Old Torch Igniter ID

By Rob H. Date 08-06-2007 00:23

I found this forum when doing a search to identify an old tool, I was hoping that someone could verify if it's a torch igniter or not. A photo of it can be seen here:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/harnett65/Album%206/_igniter.jpg

Thanks for taking a look.

Rob Hartmann

By darren

Date 08-06-2007 03:49

how big is the opening. there is no flint and no burn marks. looks like a watchmakers tool. maybe an alignment tool or case opener,
just a wild guess.
darren

By Rob H. Date 08-07-2007 00:06

Thanks for the reply, the inner diameter of the bowl shape is about 2". Someone who had one for sale claimed it was a torch igniter. According to him you would attach a live wire to the part at the back of the handle with the spring, then take the torch and put it into the bowl, making contact with the small spike, and as the torch approaches the metal strips in the bottom of the bowl, it creates a short circuit and an electrical arc, thus lighting the torch. The bowl is useful in holding a small concentration of the gas, making it easier for it to light.

I'm not sure if he is correct, and if he is, I'd like to know exactly how it's wired, just one wire on the handle wouldn't work.

Whatever it is, it wasn't used very much.

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 08-07-2007 02:22 Edited 08-08-2007 04:05

For all I know it could be a nutcracker. If You were to use it like it was described to You there would need to be another wire terminal hooked to the metal strips in the cup, and a resistor to limit the dead short draw on the line. Not that it couldn't be made to work, but it is a long way around a simple task [lighting a torch].