Torch Head Cleaning

[CharlieNC]

Fired up my annealer today and noticed the flame was only coming from a small portion around the circumference. Removed the head and sprayed out with carb cleaner and its operating normally again. No problems with two bottles of Coleman fuel, and this just started after switching to Benzomatic so I wonder if it is dirtier or if this is just a normal accumulation?

 

[sfldiver]

I occasionally have the same issue. Usually, I blow strongly and abruptly into the torch head and it corrects the problem. When that doesn't work, I unscrew the tip of the torch head and make sure the filter is clean, usually cleaning with carb cleaner like you did and that solves the problem. The first time it happened, I researched online and found lot's of people complaining about Benzomatic pencil torch heads. At this point, I've just realized their sensitive to anything blocking the flow of air/gas, and just accept they occasionally need to be cleaned out.

 

[jlow]

My torch experiences a similar blockage because I left the gas inside the torch under pressure. I turned off the gas at the tank and also at the torch but I did not bleed the gas in the line between the tank and torch. The tech support person from Benzomatic told me that propane under pressure will dissolve some of the rubber from the hose and this will deposit on the nozzle – so always bleed off the excess gas in the hose.

 

[CharlieNC]

My torch experiences a similar blockage because I left the gas inside the torch under pressure. I turned off the gas at the tank and also at the torch but I did not bleed the gas in the line between the tank and torch. The tech support person from Benzomatic told me that propane under pressure will dissolve some of the rubber from the hose and this will deposit on the nozzle – so always bleed off the excess gas in the hose.

Well I'm guilty!

 

[jlow]

Well I'm guilty!

Well so was I… But only once....

But your carb cleaner does help and if you need a small pipe cleaner to clear to orifice in the nozzle, look no further than your eyebrow. Those eyelashes are incredibly sharp and thin and unlike a real pipe cleaner they are actually small enough in diameter to get into the holes, aiming it might be your biggest challenge but I use a magnifier and it works great.

 

[swadiver]

tank is upright?

 

[CharlieNC]

tank is upright?

Yes.

 

[Snuggie]

When I finish I turn the gas off at the tank and just let the torch heads continue to burn all of the gas in the lines. Just my 2cnts.

 

[Rsadams]

Go to a place that sells torches and pick up a tip tool. Its like a smal folding box of round tiny metal files for cleaning up the holes in the torch head.. Its cheap..

 

[Intheshop]

+1 on the fold away little torch tip cleaner's from a welding supply.You're gonna use them for all sorts of tiny hole cleaning.

 

[jlow]

When I finish I turn the gas off at the tank and just let the torch heads continue to burn all of the gas in the lines. Just my 2cnts.

That's what I do. FWIW, I've used the same torches for years in the same fashion i.e. no pressurized gas in the line, without any problem. It only took one single episode of storing the torches with pressurized gas in the lines for this to happen.

 

[bsekf]

Tip cleaners from welding shop is the right way, but you can use a small twist drill too.

 

[jlow]

Tip cleaners from welding shop is the right way, but you can use a small twist drill too.

You'll have a hard time finding a small enough drill bit. Last time I checked, the hole diameter is only a few thousands wide....