Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
Default Old Craftsman blowtorch

I acquired an old brass Craftsman (plumber-type) blowtorch in
preparation for building a model boiler so I have several questions
about blowtorches:

Where can I buy a leather(?)washer for the pressure pump?

The valve on the pressure pump looks like it should have a ball valve.
There is a spring but no sign of a ball. Is the ball missing?

What's the best fuel? White gas (naptha?), kerosene? ???

Does anyone happen to have a diagram/parts list(even generic)?

Is there a book that describes the care and feeding of blowtorches?

What do I need to know to operate the various controls?

Does it need to have the vaporizer pre-heated like a Primus stove?

TIA

Max ben-Aaron

  #2   Report Post  
Karl Vorwerk
 
Posts: n/a
Default

look around on this site:
http://members.aol.com/blotorches/to.../torchfix.html

Karl


wrote in message
ups.com...
I acquired an old brass Craftsman (plumber-type) blowtorch in
preparation for building a model boiler so I have several questions
about blowtorches:

Where can I buy a leather(?)washer for the pressure pump?

The valve on the pressure pump looks like it should have a ball valve.
There is a spring but no sign of a ball. Is the ball missing?

What's the best fuel? White gas (naptha?), kerosene? ???

Does anyone happen to have a diagram/parts list(even generic)?

Is there a book that describes the care and feeding of blowtorches?

What do I need to know to operate the various controls?

Does it need to have the vaporizer pre-heated like a Primus stove?

TIA

Max ben-Aaron



  #3   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thanks for the URL. I tried Google, but came up with nothing useful.

Max ben-Aaron

  #5   Report Post  
Leo Lichtman
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"JohnM" wrote: (clip) Never used a Primus stove, but I suppose they're the
same; crack the valve open and let the tray get a puddle of fuel (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You're right--they work pretty much the same. After you get the pump
working, and the tank pressurized, when you crack the valve you will get a
thin stream of fuel shooting through the burner. Put some sort of cover
over the end if you have to, so the fuel collects in the tray below. Then
shut off the fuel, and light what is in the tray. After you think the
burner is hot, crack the valve just slightly and you should get some blue
flame. As you open the valve further you should get a fierce roaring blue
flame. If these things don't happen, go through the preheating steps again.




  #6   Report Post  
Karl Vorwerk
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I saw a tiler using one to remove vinyl tile in a grocery store. Heated the
tile till it was soft and scrapped it up.
Karl

"JohnM" wrote in message
...
wrote:
I acquired an old brass Craftsman (plumber-type) blowtorch in
preparation for building a model boiler so I have several questions
about blowtorches:

Where can I buy a leather(?)washer for the pressure pump?


Make one will probably be easiest. Lotta times, old leather seals will
respond well to a little oil on them.


The valve on the pressure pump looks like it should have a ball valve.
There is a spring but no sign of a ball. Is the ball missing?


Dunno about that one..

What's the best fuel? White gas (naptha?), kerosene? ???


I'm pretty sure white gas is the preferred fuel for most but I'd try
kerosene- lots of stuff that is meant for white gas will burn kerosene
nicely- Coleman lanterns, for instance:-)


Does anyone happen to have a diagram/parts list(even generic)?

Is there a book that describes the care and feeding of blowtorches?

What do I need to know to operate the various controls?

Does it need to have the vaporizer pre-heated like a Primus stove?

Never used a Primus stove, but I suppose they're the same; crack the valve
open and let the tray get a puddle of fuel, light it and keep the puddle
'till it's hot enough to burn properly.

Whatcha doin' with the torch anyway? Heavy soldering? Heating the boiler?
Propane torches have pretty much killed the blowtorch..

