Hi everyone,
There’s a small puncture in one of my hoses for my torch, right by where it attaches to the tank. I didn’t install them, so I’m not entirely sure of how easy it is to detach and reattach them. I found an old post here where the advice was to simply cut the damaged part of the hose off and reattach it; I’m wondering how simple this is to do before I undertake it! Can someone give me a step by step run down? Thanks!
Here’s a page from Rio Grande explaining how to replace the hoses on a Smith Little Torch. I’ve never done what you’re suggesting of cutting off an old section of hose and reinstalling it all. I’ve only replaced old hoses with new replacement hoses. I’m running out the door right now. Hopefully, this is what you’re looking for. If you buy replacement Little Torch hoses they come with everything that’s necessary including instructions.
Best of luck!!
Jeff
Thank you!
I wouldn’t try to fix the hose, I would get a new one. Jeff has posted a good start. Better safe than sorry as they say. Good luck…Rob
You think so? It’s so frustrating as it’s right by the nozzle for the gas tank… it seems like a waste to buy a new one.
It all depends on how the puncture came.
If the hose is relatively new and the puncture is because some external factor.
Error in the clamping or something physically puncturing it.
Then it can be cut and reattached.
But if it is old and there is doubt about how it occurred a new hose will be a good investment.
If you are in doubt, bring the whole hose or torch assembly to a welding shop and let them inspect/fix it.
When I last replaced my Little Torch hose, I put the entire old hose under water, filled it with a tiny bit of pressure and looked for bubbles. I thought I only had one leak, but I actually had a couple of them. At that point, I decided replacing the whole hose was the smartest thing to do.
LIke folks are saying, best to not fool around & play it safe with explosive, flammable gas.
Jeff
Okay, yes maybe replacing is the better option… I saw in some old threads people recommend doing it with plastic hoses for fish tanks, would you recommend this? I have a feeling I’m going to struggle to find a replacement hose at a hardware store.
As said I would go to a welding shop.
They can supply you with the correct quality of hose.
This is a reply to both this discussion and the one about the Vigor Rolling mill. I know that I have a very well equipped shop. It is the result of years of work, exploring different media and techniques and just plain wanting things. That being said, there is a small number of more expensive tools that I would go into debt to replace. They include my torches, flex shaft and rolling mill. They are essential to what I do. Safety is not a big factor for a flex shaft and rolling mill, but is an essential part of using and storing your torches. Visiting your local welding shop is a good start. They can check out not only your house set, but also the torch, regulators and tanks to make sure that they are working safely and efficiently. Good luck…Rob
I repair mine all the time. I bought a crimping kit and it fixed it easily. Let me know if you want that info. Good luck!
Can you post a link to your Little Torch hose crimping kit? Thanks…Rob
I use these. I’ve replaced hoses on a couple torches with them. They are good because they tighten completely around the tubing. Some hose clamps don’t do that as well.
150Pcs 304 Stainless Steel Single Ear Hose Clamp with Ear Clamp Pincer, 6-23.5mm Crimp Hose Clamp Assortment Kit Cinch Rings Crimp Pinch Tools Perfect for Automotive, Home Appliance Line and Plumbing
Of course now I have 147 clamps I’ll never use 
Thanks for sharing. I need a smaller hose clamp solution. The OD of a crimped Little Torch ferrule is 5mm. The hose is around 6.5mm. One of these clamps might work connecting a hose over a solid piece of tube in the handle. It would be at the edge of its crimp range. I am not sure about a puncture in the middle of the hose. You would have to fit a piece of solid tube inside both sides. Thanks again…Rob
Brass barbed fitting should be fine.
I don’t know. I have never measured the ID of a Little Torch hose…Rob
As the forum moderator, torch issues are the posts that give me the most amount of angst.
The Little Torch has a strong reputation of folks loving it and hating it. I’m one of the people who love it. I love how light and flexible it is.
For the folks who hate it though, sometimes their issue is with the hose. I’ve been using the Little Torch since the 1980’s. Way back then the Little Torch hose was bare, uncovered green and red plastic tubing. Eventually, they switched from bare, uncovered plastic tubing to what they have now, which is covered plastic tubing. I’m assuming they came to the conclusion that bare plastic tubing that could easily melt and was a fire danger. I’m also assuming that the cover is somewhat heat resistant.
While that is an improvement, the hose still isn’t conventional torch flexible gas hose. It’s still plastic tubing. One of the negatives with the current Little Torch set up is that if you have a crack or a hole in the middle of the covered tubing, you can’t see it and maybe won’t know if it’s there. That could lead to a whole bunch of unforeseen consequences.
Having worked as a jeweler/metalsmith and a sculptor for a very long time, I’ve found that no soldering or welding hoses last forever. Eventually all soldering and welding hoses lose resiliency, crack and need to be replaced.
I highly recommend that if you have had to repair your Little Torch hose multiple times that it’s time to replace it. If it were me, I’d replace it with a new hose kit every time the hose needed repairs, but that’s me.
I also would never recommend using unprotected, clear plastic tubing from a hardware store or a pet store. That tubing can easily melt and isn’t designed to be used as a torch hose.
It looks like Otto Frei has a fire resistant upgrade to the Little Torch hose that’s half the price of the Little Torch hose replacement kit. (I didn’t check, but maybe other companies have that upgrade as well.)
Obviously, folks are going to do whatever they think is best for them, but part of my job in the forum is to make sure that we’re giving the best and safest advice possible. If you have a problem and are unsure of what to do with any gas torch, Yggdrasil’s suggestion of taking your set up to a welding shop to inspect it is solid.
Jeff
Thanks for the links! The main issue I’m having is that I’m based in Europe and it seems the only suppliers of these hoses are in the US, which means there shipping and customs to pay on top. It’s not a case of skimping on safety, rather I’m just looking for a safe alternative that can be bought quickly, locally and for slightly less.
I did speak to my studio mate about asking a welding shop for help but according to her, they don’t have small tubes like the little torch requires. We will see!