What are the parts of a standard blow lamp?
What are the parts of a standard blow lamp? |
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Burner |
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The burner is the area of the blow lamp which dictates the size and heat of the flame, but it does not adjust it. The burner is an interchangeable part and can vary in size and shape.
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Piezo ignition |
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A piezo ignition enables the blow lamp to be lit without the use of an external flame. It can come in the form of either a trigger or a button. | |||
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When you pull the trigger or press the ignition button a hammer hits a piezo-electric crystal inside the blow lamp which generates between 14,000 and 16,000 volts. This then produces a spark which lights the gas to create a flame. | |||
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Some standard blow lamps do not have a piezo ignition switch or trigger, so they need to be lit manually. To do this, turn the blow lamp on by turning the flame control nozzle, allowing a small amount of gas to escape, and place a lit flame into the gas. If you release too much gas, the match will be extinguished.
For more information see: |
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Coupling |
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The coupling on the blow lamp allows it to attach to a gas canister. The standard blow lamp can have either an EN417 or a CGA 600 coupling.
The EN417 coupling is the European standard size for linking a blow lamp to a non-refillable gas cartridge. It is a 7/16″ threaded valve which can be screwed onto a gas cartridge. |
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A CGA 600 coupling, on the other hand, is the American standard size coupling for blow lamps and has a 1″ threaded valve. This type of coupling can be converted to fit an EN417 gas cartridge using a thread converter. | |||
Flame control knob |
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The flame control knob regulates the flow of the gas from ‘off’ to ‘full’. It also changes the size of the flame from pin point, which is a hot blue flame, to a soft yellow flame. To create a hot flame, turn the flame control nozzle anticlockwise, and to adjust to a cooler flame or turn off, turn it clockwise. | |||
Lock button |
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The lock button enables you to work hands-free with the standard blow lamp, which helps to reduce fatigue when soldering for a long period of time. It keeps the blow lamp on without having to touch the trigger, which needs to be pressed in order for a flame to be produced. | |||
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By locking the flame it enables the user to use a stand or base to hold the torch upright.
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Handle |
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The handle is the part the user holds. It is used to control the direction and position of the flame by allowing the user to manipulate the blow lamp.
However, on some designs the gas canister is used as the handle. |
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Fuel tank |
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Some types of standard blow lamp do not have a coupling to attach to a new fuel cannister: instead, they have a refillable fuel tank. The fuel tank is refilled using a gas refilling container which is attached to the filling valve until the fuel tank is full. | |||
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To refill the fuel tank, hold it in your dominant hand with a gas refill container in your non-dominant hand. Next, place the nozzle of the refill cannister into the valve on the fuel tank.
When the gas escapes through the valve it means that the fuel tank is full. |
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