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My new Miniflam torch is parked to the right of my two natural gas/compressed air, and acetylene/air torches. My product review: Miniflam EZ-PBT (Portable Bench Torch) is a high-temperature, pin-point torch used for brazing, soldering, melting, welding, and wax working, among other tasks. Miniflam is unique in many ways: 1. It's safer. Most high-temperature systems contain high-pressure gas and oxygen cylinders. The low-volume gas and oxygen canisters of the Miniflam can be safely removed and reattached to the valve assembly at will, and there's no pressure in the hoses. If you accidently puncture or drop the oxygen canister, it won't explode. This is a very important consideration if you intend on using a torch in an apartment or other structure with regulations restricting the use of high-pressure oxygen. There are no hazmat shipping charges for either gas or oxygen, and no special handling required when transporting your torch in a vehicle. The Miniflam system has three available pen holders: wire and weighted bench-top stands and a clamp-on version. I would recommend the clamp-on for additional safety. If you should accidentally pull on the torch hose, the clamp will keep the pen from falling to the floor. 2. It's light-weight. The entire basic setup, which includes the torch (pen) handle, valve assembly, one fuel and one oxygen canister, hose, and clamp-on pen holder, weighs less than 1.5 pounds. This makes for easy transport of the system if you're looking to make jewelry at a show, or for student use to and from school. Another plus is that the system can operate at any angle. 3. It's hot. The butane/propane mixture is very clean and can produce temperatures between 3000 - 5000 degrees F. The torch "needles" are offered in six orifice sizes, ranging from .012" - .053". 4. The handle (pen): This aluminum barrel has been made lighter since the gas and oxygen valves are on located on the valve assembly, clamped next to you to the bench. This pen allows for all-day use without fatigue. Model makers will appreciate this feature since they're most likely using this type of stylus with their waxer. With the proper gas/oxygen mixture, the torch will also give you a soft flame for wax working. 5. Flexibility. The Miniflam system I used had one gas and one oxygen canister - both refillable by the manufacturer. There is a tri-oxygen adapter that connects three oxygen and one gas canister (pictured above). This setup comes with a handy gauge to let you know much oxygen is remaining. The third option utilizes optional gas and oxygen adaptors if you choose to use the Miniflam with high-pressure oxygen and acetylene tanks and regulators. With the Miniflam system, no regulators are required. The verdict There are other torches on the market that have the same functionality as Miniflam. If you're using the larger needles, you'll go through their refillable oxygen canisters rather quickly, so you may want to purchase 24 at a time. After you go through the first 12, send them back to the company which offers free refills for two years; only pay shipping and handling (under $9). The second set of twelve you purchased will come into use as your original 12 are being refilled. A new gas canister runs under $15. This is a great system if you're concerned about safety and like the idea of portability. Beaders, who require the use of a torch when soldering the occasional finding or clasp, will find it especially useful. |