Recommended blow torch?

I've been using a Butane/Propane mix gas blow torch, ( with EN417 thread/valve). I've been chatting to a mate and he swears buy Mapp gas.

What are your thoughts/recommendations?

I mainly use it for hardening and oil blacking stuff.

Thanks Jim

I did try Mapp gas a good few years back and it was significantly better than either butane or propane. However I have oxy acetylene so it didn't get a lot of use.

I believe that the current Mapp gas is a different formulation to what it used to be, but others may know more.

Andrew.

Consider getting a big bottle of propane and a torch/nozzle kit.

Even with a cheap and cheerful torch set it's far ahead of a blowtorch (MAPP or otherwise) and not expensive to run (once you have got a bottle).

I am with Niel, just Propane burners and get a couple of different sized nozzles, One 'Bigun' about 2" diameter and a medium one about 1" dia. Get an adjustable regulator which matches the big burner. Then have plenty of fire bricks. Even for simple jobs, one brick horizontal and a second positioned vertically will halve the time needed to heat something. If you need sometihing more serious for very large work (7 1/2 inch boiler??) consider air/propane
BobH

I am also with Neil on the Propane/Butane method.

Have a look at Rob in Australia. He has quite a few videos on brazing etc with a Bulfinch torch also many no nonsense ways to do things in the home workshop :-

**LINK**

regards

I read this years ago:

“In early 2008, true MAPP gas production ended in North America when production was discontinued at the only remaining plant in North America that still manufactured it. However, many current products labeled "MAPP" are, in fact, MAPP substitutes. These versions are composed almost entirely of propylene with minuscule impurities of propane (<0.5%)”

I wonder what the stuff we get is over here is and whether it’s any better than Propane or just more expensive?

Just found this for Rothenberger MAPP gas:

**LINK**

On page 2 it says it’s 50-100% Butane/25-50% Propylene.

I just noticed Bullfinch now a have a hydrogen/oxygen type torch. Looks interesting ...and probably expensive!

**LINK**

Ed.

To jimmy b ... I have been using MAPP gas torches for many years ... I have made many, many small boilers and gas tanks for boats ... now I have started to make some for small railway engines ... the ROTHENBERGER torches are easily available at local builders merchants, B and Q and Screwfix ... I think that for the sizes I make they are fantastic ... the flame will happily melt small pieces of brass and copper ... so be careful.

I would never pretend that they would silver solder a boiler for a 5inch loco ...there is plenty of temperature available but not enough quantity of general heat, if that makes sense ... but for my size of work they are great ... the larger of my 2 blowlamps is called a SUPER FIRE 2.

As regards whether it is MAPP gas or MAP gas, yes it has changed over the years ... the word propylene is there on the label ... the old bottles were labelled Methyl Acetylene propadeine or something similar ... the new ones are not quite as hot as the old ones ... I did once see a technical readout which quoted 1100 degrees instead of 1200 degrees centigrade ... still fantastic for small jobs ... very quick and easy to use ... just be careful where you point it ... the blast of heat can extend by quite a few feet.

martin

+1 for the Superfire 2.
I was kindly given a torch with several spare canisters of MAPP and propane.
It has done everything I need.

Thanks for all the advice.

Plenty of thinking to do now!

Jim

To jimmy b ... don`t pick one or the other ... treat yourself ... eat beans on toast for the month and BUY BOTH ... use one for small jobs and one for large jobs.

martin

“BUY BOTH’

Or just collect the ’hot air’ from the beans, and use that as a fuel.

I use a Nortel Minor and a 5l oxycon with propane. Works a treat but not too portable.