USA –-(Ammoland.com)- The XM42 is the world’s first fully handheld, grab and go portable flamethrower the world’s first commercially available handheld flamethrower on the market.
Revived from its first prototype in 2008, we’ve created a fully functioning device that’s been undergoing testing and development over the past few months.
Development
The XM42 originated from an array of ideas sketched and jotted down over the years. By 2015, CAD drawings were completed and bills of materials were made. Internal components were ordered and it was time for bench testing.
With the tremendous support of Revshift Corporation and other local machinists, our housing, brackets, and other metal components were constructed. With the exterior complete, in-assembly testing was ready to be conducted.
Extensive research and evaluation has led to numerous prototype iterations, bringing us to our current model. However, our team is continually working to improve the design. We intend to conduct further research & development to ensure we produce the most efficient, reliable, and safe product possible.
We hope you find the XM42 as awesome as we envisioned it to be. We’re open to suggestions, but we believe we have a solid plan for its future.
What practical uses do flamethrowers have?
- clearing snow/ice
- eliminating weeds between pavement cracks
- controlled burns/ground-clearing of foliage/agricultural
- insect control
- pyrotechnic event displays
- bonfire starting
- a fun device to enjoy with friends
Is it dangerous?
It’s designed to be safe when used properly. The XM42 was engineered with safety in mind. A check valve prevents unwanted fuel vapor from escaping the reservoir, among other features like a machined deflector cone to prevent any fuel from dripping backwards further than the very tip of the device.
What is the effective range?
The current design produces a stream of flaming gasoline 20-25 feet from the nozzle. Our upcoming revisions could emit farther.
How quickly does it use fuel?
The reservoir and overall system is still under development and improvement. Currently, we use a 1 liter tank, which supports a decent amount of constant-on operation. We will be recording data on 3/25 to inform everyone the actual timeframe. We apologize for having too much fun using the XM42 to check this, as we expect to use a newly designed reservoir.
How is it refilled?
Simply turn off the ignition (assuming a pilot torch is utilized in the final design), open the fuel tank cap, and pour fuel in. No worries about pressurization or mixing any additives. Gasoline (87 octane) straight from the gas station is what it’s designed for. However, diesel, alternate octanes and mixes of both are suitable as well. We will release a full fuel compatibility list in the near future.
Where can I get an XM42?
You can pre-order your own by contributing to our IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign! If the campaign is funded, the XM42 will continue to be available for pre-orders on IndieGoGo.
The device will regularly be available for sale on XM42.com once production begins.
my name is cpt. Roger A Danner bought one of your flame throwers last year looking to buy big capacity tank for it my serial number is 001421 could you please advise i need 2 of them for cleaning fence rows on our farm best thing we have ever used
Love the concept, but that fuel tank supported by nothing but a puny little piece of pipe? (a “nipple”, in plumbers’ terms)
I can’t say that it fills me with confidence. There is a reason that the military mounted fuel tanks on a backpack, and ran a line to the back or bottom of the handheld.
Besides, how much can you possibly get out of that tiny little tank? Those huge backpack canisters didn’t burn all that long.
LOVE the stainless steel, the barrel shroud (the thing on the shoulder that goes up!), and the shark mouth, though!
Bob,
If you want to see a thrower that is already available and seems to have more capacity, check out throwflame.com. Their canister could easily be mounted to a scube back plate back pack and off you go. Play safe.
It seems like it can’t hold much more than a liter, which would be ~1lb, it doesn’t seem that strenuous if the build is sturdy