The road to the Snap On Torch300 was a long one filled with disappointing torch products. But the Torch300 is a winner! And refilling it with the Optimus adapter and JetBoil gas canisters is a breeze.
Just an FYI, from my understanding butane and propane are interchangeable (i.e devices that take one will take the other, same jets etc), often 'butane' and 'propane' will be a mix of the two. The big difference that I've personally discovered is the 'freezing' point, butane will turn thick and flow badly if you get much below 0C (shaking the bottle might help but only temporarily), propane will stay more fluid/useable well below 0C so much better for outdoor use in the Winter.
You may save money in the short term using that camping fuel but in the long term I think you will regret that decision when it clogs your torch and it will no longer work and you have to buy a new one. In my opinion you should never skimp on butane fuel, always go with something as close to zero impurities as possible eventually you will end up with a cloged torch that no longer works and that opinion comes from my personal experience. Thanks for the review!
Good point. I did not know there was much difference between butane. I am aware of propane issues and have mitigation gear as I swap between grill to heaters, but not with butane. It seems the different is between flame and jet torches/lighter. Thanks for the heads-up.
Blazer Big Shot has a stronger flame & bigger tank for 1/2 the price. It's a real commercial/pro product, and would've made a much better comparison. It also has a positive shutoff, which this Snap-On does not. So far I'm seeing no one putting those 2 torches head to head.
What are your thoughts on the Power Probe torch? It’s a small torch like the Snap On, in fact it’s also for sale on Snap On’s site in its kit form. One can buy it separately too. It too seems well regarded on tool forums. Hmmmm choices. Anyway, thank you very much for the in depth rundown. I just bought a Hakko FX-888d for soldering wires…not sure I should’ve done that after seeing your collection!
Living in Colorado I know that many people use torches like these to heat up “nails” so that they can smoke marijuana concentrate. The burnzomatic and the snap on both cater to this clientele heavily, but price is the major determining factor for stoners. “Does it work?, good.”
The 400 is just a bigger 300. Or the 300 is just a smaller 400. Either way, the 400 makes a larger flame, and has a greater fuel capacity. And, as I recall, was about $20 more.
Depends on how you plan to use. For precision heating like electrical heat shrink, for example, 400 is overkill and burns through fuel quickly. For heating things up like rusted fasteners and stuck metal components, or for quickly melting something out, extra output of the 400 is handy.
The blue one? Thats just a standard fuel canister that you can get at most hardware stores. The torch at the top is something you buy separately… they are universal, they should fit any one of these standard fuel canisters. You can get them at the same hardware stores or even somewhere like Walmart or Target… I got one at target a few years ago on clearance for like $3
At the cheat menu, you hit ABABACCA and then start. With that, you also get OJ Simpson and the ‘79 Bills. Oh wait… that’s Madden ‘95 on Sega Genesis. Never mind
