Gas, Torches, & Torch Tips for Brazing and Soldering
Turn up the heat. We’re telling you everything you need to know about gas, torches, and torch tips for brazing and soldering. Learn what types of gases react to various materials, the best torch for brazing and soldering, and the difference between torch tips.
Gas for Brazing/Soldering
You have a few choices for welding with gas, including acetylene, MAPP, Natural Gas, and Propane. The type of gas you’ll want to use will depend on the project. To keep things simple, hydrocarbon welding gases (propane, butane, city gas, and natural gas) can’t be used to weld ferrous materials like steel, cast iron, and wrought iron. Consider adjusting the flare and flux to braze weld safely if you need to weld ferrous metals.
Types of Torches
Propane Torch Kits – Many people use slim-profile torches with cheaper brass tips. These torches are less than ideal for brazing and soldering because they can’t concentrate enough heat.
Oxyacetylene Rig – Another typical torch is the oxyacetylene rig. Oxyacetylene welding relies on the combustion of oxygen and acetylene, making it a good choice for projects that require high heat, like aluminum boat welding.
Oxygen MAPP – This is a close second to oxyacetylene. A high heat cutting oxymapp torch is fueled by MAPP with oxygen to reach scalding temperatures like (6432℉/3000℃) compared with torches fueled without oxygen.
Bernzomatic Torch – This torch features a long hose and trigger ignition that gives the best performance when brazing or soldering, even in those hard-to-reach spaces. Unlike its shorter counterparts, the 5-Foot hose allows for maximum accessibility and mobility during any project.
Micro-Torch – These mini torches are perfect for precision light soldering and hobby work.
Soldering Iron – A soldering iron is excellent for low-temperature soldering hobby projects like jewelry making. These irons typically only reach 900°F.
Torch Tips
Can you identify the proper cutting and welding tips? Tips come in different sizes, and they concentrate the flame. Torch tips often generate positive pressure and utilize equal pressures of acetylene and oxygen.
It is important to use tips intended for the fuel gas being used. Torch tips come in one and two-piece styles. The right choice for you will depend on your intended use and the fuel gas you’re using.
What’s the difference? One-piece tips are equipped with a cutting jet oxygen passage and preheating flame passages. They’re made from copper and alloy to withstand high temperatures. Two-piece tips are made of an outer shell, an inner member, grooves for preheating flames, extremities of grooves, and a cutting oxygen passage.
Matching Tip to Process
Brazing and soldering can be done using various tips that use standard fuel gas. If you’re using alternative fuel, you will likely need a recess at the tip outlet to stop the blaze from blowing off the tip end.
Overview
There’s a lot to consider when figuring out the best options for your next project. If you’re in the market for the all-around best torch for brazing and soldering, the Bernzomatic Torch is our recommendation.