Review: Bernzomatic Firepoint Creator Tool

Maker News Workshop
Review: Bernzomatic Firepoint Creator Tool

Manufacturer: Bernzomatic

URL: https://www.bernzomatic.com/Products/Hand-Torches/Instant-On-Off/BZ8360T

Price$75

Like so many of you, I’ve had an old torch head for propane and map tanks laying around workshops for my entire life. It’s the kind of tool you only need occasionally, but there’s no other tool in the shop that does what it does, so it also never goes away.

The problem, at least through most of my life, is that these torch heads are imprecise and really only good for heating up a rough area or starting a fire. Removing stuck bolts was probably my most common use.

The Bernzomatic Firepoint Creator Tool seems to be a push to change the torch from a blunt object to a more precise tool. They’ve done this in a few ways. It has more control over the shape and size of the flame than you would expect for a home torch, and the torch itself is at the end of a hose, allowing for easier use than the ones attached directly to the top of a bottle.

In use

I received the unit for testing and was pleasantly surprised by the setup. There is not only the head at the end of the hose but also a nice base that can hold your propane tank and the head. This seems like a tiny thing but when you’ve got this sitting on your workbench, having the head flopping around would be annoying, the base really helps.

this picture might be a tiny bit misleading. There’s a larger less visible hot point.

The flame adjustment is pretty good for a simple head on a propane cannister. I was able to narrow down the flame enough that I could see using this for more artistic pursuits that required precision. The flame lock allows you to kick on a flame and leave it on without having to hold the button and that’s nice, especially when trying to handle the tip more like a paintbrush than a small flamethrower.

One example of precision would be working with glass. In the video below, I was still using the old style and very frustrated by the lack of precision. I may have to revisit this hobby now! This torch much cheaper than even an entry level glass blowing head, and plenty to tinker with.

YouTube player

Conclusion

If you’re just using a torch to heat up stuck lugs on a rusty old car or start a bonfire, get the cheapo. However, if you even rarely want some more precision, this is totally worth the money.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

I get ridiculously excited seeing people make things. I just want to revel in the creativity I see in makers. My favorite thing in the world is sharing a maker's story. find me at CalebKraft.com

View more articles by Caleb Kraft

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK