[RichardW]

Version two -- on a different model Blazer:

Subject: Fun with Blazers - or - Don't try this at home!
Date: 11/20/1999
Author: Roger W. Farnsworth <rfarn...@cisco.com>

Well, after seeing the phenomenal job that Blazer Corp. did repairing
Bob Ray's PT 4000 Pencil Torch, (14" cobalt blue flame with delayed-
action off button,) when mine went tits-up I decided to forgo the $20
fee and 6 month wait and "take matters into my own hands" so to speak.
Here are a few notes from the altogether too exciting but eventually
successful venture:

The PT 4000 has a brass butane tank inside. This tank has an output
valve that is lifted by the on-off switch. The flame adjustment collar
is immediately adjacent to the tank, and then there is an extension
tube that is approximately 2" in length. This extension runs almost to
the head of the torch, where it fits neatly into a small carburetion
valve assembly. It is this assembly that is visible at the tip of the
torch. On my torch this carburetion valve had worked itself completely
closed, thus cutting off all fuel flow. It took me a while to figure
this out, however, so I got to have fun reducing my torch to individual
components and thoroughly cleaning them all.

One of the things I attempted to clean was the inside of the 2"
extension tube. This tube has an interior diameter just slightly
greater than .5 mm. After thinking for a few minutes, I came up with
the idea of using a pencil lead from a mechanical pencil. Voila!
Perfect fit. Can you see where this is going yet?

First note: Do not, under any circumstances, pull up on the valve
while the pencil lead is inserted in the tube. Ffffftttttt! Holy
flechette, Batman! The pencil lead was ejected from my torch at a speed
that I can only approximate as twice the speed of sound, firmly
embedding itself in the ceiling.

Once the problem carburetor was found and adjusted, I reassembled the
torch. Proud of my mechanical acumen, I called Stacy into the room and
prepared for test firing. Second note: Upon reassembly, please double
check to make sure that the 2" extension tube actually fits *into* the
carburetion valve and not along side of it. Snick, click, WHOOOOF!
The ensuing 12" in diameter fireball was singularly spectacular and
dramatic in the extreme. I quickly switched off the torch, salvaging
precious few knuckle hairs and a tiny bit of self esteem, and
demonstrating to my gal that I am, as always, cool under fire!

Reminds me of two old jokes: What are a redneck's last words? "Watch
this!" and How do you make a cat go woof? - With a pint of gas and a
match.

Well, here I sit with naked knuckles, several pieces of pencil lead
embedded in my bulletin board (right, like you wouldn't keep doing it!)
and a perfectly functioning pencil torch. I think I'll take the $20+
bucks that Blazer would have charged me and blow it on a nice cigar.
Then I'll pop the cork on a nice bottle of shiraz, tear the paper off a
box of truffles, and sit down to a good movie.

Have a great Saturday night, all!

R.