Welding lamps, unlike soldering irons, are not designed for delicate work with instruments and electronics. These are powerful, energy-independent devices: heating is created by burning liquid fuel or gas. Since the heating temperature in many models exceeds 1000°C, the blowtorch can melt materials with greater hardness.
Before purchasing, you need to know exactly for what purpose the equipment is being purchased. There are many offers in stores: gasoline, gas. Gasoline gives a higher temperature, but wears out quickly, so liquid fuel burners are equipped with capacious and rather heavy fuel cylinders. Hydroxides are much lighter.
If you need a budget option, you can take a closer look at national brands. Many of them are not inferior to imported brands. For example, cheap but good Zubr gasoline is quite suitable for “amateur” work. If you have a lot of work to do and require the power and additional functionality of a blowtorch, it is better to choose a more powerful device, such as the Dremel Versaflame, which runs on gas. It will cost several times more, but the money spent will be completely worth it.
SIBIN 40670
Rating (2021): 3.75 Compact and lightweight
The gasoline device is characterized by a simple design due to its small dimensions, light weight, and is convenient for transportation and use in domestic conditions.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 950 rub.
- Country Russia
- Tank volume: 1.5 l
- Maximum operating temperature: 1100 degrees
- Extruder metal: steel
- Repair kit: yes
Despite its ergonomic shape and more modest dimensions compared to many analogues, the soldering iron has quite serious performance qualities. Heating after ignition occurs very quickly, which allows the use of a special position of the supply pipe. The steel ejector in combination with the protective casing provides a constant supply of flame, the level of which can be adjusted using a special valve. Gasoline is consumed sparingly, so a completely full tank lasts a long time. After finishing the device, users recommend cleaning the nozzle using the included needle. Disadvantages include the inconvenient shape of the tank for refilling fuel and the insufficiently shiny seam on the bottom of the tank.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Design dimensions 22.5x26x13 cm, weight 1.34 kg
- Fast heating to working condition
- Availability of protective casing
- Flame level control
- Long-term work with one fill
- It is inconvenient to pour fuel into the ignition container
- Insufficient grinding of the bottom seam of the tank
Bars 91452
Rating (2021): 4.0 Best heat, stable flame
The special design of the ejector ensures good fast heating and uniform flame flow.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 1800 rub.
- Country Russia
- Tank volume: 2 l
- Maximum operating temperature: not specified
- Metal ejector: not specified
- Repair kit: yes
The lamp heats up very quickly, emits a powerful and stable flame - it is safe to work in windy weather. Any model has a clogged nozzle. In this case, this is not a problem - the nozzle is located outside, it is convenient to unscrew it for cleaning. The metal of the burner is quite thick - you can count on a long service life.
The kit includes a repair kit. For convenience, it is hidden in the handle. The device can run on 92 and 95 gasoline. The scope of application is wide: it can be used for repair work, home use, welding, and heat treatment of parts. The disadvantage of the lamp is that it is difficult to regulate the flame power.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Wear-resistant burner
- The nozzle can be easily unscrewed for cleaning
- Even flame
- Convenient placement of the repair kit
- Sophisticated flame pressure control
Device and performance check
The device consists of several main elements:
- Burner.
- A system that supplies fuel to the burner.
- Gasoline tank.
- A pump designed to pump fuel.
- Check valve (may not be available on some models).
- Locking and regulating mechanism.
- Pen.
It is necessary to check the functionality of the blowtorch if it has not been used for a long time. The owner must do the following:
- Make sure that the tank warms up evenly after ignition. At the same time, its temperature should not rise above 50 °C.
- Apply a steel sheet to the nozzle tip at a distance of approximately 25 mm. In a properly working lamp, the flame gradually stabilizes. If the fire dies out, the device should not be used.
- Test the operation of the check valve. In the switched off state, bleeding of the mixture above the surface of the fuel in the container must occur spontaneously.
