THE MODERN, low-priced pro-

ane torch that is yenerally
available in all hardware stores is a
marvel.

jt can be used for a myriad of
applications, from soldering cop-
per pipe to stripping paint, to
foosening a frozen bolt. It has
come a long way from the old
plowtorch that used naptha gas,
had to be primed and was, to say
the least, dangerous.

The basic torch evolved in sev-
eral areas that expanded its ap-

lications and improved its
safeness. A big contributor to
safety is the new push-a-button-
ro-light torch.

This device is ignited by simply
pushing a button conveniently
Jocated at your thumb, stays lit
while you hold the button in and
extinguishes when you release the
putton. This means you do not
pave a live torch burning while
you're working. It burns only
when needed, saving fuel and
preventing accidental fires and
burns.

The, manufacturers claim the
lighter is good for thousands of
ignitions.

Another relatively new
development is the Spitfire type of
torch. Spitfire is a brand name and
some other manufacturers have in-
troduced a torch that is somewhat
similar,

This type of torch has a head

Loose tiles
can be fixed

Q. “ALL THE tiles are coming off
our bathroom wall. Can you give
us some do-it-yourself ideas or tips
for.repairing these?”’

A. The tiles are probably coming
off the walls because the plaster or
plaster board behind them - has
become wet. What happens is that
the plaster softens up and then the
tiles just let go.

First, remove the loose tile with
a broad, stiff putty knife. Then
repair the plaster wall by replacing
the damaged area with a new piece
of water-resistant plaster board or
34-inch plywood.

Before replacing the old tile,
you'll have to remove the cement
from the back of the tile. Sanding
or scraping will do the job.

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that introduces more air to the
combustion process, thereby
generating much higher heat. It
can be used for brazing and
soldering and brings work to heat
much quicker.

A word of caution: If you are
using this torch to solder copper
pipe, be sure not to hold the Mame
on the spot too long. The heat is
great enough to melt the copper.

Another disadvantage of the
high heat is that it is too hot to use
for stripping paint. However, these
are far outweighed by the perfor-
mance when brazing or struggling
to loosen a frozen bolt.

These devices are not expensive
and you could have one of each of
the heads in your workshop,
enabling you to use the right head

for the job.

A word on safety. The propane
used by most do-il-yourselfers is
the small hand-held tank on which
you mount the head. This tank has
a very narrow base and many fires
have been started when a tank has
been knacked over when lit,

The problem can be eliminated
by buying a push-button can in-
stant-light torch or fastening a
deep juice can to an 8’ plywood
square and standing the torch in-
side the can. However you still
must be very careful of the burning
torch.

One touch of the flame on your
arm, can be extremely painful.
Another thing to remember is to
always remove the head when
finished with the job.

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