@KeroZen I love that guys videos, I watch every one, I totally get ideas from them!
And I agree, I also end up at the dyna x induction as being the end of that path of thinking. I think induction is a good source of power for conduction heaters in portable devices. With mains power, an induction base could definitely heat up a convection heater super quickly. The heater would then be removed from the induction coil during operation. I think that would be a pretty cool desktop idea.
But, I'm definitely more into the idea of a portable. I tend to like the freedom of movement around the house, in the shop, on hikes...etc.. So that's what I am naturally drawn to. To be exclusively plug-in power... not sure if I'm there yet.
For a heater to be compatible with a bunch of different pipe designs, it has to be some sort of wand. I've always liked the idea of making a wand style vape... and all this has reminded me why.
Obviously there is a wand vape boom right now, all coil driven. So I think the plug-in crowd has a ton of great options right now.
So, I wonder if there is a place for a portable wand, to be used with pipe style creations.
Here's a few ideas I've had kicking around for wands,
1. Analog 18650 powered wand that looks like a fondue stick. Uses the same heater technology as my Nomad/Toad. The 18650 is in the wooden handle.
2. Externally powered wand, same shape as the fondue stick. This is very similar to my original "heat battery" concept, except the addition of a wand handle would allow for the inclusion of a temperature gauge housed inside of the handle. It could be fully mechanical, with a bimetallic coil and analog temperature gauge dial in the butt of the handle, or it could be electronic with a LCD temp readout on the side of the handle. Each version could house the temperature sensing bit directly connected to the heater at the tip of the wand. This would allow accurate torch heating, and safer handling of the hot bit. The downside of this idea is the need for that external heat source.... but with the inclusion of the temp sensor the options are far greater.
3. All-in-one butane powered wand. Same fondue stick shape. Butane housed in the handle, torch tip extends out and heats the tip of the wand which is also the heater. This is the same design as those butane powered soldering irons. I'm not too keen on designing this, as I think there will be a lot of issues with user interface and the flame consistency, heat management, etc...etc.. Seems like a lot to pack into a small package. For something this size, 18650 powered is far better I think.
4. External butane canister powered wand. You guessed it, same fondue stick shape. But instead of housing the butane and gas control in the handle, you have an external bottle. Small camping butane canisters with a gas regulator and very flexible, thin, gas hose would be the way to go. The wand would merely be a torch handle with integrated heater. This would allow the wand itself to be quite small and nimble. This idea is a bit out there, but could provide desktop-grade wand power in a more portable package. I think the whole thing could pack down quite small for backpack carry, but definitely not pocket or jacket pocket carry.
I know I said that the plug-in crowd is set.... but, there are a couple variations that might interests me...
5. This idea is insane, and a safety hazard, haha, but I like the idea of a 115v mains powered unregulated wand. Literally plug into the wall, with all 115v going directly through the heater. It would essentially be the same tech as my Nomad/Toads, but the heater could be incredibly beefy. It would be on-demand heating, so... push the button the heater turns on, let it go, heater turns off. They make soldering irons that are essentially this exactly... so I know it can be done safely... just not sure I want to be responsible for making something like that, haha! A cool bonus to this idea is that you could use some high quality cord, vintage-style braided cords...etc.. and make the whole thing look super analog.
6. Building off that idea... to make things a bit safer, You could have a box with a few electrical sockets, essentially a nice look power bar... and you plug the wand handle directly into the socket. The wand heats up, using 115v to power a super beefy heater... something like 500watts... and when the wand is up to temp, you remove the wand from the base and use the stored heat.
@Farid , I looked into it a few years ago, seems like it would be very difficult to improve on what's already out there. Take a look at the Orca Butane torch. That is essentially the torch I would want for myself. Add a wood shell to the handle and it would be dope AF.