790F35 - Triple Flint Torch Striker

Technical Overview of the ESAB Triple Flint Friction Lighter

The ESAB 790F35 Triple Flint Friction Lighter is a specialized ignition tool designed for the safe and reliable lighting of oxy-fuel welding and cutting torches. Unlike standard disposable lighters or matches, which pose significant safety hazards in industrial environments due to open flames and potential for explosion, this friction striker generates a controlled spark specifically intended to ignite fuel gases such as acetylene, propane, and propylene when mixed with oxygen.

The unit is constructed from heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant plated steel, ensuring structural integrity even when subjected to the heat and physical demands of a welding workshop. The core mechanism features a triangular flint holder containing three separate flints. This design is superior to single-flint models as it allows the operator to rotate the assembly to a fresh flint position immediately upon the exhaustion or failure of the active flint. This redundancy is critical in high-throughput fabrication settings where equipment downtime must be minimized.

The striker operates via a manual squeeze action, where a hardened steel file rubs against the mischmetal flint to produce a shower of hot sparks. The head of the lighter is equipped with a cup-shaped gas trap. This cup serves a dual purpose: it directs the gas flow from the torch tip towards the spark generation point, and it momentarily contains the gas mixture to ensure a high probability of ignition on the first strike. The wire frame handle is designed to provide a spring-tensioned return action, resetting the file position for subsequent strikes automatically.

Maintenance of the 790F35 is straightforward, requiring only the occasional replacement of the triple-flint assembly and periodic cleaning of the file to remove combustion residue. This tool is an essential component of any oxy-fuel equipment setup, meeting industry standards for safe ignition practices.