Gas!

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Ah not that type off gas question that gets everyone uptight and CC private and all gas-headed!
Torches!
Please someone explain the advantages and disadvantages of the gases that are available for these to solder with?
Butane
Propane
Mixed

 

[Dan Robinson]

Mapp burns hotter, can braze with it if push comes to shove - handy if can't quite get all the water out of the pipe


Propane smells nicer

 

[misterdubya]

Use standard propane if you can drain the pipework properly. If not use a wet-vac. A lot of general problems with soldering are when the pipework is heated too much and burnes off the flux.

Mapp heats the pipe to a hotter temperature - sometimes a godsend at lower level water pipes that are nearly dry.

Just my opinion PBod.

EDIT: Just have read Dans..... he has hit the nail on the head. He types quicker than me

Mr. W.

 

[Burnerman]

Butane has a higher calorific value than propane, but is hopeless in cold weather.
Propane is the preferred choice for general use, with a gas mixture somewhere in between.
Mapp is much hotter, and also carries its own oxygen - so when you stick the nozzle inside an aperture (!) it carries on burning. Its easy to overcook plumbing fittings with this! However, it will braze small section mild steel which is a real bonus.
John

 

[misterdubya]

Butane has a higher calorific value than propane, but is hopeless in cold weather.

Make you right on that one. Below -1 and your bolloxed.

 

[namsag]

Always used propane have never had a prob with it so never tried the others cheaper to at £4 a bottle and the bottle also doubles up as a hammer when you cant be arsed going to get proper one

 

[kevplumb]

who uses butane exept the diy brigade

christ i can solder or braze 15
with a gas axe

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

So propane (Mapp) is the preferred professionally choice and butane really has no advantages other than having higher calorific value (which I guess is no god if your watching your figure)
So having a higher calorific value, must have something to do with energy properties any chance of an elaboration?

Also regarding torches:
I bought a "Rothenberger 2" some time ago, the claims are it works in any position. Alas this seems to not be the case and quite often when in the ceiling void when the torch is upside down it struggles, is this common of all torches? and is there any preferred types, makes models?
I understand that the torches that are connected to the small gas cylinders via rubber hose, which have the interchangeable nozzles deal with this, are they suitable for domestic installs ie 15/22mm standard od piping?

 

[mfarrow]

small gas cylinders via rubber hose, which have the interchangeable nozzles deal with this, are they suitable for domestic installs ie 15/22mm standard od piping?

I am a DIY. My weapons of choice are:

£35 Bullfinch 110P burner and hose off eBay
£5 Bulfinch 1220 nozzle (smaller than the standard fitment) from eBay
£5 Calor gas bottle (empty!) from eBay
£13 Calor bottle exchange (smallest propane, about 40cm cubed).

Total outlay just shy of £60. Have done plenty of soldering here as well as at gf's parents. It does go out sometimes in confined spaces as you say. Not sure how much gas is left but I reckon it's cheaper overall than the little DIY screw-on bottle/nozzle arrangements.

I did consider butane for a while but as mentioned the low temperature problem put me off. Also, remember that just because a gas has a higher calorific value per kg it doesn't necessarily mean it can burn any quicker.

 

[Nige F]

christ i can solder or braze 15
with a gas axe

Oxy acet. Or oxy propane - the totter`s choice

 

[DeltaT2]

Ah not that type off gas question that gets everyone uptight and CC private and all gas-headed!
Torches!
Please someone explain the advantages and disadvantages of the gases that are available for these to solder with?
Butane
Propane
Mixed

Mapp for small brazing jobs, but normally Oxy/Act.
Oxy/Act for steel pipe welding or MIG for steel pipe welding.
Propane or Mapp for soldering.
Butane for making the tea.

God Save The Queen!!

 

[kevplumb]

christ i can solder or braze 15
with a gas axe

Oxy acet. Or oxy propane - the totter`s choice

propane for the gas axe we keep the acet for welding