Alcohol/spirit Lamp/burner For Heating Leather Crease Tools?

[Tannin]

I gather that an alcohol fueled "spirit lamp" is the preferred method for heating leather creases. I wondered if the more experienced hands agree? If so any recommendation as to preferred model/design features or any other heating tips?

[veedub3]

It's what I use after seeing it referenced in a leather worker book. I actually made my own, for less than $3. I already have denatured alcohol in the shop that I use to dilute my die. I picked up a small glass jar with lid from Hobby Lobby for like $0.74, then I purchased a wick with a glass adapter from Hobby Lobby as well and used a 40% off coupon. I used my drill press to drill a hole in the jars lid to place the wick and glass adapter in, poured the alcohol in the glass jar, screwed on the lid and lit the wick, and it works just like they said it would in the book.

Here is a link to the wick: http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/5-replacement-wick-with-3/4-glass-adapter-864769/

Karina

[cgleathercraft]

wouldn't chafing fuel work? can get it at most big box stores.

[RStevenson]

Would a candle flame work?

[TinkerTailor]

Alcohol is best as it does not leave soot on the tools. I made mine with a mason jar. I drilled a hole and set a grommet into the lid. For a wick I use braided garden string. About 18 strands in a 3 part braid. Get rubbing alcohol at any drug store. My burner cost me the cost of the grommet. I salvaged the jar and string

[karlpv]

I've used one a fair bit with another hobby. They generate a nice low to medium heat, depnding on how your wick is set up. If you burn the rubbing alchahol mentioned above, try and find the 90% type with its lower water conent and better burn. The yellow bottled gasoline additive, Heet, sold in cold country during the winter, can be found cheap at times too. A metal cap for the burner of some sort, is a good addition to snuff the flame and slow evaporation.

Edited May 22, 2015 by karlpv

[TinkerTailor]

I forgot to mention i use a thimble as a snuffer/wick cover...

[Tannin]

I am impressed by the range of ideas so far. Hadn't thought of candles, I have several large ones in my workshop already - long relegated from the house & looking for a use. In winter I have used the top of my woodburning stove but not really practical this time of year.

Veedub3/Karina, that sounds ideal but finding wick/grommet kits in the UK will likely be be tricky/expensive.

TinkerTailor, what sort of grommet did you use - rubber/ceramic/...? I noticed a small glass jar with a metal screw cap in a cupboard this morning that might do. Alternatively I have an old 50cc aftershave bottle made of thick glass that might do. Although I am a little hesitant to make my own in case it spills burning fuel & starts a fire. Would probably use outside as a safety precaution.

I had to look up chafing fuel on wiki - looks great if you have access to them. In the UK they can be cheap in bulk but can be expensive individually. I'll keep my eye out for them.

Edited May 22, 2015 by Tannin

[Tannin]

Anybody use one of those glass jeweler's spirit lamps (~£8 on ebay) that have angled sides so that you can lean them over (and/or perhaps so they are stable & safe if they fall over)? Is that a useful feature? Or the very cheap, simple £3 Chinese ones from ebay (or the £8 Japanese variant).

Anybody use one those shiny metal (stainless steel?) dental spirit lamps (~£6-£8 on ebay/Amazon)? One model just has one hole/cap with wick. Another has a second cap (vent/filler?).

Is wick adjusting wheel worthwile or just an unnecessary gimmick?

Anybody tried one of the vintage medical/dental tool sterilizing burners? They often take the fold of a rectangular box with a foldout lid. Often they have a flip-up tool holder - presumably to support the tool handle away from the flame while the tip is steralized - which seems like a handy feature. Some are sold as expensive antiques but I have seen a couple of cheap ones.

How do you support the tool when heating it - do you just hold it? When I used my woodburner, I just propped the handle up on a log which sat on the stove top & let the head sit on the stove top.

Edited May 22, 2015 by Tannin

[TinkerTailor]

I just used a brass grommet the same type you use on leather. the goal was to give the wick a tight hole but still let it slide. I used a 125ml (2oz) mason jar like the one on the picture because they are good with heat, low, stable, and hard to break. Plus easy to fill without spill. I just hold the tools in my hand to heat. If i were to need a stand for heating a tool, i would bend one up from a coat hanger. Look at pictures of diy solder iron stands for ideas.

There you go. Worked for me a long time, no fires yet.