No tool is quite as cool or as fun to watch as a gas blowtorch. The showers of illuminated sparks that shoot from a blowtorch at work are mesmerizing. But don't let the pyrotechnics draw you too close -- these sparks actually are small pieces of molten metal that spit off during cutting and welding.

Antony Edwards/Getty Images A welder wielding his trademark tool

A blowtorch produces an exceptionally hot flame and harnesses that heat to mold and cut metal. It does this by using highly combustible gases in the right proportions, which means that it is also a dangerous tool. Improper pressures, mishandling of the equipment, excessive sparks and messy workshops can all lead to fires, or even fatal explosions.

Welders Scarce Today, there is a vast and growing need for welders. During the past 20 years or so, welding has become an unpopular career choice. The Wall Street Journal suggests that young people entering the workforce are deferring to more white-collar, less dangerous professions. This means that knowing how to weld pays big bucks in the current market [source: Brat].

The invention of the blowtorch in the late 19th century thrilled pyromaniacs everywhere and revolutionized the process of welding. The earliest known evidence of welding, or connecting metal pieces by applying heat, dates back more than 3,000 years. By the Middle Ages, the process was significantly developed, and blacksmithing was a common profession. A blowtorch made it easy to cut and weld metal more precisely by focusing a high temperature on a small point.

Welders and plumbers are not the only ones who wield these fire-breathing machines. Regular folks may keep them around the house for various tasks including lighting cigars, mending jewelry and even cooking. In this article, we will discuss the components and fuel of blowtorches and how to handle one safely.