Firing Up An Old Blow Torch! | Restoration

Today, I wanted to restore a vintage blow torch and show you my process. But it didn't all go to plan and things got a little heated!

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[stevelucas]

The engineers who made things ages ago that can still be used today should be really proud of themselves. Glad to see you breathed life back into the blow torch! Nicely done Dom!

[oberdiah]

Hi Dom. I have a Primus No 632 under my bed which has been gathering dust for years. I think it belonged to my grandfather. I’ve never had the guts to investigate and get it working but this has ‘fired up’ the courage. If you hear reports of a small explosion from Buckinghamshire later this week then you know it hasn’t gone well…😂

[gmmooseblaster]

That takes me back. I can remember using one of these back in the 60's. Remember not getting something quite right and ending up with a flame thrower which ignited the skirting board at the opposite side of the room.

[sjgphst]

I love how you show your successes and failures. Great video keep up the good work.

[johngardiner]

Good vlog Dom, but as a plumber who did my apprenticeship with these blow lamps you needed a few more pumps to get a really hot flame. You showed the correct procedure for lighting it but going from job to job we never carried meths we rapped what was in those days asbestos string around the the well, then we would tip it up with a thumb over the outlet, pump it so the paraffin hit the thumb and ran into the wick then release the pressure and light it. We would then prepare the burst lead pipe by which time the blow lamp was hot and ready to pump up.

[oscartango]

Great job on the torch. Being a Navy guy I would have polished the brass. Lol.

[BunnyKins]

Fantastic job, as always! Also, so pleasing to see someone giving all the fire precaution warnings before lighting the blowtorch in between the open containers of meths and paraffin! Exactly what I would do, so relatable!!
💚🐇🐴💚

[rjs]

I have three Burmos lamps, I replaced the pump washers with 5/8” leather cup washers bought on EBay. Also picked up a vintage service kit and many spares for little money. My Dad was a plumber and told me that many cold rooms where he worked were heated by his trusty blow lamp 😁

[garysmith]

Hi Dom …when I was a young man I remember my dad having one… it would be interesting to see how many of your subscribers had one or still got one

[LiamH]

I always wanted to know how those old blow torches worked. Thanks for the bit of education, Dom. You know, between all the changing camera angles, great background music, clear commentary, and fascinating subject matter, your videos are some of the best on the web and seem much more like they are the product of a highly skilled team. I don't know how you find the time but I sure appreciate the fact that you manage to just the same. Brilliant!

[joeldday]

Always wondered how my dad's one of these worked! Great video Dom, this is the level of detail and time spent I would love to see on every Repair Shop item :D

[bimble]

Back in the day (until the '70s when gas lamps came out) nearly all plumbers had these. The rest used a different type which ran on petrol instead. These could be distinguished by having a horizontal burner instead of an inclined one, and no heating coils inside. They could be started (ignited) a lot quicker as they didn't need to be warmed up but I imagine they were more dangerous.
My Dad was a builder and as a 10 year old I used to spend my school holidays playing on the site, "helping out" the various trades and generally making myself a nuisance with the never ending "why do you do that?" and "what is this for?" questions. On one occasion I was walking past a house where a Plumber was working and I heard a loud warning " LOOK OUT!" followed a second later by a fireball flying out of the upstairs window, (in those days they didn't glaze the houses until just before the painters came in, so no glass in the frame). The fireball touched down about 20 feet away and promptly exploded, but luckily I had fast reflexes and managed to get out of the way, and no one else was close. It turned out to be a misbehaving blow lamp, and I was a bit shaken up and I forgot to ask if it was a paraffin or a petrol one, although my guess is the latter. Kids eh, never ask the right questions! 😀😀.

[martinhaskell]

I’ve never really understood how those old blowtorches work. Until now. Thanks Dom!

[chrisabraham]

There is a primus tin that you could buy in the old days that came with spare washers and a pricker tool that poked the small vents if blocked.

[Mally.B]

Loved the Blow Torch Resto, When you're pushed for time, would like to see more short restos (they're just as enjoyable).

[paulbeckwith]

My grandad was a painter and decorator all his working life, he used one of these paraffin blowtorches to strip old paint. It had a little flat silver metal handle with a thin wire at the end, he called it a pricker and it was used to clear the hole in he jet.

[markmurphy]

I love seeing this old kit being revived. It’s proven technology that still works when it’s looked after.
I wouldn’t mind one myself!

[johnsholian]

I came across mine today and remembered your video. I remember my dad using it decades ago and it used kerosene for fuel. I thought I’d watch this again for a refresher in the event that I have a go at reviving it. Lots of stuff to do on my ‘71 MGBGT so this will no doubt be put on the back burner, so to speak.

[mickcooper]

Be careful when undoing the valve to turn it off, do it slowly otherwise it can release a parafin "mist" which will burn. I once accidently caught the valve on something I was working on and ended up with a fireball. Great Video.

[millomweb]

30 min video on lighting a blow-torch. Sounds about right :)