- Use a pressure gauge to find out the pressure limits in the fuel tank. A sign of serviceability of the device will be values not higher than 0.3 MPa. If sharp fluctuations occur, this indicates problems in the mechanism for supplying gasoline to the regulator.
Zubr Professional – Samotlor
Score (2021): 4.07 Best Reliability and Maintainability Tool
The design of the tool is superior to its competitors due to the thoughtfulness of each element, high build quality and the right choice of materials.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 1500 rub.
- Country Russia
- Tank volume: 1 / 1.5 / 2 l
- Maximum operating temperature: 1100 degrees
- Extruder metal: cast iron
- Repair kit: yes
This blowtorch model is produced by a well-known manufacturer in the CIS, whose product quality has stood the test for years in difficult climatic conditions. Such a gasoline device, despite its simplicity of design, has a durable cast-iron ejector, which evenly maintains the desired temperature and cools slowly. Performance properties do not change at very low temperatures due to complete combustion of the fuel. At the same time, the flame, protected from the wind by a special shell, has a stable intensity. This is also facilitated by an increase in the diameter of the pump. The best tool in its class, as noted in customer reviews, suffers from the common disadvantages of many competing models: a clogged nozzle that requires cleaning with a needle, and a loud sound.
Blowtorch rating
Manufacturers produce burners that operate on different types of fuel. Our experts decided to study the design features of tools from different brands, their effectiveness, performance and safety. To be included in our rating, burners must be reliable and easy to ignite in difficult conditions. The experts took into account user reviews, the opinions of professional roofers and builders, and product availability on the market.
When analyzing the equipment, we paid attention to the following characteristics:
- Burning time is the duration of operation on one refill.
- Weight – weight affects the degree of comfort during operation and fatigue.
- Dimensions – standard and portable lamps are available for use on a construction site or in cramped conditions in a car engine compartment.
- Ignition – fuel can be ignited using an open flame or piezo ignition.
- Temperature – nozzle design and configuration affect flame characteristics. The scope of application of the equipment depends on the temperature.
- Complete set – the presence of a case simplifies transportation and storage. Attachments and extensions help solve complex problems.
Not every gas or kerosene blowtorch met the requirements. Problems with ignition at low air temperatures, rapid failure of the pump or supply valve, poor-quality assembly - a tool with such shortcomings was excluded from the rating.
SIBRTECH 91442
Rating (2021): 4.25 Best value for money
The multifunctional device is capable of performing a large amount of work and is inexpensive.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 1100 rub.
- Country: Russia (made in China)
- Tank volume: 1.5 l
- Maximum operating temperature: not specified
- Metal ejector: not specified
- Repair kit: no
High-quality and reliable inexpensive blowtorch. Can run on any brand of gasoline, except leaded. Despite the fact that the tank capacity is 1.5 liters, it is better not to fill it completely - a maximum of 1.1 liters. Fuel is consumed economically; one refill is enough for an hour of work. The handle is steel, simple, but quite comfortable.
Reviews contain different information. Among the advantages, users note the ease of adjusting the fuel supply; among the disadvantages, the injector quickly becomes clogged. It is recommended to clean it after each use.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Optimal equipment at a low price
- Good compatibility with popular brands of gasoline
- Convenient metal handle with repair kit inside
- Easy fuel control
- Periodic nozzle clogging
How to choose a blowtorch
Gasoline burners are a necessary tool in the household. The equipment is used in the barnyard, construction site, when performing roofing work and laying communications. Which tool should you choose? The market offers a wide range of inexpensive Caliber blowtorches and products from popular manufacturers from Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. What is more important - affordable price or reliability, light weight or high performance? When choosing, it is important to take into account a number of critical parameters, otherwise operation will cause serious problems.
Type of fuel
Unleaded gasoline is the most affordable type of fuel. When purchasing a tool for a car, it is better to opt for models that are easy to refill from the gas tank. Fuel is easily poured into a container, it burns well at any temperature, and freezes only in very severe frosts. The disadvantage of equipment operating on this type of fuel is the low flame temperature.
