Brazing Questions

[unixxx]

Before I go out and buy the a torch I just wanted to check what kind I need. I here a lot of people talking about how good a MAPP is, do I really need a MAPP or can I just use a standard propane torch. My other questions was whether I really need to use brazing rods or whether I can just use standard acid-core solder? Thanx in advance.

[Coyote]

im new at brazing. im using a MAPP torch + 5% silver soldering rods, and it works great.

i think that propane isnt good enough to heat so that the rods melt nicely. if you can i would recommend using mapp + 5% silver at least.

hope this is from some use to you

[unixxx]

Where do you get the MAPP gas and rods from?

[saratoga]

Aceshardware in the USA has MAPP tanks for 9 bucks and rods for 4. Thats where I got my stuff.

Getting a MAPP torch is a bit harder. You can try and use a propane torch, but its not recommended. They'll overheat pretty quick and shutoff or blow up. Amazon has MAPP capable torches starting at 40 bucks.

[unixxx]

Yeah, I'm looking at an Oxy/MAPP torch by BernzOmatic there. Is Oxygen just as easy to obtain as MAPP? Could I run an Oxy/MAPP torch without Oxygen in case I couldn't get it right away? This is the one I was looking at:

[unixxx]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002JM8AO/easyshopping1232-20/ref%3Dnosim/104-7262140-9144763

[Coyote]

i got one similar to that, but MAPP only. it works great. i guess that with oxy it must be even better.

[NitroRat]

yes that will work fine and you can pick them up at almost any hardware store, Lowes, Homedepot, Sears, and ace should all have the mapp,oxy, or propane tanks. The main drawback to the oxy mapp torches is that the oxy tank only has like 1 oz in it and is gone in about 15 mins, and at $10 a piece they can get expensive. If you are just brazing your lines together you can just use a mapp gas torch, but if you are planning on brazing an evap together you will definately need the oxy mapp setup or something similar.
Solder is not recomended for high pressures and temperatures (over 250psi or 250'f).

[unixxx]

Thanx guys. Another questions, if I'm just brazing lines and not an evap like you say, can I just put an empty oxygen bottle on the Oxy/MAPP setup? Or do I need a dedicated MAPP setup to use just MAPP?

[NitroRat]

you will need the mapp alone. the map oxy torch needs both to burn properly

[unixxx]

I hear the Silfos15 (15% Ag) rods are really good, does anybody know if these are available at Home Depot / Lowes? Thanx.

[unixxx]

Ok, I've got everything I need to get started on my chiller in two shopping carts but I can't check out for a few days because I won't be here for Christmas :( I wish I could order now.

[Tonic]

I'm using a gLT-3 propane-butane torch and 2% silver ; 98% copper rods. It
works great for me. Bottle's 2kg and I use largest tip. Recharging costs me
4$. I can use this torch for bigggggg amount of hours (maybe 12-16). Brazing
one connection beetwen two copper pipes takes me something around
3-5min. Brazing larger objectives, like a evaporators, takes me 15min.
Maybe it's long, but it's for me the best relation beetwen price of gas
and efficiency

This torch in shops costs ~75$, my mom bought torch when she was a
jeweller. Now actually I'm using this torch :)

[unixxx]

Are the MAPP (or propane) and Oxygen tanks refillable or do I have to throw them out when their empty? If I can reuse them where would I get them filled? Thanx. BTW, Tonic, nice freebie :)

[Tonic]

I'm thinking those bottles, which can be refilled, are big - so, it means that it isn't
cheap option.. but maybe I'm wrong

If I should buy new, hotter torch, it would be propane or propane-butane/oxygen type

As you see, for me refilling propane-butane is cheap, even I can't say that about
oxygen and good torch

[saratoga]

I've never seen refillable MAPP, but I'm sure theres some place out there that will do it. Somewhere.

I just use the disposible tanks. They're cheap and hold quite a lot of gas, at least for what I do. Oxygen seems to be different. I picked up one of those O2 tanks at the store the other day, its the same price as MAPP but inside theres like 3 drops of O2 pooled at the bottom verses a heavy, full tank of MAPP. So its probably a good thing I have an air-breathing MAPP torch.

[unixxx]

The reason I'm asking is that the torch from the above Amazon link says it comes with an Oxygen and a MAPP tank. Obviously you can't shipped tanks filled with compressed substances via ordinary mail (at least I don't think you can).

[saratoga]

Why not just buy them locally? I haven't been to Virginia in a few years, but I'm sure theres hardware stores somewhere in the state ;)

Also, I don't think you really need the O2. Lots of people seem to make do with the cheaper MAPP only torches. The one I got for Christmas seems pretty cool, but I haven't had a chance to try it. Definately looks hotter then my old propane torch though.