Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Torch for melting and heating glass

thesmug - 17-2-2014 at 22:03

Earlier today I was melting down some bismuth (very fun), but the plastic on my butane burner cracked from its own heat which in turn broke the gas valve. I was going to make some Hexaaminenickel(ii) chloride and store it in an ampule, but now I have no way of sealing said ampule. I have seen videos of people melting and heating glass with handheld burners (not like blow torches, more like lighters) and was wondering what type of burner/torch would provide adequate heat to melt glass (or at least soften it a reasonable amount).

[edit] I don't mean to make a spoonfeeding request, so if this is too spoonfeed-y just tell me.

[Edited on 2/18/14 by thesmug]

froot - 18-2-2014 at 02:41

Something like this:



http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/Bullfinch_Torch_Kits.h...

thesmug - 18-2-2014 at 08:56

Quote: Originally posted by froot  
Something like this:



http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/Bullfinch_Torch_Kits.h...


Do you know of anything thats like that but a bit more portable?

hyfalcon - 18-2-2014 at 11:03

Try one of these. You can use propane or mapp gas cylinders.

http://www.bernzomatic.com/item.html?id=15

thesmug - 18-2-2014 at 11:22

Quote: Originally posted by hyfalcon  
Try one of these. You can use propane or mapp gas cylinders.

http://www.bernzomatic.com/item.html?id=15


Of the two fuel types which would be better?

Would one of these work?

Zyklon-A - 18-2-2014 at 11:55

MAPP gets to a much higher flame temperature, propane is cheaper, depends on your situation.

thesmug - 18-2-2014 at 13:16

Quote: Originally posted by Zyklonb  
MAPP gets to a much higher flame temperature, propane is cheaper, depends on your situation.


Well cheaper is always better. What about those Butane torches?

hyfalcon - 18-2-2014 at 13:30

Not enough heat if you want to melt glass together.

thesmug - 18-2-2014 at 15:12

Quote: Originally posted by hyfalcon  
Not enough heat if you want to melt glass together.


Ok, thanks. I just remembered that I have a torch laying around I just don't have any fuel canisters.

Zyklon-A - 18-2-2014 at 16:33

I think butane could melt glass, it would take longer and more fuel though. Also isn't propane cheaper?

Electra - 18-2-2014 at 16:59

You can get propane, butane, and acetylene/oxygen torches all at home depot. All should be able to melt glass. To my knowledge propane only burns 20 degrees hotter than butane so a small butane torch might suit your purposes perfectly. Home depot and other hardware stores should carry them in all sorts of sizes