Liquefied gas is an environmentally friendly fuel with a low price. Cylinders and cartridges are connected to the reducer using puncture technology. This operation can be easily completed by an unskilled worker. The combustion temperature of liquefied gas reaches 1800-1900 ºС. This allows you to use the tool when soldering not only tin, bitumen or plastic, but also bronze, silver, and gold. Among the disadvantages of gas is the difficult availability of branded cartridges from foreign manufacturers, the inability to work for a long time without interruptions, since overheating of the cylinder can lead to equipment failure. These features must be taken into account when choosing fuel.
Tank volume
Gasoline blowtorches are available with tanks of different sizes. The larger the capacity, the more fuel you can fill. When choosing a model, you need to pay attention to fuel consumption, this will allow you to calculate how long the burner can work on one refill. It must be taken into account that fuel is poured into the tank 2/3 of the volume indicated in the passport data - this ensures safety during operation.
When choosing a gas burner, pay attention to the recommended type of cylinders or cartridges. Not all models operate from the widely used 190 gram containers. You should take into account the availability of fuel cartridges for free sale and their cost.
Temperature
Gasoline burns at a lower temperature than a mixture of propane and butane. The flame of a gasoline lamp heats the surface to 1000-1100 degrees. This is enough to remove old paint, shrink thermal couplings, and heat up bitumen waterproofing. Gas burners operate at a temperature of 1200-1300 degrees, which allows the use of equipment for soldering tin. With increased pressure in the cylinder and a special nozzle design, the temperature reaches 1800-1900 degrees. This allows you to solder silver, tin, bronze, and gold. When choosing a model with high performance, it is important to pay attention to the material from which the nozzle is made.
Weight
You have to work with the burner by weight; if the mass is large, this will require significant physical effort. The cast iron blowtorch is practical, durable, but heavy. To reduce weight, you will need to fill in less fuel, which will make use less cost-effective. The model with steel tanks is lighter, but when choosing, you need to pay attention to the quality of the welds of the tank. If you have to perform operations in conditions with a shortage of usable space, then the best choice would be a model running on liquefied gas. This equipment is 2-3 times lighter than gasoline burners.
Sparta 91443
Rating (2021): 4.73 Faster ignition
Unlike many analog lamps, the design includes a closed fuel supply chamber, ensuring fast and safe ignition.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 1000 rub.
- Country: Germany (made in China)
- Tank volume: 1.5 l
- Maximum operating temperature: 1100 degrees
- Extruder metal: steel
- Repair kit: no
The welding tool attracts attention with its design features, the optimal volume of the steel tank for many types of work with a neck located on the side for convenience. With its help, liquids of different densities and pipes are easily and quickly heated; it is indispensable when carrying out waterproofing measures. The open flame appears quickly and has a wedge-shaped shape, which allows the lamp to be used in narrow and hard-to-reach places. In addition, its flow can be adjusted with a screw. The fuel used is 92a or 95a unleaded gasoline. The device has an economical fuel consumption of 1.2 l/h. In reviews, users take into account such shortcomings of the model as the tightness of the valve opening, the difficulty of finding a repair kit.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Closed fuel pre-feed chamber
- Accelerated ignition
- Lateral neck position
- Suitable for use in hard to reach places
- Flame level is adjustable
- The valve is difficult to open
- Problems finding a repair kit
The best gas blowtorches
Portable gas blowtorches have a simple, reliable design. The main component is a gearbox with a nozzle. A liquefied gas cylinder is connected to this nozzle. A mixture of butane and propane is in a container under pressure. The burner can be transported disassembled. Our experts analyzed 8 models, studied reviews of blowtorches, tested the equipment in operation and chose 3 tools.
Wester PL04
Professional blowtorch designed for construction and installation work. Used for soldering copper and bronze pipes due to its high power - 1900 W. The flame temperature can reach 1850 degrees. The gearbox provides smooth power adjustment, which expands the range of applications.
