this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2024
290 points (97.7% liked)

Just Post

593 readers
45 users here now

Just post something πŸ’›

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 34 points 2 weeks ago (5 children)

From my understanding, the reason most states allow them is largely because they're very useful tools in certain fields of construction, particularly for melting tar.

If I'm mistaken, or if they also have other legitimate uses, feel free to correct me or add additional information..

[–] OhmsLawn@lemmy.world 25 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I suppose the key is where the line is drawn between a flamethrower and a very large torch.

[–] Sludgeyy@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

A flamethrower is a ranged incendiary device.

What do you consider a flamethrower?

How far is ranged?

Construction uses what I would call torches, not flamethrowers

There is very few cases where you want to "throw" flames. It's inefficient. Keeping the flame and the material close is preferred.

Giant pile of tar you want to set on fire as fast as possible? I guess a flamethrower is effective. Burning brush, anything where you're catching something on fire so it spreads.

They use "flamethrowers" on bitumen roofs. But the idea behind the tool is to not throw the flames as far as possible.

I'd define flamethrower as "An incendiary device that disperses uncontrollable flames at a distance"

[–] Jesus_666@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

For me the required characteristics would be that it dispenses a burning liquid at a distance in a controlled, directed manner.

  • If it dispenses burning gas it's not very useful as a weapon and is really just a big gas burner. Roofing torches, blowtorches, and weed burners fall into this category.
  • If it doesn't cover a meaningful distance it's also not very useful as a weapon and is essentially just a leaky container. Driptorches fall into this category.
  • If it dispenses the burning material in an uncontrolled or undirected manner it's either an incendiary bomb/grenade of some sort or an accident. It might be a weapon but not one I'd call a flamethrower.
load more comments (6 replies)
[–] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Flamethrowers don't use gas. It uses liquid or solid. That's why real flamethrowers can be used at ranges of 50+ ft. Often times even higher than that.

[–] Creat@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Flamethrowers typically set fire to a stream of flammable liquid, like gasoline (as a trivial example). Torches use gas, or gas mixtures.

The inherent range differences are a meter (maybe 2) for torches, and flamethrowers do 50-100 m (source: Wikipedia). Just in case that isn't clear, those aren't the same category of device.

[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

They are also very useful for controlled burns.

The most important thing is that nobody is using them maliciously so there is no incentive to ban them.

[–] hypnicjerk@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

and the reason that there are no bad guys with flamethrowers is that they're terrified of good guys with flamethrowers

[–] TachyonTele@lemm.ee 8 points 2 weeks ago

Mutually assured flames.

load more comments (1 replies)

I believe they are also used in agriculture.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Traditional flamethrowers have fuel gelling additives that cause the burning fuel to stick to the victim, making them considerably more dangerous than a long flamed torch.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] NewNewAccount@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

What’s up with Delaware?

[–] ikidd@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Their motto is "Come to Delaware. We hate fun!"

[–] villainy@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Please. With a motto that long you wouldn't be able to fully read the welcome sign before exiting the other side of the state.

That's why the motto is just "TAX FREE SHOPPING"

[–] CrayonRosary@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That's Maryland. Delaware is white, whatever that means.

[–] pruwybn@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I think that's what they were asking.

[–] CrayonRosary@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, I think you're right.

[–] HexadecimalSky@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

See I can't see colour, but fun fact, flame based weed abatement systems can be easily purchased in many parts of California, and they are basically just a flame thrower attachment for propane tanks.

[–] Dorkyd68@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

More of a torch than a flame thrower though

[–] FilthyShrooms@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Agreed. I have one and it shoots maybe a foot when you pull the trigger

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Flame throwers throw something similar to napalm. Weed systems just shoot flame.

[–] Hugin@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah a real flamethrower fires a line of sticky flaming liquid up to 50". It's like saying a BB gun is the same thing as a M4.

[–] HexadecimalSky@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

The first flamethrowers date to the 7th century. No they aren't modern military flamethrowers but as with the description "commercial flamethrowers are generally blowtorches using gaseous fuels such as propane". No they don't have the same range or lethality but saying they cant both be flamethrowers is saying a BB doesn't shoot projectiles because it's not as the same projectiles and range of a military assault rifle.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] 3ntranced@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Torch, not flame thrower.

Vaporous propellant ignition is a torch, usually butane not propane as propane leaves residue on the glass, and burns differently.

Flame throwers are literally a pee stream of fuel that is ignited on the handle by the operator. There is only destructive use with flamethrower as well due to the lack of accurate control.

[–] KingJalopy@lemm.ee 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Remember the time Elon made a flame thrower and even that was a piece of shit too?

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yup. Strangely, that's why I got perma-banned from Reddit, just for commenting that the thing exists, and posting a link for reference.

[–] KingJalopy@lemm.ee 10 points 2 weeks ago

Lol nice. I got banned once I found out about Lemmy. After that I simply went to a thread which had a particularly shitty power mod and literally just said, "sounds like something a cringe reddit person would say".

Boom. Permanent admin ban.

[–] FauxPseudo@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

In my state I can both own a flame thrower and kangaroos. I have no plans at this time.

[–] Belgdore@lemm.ee 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I assume it’s because it’s hard to come up with a legal definition for flamethrower that doesn’t exclude things like blow torches, and there aren’t a lot of incidents involving flamethrowers

[–] Revan343@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The difference isn't really that complicated; a flamethrower sprays flaming liquid, a blowtorch sprays flaming gas

[–] Zron@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Yeah but I can set up my oxy acetylene rig to throw huge beams of fire. To a layman, it’ll look like a flame thrower.

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] AusatKeyboardPremi@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The colour codes could be more accessible.

What do you mean? they're clearly legal everywhere except Delaware, where you have to get a permit

[–] aeronmelon@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Is the California law because of Elon Musk?

[–] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

And his non-flamethrower? Probably not.

[–] Chef_Boyardee@lemm.ee 5 points 2 weeks ago

Now I know why my state apparently swears the most. I want to buy a fucking flamethrower.

[–] nooneescapesthelaw@mander.xyz 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You can also make thermite and use it legally in every state! Although you do need certification to transport, so if you don't have one just mix it on site

[–] Madison420@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Oh no you got your pulverized aluminum in my powdered iron oxide!

[–] hydrashok@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Still mad I didn’t buy one of the Tesla ones.

[–] Dultas@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Just get a roofing / weed torch and slap a 3d printed stock on it.

[–] Rivalarrival 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

A weed or roofing torch puts out about 500,000 BTUs. You need to think a little bigger.

These put out about 60 times as much, around 30 million BTUs, and a 30' flame. The pilot light on a hot air balloon burner is a 12-18" flame.

The burner cans weigh about 20 pounds, so a bit large to shoulder, but pretty easy to sling.

They burn liquid propane, not vapor, so you'll probably want a forklift tank rather than the usual 20# barbecue bottle.

[–] dubious@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

duly takes note

What happened in Marylandβ€½β€½β€½

load more comments
view more: next β€Ί