Propane torch

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Propane torch

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 11 March 2010 at 14:25 by Bryan Rozier.

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9 March 2010 at 20:17 #11648
Speedy Builder5
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@speedybuilder5
propane /butane and air
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9 March 2010 at 20:17 #49622
Speedy Builder5
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@speedybuilder5
Any advice out there. Many years ago, I made a boiler using Easy flo 2, and a large Bullfinch contractors torch with propane. The material was stainless steel, and prone to scale build up as the flux overheated. I am now (45 years later) about to start another boiler – this time in copper, same torch, but may be using Easy Flo 55 which requires 630 – 660 degrees – that’s another 40 degrees more heat.

Do any of you use air propane for that extra bit, and can you tell me the manufacturer name / supplier .
10 March 2010 at 07:29 #49638
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Flamefast to gas/air guns.

Depending on the size of your boiler you should be OK with propane, have a look at some of the Silvert burners & nozzels.

If it a long heat you can use Tenacity No5 Flux as this will stay active longer than easyflow flux. This is true with easyflow solder but I think you meann Silverflow55, just check its OK with this.

Jason
10 March 2010 at 10:17 #49642
Steve Garnett
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@stevegarnett62550
When I wanted something slightly hotter than straight propane for brazing, I got a Bernzomatic MAPP torch – see here. I got a TS7000. As far as I know, the only thing that you shouldn’t do with MAPP gas is use it with oxygen to weld steel, because of the hydrogen content, which reacts to cause brittle welds (well, according to Wikipedia anyway). Bernzomatic have a gas comparison chart here for comparison purposes.

I’m very pleased with the TS7000, I have to say. Got it from B&Q, who also sell the gas cylinders, and that’s the only snag really – not the cheapest gas in the world. But you don’t use anything like as much of it, because it’s significantly hotter. For brazing copper though, it’s good.
10 March 2010 at 11:09 #49644
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
I’d love a LPG air torch,but havn’t found anything yet. A mate has LPG and oxygen, it’s great for large brazing jobs, and good for gas cutting, on steel it leaves a softer edge than oxy-acetylene. He just uses ordenary oxy- acetylene hand piece(proberbly should’nt). Ian S C
10 March 2010 at 13:23 #49645
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Altough the mapp torches are hotter they may not heat the area you need on a boiler, maybe a combination of the two, big propane burner to bring the job upto temp and then the mapp on the actual joint

J
10 March 2010 at 13:46 #49646
Bryan Rozier
Participant
@bryanrozier80712
Hi Robert,

I used SilverFlo 55 as the mid temperature solder when making my boiler for 3.5″ Spencer. Propane is fine for this, though I used two torches a big Sievert 2944 (86kW) to pre-heat and then a Sievert 3525 Cyclone (10.3kW) burner for accurate and close up stuff.

Using a big torch for pre-heat allows you to use normal easyflo flux which will last for most joints with Silverflo55. I only used the higher temp flux where I knew it would be a long job.

Cheers

Bryan
10 March 2010 at 19:42 #49653
Speedy Builder5
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@speedybuilder5
Using two torches, do you find that the larger torch starves the smaller torch of oxygen, like when you work inside the firebox ?
11 March 2010 at 11:56 #49679
macmarch
Participant
@macmarch
I am about to actually and finally put my Caribou boiler together. I bought the boiler kit from Reeves in 1978!!!. I finshed the chassis but somehow never got round to the boiler. Question is can I use a propane torch all over. I do have oxy/acety but it is now so expensive in rental charges etc that I must really let it go before this years rental comes up. (about £160/yr).

What is your opinion?

cheers

Ray
11 March 2010 at 14:25 #49698
Bryan Rozier
Participant
@bryanrozier80712
Hi Rob.

Short answer is no. You use the big burner to provide background heat on the outside of the fire box and use the cyclone burner to solder the stays on the inside. Cyclone pulls in air from near the handle…

Ray you should be able to build a 3.5″ boiler with propane only – again using two torches (ideally with two people) for the later work when putting the inner and outer parts together. I used copper rivets for stays and silver soldered everything.

Oxy-acetylene will get you out of a jam so it’s handy to have to it but not essential.

I’d strongly recomend step soldering using three different grades of silver solder for peace of mind. I used Silverflo40, Silverflo55 then EasyFlo2.

Cheers

Bryan
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