Not giving up the torch,

Tinman

but I am adding press fittings to the arsenal. The boiler rooms seem to be getting smaller and smaller and I can't contort my body as well as I use to. I may also be slowing down a little but I'm not ready to concede that just yet.

What I'm 99% certain of is that I can cut down hours on each job by making the switch.

I also know that the learning curve for guys I bring along is going to be a lot flatter with press fittings.

My biggest concern at this point is straight, plumb, level, square pipe. If I have the pipe locked down with strut clamps before pressing, my concerns are gone?

Rich_49

Making it straight , plumb and supporting , strapping , clamping prior certainly works .

kcopp

Its just the time factor... more work less time... less workers...or in my case , just me.

M_Smith

There's a learning curve, you'll find it helps to dry fit some sections then press. It seems super fast, but sometimes it pays to hold back a bit. You may have to press a joint or two then assemble and press the rest. The curve is remembering the tool won't fit every where and not zooming into a joint you can't get on! You'll throw a few away, then you'll get to the day when you laugh because the torch hasn't come off the truck in months.

Bob Bona_4

I took my B tank off my truck about 8 years ago, still have an MC tank on board just in case. I only need a Mapp with the auto lighter for most work. Times sure have changed!

Empire_2

Thank God for the MC tank............Now if I can only lighten up the tool pouch. Keeps getting heaver because I load more stuff inside so I don't have to go out to the truck.


Peace;
Mike T.

ChrisJ

Bob Bona said:

I took my B tank off my truck about 8 years ago, still have an MC tank on board just in case. I only need a Mapp with the auto lighter for most work. Times sure have changed!

What do you braze with Bob?

jonny88

Times have changed and it is an ever evolving trade.I am still soldering.If I had a lot of boilers to get to there would be no hesitation switching to PP.Right now its a little on the pricey side and fittings are a pain in the **** to hunt down.No doubt it is the way of the future though.HARD to give up the torch.

SWEI

Bob Bona said:

I took my B tank off my truck about 8 years ago, still have an MC tank on board just in case. I only need a Mapp with the auto lighter for most work.

Oddly enough, I recently decided I needed an upgrade for the old handheld MAPP torch -- mostly so I can pass a few tests and be ready to handle some of the refrigeration stuff that is looming in our future. A week of intense research taught me some amazing things -- most of which seems nearly unknown in our industry.

First off, MAPP gas has not been produced since 2008. Map-Pro is actually Propylene. Acetylene is still a superior fuel for welding, but propylene actually turns out to be a better choice for cutting and heating operations. It also brings HUGE benefits in both cost and logistics.

Some interesting tidbits: Each of those little yellow 14.1 oz disposable Map-Pro cylinders holds 52% more usable product than an MC tank does. Gas Innovations, the company who currently supplies most of the propylene used in the US (including two rail cars a month to Worthington, who fills all those yellow cylinders) is rolling out a B-tank replacement program that has some truly compelling characteristics.

ChrisJ

SWEI said:

Bob Bona said:

I took my B tank off my truck about 8 years ago, still have an MC tank on board just in case. I only need a Mapp with the auto lighter for most work.

Oddly enough, I recently decided I needed an upgrade for the old handheld MAPP torch -- mostly so I can pass a few tests and be ready to handle some of the refrigeration stuff that is looming in our future. A week of intense research taught me some amazing things -- most of which seems nearly unknown in our industry.

First off, MAPP gas has not been produced since 2008. Map-Pro is actually Propylene. Acetylene is still a superior fuel for welding, but propylene actually turns out to be a better choice for cutting and heating operations. It also brings HUGE benefits in both cost and logistics.

Some interesting tidbits: Each of those little yellow 14.1 oz disposable Map-Pro cylinders holds 52% more usable product than an MC tank does. Gas Innovations, the company who currently supplies most of the propylene used in the US (including two rail cars a month to Worthington, who fills all those yellow cylinders) is rolling out a B-tank replacement program that has some truly compelling characteristics.

The problem I have is my acetylene swirl tip turbo torch is a whole lot hotter than the "MAPP" torch I have which is the Bernzomatic with the hose and autolighter. I think it was a cheesy $60 torch.

Do they make similar torches for use with the yellow tanks?

SWEI

Turbotorch, Goss, Harris, and Gentec all have multiple options. You can replace piece by piece to support CGA-600 (disposable cylinders) and/or CGA-510 (aka POL) for bulk cylinders.

The quickest way to start is probably something like this. Tips are going to behave a bit differently. The primary flame is not as focused, but the coupling distance is greater and it wraps around the work better.

ChrisJ

SWEI said:

Turbotorch, Goss, Harris, and Gentec all have multiple options. You can replace piece by piece to support CGA-600 (disposable cylinders) and/or CGA-510 (aka POL) for bulk cylinders.

The quickest way to start is probably something like this. Tips are going to behave a bit differently. The primary flame is not as focused, but the coupling distance is greater and it wraps around the work better.

I would need something to replace my B tank not an MC tank.

Flame not being focused is also bad, that's one of the things I like most about my turbotorch, a tight small hot flame. I had considered going oxy-actelyne but the swirl tips got me around having to deal with the oxygen tank and regulator.

SWEI

Who made your torch?

ChrisJ

SWEI said:

Who made your torch?

Almost positive this was the kit I bought plus an extra trip and accessories.

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Turbo-Torch-0386-0336-X-4B-Air-Acetylene-Torch-Kit

SWEI

Turbotorch probably has the largest set of options at this point. Check out the middle portion of this.

Bob Bona_4

Chris, I use the MC for brazing, either with the Turbotorch or Surelite. The Mapp (sorry SWEI, generic term ) struggles to braze with. Was doing some DX geothermal work with another guy a few years ago, he had this nifty small oxy/acetylene kit. I forgot the maker.

unclejohn

I use oxy - act. for A/C work and hand held yellow torch [map]for boilers and water work.