MICROFLAME TORCH/ STAR WARS PROP RESEARCH PAGE

Microflame Torch also known as a Hand Torch, Brazing Torch, Hand Welder, Miniature Welder, Miniature Torch, Butane Torch, Butane Welder, Micronox Torch, Jawa Welder etc.

Star Wars Screen Grabs & On-Screen Reference Pictures

SCREEN-USED MICROFLAME TORCH STAR WARS PROP

The prop originally used on-screen in the Star Wars: A New Hope appears to be a un-altered Microflame Torch.

Star Wars Movie/TV Series Appearances

  • Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope 1977

    • Used to weld the Restraining Bolt onto R2-D2 by a Jawa just before R2 is sucked up into the Sandcrawler.

    • Used by Luke Skywalker in Obi-Wans hutt when making repairs on C3-P0- after the Tusken Raider ambush

    • Micro gas cylinder used as part of Han Solos belt accessories

  • The Mandalorian Disney + Series 2019

    • Season 1 Chapter Modified Microflame Torch used by Kuiil making modifications on IG-88

      • Torch now appears without identifiable Microflame markings

  • Andor Disney + Series 2022

SUMMARY OF THIS WEBPAGE

This web page is a culmination of my research regarding the screen-used hand torch in Star Wars: A New Hope.

Be advised the content here-in is based on my own research and is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.

This research adventure started because I 3-D printed a torch I found online for my Jawa prop/costume and wanted to make accurate text for it because I didn’t like the way it looked without it. I really didn’t think it looked like a Model-B torch as I saw identified in other corners of the internet, so identifying the model led me down a research rabbit-hole. This page is a culmination of what I found. Don’t judge me :)

This is the way… Ashly Jo

SCREEN-USED HAND WELDER BRAND & MODEL IDENTIFICATION

Star Wars A New Hope 1977

  • 1 Screen grab (below) used to identify model

  • From research of hand-held torches produced/available around 1977 and comparison of the units primary colors available around that time, the on-screen color was identified as a gold with bold text appearing in a horizontal line at the top portion & right portions of the unit.

  • Identification of a gold colored unit narrows the torch down to 4 possible models for that time period.

  • Since the “Microflame Torch” text does not appear in an arch over the welder arm, nor does the text “ARCHER” and larger “TORCH” text appear to be a possibility in the screen grab, the model is narrowed down to 2 models.

  • The screen grab does not appear to have the “Model B” text on the right. There is a clear gap between “Minnesota” & the patent number.

    • Additionally, from my research, the production timeline for the Model B torch doesn’t line up for use in the 1977 movie release. Model B’s first appearance that I could find was in the 1983 RadioShack catalog.

  • This information narrows the screen used torch down to 1 model. As far as I can find this model is “un-named” or here-in referenced as the “standard” model produced 1974-1976.

Microflame Miniature Gas Torch Standard/Unmarked Model VS Model B

Microflame Torch Standard Model 1974-1976

Identified Screen-used Prop Images

MODEL AS IDENTIFIED BY DESERT SCUM: ON-SCREEN PROP USED IN STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE 1977

Microflame Torch 1974-1976

“Standard” Model

Actual Microflame Torch (based on my identification of the model) for hands-on analysis

Microflame Torch 1974-1976

“Standard” Model

Online Reference Pictures

Microflame Torch Standard Model 1974-1976 Replica Build Photos

  • STL files via Straeker on Thigiverse

    • STL Files generally too large & rescaled for accuracy

  • FDM/FFF material

  • Custom logo & text for torch and cylinders by Ardy Jo

  • Alterations, finishing & painting by Ardy Jo

Microflame Torch Standard Model 1974-1976 Details

Actual torch used to compile information below

  • BRAND: Microflame Torch

  • MODEL/VERSION: No model identifying information on single unit or box. Labeled 4400 on a Microflame kit box. Referenced as Standard/Unknown on this webpage.

  • PART/ITEM #: 1000 (from box)

  • MANUFACTURE YEAR: 1974-1976 (RadioShack catalog)

  • MARKINGS/NOTES:

    • Front

      • MICROFLAME TORCH Minneapolis Minnesota U.S. Pat. No 3,246,849

      • Raised Text at bottom: ROTATE THUMBSCREWS TO CLAMP GAS CYLINDERS with arrow pointing left

    • Back

      • Raised Text at bottom: ROTATE THUMBSCREWS TO CLAMP GAS CYLINDERS with arrow pointing left

    • Top

      • Knobs

        • Red Knob at right with white text- “OPEN BUTANE” with curved arrow

        • Green Knob at left with white text- “OPEN MICRONOX” with curved arrow

    • Sides

      • No markings

      • Gap separating front piece from back piece

      • Left side has 2 small holes near top

    • Bottom

      • No markings

      • 2 holes for canister adjuster screws to extend through

GAS CANISTERS

Canister text version determination based on what might have been sold at the time of the model of Torch

BUTANE CANISTER- RED

  • Red Text:

    • Contains Butane

    • Flameable

    • Keep Away From Heat

    • Micro Flame Inc.

