Intro into Brazing

[Mtsoxfan]

I learned how to braze while working at at garage in the very early 80's. Used to braise gas tanks and radiators. That was still a time when things were fixed vs replaced. Not saying it was easy, but I picked it up quickly.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I put together a complete Oxy-acetylene rig with pretty good sized tanks and a cart for about 300 bucks, all from FB marketplace. About $50 bucks for two complete gauge/torch/hose combos, $100 for a full acetylene tank, and another hundred for a full oxygen tank, a small acetylene tank and cart...the other 50 bucks was in the gas to go pick all the pieces up.
About three years into it an i've used it just enough to make it worth having around, most of the use has been cutting, but I've had to straighten a few things as well.

 

[tassmannn]

I didn't know this thread existed. I mainly use my Oxy-acetylene kit for cutting or heating metals with a Rosebud. Now that I have a Plasma cutter, I cut more with it. I have a gate that is made out of Aluminum, and a buddy of mine who teaches welding fixed a crack with a tig, but it didn't hold, so another buddy told me to try and braise it, so I just started looking into it. I haven't braised in over 30 years and don't remember any of it so will be watching some videos. I use a heavy-duty Victor-style torch set. Does anyone know what Braising tip size is needed for Aluminum? I have none...thx

 

[51allis]

Having done quite a bit of brazing and metal welding with a torch, consider this: Do you know how to weld (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW etc.). If so, to me, brazing/welding with a torch is too cost prohibitive, before I would go back to that, would start up the flux core MiG, much cheaper in the long run. Of course if you have a TiG welder that's ok too, but TiG's use Argon, again pricey. Think of TiG welder as an "electronic" version of brazing. The flux coated rods for brazing and the fuel to do it, just doesn't add up anymore, at least where I live, AirGas distributor is a crook. Same goes with using a torch for cutting, sold my torch kit due to expensive gas tanks refill costs and tank rental etc. and got a Plasma cutter. Between Plasma Cutter, cut off discs, and sawzall blades, I haven't had a need for a torch setup for a long time. Tried the mini Bernzomatic setup for brazing on a treadmill, it worked but used up a lot of fuel and if I just used Flux cored MiG, it would have been much cheaper. I'm sure you can use MAPP gas to silver solder but again, its pricey sometimes depending on project. For my use, I bought the Titanium 125 flux core only welder from Harbor Freight, got it on sale for $100 and its capable of welding thin metals if you practice and get the hang of it, use .030 flux cored wire. That $100 Flux core welder has already paid for itself many times over. So there are lots of different ways to accomplish what you are trying, hope you find the best fit for you, just my 2 cents.

 

[davideubanks]

I do quite of bit of brazing, I have tried the Mapp sys and it is not worth the time to pay for it. Do what Wrangler X says, get a small set if you plan on not doing much. They are small bottles and can be moved easily. When you get the hang of it, you might want to get the bigger bottles, just be sure when you do, they are stamped SOLD or RESIDENT on the bottles or you will have problems getting them refilled. Stay away from the Mapp gas idea unless you are just looking for a fancy soldering sys. Acy. and Ox is the only way to go when using Brass.

 

[51allis]

I do quite of bit of brazing, I have tried the Mapp sys and it is not worth the time to pay for it. Do what Wrangler X says, get a small set if you plan on not doing much. They are small bottles and can be moved easily. When you get the hang of it, you might want to get the bigger bottles, just be sure when you do, they are stamped SOLD or RESIDENT on the bottles or you will have problems getting them refilled. Stay away from the Mapp gas idea unless you are just looking for a fancy soldering sys. Acy. and Ox is the only way to go when using Brass.

I've heard horror stories about this, people who bought used Oxy/Act setups from various places with the tanks, go to have them refilled and cannot. A tank distributor/refiller can deny any tank any time. There was talk of a distributor denying tank refills unless you either bought new tanks from him or agreed to rental contract and if that is the only distributor where you live, you get trapped real easy, they can decertify a tank anytime they want. This is why I no longer have an Oxy/Act setup, its just to cost prohibitive.

 

[tassmannn]

Yeah, I learned th

I've heard horror stories about this, people who bought used Oxy/Act setups from various places with the tanks, go to have them refilled and cannot. A tank distributor/refiller can deny any tank any time. There was talk of a distributor denying tank refills unless you either bought new tanks from him or agreed to rental contract and if that is the only distributor where you live, you get trapped real easy, they can decertify a tank anytime they want. This is why I no longer have an Oxy/Act setup, its just to cost prohibitive.

Yeah I learned that lesson the hard way years ago. I finally found a local welding supply company that helped me out, and I use them exclusively for all gasses. They just swap out my tanks, no questions asked.

 

[davideubanks]

I've heard horror stories about this, people who bought used Oxy/Act setups from various places with the tanks, go to have them refilled and cannot. A tank distributor/refiller can deny any tank any time. There was talk of a distributor denying tank refills unless you either bought new tanks from him or agreed to rental contract and if that is the only distributor where you live, you get trapped real easy, they can decertify a tank anytime they want. This is why I no longer have an Oxy/Act setup, its just to cost prohibitive.

Yes, you are correct. I had to really look around to find a filler that would work with me. I already had my own tanks when we moved to a new city, I'm in Central FL area and I tried several of the "big boys" and not a chance. I found Williams Welding that worked but after about 10 years, went out of business, Valley replaced them and worked too, then they moved and I had to find another replacement, ect. I know about being refused. I would suggest to the readers to find your refill place BEFORE you buy your tanks and that will end any problems of refilling.

 

[Gord Baker]

I would like to learn to braze. Not something I will do very often but seems like something valuable to know. I don't want to invest much into it. I do not have an act torch set. I have been looking at the benzomatic kit that uses a small mapp and oxygen tank. Seems to be out of stock in a lot of places. I think this will be the right option for me though. Do I need mapp and oxygen? Can I braze with just a blue propane tank?

This is more of a "what do I need to get started" question?

Do your research and talk to a Weldor. A welding course would be good. MAPP gas is hard to get due to new rules. Brazing is for very thin materials and you need to get the metal near red hot for it to work.

 

[TheRealWorld]

If you want to do this, go with the torch set Wrangler has suggested, they work well and last a long time for small projects. Here is what I would recommend. Look into Silphos as a solder/brazing material. It can do copper, brass, and steel, and works well when you do it right. The real neat thing is you can fix brake lines, and hydraulic lines when they wear a hole. It does take some practice but I fix many things with it. I have not looked but YouTube likely offers some how-to vids.