Recommendation Needed for Torch

Rich Davis_2

Had some soldering to do on a 1" copper tubing, I borrowed my neighbor's aclylene-air Turbo-Torch with a MSA-8 tip, it worked great. Instead of borrowing his I'd like to get something like it for myself (a Christmas suggestion). I've looked on line at Uniweld and Coplay-norstar. I would probably only use it less than once a year. Which brand would youse recommend and what model would have about the same output as the MSA-8.

STEVEusaPA

Once a year I'd probably borrow the neighbors and get him a nice bottle of whatever he drinks. Or refill the tank for him after you use it.

pecmsg

For soldering presto lite is all that’s needed.

SeanBeans

I’ve been using map gas lately just because it’s been convenient. But I’m not the biggest fan.

Ron Jr._3

I have a Mapp setup also for those jobs that need just a few joints soldered. Not a fan of it either. Too unyieldy when working in tight spots. But it beats dragging in the B-tank with the Turbo-Torch setup on it into a basement for a few fittings.

I see Turbo Torch has their own tip that fits Mapp gas. Real expensive though.

Intplm.

Lennox and Turbo Torch make some very good product. Great, and worth looking into.

If you are doing this once or twice a year? Maybe look into a simple bernzomatic torch.

mattmia2

Maybe mapp with a better torch head? The TS-5000 makes an enormous flame that is good for soldering fittings out in the open but is hard to control anywhere remotely near anything flammable. There have to be some mapp rated torches that have more of a pencil or otherwise better contained flame.

Gordo

I used to use MAPP gas, as it was almost as hot as acetylene without the heavy tank and the explosive hazard (acetylene can spontaneously explode at pressures greater than 15psi, so the B and MC tanks really are full of "stuff" soaked in acetone and the acetylene gas is dissolved therein like CO2 in a seltzer bottle).
Since 2008, the production of MAPP (methylacetylene propadiene propane) gas was discounted. What is actually being sold is "MAP" gas. It really is propylene gas and they drop the extra "P" to keep it legal. It does not burn as hot as real MAPP gas.

GroundUp

I solder almost everything, and unless I'm up on a lift or doing a lot of 1-1/2"+ I won't even bother with acetylene. MAP is far easier to control and much more convenient to carry around than a B tank. Honestly can't remember the last time I dug out the acetylene actually, been just running MAP probably upwards of a year now. I have a couple each of the Bernzomatic TS4000 and Turbo Torch Tx504, and really don't favor the 504 unless it's over 1-1/2" although I've soldered up to 4" with the TS4000. For what you'll be using it for and for the price, I'd recommend just going to the big box and grabbing whatever MAP setup they have there. It'll do just fine