Mini Pencil Torch from Countycomm Good Enough?

K

knifezoid

Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Messages
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I was told I'll need a torch to bend materials for some pocket
clip ideas I have. To bend steel/ti what do you think of this
pencil torch at Countycomm?

http://www.countycomm.com/Penciltorch.htm

It's not too big, but I'm only doing pocket clips now and I
do not have a ton of space. Good enough or won't cut it?

The steel I have bends already by holding in
vice grips, so I guess I don't really need to heat it. Or
should I still heat it to get a more accurate shape?

Can you heat treat with this thing?

Thanks for all your help.
 
If you are making pocket clips, your steel needs to have some spring to it.

Yes the pencil tourch should do this, but you will need to get it hot and see if the bend will "set". Try heating a test piece on the stove eye, get it red, bend it and try to unbend it when it cools. Don't bend it just to break it, but rather to see if it will spring back when flexed. I have made several boot clips from banding material. .035 thick 1050 I would guess.

Ti on the other hand should be fine as is.

If you need some of this banding, let me know. I only have a few hundred feet of it. :eek:

Paul
 
Thanks Paul. What does that banding material look like?
Is it like the stuff a hack saw blade is made out of? I have
a couple of those too I was wondering if it would work for
clips.

I might pick some stuff up from you as I'm scrounging for
materials, but it's tough to come by something that doesn't
need a lot of modification/grinding.
 
That pencil torch is cute, but I expect there are more sales to pot and meth smokers that like the cute little portability.

It uses butane and will cost alot more to run than a propane torch.



Try this, it should be available in most hardware stores (Walmart)for copper pipe soldering
It uses propane cylinders.
Cheaper to buy $15 ish... and cheaper to run
http://www.bernzomatic.com/products/product-detail.aspx?xmid=6964
http://www.homedepot.com/Building-M...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
http://www.amazon.com/BernzoMatic-019220-UL2317-Pencil-Flame/dp/B00008ZA0C


In terms of materials, you will have more success in heating and bending 6Al4V Titanium into a pocket clip than steel because Ti will need no heat treating after.

If you want spring pocket clips out of steel, you will need proper steel and heat treating.
 
Last edited:
Nice. That looks like a good option. Plus it's more accessable to me
since the Home Depot caries it. I still like the pencil torch just cause
of it's portability and handheld style. But one step at a time I guess...
 
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