EURO TOOLMax Flame Butane Torch | SOL-302.00

I ordered a version of this torch earlier this year. I was really pleased. It was a nice weight and performed well. I ordered a second one, but had to return it. The flame didn't last and it was harder to operate. Clearly it wasn't the same torch. I returned it and got a replacement. The same thing happened. I got my money back from Amazon. I was really annoyed. Compared to what I ordered before, this one is cheaply made and it's the weight of a kid's doll. Something's gone awry at Eurotool with this item...and I would steer clear if you want a better deal.

UPDATE 8/20/16: I've had this torch for about 7 months and for the last month or two, I've been having a lot of trouble with the butane refill area on the bottom. Every time I refill—which is now constantly because it won't hold much fuel for some reason—the fuel just hisses out because the nozzle stays open, and I have to reapply the butane canister and wiggle it several times (while everything is spewing butane the whole time) to make the little nozzle close before I use the torch again. Also, it now always takes several attempts to light it, and it won't light at all unless it's turned all the way down low.ORIGINAL REVIEW: I love this torch. I haven't had any problems with it. I did have trouble with the locking mechanism at first, it's a little tricky. But after enough use your fingers get used to the rhythm of turning it on and off. I use this for silver brazing/soldering jewelry, and while I still prefer to use a smaller torch (a little orange one from Harbor Freight) to solder bezels and thin rings, this torch is invaluable for larger pieces. It heats them up so quickly and evenly so I worry less about fire scale.

I bought this in May 2014. It's now May 2016 and it's still working. I dropped it a few times so the auto-ignite only works intermittently now, but that's what I bought a striker for. I don't solder all the time, maybe a few times a quarter, but it still works. Sometimes the feed nipple or whatever sticks or something and leaks the butane out, but if I fiddle with it I can usually get it to stop. Again, I dropped it, so that might be my fault. I think this is fine for a beginner jewelrymaker like myself. I mean I got 2 years and several jewelry pieces out of it and it's still going. I actually bought a Blazer Stingray which has a nicer flame control, but that thing randomly stopped working after about 6 months.Pros:*relatively inexpensive*easy to use*pretty sturdy (works after being knocked around)*still going 2 years later*can get a large flame/high heatCons:*sometimes leaks*striker quit (after being dropped- I'm being nitpicky)*difficult to get a small flame- sometimes too hot for bezels

I've been using this torch for about four months and it is still working well. Other torches I've had have not lasted this long. I don't expect it to last a lifetime, that's just the nature of the beast with micro torches. I like the large flame it produces, seems hotter than the smaller torches I've used. This is probably why it goes through butane faster than others. I use mine for making silver jewelry and it works great for the smaller pieces, like rings and pendants, but I use a larger Map Gas torch for heavy pieces, like bracelets. I'm thinking of buying a second Max Flame as a backup, its inexpensive enough.

I was heating the bottom of a piece of s silver to solder a cabochon setting to it and the flame out of the torch suddenly got more powerful that I had to stop using the torch. It was like there was a leak or a pressure surge from the gas chamber and needless to say it kinda freaked me out. The regular flame is huge with no way to turn it down. I would not buy this one if you are concerned for your safety

Right out of the box, this torch had two problems. First, it would only light intermittently. Secondly, the refill valve leaked both during and after filling. I contacted the company and completely solved the first problem -- all it took was repositioning the starter wire directly into the path of the flame. The second problem seemed to fix itself after a few refills and it no longer leaked after refilling. But, it was always an absolutely bear to refill, spraying butane everywhere -- the refill valve must have had a faulty seal when depressed. I made do with this for about a month and then realized that I was wasting SO much butane that it just wasn't worth it. I have a different (small flame) torch that fills perfectly and easily so I know it isn't a problem with the butane can. This torch made a beautiful flame, though. Also, I'd like to correct another reciewer who said that you need to keep the button depressed to keep the flame on. It does have a lock option to keep a hands-free flame. I liked the torch all right except for the valve defect.

Oh, yeah . . . mighty powerful! Copper strips are heated & flame colored so easily it's delightful!I use this when making large copper glass enameled earrings &/or fire torching copper to achieve beautiful colorings

Problems refilling after a few uses. At first it worked fine. After a few times refilling, however, I began to notice that the butane would start sputtering sooner and sooner, and now it sprays everywhere when I try to fill it. It's too bad, I liked the flame on this torch. After reading a few of the reviews, looks like I'm not the only one having this problem. It's too late to return it. For the price, I expected to get more than just a couple months use out of it.