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
There are a few choices for welding with gas, including acetylene, MAPP, Natural Gas, and Propane. Choose the gas type based on your project. Hydrocarbon gases like propane, butane, city gas, and natural gas can’t weld ferrous metals such as steel, cast iron, or wrought iron. If you need to weld ferrous metals, adjust the flare and flux to braze weld safely.
Types of Torches
- Propane torch kits often come with slim-profile torches and cheap brass tips. These torches don’t concentrate enough heat, making them unsuitable for brazing or soldering.
- Oxyacetylene rigs burn oxygen and acetylene together. They produce very high heat and work well for projects like aluminum boat welding.
- OxyMAPP torches use oxygen and MAPP gas. They reach about 6432°F (3000°C), which is nearly as hot as oxyacetylene and hotter than torches 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
You can braze and solder using various tips with standard fuel gas. If you use alternative fuel, you’ll likely need a recessed tip outlet to prevent the flame from blowing off.
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.