    • Solid red line

      alternate canister text has “Made in Japan” below red line and “MICROFLAME” as one word

MICRONOX CANISTER- GREEN

  • Green Text:

    • Contains Micronox

    • Keep Away From Heat

    • Micro Flame Inc.

    • Solid green line

  • Alternate canisters are solid silver ( no text)

  • Alternate canister larger green text, no line & alternate wording of

    • MICRONOX CYLINDER

    • D A N G E R

    • _____ NOT HEAD OVER

    • ___ F. FOR USE IN

    • MICROFLAME TORCH

    • ONLY! 09088

Microflame Torch Models

Collection of similar hand torch images available 1970s & 1980s

NUMBER IN BRACKETS [] IS FOR REFERENCE ON THIS SITE ONLY- NOT RELATED TO PART# ETC.

Microflame Inc. History

Real World Application

These hand-torches took a butane cylinder and a “Micronox” cylinder aka compressed nitrous oxide to heat up to 5000 F pinpoint flame.

Patent

June 28, 1962 - US3246849A

The Miniature torch patent US 3246849A April 14, 1966 by Leonard E. Laske of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Microflame Inc.

United States Word Trade Mark

  • Azure Moon Trading Corp. 05/24/1963 (Application) 06-14-1966 (Registration) - small gas torches - Heating, lighting and ventilating apparatus

    • Serial #72169654

    • 20 Commerce Park Northsuite 101, Bedford, NH 03110

    • Andrew S. Ehard, Merchant & Gould P.C., P.O. Box 2910 Minneapolis, MN 55402-0910

RadioShack a Tandy Corporation Company

Archer was a Trademark of the Tandy Corporation Fort Worth Texas and owners of Radio Shack January 4, 1979

Microflame & Archer Torch Item Numbers & Market Appearances

Microflame & Archer Torch Item Numbers

Microflame Torch (arched text)

  • Radio Shack [RS] 1972-1973

    • Torch Item # 64-2165

    • Butane Cylinder Item # 64-2166

    • Oxygen Cylinder Item # 64-6167

Microflame Torch (standard/unmarked)

  • Radio Shack [RS] 1974-1976

    • Torch Item # 64-2165

    • Butane Cylinder Item # 64-2166

    • Micronox Cylinder Item # 64-6167

  • Packing Images

    • Kit Box: Microflame Gas Torch 4400

    • Small Box: Model 1000

Archer Torch [RS]

  • Radio Shack [RS] 1977-1982

    • Same item #s as above

Archer Torch Model-B

  • Radio Shack 1983-1988, 1990-1999 [RS]

  • Same item #s as above

  • Packing Images

    • Booklet: #89 4-83 Rev. B

Market Appearances

NewScientist Magazine 1956 - Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, U.S.A., Malaysia

New Scientist Ltd. United Kingdom

  • Microflame (curved text) 7/26/1979

  • Microflame Miniature Torch Standard/Unmarked February, April., August, October 1981

RadioShack & Tandy Corp

  • A Tandy Corporation Company 1919

  • RadioShack Corporation 1921

  • Tandy Corp. purchased part of bankrupt Radio Shack in 1962

  • Acquired by UK Kensignton Capital Holdings in 2017 via bankruptcy

  • RadioShack bought back Tandy brand 2017

  • RadioShack partnered with HobbyTown USA to open 100 “express” stores

UPC Information

UPC Lookup Database

UPC-A: 0 32092 04400 6

EAN-13: 0 032092 044006

  1. Microflame Gas Welding Torch Kit 4400 - Vintage

  2. Vintage Microflame 4400 Butane Gas Welding Torch Kit

Reference:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US3246849

https://trademark.trademarkia.com/archer-73198984.html

http://www.partsofsw.com/micweld.htm

http://www.ebay.com current/past items for sale

http://www.worthpoint.com current/past items for sale

https://hazard.com/msds/files/brj/brjkt.html Leland Limited, Inc.

https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com

https://www.giantbomb.com/tandy-corporation/3010-1602/

https://www.upcitemdb.com/upc/32092044006 via Ebay listings sold

MICROFLAME TORCH RETAIL ADVERTISEMENT IMAGES

Miniature Torch US Patent & Trademark Office

Ardy Jo of Desert Scum