The compact burner weighs 0.54 kg. Powered by gas cylinders with butane or propane. The durable metal case protects the cylinder connection point and the gas container from accidental damage. The ergonomic handle is made of impact-resistant plastic. It is recommended to use cylinders with a capacity of 0.42 l, the flow rate does not exceed 140 g/hour. Saving time at refueling increases productivity.
Advantages:
- Piezo ignition makes ignition simple and convenient in any weather;
- Quick and reliable fixation of the cylinder;
- Compact architecture makes it easy to work in tight spaces;
- Manufacturer's warranty – 5 years.
Flaws:
- Not detected.
The burner operates at high temperatures, which places special demands on the nozzle. This unit is made of brass that is resistant to high temperatures. The alloy is not subject to corrosion, which simplifies maintenance and guarantees the reliability of the equipment throughout its entire service life.
Kemper micro 10500
Italian gas micro-soldering iron designed for tinning and soldering. It has miniature dimensions, which allows it to be used in work where high precision is required. Weight without a filled tank is 46 g. The cylinder holds 6 grams of gas; the instrument can operate at this volume for up to 40 minutes. Refilling is carried out using branded Kemper 10051 cartridges.
The micro-soldering iron is equipped with a bronze nozzle with a diameter of 8 mm. The tank is made of aluminum, the filling and control valves are made of corrosion-resistant bronze. The operating temperature of the flame is 1200 degrees, the maximum is 1500 ºС. Ignition - in the traditional way using matches or a lighter.
Advantages:
- Thoughtful ergonomics;
- Refueling within 6-10 seconds;
- Economical fuel consumption;
- Can be refilled with lighter gas.
Flaws:
- No piezo ignition.
Topex 44E140
A blowtorch with impeccable ergonomics, which makes it convenient for long-term work on a construction site. The fuel source is 190 g gas cartridges. The power is 1900 W, which allows you to quickly defrost pipes and oil in the engine crankcase. Flame temperature – 1350 degrees. The power regulator helps you choose the optimal mode for fusing waterproofing, soldering with tin or removing old paint. Average gas consumption is 180 g/hour.
The container for the gas cartridge increased the weight of the instrument to 600 g, but provided protection for the cylinder from mechanical damage. The nozzle is made of brass, which guarantees resistance to corrosion and high temperatures.
Advantages:
- Comfortable handle;
- Screw-on container;
- Compact dimensions;
- Good build quality.
Flaws:
- Lack of piezo ignition;
- It is difficult to find branded cartridges.
Express 8700
Rating (2021): 4.15 Maximum heating with minimum gas consumption
The universal type design allows both soft and hard soldering due to the high maximum temperature.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 1800 rub.
- Country: France
- Tank volume: 19 ml
- Maximum operating temperature: 2010 degrees
- Nozzle metal: steel
- Repair kit: no
A very practical welding lamp model is designed for high-quality use during construction and other work due to its powerful technical potential. It is great for soldering copper and tin of various diameters. It is permissible to use fluorescent copper, silver or soft solder as solder. The length of the sharp flame reaches 17 cm, it is continuous and uniform. The reinforced metal tip can withstand a working pressure of 1.5 bar. At the same time, propane-butane consumption is minimal compared to competing models, it is 110 g/hour. The tank, made of wear-resistant steel, has an optimal volume that allows continuous operation for 1.15 - 1.30 hours. Disadvantages of the model: power is less than analogues (1.6 kW), increased body dimensions.
Advantages and disadvantages
- High temperature conditions obtained
- Suitable for soft and hard soldering
- Adjustable flame intensity
- Minimum gas consumption
- Compatible with punchable cylinders (0.19 l) from a number of manufacturers
- Less than the rating leaders
- Large body is not suitable for hard-to-reach places
Campingaz Soudogaz X2000
Rating (2021): 4.2 High quality piezo ignition
The device is great for small heating jobs; instant ignition speeds up the work process.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 1600 rub.
