Choosing my first propane torch?

I have been using up a "Go Gas" propane/butane cartridge type torch for both oil blackening and oil quenching.

Now that it has run out, I am planning to upgrade to a standalone torch from a quality brand like Sievert or Bullfinch etc to use with a propane bottle. Is long term gas economy the main advantage that separate torch/LPG cylinders offer over the "Go Gas" cartridge type torches?

I've had a look at the offering of both companies, and have difficulty choosing one for home metalworking. I also want to do some brazing; is a Bullfinch 'standard' torch going to be more than adequate? Apart from an ergonomic handle and autoignition, I struggle to see the difference between auto and standard torches. Please can people give recommendations?

Regarding gas; I will call into my local Flo Gas centre tomorrow. Just to give me an idea would this size bottle be more than enough for infrequent hobby use:

https://www.flogas.co.uk/shop/cylinders/flogas-gas-cylinders/4-5kg-butane-gas-20mm-regulator

Thanks in advance.

Sievert have a large range of torches and I've found Hamilton gas products is the best place to get them at a good price.

Another vote for Sievert, I have an old Promatic one with a couple of burners. Has worked without problems for many years.

Thor

Edited By Thor on 30/06/2017 05:23:00

Do you mean brazing or silver soldering*, in the UK brazing usually refers to using a filler rod that melts at a higher temp than silver solder and you are unlikely to melt the brazing filler material with just a gas torch.

Also Butane as per your link will not work well with the amount of gas flow required for a decent size torch, you will also have a job finding a high pressure regulator for Butane especially the clip on type in your link. Look at Propane instead which is what we all use. Bottle size will be OK though.

I have an old Bullfinch that does for all my needs.

* Technically it is all brazing but in general terms silver soldering stops at about 850degC and brazing takes over.

Edited By JasonB on 30/06/2017 08:09:54

I've had a Bullfinch for many years with no problems but it is beginning to fall apart. Fortunately a friend who is giving up model engineering offered me his Sievert and I don't think there is much difference apart from the impression that there is more choice of nozzles with Sievert.

Brian

I have used Bulfinch on a full time basis for the last 40 plus years, very reliable and British made! Does everything I have ever needed and I have several nozzles to cover my needs.

When you say Go Gas, which version do you mean? For many years I've had a Bernzomatic torch that takes cylinders like this: **LINK**

These are available from several suppliers including Go Systems, containing propane, butane, and other mixtures. I've found the torch does everything I want it too and is quite economical. On the other hand there are also Go torches that take the thin tin type cylinders and I've had a few of those, but they never last long, usually the valve knob comes loose.

Mine is of this type. I re-read the instructions on the cylinder; it says that it is the only type compatible with the burner. So it will have to be a new stand alone torch I reckon.

For £63 Inc vat you can get a complete starter set up at Hamilton or for£74 you can have one with a cyclone burner which are very useful. You can add more burners and neck tubes as you require them, often available on eBay or on special offer at the shows.

Steve

MAPP was great when they used to make it..

I would advise a sievert handheld torch or for a bigger one, a generic brand hose type with interchangeable nozzles (and a pressure regulator) and hook up to a small 3kg rented propane cylinder is a viable option.

Michael W

Edited By Michael-w on 30/06/2017 18:40:11

John, I had a Bernzomatic torch and used it in a small hearth made of fire bricks and the heat-reflective material from old-fashioned gas fires. It was just fine for relatively small silver soldering jobs but would not have had enough power for even a small boiler. One improvement I bade to it was to fit a rotatable collar with a hole over the air inlet, just like a bunsen burner, for when I wanted a cool flame. If I I was buying now, I'd definitely go for a Sievert and a big propane cylinder.

More that you can use bigger torches with a wider range of burner sizes from 'Zippo' to 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning'.

I had this same problem some time ago. I do a lot of work in copper and started out with a small hand-held bottled gas torch. To be honest, the gases all seemed pretty much of a muchness. However, none really coped with brazing; I use the fluxless copper to copper rods.

I was then given a basic Clarke blowtorch which had three different nozzles and secured a large bottle of propane. This was more than enough to braze quite large items, both copper and steel, using flux. It is only recently, when working on particularly structure, that I have needed to look into anything more powerful.

James.

Edited By James Alford on 01/07/2017 10:41:18

As far as bottle size goes if you get one that turns out to be too small - gas runs out quickly, you can always exchange it for a bigger one at no extra cost. I wanted to avoid paying the upfront cost for a small propane cylinder and ended up exchanging a larger butane cylinder that was unclaimed where I used to work.

I confess that my propane bottle was a large one, about 3/4 full, that had been dumped outside my friend's factory. It was no use to them as they only used LPG and it was in the way.

James.