fire. Never again.

EDIT: Now that it's clean, the blowtorch lights every seventh try or so. Good enough!

[Edited on 16-9-2013 by elementcollector1]

Try holding the matches further away from the nozzle, and bring them slowly in until the torch ignites.

elementcollector1 - 16-9-2013 at 12:44

Sorry, should've been more clear. The sparker works again, but the blowtorch only ignites every 7th try or so - I've given up on using matches.

bfesser - 16-9-2013 at 13:05

Sounds like your propane flow rate is too high. Try replacing the orifice with a new one, but be sure it's the correct size.

cyanureeves - 16-9-2013 at 16:58

give it up and get a striker or get a cheap brass basic torch they are 9 bucks as i also have rust everywhere. i also have brass acetylene/oxygen gauges that turned red by chlorine and luckily my torch has been wrapped in my leather apron.my basic propane torch also blows out matches and lighters will light the torch but will go out as soon as i remove the lighter flame.the best thing for my propane torch is a spark from a striker

.this weekend i bought a mapp gas torch and gas from ace hardware that was on sale for 27 dollars,happy,happy,happy! try sticking the nozzle tip in a box of arm and hammer baking soda for a couple of days. baking soda was what i used to stop the rust from eating away my tool box and tools.the rust was arrested but it was too late and a methlab chlorine generator bottle i found on a country road taught me a valuable lesson.my new torch has a spark igniter trigger.happy,happy.happy!

[Edited on 9-17-2013 by cyanureeves]