Hot Head Torch

I was introduced to this torch by a friend over the summer. I do simple metalsmithing, basically just heating steel and brass and twisting it into bracelets and hairsticks, and she had this type of torch to use for lampwork. It screws on to cheap $10 Mapp gas canisters and is basically plug-and-play. This also has the effect of making it extremely portable. If you need to take it to a demonstration or a class, you only have a tiny torch and canister to worry about, rather than a full oxy/acetylene or oxy/propane setup. With Mapp gas, you only get a few hours of work out of each canister, which is the only downside. It uses a lot of gas quickly to put out an impressive amount of heat for such a tiny torch.The torch is solid brass, and fairly heavy. The flame it emits is capable of melting silver and brass. I haven't tried it on other metals, but it does not get hot enough to melt steel by a long shot. It can get steel red and nearly white hot, which is what I need for my metalsmithing. It creates a fairly large flame, and is quite loud.This is exactly what I needed as a cheap and simple component to a bench-top smithing setup, and it works great. I haven't had any problems with it since I bought it, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something similar.

Great torch head. I tried one for half the price, but it leaked. Like they say - you get what you pay for. This one works perfectly - no leaking and a very hot flame.

nice cheap affordable torch for lampworking/beadmaking

Torch works great

Really is a well made torch. Works great

Use it for fused glass. Works great.

Love this torch

I've had one of these propane/air or MAPP/air torches for COE 104 glass lampworking for the better part of two decades. I used it exclusively for the first year, then used it occasionally when I got my  Nortel Minor Bench Burner Lampworking Torch  propane/oxygen torch. Then when I moved to a place where I couldn't store oxygen near my "temporary" shop I again used it exclusively for several years.The Hothead has nothing but positives when you compare it to all the hardware store type propane/air torches I've ever seen. (I've never used a Devardi torch so I don't know about how it compares to the Devardi. They look similar but salt looks similar to sugar.)It is a very good entry level torch. To follow is my assessment as to how it compares with a journeyman level torch, the Minor.Positives as compared to the Minor torch:1)cheaper,2)no oxygen tank,3)uses small throw away propane or MAPP cans4)more portable for arts and crafts shows(see #2 and #3)Negatives as compared to the Minor torch:1) for complex beads and for beads using opalino type glass it will tend to leave gray smudges on the beads or change the glass color,2) does not heat as well for larger beads, especially hollow beads, shooter sized marbles and lampwork vases,3) very loud,4) Should be started with a big flame; it takes a while to warm up and hold a flame if you need smaller,5) uses expensive throw away propane or MAPP cans ;^)6) needs a clamp to hold it to the table - the Minor can be screwed directly to the table surface. See comment at the bottom of my review.Negatives for all the torches I've mentioned above: none of these torches is sufficient for any real work with borosilicate glass.A comment about equipment: This type of propane/air burners will need a clamp either for the burner itself or for the propane can. The best kind looks like a sheet of stainless steel bent to rest on the edge of the table. This gives a flat stainless steel surface under the flame and a vertical surface with automotive type hose clamps riveted to it. This kind of clamp will support the can and put the burner flame a few inches above the table surface. I looked at the clamp on the Amazon listing for the Devardi torch but that is not the big, sturdy clamp I use. I can't find a good example of this on Amazon but if I do I will come back and post a link.