Thoughs on buying a blow-torch

[NickCLotus]

Any thoughts on an Arctic Hayes GT3, it does have interchangable tips but is it a reliable make?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arctic-Hayes-GT3-Intercha...

I know everybody recommends Rothenberger but it appears that apparently they don't make these therselves anymore but actualy rebadge Benzomatic torches. Bullfinch is another make that has been recommended but their cylinder mounted model the Firepower doesn't have interchangable tips.

[donkmeister]

The Rothenberger torches have been Bernzomatic for years. There's a reason they are recommended, and why a lot of companies make torches that look like them

I would still say to ignore the imitation and get a Rothenberger, however I've never had a need for different tips so your use case may vary. Is there a particular use you have in mind?

[NickCLotus]

donkmeister said:

The Rothenberger torches have been Bernzomatic for years. There's a reason they are recommended, and why a lot of companies make torches that look like them

I would still say to ignore the imitation and get a Rothenberger, however I've never had a need for different tips so your use case may vary. Is there a particular use you have in mind?

So why not get a Bernzomatic if they are actually the same thing?

[CoolHands]

Vortex map-x gas plus small tip is what I got. It goes hotter

[donkmeister]

NickCLotus said:

donkmeister said:

The Rothenberger torches have been Bernzomatic for years. There's a reason they are recommended, and why a lot of companies make torches that look like them

I would still say to ignore the imitation and get a Rothenberger, however I've never had a need for different tips so your use case may vary. Is there a particular use you have in mind?

So why not get a Bernzomatic if they are actually the same thing?

Good question. I've never seen a Bernzomatic anywhere I buy tools, I just remember when I was disappointed in my first blowtorch I did a lot of googling and people said the Superfire was made by Bernzomatic. I ended up buying a Superfire because Rothenberger plumbing gear is ubiquitous.

From what I've seen Rothenberger don't actually make much in the way of their own kit, they're a Snapon type rebrander for many things. You can buy Rothenberger stuff and know it's almost certainly good, but it's not necessarily the most cost-effective approach. So if you can get a Bernzomatic you may find it's a little cheaper, and you can still get the gas easily.

[NickCLotus]

CoolHands said:

Vortex map-x gas plus small tip is what I got. It goes hotter

Anyone know wheather the Arctic-Hayes VPro (Vortex) comes with the three interchangable burner tubes or is that a different model?

[CoolHands]

I got mine above from toolstation, it has 3 heads. Price gone up since I did though, I think it was under 70 when I got it, £82 now

https://www.toolstation.com/vortex-map-torch-pack/...

[NickCLotus]

CoolHands said:

I got mine above from toolstation, it has 3 heads. Price gone up since I did though, I think it was under 70 when I got it, £82 now

https://www.toolstation.com/vortex-map-torch-pack/...

This is where it gets as clear as mud:
Here is the Toolstation one I found described as Arctic Hayes Vortex Pro: https://www.toolstation.com/arctic-hayes-vortex-pr...

Is that a different torch to the one you linked? It seems one is described as "Arctic Hayes Vortex Pro" while the other is "Arctic Hayes Vortex", and strangely the "Pro" model doesn't come with the alternative burner tubes, in fact I wonder if they are even interchangable?

I don't really want one that comes with another gas bottle, I have a shelf full of them.

Edited by NickCLotus on Tuesday 1st April 20:38

[CoolHands]

Yes it does look identical apart from the colour. Therefore I would guess you can change the nozzle, you press them in and rotate 90 degrees. Problem is you wouldn’t have the finer tip version as in my pic above. All rather annoying.