Blow torch recommendations

[Doc007]

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a blowtorch that would be good enough to heat metal enough to facilitate the insertion of bearings?

My current device doesn't really heat it enough.

I'm want a non-oxyacetylene-based blowtorch that will get the metal hot enough.

 

[Wrightpayne]

If its a one off job could you borrow one and use two?

Alternatively, will the part fit in the oven? Also, bearing in the freezer!

Ian

[Nigel Fox]

Have a look on eBay.

propane torch 15-£20, regulator £10, propane bottle from your local supplier. You'll wonder how you managed without it!

[OliverSedlacek]

I found that the choice of gas makes quite a difference. Look for a 'High power' gas, which is probably a mix of propane and butane. Another cheap idea is just to use two torches at the time. A spare torch is quite handy anyway.

[Nigel Fox]

The calorific value of propane and butane are almost the same, as you would expect from carbon hydrogen atoms just of different sizes.

As you use gas, the liquid boils and provides it. This requires heat from the atmosphere. Propane has a much lower boiling point, something like minus 40c instead of minus 2 for butane, 

So for a plentiful gas supply choose propane.

[John Vine]

I bought a Camping Gaz Profil blowtorch for some emergency plumbing repairs.  I got mine from Castorama in France, but it seems to be available in the UK as well.  Powerful and easy to control.  Works plug'n'play on a 13kg butane bottle, or on a CampingGaz 904/907 butane bottle (which I already had) with a connector/tap (which I had to buy).

JV