Bernzomatic 19527 ST900D Mini Torch

Don't let the low price fool you. This is a fantastic torch setup for your bench at home. Combined with an inexpensive firebrick, a solder-rite board and/or charcoal block set on top of a shallow pan full of some heat-resistant material, which could be set on a rotating lazy susan type thing, all set on top of a heavy workbench covered with a big sheet of welding steel (less than $15 at your local home center), this torch will perform as well or better than a much more expensive two-tank system. It is easy and inexpensive to replace your propane tanks, which you won't need to do very often. I work in my basement with a window open.

The pointy flame is a dream come true. I have tried the torch tips and hoses available at the big box home centers, and they do not work nearly as well, though both work well enough to melt hard solder easily. But the nice small handpiece of this torch, which feels a lot like the handpiece of my flexible shaft machine, is ergonomically designed and very comfortable to hold, offering greater control. The torch is easy to light, but I'd like to mention some safety procedures my rocket scientist son taught me, which are not clearly indicated in the package directions. When you are done soldering a piece, turn off the handpiece first, then the tank, reversing the way you turned it on, which was tank first, then torch. After you turn off the tank, open the valve on the handpiece, wait for it to stop hissing, and then close the handpiece valve. This exhausts any gas remaining in the hose. It takes less than a minute, but that's how he was taught to do it in his college labs, so this extra step seems like a good idea to me. The torch is so easy to light with a striker that I've become completely comfortable using it, and use it many times each day. Before I got this torch, I was using a Blazer with triple-refined butane to make sterling, copper, and brass bezels. That works great, but this is even better, and it works fast -- be prepared for that solder to run sooner than you think it will. This tool is a great addition to my studio.

BERNZOMATIC ST900D Mini Torch #019527 This is the answer! I love this little torch! It has limited power but it is light and easy to use + it has a pencil tip that just makes the cleanest solder for silver and copper. It does not work on gold.
I may get another just to have a backup. I am using it 4-6 hours a day.

Short version: The 3 tips provided last a maximum of 10 hours use and must be replaced. They are not sold individually, You must buy a "kit" with all 3 tips ($15 each). The kits are not sold most places that sell the torch. This is a throwaway tool that is not likely to last the 30 hours that your propane tank does....

Longer version:
This is my second Bernzomatic solder tool. The other was a small butane model whose filler receptacle failed. Sadly, Bernzomatic does nat provide any repair or replacement parts for this. So, when I saw the ST900D, I was not too sure about another Bernzomatic. But, given the features, the use of a user supplied propane take and interchangeable tips, I decided to go for it. When I got my torch from Amazon, I read the instruction booklet. I was surprised to see that the tips were stated to have a catalytic element that under optimal condition may last as much as 10 hours use. Since, they make a big deal about it going 30 hours on a single tank of gas, you might think it would be mentioned that your tips won't last that long. I assumed that I could buy a box of the solder tips... but no. The tips are only sold as a kit and that is if you can find it. The is no mention of any of this on the Bernzomatic website. I get the sense that Bernzomatic doesn't actually have any interest in supporting their products. Buy it, use it a few times, throw it away and buy another one. I will be looking for another supplier and may well send the ST900D back to Amazon.

I got this because I wanted more power than my small butane torches have. This is highly recommended on alot of jewelry sites so I got one.

While its a fine torch, its not any more powerful than my butane torches and thats a disappointment. I bought a regular torch and will be giving this away.

I braze using silver solder where my flame must confine itself to about a quarter inch diameter, or it damages the part. My effeciency has gone up from about 10% using a standard propane torch and tip to about 90% with this torch and tip. This product was perfect for my application, and saved me from having to buy a jewelers' torch with regulators at about 6 times the cost.