- Country: France (made in China)
- Tank volume: 19 ml
- Maximum operating temperature: 1750 degrees
- Metal nozzle: brass
- Repair kit: no
Topex 44E141
Rating (2021): 4.3 Reviewed 17 reviews from resources: VseInstrumenty, CMP234.ru, 220 Volt Bright design in an ergonomic format
It is difficult to pass by such a device; its yellow-red color and convenient body are visible from afar, which increases the safety of the work performed.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 1800 rub.
- Country: Poland
- Tank volume: 38ml
- Maximum operating temperature: 1350 degrees
- Metal nozzle: brass
- Repair kit: no
This device is effective for heating objects, soldering and soldering at home with forced ventilation and outdoors. The metal container is coated with a thick layer of anti-corrosion enamel, and the upper part (start button, control valve, handle) is made of plastic. The holder is easy to grip and long-lasting and matches the volume of a puncture-connected butane container at 190 grams. The fuel in the lamp is consumed on average 180 g/h, however, simply by turning the valve wheel, you can adjust the flame and pressure. Cons: no gas cylinder included, poor quality piezo ignition at low temperatures.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Functional design
- Anti-corrosion protection of metal containers
- Easy flame level adjustment
- Convenient upper position of the activation button
- Piezo ignition does not always work quickly at low temperatures
- The punching gas cylinder is not included
DREMEL Versaflame 2200-4
Rating (2021): 4.36 Based on 40 reviews from resources: IRecommend, OZON, VseInstrumenty, 220 Volt Best functional potential
The combination type device can be used with various types of accessories included in the package, which increases its functionality.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 3000 rub.
- Country: Taiwan
- Tank volume: 42 ml
- Maximum operating temperature: 1200 degrees
- Metal nozzle: not specified
- Repair kit: no
One of the best options for multifunctional stationary hydroxides. You can use an open flame with a catalyst and a soldering tip. Powered by liquefied butane. For convenience, the model is equipped with piezoelectric ignition. With a tank capacity of 22 grams, the device operates in intensive mode for about 75 minutes.
There are many useful options: child lock, removable leg for stationary operation, flame level lock, temperature selection. The kit includes several attachments: for welding, torch extension. In terms of functionality, the lamp resembles a professional model. Users report ease of charging, very short warm-up time, and ease of use. The only downside is the rather high cost.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Functional design
- Injector quick connection
- Child lock
- Extended equipment with nozzles
- High price
Principle of operation
A blowtorch creates a constant, high-temperature flame. This effect is achieved due to the combustion of the original substance and its gradual transition to a gaseous state. In the nozzle, oxygen from the environment is drawn in, and thus a flame is formed.
The fuel tank may contain about 100-200 milliliters of substance, usually we are talking about gasoline or kerosene, alcohol. Many blowtorches can be adjusted to adjust the fuel supply, which will accordingly increase or decrease the intensity of the fire and, accordingly, the temperature.
The best blowtorches are gasoline ones. They work more efficiently - all other things being equal, gasoline releases the most energy during combustion. At the same time, it is important that it has an octane number of no higher than 80. Special, technical types of gasoline (“Galosha”) are also suitable. In some cases, kerosene is cheaper and more accessible.
Alcohol is the least efficient type of fuel in terms of efficiency and fire power, but it also has advantages - its combustion does not emit an unpleasant odor.
Wester GG02
Rating (2021): 4.67 Safe design for comfortable use
The product has protective design elements that make working with open fire safe and convenient.
- Characteristics
- Average price: 950 rub.
- Country: Czech Republic
- Tank volume: 17ml
- Maximum operating temperature: 1300 degrees
- Metal nozzle: steel with ceramics
- Repair kit: no
The welding machine is best for heating, painting, welding and soldering pipes. Simply pressing the piezoelectric ignition button activates the device, and the temperature can be adjusted using a ribbed plastic valve by simply rotating it. Having a properly positioned safety ignition cursor protected from accidental pressure increases operational safety. For the same purpose, a holder is provided to ensure a stable position of the lamp. Another advantage mentioned in reviews is the presence of a viewing window in the built-in tank for visual control of the amount of gas. Cons: not suitable for welding small objects, tank material is plastic.
