Mapp gas

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

I've got a Mapp torch.....use it last night on the Creme Brulee I made wifey

+1 for the Creme Brulee. Bernzomatic here. Perfect for sweating pipe.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

New Zealand. We only use solder for electrical wires in cars LOL. Maybe it's all the earthquakes we get here; our plumbing joints need to be extra strong. All the plumbers I've seen on the job have used oxt acetlene (spelling) for any copper work. Regulations here say it must be copper for one meter either side of the hot water cylinder then polybutalene is ok from that point on.

Interesting, here in the US of A you can't use pb pipe anymore for drinkable water. I've always used solder w/ propane on copper up to 1" with no problems for water piping. I think if you are sweating pipe for air conditioning you should braze.

[Bill Douglas]

Thanks guys. there is solder and there is solder. I remmember back when I used to make leadlight windows I used a very hard solder. I think I'll try that stuff, other than the soft electrical wire stuff, and see how that goes.

We use (US made) pb for drinkable water here and our water mains around the town are in "big bore" pb or some form of plastic.

We don't tend to DIY air con in this country, although that looked fun too.

[onewhippedpuppy]

When we built my in-law's house I helped the plumber so he could get done more quickly. He had a small portable oxy-acetelyne torch that was incredibly fast. I swear it only took him maybe 5 seconds of heat, a quick solder, then he was on to the next joint.

[dhoward]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I only know one way to get a properly soldered joint to separate...


Heat!


Best to you!



KT

Fixed it for you!

[Superman]

Propane is not very hot. Not at all. Works fine for soldering 1/2" or maybe 3/4" copper joints. I've done hundreds, with zero leaks (I'm proud of that).

But for just about everything else, MAPP or Oxy/Acetylene is miles ahead. I use the Benzomatic setup, with the separate, small oxygen bottle. The nozzle is very small, which is great for containing the heat into something small. Like exhaust flange nuts. Hint-hint.