A few months ago, my brother-in-law, who's a Matco Tools salesman, gave me a Master Appliance Micro-Torch at a family gathering. I loved it immediately, though I couldn't really figure out what to do with it. This butane torch is mainly used in automotive and other electronics for heat shrinking tubing used in connections where insulation, strain relief, and abrasion protection are needed. Since I don't do a lot of electronics that require this sort of thing, the Micro-Torch doesn't get much use, but for those few times when I need to apply a lot of heat to an area (such as impatiently drying something), it sure is handy to have in the toolbox.

The Micro-Torch is small and fits comfortably in your hand. Powered by a refillable butane fuel cell (part no. RC-30), it will burn for twenty minutes at a maximum flame temperature of 2,400 F/1,300 C. You can also use regular disposable lighters (if you carefully remove the striker first). There's a safety lock on it so you don't fry your nipple by mistake while it's in your pocket. It uses a piezo-electric ignition that's wind-resistant and waterproof, making it a very useful tool to take camping. Its other uses include soldering, desoldering, drying, melting, heating and light welding. I've even heard of people using it to repair scratched CDs, although it apparently takes a lot of practice. I tried scratching and heating a crappy techno remix. It did appear to heal the scratches, but by the time I got the distance and duration right, the CD had become so warped, I didn't dare put it in my stereo. [If anyone reading this performs such a repair successfully, please let us know.] The Micro-Torch is available in many electronics and hardware catalogs such as Digi-Key and Grainger's.

So, if this sounds like a tool you can make use of, or if you just want to burn stuff for fun <cue Butthead laughter>, the Micro-Torch will light your fire.

- Gareth Branwyn [12/17/97]