Evil's Little BlazR: a modified micro torch.....

[evil510]

Hey there, gang. Evil here again with another little mod that has made my life easier and more productive. Let me start off by saying that I have proper soldering irons of just about every type. With that said, this little beast fills a niche that none of them can. When I am doing certain types of jobs like audio/video installs in vehicles, I always liked the momentary switch on the larger guns, however, they are most often too large and heavy for my liking. My new little iron utilizes a little micro torch that I always have on hand. For it's intended use, I really like that it only heats when triggered and cools down when released. I made a large stable base for it so I can set it aside easily without having to be too careful. Capable of reaching full temperature in seconds and able to handle 10 gauge wire with no problems, it can handle the majority of all automotive projects. If and when I get around to it, I will tinker with making different tips such as a hot knife, etc. This is a mini version of my larger butane torch/iron that I made that I'll try to make a post on later in the future. Evil's little BlazR.....

~ evil ~

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Little mini torch that I use for many things, typically for shrink tubing, paracord projects, loosening bolts, etc. Now I've added to the functionality. I dismantled it and skipped two teeth on the valve. This enables it to produce a flame larger than what is considered normal for this torch.....



Parts from an old soldering iron that I have been meaning to repair. Decided to use it for this project instead.....



Shortened about two inches, there was an internal core that the heating element wrapped around. I made the new butt end with a concave face to better contain and focus the flame. All cleaned up after years of use and abuse.....



Outer sleeve cut so I could make use of the pre-existing holes for exhaust.....



Cut to final length. Diameter of torch and sleeve did not match. Slot cut so I could expand the sleeve with minimal distortion.....



Here you can see the sleeve expanded to match diameter of torch.....



New tip complete.....



Strip of abs plastic heated and shaped into a cylinder. I used a socket with the same diameter as the torch. Ends bonded for an invisible seam.....



Bonded to rough cut of the base plate. Given a coarse brushed finish.....



Final shaping done. Cut down to correct height. Keyed so the torch can only fit in one way and always centered. Base plate corners radiused. Plastic conditioned to bring out texture.....



Another view of the completed base plate. Very stable.....



Completed. Front view.....



Side view.....



Yet another view.....

[Sparky415]

Hey Evil one 

As always Great work 

 

[sLaughterMed]

That is super cool. Nice work

[evil510]

Hey Evil one    As always Great work 

Hey there, Sparky and thank you

That is super cool. Nice work

Thank you, sLaughter 

[zoidberg]

Nice.      

[ducttapetech]

That is sweet! No need to run an extension cord or have a power outlet. Nice work Evil.
On a side, when I do a mod I am so proud of myself until I see Evil's work, then I know I am leaps and bounds behind him. LOL!


That's us mobile

[Grant Lamontagne]

That is a pretty sweet setup.  I love the way you not only make things, but you make them look nice too.  If it was me I would just stick it all together, more concerned about it being functional than anything else and not worry about how it looks.

Real work of art there man.

Def

[evil510]

Nice.      

Thank you, zoidberg 

That is sweet! No need to run an extension cord or have a power outlet. Nice work Evil.
On a side, when I do a mod I am so proud of myself until I see Evil's work, then I know I am leaps and bounds behind him. LOL!

Thank you, ducttape  It really has been a nice convenience using this little thing. I like that the torch is already something that I always have close and that the new tip takes up so little room yet adds functionality. Always be proud of any work you've done with your own hands.....

That is a pretty sweet setup.  I love the way you not only make things, but you make them look nice too.  If it was me I would just stick it all together, more concerned about it being functional than anything else and not worry about how it looks. Real work of art there man. Def

Thank you, Def    I am a perfectionist to a fault. In my line of work, it's all about the small details. If I can make something functional and look good while doing it, you can bet I'll try to do just that, lol.

[Grant Lamontagne]

To me, that is the difference between a craftsman and someone who builds things.  If I was doing something like that I'd probably have just used a "close enough" section of PVC pipe and epoxied it to an old steel paint sample or something.  I wouldn't have worried about the globs of epoxy showing up on the outside, and in fact I probably would have mixed the epoxy right on the base and swirled the PVC pipe around on it until it was adequately spread around enough to do the job.

Good to see the skills haven't deteriorated any during your hiatus! 

Def

[evil510]

Good to see the skills haven't deteriorated any during your hiatus! 

Def

Thanks, Def. We'll see how long those skills hold out. I'm not getting any younger and from working with my hands all of my life, the years are starting to catch up with me and arthritis is settling in.....

[NKlamerus]

Good to see the skills haven't deteriorated any during your hiatus! 

Def

Thanks, Def. We'll see how long those skills hold out. I'm not getting any younger and from working with my hands all of my life, the years are starting to catch up with me and arthritis is settling in.....

Sounds like a good excuse for Bionic Hands!

[Grant Lamontagne]

Agreed.  I can't wait to see the bionic hands you build yourself...

Def