On a cold, snowy night, there is nothing quite so satisfying as having a warm cup of mulled wine and watching the flames dance in golden splendor. A fire in a fabulous antique fireplace brings warmth, both literal and intangible, to a living room, den or bedroom. There’s something intrinsically primal yet comforting about having a fire in one’s home.

1940s: Smaller copper tips were incorporated on these tools, and heat controls were also included to allow for higher working efficiency and effectiveness.If your chilly winter nights are largely spent warming up by the fireplace, you’re going to need a set of antique or vintage fireplace tools and chimney pots to keep things tidy.

Early 1900s: When electricity became available, it was implemented into these tools, which allowed soldering irons to plug in and provide constant heat during work, although the tips remained large.

These tools would cool down quickly, so many of them were used simultaneously.

1800s: These antique tools utilized a handle with a large copper tip on the end that needed to be heated directly by a fire.

How do antique handheld soldering tools work?

1880s: A bell-shaped design was implemented, and this shape would be maintained for many decades of brass gasoline blowtorches.

The pump allowed for increased efficiency and effectiveness during use.

1860s: A mechanical pump was introduced into the tools, and blowtorch models decreased in size, allowing for single-handed use.

1850s: American inventors implemented safety valves and an adjustment handle to the brass blowtorch, which increased safety and burner regulation.

How did antique brass blowtorches progress over time? Keeping the collectible item clean is important, and a light coating of wax can be applied to keep oxygen from penetrating the material.

Maintenance: Cleaning a torch too often can cause damage to the copper topcoat, which causes a green color.

Lacquer can harm the brass, and it can be removed by pouring hot water over the torch and peeling off the lacquer while it is hot.

Removing Lacquer: Some gasoline blowtorches may have been lacquered, which commonly shows a very shiny yellow color.

Soaking the torch in undiluted household ammonia or vinegar for an hour will help to eliminate the harsh effects of oxidation and remove any dirt that may be present on the torch.

Antique Brass: Brass is exposed to dirt and oxidation over time, and removing it is important to maintaining the look of the torch.

How do you clean and care for antique brass torches? This pressure forced the ignited fuel to spray out of the blowtorch, producing a controlled and concentrated flame. The pressure was able to be released through a valve, which was directed through the flame. Later models utilized a hand pump to pressurize the air inside the torch and move the fuel through the piping. Because the space was closed off, pressure built up inside the lamp from the burning gasoline. Many of the antique fuel lamps were composed of brass, and the blowtorch was created by placing a sealed container over the flame in the lamp. The blowtorch was first used in the early 1800s and was designed using the already existing gasoline lamp. These antique tools are a great collectors item, and collecting these vintage items will provide you with a unique display.

These tools have undergone numerous design changes due to advancements in materials, production, and technology, but an antique blowtorch provides great insight into the history of metalworking.

Collectible Blowtorches and Soldering Toolsīlowtorches and soldering tools have been used in metalwork for applying heat to metal, or for joining two pieces of metal to one another hundreds of years.

Old fire tools for sale