Yesterday I attempted to use a Bernzomatic FatBoy propane canister
with an a regular torch attachment that you get with the regular
propane cylinder at a hardware store. I just twisted it on and tried
to light it. It lit but flames starting shooting out at the place
the torch connected to the canister. After a few screams…I turned
it off and now i’m afraid to go near the thing, I don’t know if it’s
the canister or the torch or the fact that I used a lighter. I
checked the torch and it didn’t appear to have any cracks. I didn’t
check the canister for leaks. Anyway, I think that I am going to get
another canister and torch today and try again. I just want to anneal
some brass and copper with it before I move on to using my
oxygen,propane setup with my new gentec torch kit. anyway, I would
appreciate any advice or suggestions on what you think may have gone
wrong, etc.
Leah. Wow. That is a frightening experience. Was the torch
attachment that you used made specifically for the Bernzomatic Fat
Boy propane canister? Perhaps the Fat Boy requires a special torch
attachment.
The fact that the flames shot out at the place the torch connected
to the canister suggests that they were not made for each other. Or
else, either the torch or the cannister are defective.
If the canister were leaking (very unlikely anyway) it would be empty
by now. The connector end of the torch has a gasket inside. Check to
see that it is there and in good condition. Check the top of the
canister connector to make sure it’s smooth and has no dings in it.
The torch should thread easily onto the canister, and you should
tighten it securely (hand tight is good enough.)
If your inspection shows nothing obviously wrong, return it to the
hardware store, and ask that they assemble and light the replacement
before you take it home.
I had a similar experience. I used a propane only torch (I don’t
remember the brand name) that I had used several times. As I turned
the thing off and was removing the cylinder liquid propane started
gushing out and mu hand got burned! It was a small area, but it was
severely burned. I am not sure what caused the leak: torch or
cylinder, but I threw them both away. When it comes to my safety, it
just wasn’t worth risking a repeat.
I’m late catching up on my Orchid emails, so this might have already
been noted. Assuming that the gas was leaking from beneath the base
of the torch head base and around the neck of the gas canister where
they screw together I’d check, in the following order:
Check the seal inside the screw on torch head. The seal in mine
is cork, but other’s might be a flexible plastic. Whatever it is made
of it should have no nicks, rips, tears, deformation. If is other
than smooth, replace it.
Check the top of the neck of the gas container. If it is other
than smooth all around the surface which contacts the gasket
mentioned in 1. Then replace the canister.
There is a flaw in the neck of the canister itself. This seems
unlikely since the gas would have leaked out prior to your purchase
if there were a hole in the canister.
If the gas is leaking from anywhere above the mating threads of
the torch head base then there may be a problem with your torch head.
I would suggest you send it for repairs or replace it.
Thanks to all who offered advice. I checked the torch and sure enough
it was missing the round piece of cork. I didnt know there was a
piece missing until I bought a new one and compared the two. Lesson
learned : )
Ceah’s missing gasket reminded me of something I’d like to pass
along.
I purchased one of those Blue Rhino propane tanks full from a major
warehouse hardware store. Once I got it home I set up my torches
then tested all connections with a good soapy solution. I found a few
bubbles and tightened them and all seemed well.
Two days later I opened the valve on the propane tank and smelled
gas. Once more I used the trusty soapy solution and found it was
leaking at the connection to the propane valve. I tightened it and it
stopped.
The next day was a repetition of day two. Now I was getting
suspicious. I turned everything off, cleared the hose pressures, and
removed the regulators. I looked at the gasket inside the propane
tank valve and the gasket was scarred pretty badly. I took it back,
but despite selling me a potentially life threatening product, they
only swapped tanks. I had to pay for the gas once again.
The moral I learned from all this is to visually check the gaskets
on all products such as propane tanks, butane torches, etc., before
leaving the store.
The moral I learned from all this is to visually check the gaskets
on all products such as propane tanks, butane torches, etc.,
before leaving the store.
Personally, I would never use one of the over-priced swap services.
I have 2 propane tanks for the RV. Bulk propane is available from
many gas stations, U-Haul, RV dealers, campgrounds, etc. At those
facilities they have trained personnel and are required to inspect
the tank and fittings before filling it.