Alternatives to Flints for O/A & O/LPG?

[allenr]

What do all you guys use to light O/A equipment.

I've never got on all that well using flints, the spark isn't reliable and the flints break or fall out, the wire handle bends.

On rare occasions the flint wears out!

What else is there that is long lived, reliable and doesn't need consumables?

 

[polo1665]

This may be the ticket.
Kimball Midwest: Product Catalog
May be worth a try.

 

[Stimw]

Buy one of those butane barbeque lighters with the electric spark ignition. Under $5. When the butane runs out you still have the spark.

 

[J0be269]

I have never really had a problem with the flints. I always just hit the torch tip with the handle of the striker that has the flint on it.

On those occasions when I have lost the striker (usually in my back pocket) I use a cigarette lighter. You have to turn the gas down very very low and be very careful with that though.

 

[JB4310]

I've never had a problem with the standard striker either, but recently found a trigger pull striker, a little more consistent spark.

 

[bobodu]

Since I was a Boy Scout,I keep a Zippo in each front pants pocket. Don't ever seem to recall being able to find my striker for two consecutive lights.....

 

[2manyrocks]

Butane lighters have been known to blow up when used for lighting propane torches. When I found this out, I went back to the striker.

 

[tommu56]

plastic butane lighters can explode when hot material hits the plastic and it melts letting gas out most welding places ban them.

tom

 

[allenr]

Thanks for your opinions gentlemen.

I'll see if I can find the piezo lighter as sold by Kimball - in Australia.

I have used a piezo that was intended for gas ranges in the past, but it too expired.

As I love looking at other's photos, I thought it only fair to show the flint and piezo from my workshop.

 

[bigdad]

Ahhh...... brings back memories of my smoking days and over filling the old Zippo and having the square "fluid burn" on my leg. What a fine American made device, great for an outdoor guy.
---------
I get replacment flints for my striker. Had that old dude for years.

Since I was a Boy Scout,I keep a Zippo in each front pants pocket. Don't ever seem to recall being able to find my striker for two consecutive lights.....

 

[slowzuki]

I use the striker but I have used the old school camp stove lighter with flint and rotary stone wheel.

 

[Scooby074]

allenr :I hate the type of striker you got in your second picture. Try to find one of the ones with 3 flints. Its much better made.The "frame" is much stronger than the wire ones. You should avoid using a lighter for safety reasons.

Triple Flint 4501 Torch Strikers | Fastenal

 

[allenr]

allenr :I hate the type of striker you got in your second picture. Try to find one of the ones with 3 flints. Its much better made.The "frame" is much stronger than the wire ones.

Yes that one does look better - another piece of good advice.

Thanks to all those who've taken the time to offer their thoughts.

 

[allenr]

I have never really had a problem with the flints. I always just hit the torch tip with the handle of the striker that has the flint on it.

Haven't been able to find any different strikers in my district and haven't been to Adelaide (State Capital City).

But Nathan your hint did remind me of, in my youth, seeing someone tapping the business end of the striker against a bench while holding the torch close.

I've been doing that now and it does seem to work better. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

When lighting my torch, I like to have both oxygen and acetylene running when lighting. Not only do you get a satifying firecracker pop but you dont smoke up the air with the acetylene gas. With a little practice, you can light it so it needs very little adjustment after the initial lite-up. It also seems that the tip stays cleaner that way. You only need to just swing the torch by the striker as you strike the flint at the proper time. It works for me and I also like the triple flint models. You can buy spare flints for it, but the triple flint models last for years on the one flint (3) that it comes with.

 

[allenr]

When lighting my torch, I like to have both oxygen and acetylene running when lighting.

You only need to just swing the torch by the striker as you strike the flint at the proper time.

Thanks for the tip Gary.

Some of you guys must be much better coordinated than me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

ALLENR:
Nothing to do with coordination just after you lite one about a thousand times, it is just a natural thing, like riding a bicycle. You know how you do it, but it might be hard to tell someone how without hands on demo and practice.
Another tip on using a cutting torch, keep the tip CLEAN. Use the tip cleaner anytime the preheat holes are not all perfectly cone shaped. Clean the high pressure (middle hole) each time you use it if it has been setting for a while. When properly cleaned the tip will sound like meat hitting a hot skillet when you hit the trigger. When all is properly adjusted and the blue carburizing feather has just disappeared ( you open the front valve on the cutting head just till the blue feather disappears for proper cutting setting. Then when you hit the cutting oxygen, there flame should extend out at least 18 inches. If it doesnt the tip is dirty and will leave slag on the cut. A properly cleaned tip will have very little slag and what is on it will easily come off.
Another tip on slag free cutting is to every so slightly angle your cut away from the saved piece edge. I mean like 1 degree, it doesnt take much and you wont even notice the angle on your cut. This is for when you are cutting thicker material 3/8" and above. If you are cutting thin gauge metal, slant your tip forward as much as 45 degrees and the slag will blow off better. Also travel as fast as you can and still maintain accuracy on your cutting line. IF you go slow and overheat the metal, you're going to have slag, regardless of your torch setting and angle. Only use enough gas to preheat the metal to make the cut. Most people use much too large a tip and much too high of a flame. I use nothing but tip sizes 00 for 1/2" to 1" thick and 000 for anything below 1/2" thick. It is a little slow getting the preheat going, but it cuts just as fast as a #1 or #2 after it gets hot and uses lots let O2 and gas. I have actually made cuts on 1/2 plate with a 000 tip that was center punched and left the centerpunch mark on both sides of the cut, that is how fine you can cut with on of those and a steady hand. OF course that was many years ago when I had nerves of steel.

 

[DanD78]

Try turning on your propane and a little oxygen then rest the torch tip at an angle on a piece of steel. Cover the tip with the striker and strike it. Works well with propane and proplyne (sp?).

Dan

 

[rhett]

hi allenr,

i've had my piezo striker for years (since 1973), called "Lightnin Bug Torch Lighter". they can be purchased from this link - Lightnin Bug Torch Ligher.