John

TIA

Max ben-Aaron



  #7   Report Post  
JohnM
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Leo Lichtman wrote:
"JohnM" wrote: (clip) Never used a Primus stove, but I suppose they're the
same; crack the valve open and let the tray get a puddle of fuel (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You're right--they work pretty much the same. After you get the pump
working, and the tank pressurized, when you crack the valve you will get a
thin stream of fuel shooting through the burner. Put some sort of cover
over the end if you have to, so the fuel collects in the tray below. Then
shut off the fuel, and light what is in the tray. After you think the
burner is hot, crack the valve just slightly and you should get some blue
flame. As you open the valve further you should get a fierce roaring blue
flame. If these things don't happen, go through the preheating steps again.


Cool.. I've got some old book about the Eskimo which mentions Primus
stoves but no pictures or description. Sounded like a good thing to have
if you had patience..

John
  #8   Report Post  
RoyJ
 
Posts: n/a
Default

That site mentions the hook on the top, not to be used for hanging it
up. But never mentions what the hook is for: The old guys had 1# and 2#
soldering coppers that hang very nicely on the 'V' shaped notch on the
front of the burner and under the hook. very useful for sitting on the
roof soldering flashing in place.

slight rant: Those old soldering coppers used with a good acid flux and
60/40 bar solder will do wonders on galvanized steel. How about a
waterproof seal on 24" of double lapped ductwork in 60 seconds? Works
great, haven't seen it done in many years.

Karl Vorwerk wrote:

look around on this site:
http://members.aol.com/blotorches/to.../torchfix.html

Karl


wrote in message
ups.com...

I acquired an old brass Craftsman (plumber-type) blowtorch in
preparation for building a model boiler so I have several questions
about blowtorches:

Where can I buy a leather(?)washer for the pressure pump?

The valve on the pressure pump looks like it should have a ball valve.
There is a spring but no sign of a ball. Is the ball missing?

What's the best fuel? White gas (naptha?), kerosene? ???

Does anyone happen to have a diagram/parts list(even generic)?

Is there a book that describes the care and feeding of blowtorches?

What do I need to know to operate the various controls?

Does it need to have the vaporizer pre-heated like a Primus stove?

TIA

Max ben-Aaron




  #9   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Old Craftsman blowtorch

On Saturday, July 2, 2005 at 6:31:02 AM UTC-4, wrote:
I acquired an old brass Craftsman (plumber-type) blowtorch in
preparation for building a model boiler so I have several questions
about blowtorches:

Where can I buy a leather(?)washer for the pressure pump?

The valve on the pressure pump looks like it should have a ball valve.
There is a spring but no sign of a ball. Is the ball missing?

What's the best fuel? White gas (naptha?), kerosene? ???

Does anyone happen to have a diagram/parts list(even generic)?

Is there a book that describes the care and feeding of blowtorches?

What do I need to know to operate the various controls?

Does it need to have the vaporizer pre-heated like a Primus stove?

TIA

Max ben-Aaron


I just read your post and can answer a couple of your questions. I just replaced what you think should be a ball. I thought the same thing, but while cleaning the part to measure I found residue of what I deduced to be leather.
Kinda makes sense. If you look inside the plunger where the check valve seats there a raised ring on the face. I have a leather punch and the largest hole punch die makes a perfect fit. I now have one xtra hole in my belt and a good check valve.
Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Walk-Behind, Self Propelled, Lawn Mower Questions Re Toro & Craftsman ? Robert11 Home Repair 10 April 12th 05 07:27 AM
Impressions/Review of Craftsman Professional Table Saw Lars Stole Woodworking 27 October 24th 04 10:27 AM
New Craftsman RAS report Doug Winterburn Woodworking 18 March 11th 04 03:50 PM
Can my Craftsman 15.5 hp, 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor use Craftsman 42 in. Deluxe Lawn Tractor Snow Thrower B52 Home Ownership 1 January 14th 04 05:31 PM
craftsman lathes FS Charles A. Sherwood Metalworking 0 January 6th 04 04:35 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:52 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 DIYbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about DIY & home improvement"