Sciencemadness Discussion Board
Not logged in [Login ]
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: Blowtorch won't light?
elementcollector1
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 2684
Registered: 28-12-2011
Location: The Known Universe
Member Is Offline

Mood: Molten

[*] posted on 15-9-2013 at 22:25
Blowtorch won't light?


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?



Elements Collected:52/87
Latest Acquired: Cl
Next in Line: Nd
View user's profile View All Posts By User
confused
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 244
Registered: 17-3-2013
Location: Singapore
Member Is Offline

Mood: tired

[*] posted on 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]
View user's profile View All Posts By User
sonogashira
National Hazard
****




Posts: 555
Registered: 10-9-2006
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 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.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
MrHomeScientist
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 1806
Registered: 24-10-2010
Location: Flerovium
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 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.
:P


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.
View user's profile Visit user's homepage View All Posts By User
confused
Hazard to Others
***




Posts: 244
Registered: 17-3-2013
Location: Singapore
Member Is Offline

Mood: tired

[*] posted on 16-9-2013 at 09:22


ah, misread that, im too used to using butane :D

have you tried using an open flame to ignite the propane? does that work?
View user's profile View All Posts By User
elementcollector1
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 2684
Registered: 28-12-2011
Location: The Known Universe
Member Is Offline

Mood: Molten

[*] posted on 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]




Elements Collected:52/87
Latest Acquired: Cl
Next in Line: Nd
View user's profile View All Posts By User
DraconicAcid
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 4334
Registered: 1-2-2013
Location: The tiniest college campus ever....
Member Is Offline

Mood: Semi-victorious.

[*] posted on 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.




Please remember: "Filtrate" is not a verb.
Write up your lab reports the way your instructor wants them, not the way your ex-instructor wants them.
View user's profile View All Posts By User
elementcollector1
International Hazard
*****




Posts: 2684
Registered: 28-12-2011
Location: The Known Universe
Member Is Offline

Mood: Molten

[*] posted on 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.



Elements Collected:52/87
Latest Acquired: Cl
Next in Line: Nd
View user's profile View All Posts By User
bfesser
Resident Wikipedian
*****




Posts: 2114
Registered: 29-1-2008
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 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.



View user's profile View All Posts By User
cyanureeves
National Hazard
****




Posts: 744
Registered: 29-8-2010
Location: Mars
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood

[*] posted on 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:o.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]
View user's profile View All Posts By User

  Go To Top