Decent ‘jet’ gas lighter. Does such a thing exist?

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fredrussell

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By decent I mean long-lived. Every now and then I buy one of the £5 jobs from next to the till in my local chandlery. They start off well but seem to die the death despite regular use and refilling.
Is there a brand to go for? Are they all a bit cheap n nasty? Has anyone spent a bit more on a quality one and been pleased with it?

Its just for sealing line ends, and no I don’t want a hot-knife device really, too much faff and won’t fit in the pocket.
 
Mine must be 10 years old now and was still working last time I used it. The £5 job in the chandlery is probably the same as the one in the pound shop.

However, for sealing ropes, the best thing I've ever found is something like this.
61ouKVAHwQL._AC_SL1200_.jpg

I think one of the kids must have left it behind when they moved out, but they aren't getting it back. It'll seal a rope end in a gale.
 
I bought the Dremel VersaTip last year, possibly from a recommendation here and have been very happy with it.

DREMEL® VersaTip | Dremel Europe


It comes with a hot knife tip that I find great for cutting and sealing lines but you can use it with no attachment if you wish for applying heat.

Bob
 
I was going to suggest torjet ..bought one from a petrol station for 99p. Was good for what it cost.
 
I've got a Turbo flame lighter that works well. It must be around 15 years old and has metal body. The flame is a nice blue colour and the thing roars like a blow torch. It was the type that most chandlerys use to stock all those years ago.
 
In response to the Torjet recommendations, funnily enough, it’s Torjets that I’ve not been having great results with. Maybe I had a bad batch.
 
I've got a mini Camping Gaz blow torch which is used for sealing rope ends and heat shrink. Also have an HSGM hot knife cutter which is excellent for rope if a lot need doing and also sealing acrylic canvas edges.
 
I had (probably still have somewhere) several 'jet' lighters. Can't remember brand, but they were a fat bomb or bottle shaped (cylindrical with round bottom and, under the mechanism, top), and had metallic paint finish.

As lighters they were brilliant - I used to do a lot of sea-kayaking and smoked at the time, and they would light a ciggie (or a campfire) in almost any wind and with spray flying around, and survive in damp conditions.. Also good, if a bit fierce, for sealing ropes or roasting the end of your nose. :D They were sold as refillable, but I never succeeded in refilling one, but kept buying them because they were so good, and kept the old ones in the hope I'd one day discover the knack for refilling them.
 
Stemar said:
However, for sealing ropes, the best thing I've ever found is something like this.
61ouKVAHwQL._AC_SL1200_.jpg
Click to expand...


I’ve Just taken a punt on one of these Stemar, cheers for the tip. Cheers to all for other suggestions, I may well be trying them next in my quest for efficiently melted polyester.
 
LittleSister said:
I had (probably still have somewhere) several 'jet' lighters. Can't remember brand, but they were a fat bomb or bottle shaped (cylindrical with round bottom and, under the mechanism, top), and had metallic paint finish. . .
Click to expand...

Mercury Rising said:
Like this?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the one, I think. (Perhaps earlier model of the same thing.)

Do you have the secret knowledge of how to refill? I tried various nozzles, pressing hard and gently, etc. etc., without success.
 
Many of these high temperature "jet" type lighters rely on a platinum catalyst to work. Once the catalyst becomes contaminated, as it will eventually in normal use, that's the end of it.

I should add that you may find different brands of gas provide differing longevity to the catalyst, and the operating environment might also affect it.
 
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