thread burning; what do you use?

[JerseyFirefighter]

I've used a bic primarily. Got suckered into buying the thread zap 2 (the wire loop burner) and my thoughts are I got about 3 days out of a AA battery, and it lasted 2 weeks before it quit on me. I always made a practice of putting the rigid plastic cap back on it as not to damage the seemingly fragile loop end. Now stupid me goes ahead and buys a butane torch off of amazon last week thinking its time to upgrade. Unfortunately it was either the rum that did it or the lack of pictures but what I thought would have been 4" mini torch turned out to be a full fledged chef's torch that is entirely too big for burning thread.

I may be looking to try something different as ive noticed after some moderate use, the threads I burn tend to fray again and look a little sloppy. Maybe im just not cutting close enough to the stitch hole, but that's a whole other thread for another topic. Speaking of which, anyone have a good recommendation of a quality close quarter sewing scissor?

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

I use a cheap soldering iron with the finest point I can get. I just plan on replacing it 2 or 3 times a year. After a few months of use the tip is either shot or it doesn't heat as hot.  I want to be able to get as close as possible and not take a chance on burning the leather or something else that I don't want to burn, which is why I don't like a lighter.

[Chief31794]

I use a cheap thread burner that I got off of Ebay, instant on, uses 1 AA battery, battery lasts a month of so, no chance of scorching leather which I used to do from time to time when using a lighter. The point on this thing lets me burn the thread into a "Ball" recessed into the hole it came out of, locks the stitches and barely shows at all. Works exceptionally well on machine thread (277), works for hand stitching as well but takes a second or two longer to melt the thread. It looks like this.

 

Chief

Edited November 27, 2016 by Chief31794

[billybopp]

I used to use a lighter, but occasionally burnt the leather if not very careful.  Tried an old soldering iron, which worked well but they take awhile to heat up, so not very convenient for burning a thread or two now and then.  I've recently started using a battery powered thread zapper, and really like the kind that has a retractable tip so that I don't accidentally burn something I shouldn't, and to protect the wire when not in use.  Rechargeable batteries are also a good idea since they do go through batteries fairly quickly.  

Bill

[Sonydaze]

I use the Thread Zap II as well.  They are a bit hard on batteries but work well on getting close without damaging other thread or the leather.  They heat fast and cool off quickly.  For the speed and conciseness, I will happily buy batteries. The tip is a bit fragile, so I recommend getting a spare.

Several vendors on Ebay sell them:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Thread-Zap-II-Burner-Zapper-Tool-Cordless-Beadsmith-Beading-Embroidery-Crafts-/302140393506?hash=item4658f88822:g:NEwAAOxyaTxRS3N8

Edited November 27, 2016 by Sonydaze
Correct typo

[JerseyFirefighter]

2 hours ago, Chief31794 said:

I use a cheap thread burner that I got off of Ebay, instant on, uses 1 AA battery, battery lasts a month of so, no chance of scorching leather which I used to do from time to time when using a lighter. The point on this thing lets me burn the thread into a "Ball" recessed into the hole it came out of, locks the stitches and barely shows at all. Works exceptionally well on machine thread (277), works for hand stitching as well but takes a second or two longer to melt the thread. It looks like this.

 

Chief

Maybe I got one of the bum ones. I saw after I had purchased it that a few reviews had the same problem that I had. I just had suspected they neglected theirs. I couldnt have been more careful with the darn thing. 

[Chief31794]

10 hours ago, JerseyFirefighter said:

Maybe I got one of the bum ones. I saw after I had purchased it that a few reviews had the same problem that I had. I just had suspected they neglected theirs. I couldnt have been more careful with the darn thing. 

Maybe I got a good one, never know.  Mine is about 2 years old and I've replaced the tip once, use it a lot, goes through batteries pretty well, but mine works great.

Chief

[DuncanSinclair]

I have this: https://proleptic.net/shop/tools/pro-thermal-tools/pro-thermal-cordless-thread-burner/

works like a champ!