Blow Torch for DIY'er

I bought a Bosch heat gun years ago (that I still have) & it came with several attachments for various tasks... One of which was a U-shaped thingamigig which claimed was for sweating copper fittings... Never did try it! :whistle:
 
Sponsored Links
OP The Rothy torches keep their value very well. If you will only be using it for this job why not consider getting one to complete your works and then sell it on afterwards. New they are around £75 for the head and with it being hardly used you would probably get around £55 - £60 at least for it. This way you get a Pro level torch for around £15 - £20 quid (y)

Jon
 
Sponsored Links
Yes asadm propane is perfect for what you need to do and that will fit the Rothy. MAPP gas (the yellow one) is good for us in an everyday situation as it burns hotter and can do larger pipework up to 54mm. Propane burns less hot but will be fine up to 28mm pipe, 35mm at a push.

Tips for the SF2 - Don't run it at full flame. For 22mm you will only need about half of it's power otherwise you will be burning the pipework and the solder won't take.

Heat the fitting and pipework evenly and keep the flame moving.

When you're finished disconnect from the gas bottle and press the trigger a few times, this takes any gas left in the torch head out.

Keep flux away from the head and bottle as it corrodes them quickly.

Make sure you send the warranty in ASAP. From memory its only 7 or 14 days after purchase that you can register it.

Oh and don't knock it over. It has a collar on it that is designed to shear on a hard knock to stop an uncontrolled gas leak.

Look after it and it will look after you.

Jon
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I've been pondering and would welcome your thoughts on the following:
I'm planning to lay a 22mm Copper Flow And Return which then drops down to radiators in 15mm plastic (chased into wall). This then appears behind the radiator and connects to the valves (I think they call this a floating rad?).
Having spoken to a few guys they are doubtful over whether the 15mm plastic will bend to the extent that I need and have instead suggested 10mm plastic.
I would really appreciate your thoughts on this?
The above then begs the question on whether I should use pushfit tees instead of soldering.

Thanks in advance.
 
When I started old man bought a cheap torch thinking he was helpful. ....
Working upright it was fine,upside down kept going out,still remember the **** taking ,swearing and chucking stuff about like it was yesterday .
Buy a decent one
 
Am I unduly concerned about lack of circulation as I wont be using 15mm on the drops, given that I need to go with 10mm?
 
No, 10mm is the norm now in new builds but don't try to run more than one rad of each drop. For a good circulation you need a 10mm dropper for each rad off of the main feed due to how much it can actually carry. If it allays your fears any, most new builds now only run 15mm feeds around the property and 10mm to each rad and they work perfectly.

Jon
 
Thanks Jon. That definitely puts me at ease. I will be diligent with the 22mm copper feed above each rad. There will only be a drop of around 2 metres in the 10mm for each rad. I think it will be fine based on what you have said. I am going with pushfits all round which means I no longer need to worry about soldering - some consolation I guess :)
 
On the pipe clips for the 10mm pipe, would anyone recommend that I felt lag the pipes and then use 15mm clips? I am assuming that the 10mm pipes will require 15mm clips by the time they ahve the felt lagging on them...
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top