Good source for inexpensive brazing/soldering tool

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JimGo

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I'm looking to pick up a MAPP or Propane torch and small canister of fuel for some delicate (small in size) soldering work. Does anyone know a good, inexpensive source for such equipment? If not, I may resort to monitoring Craigslist and eBay.
 
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Years ago when I was doing silver soldering, I bought a small propane torch at a jewelry supplier house. The cylinder was about 1/3 the size of the standard ones you use with a Burnzo-matic torch. The head was also quite small. It put out a pretty small, but intense flame. The whole thing was not terribly expensive as I recall but it was quite a few years ago. You might check if there's a jewelers supply house or even a lapidary supply house near you and contact them. Or, you could even check some gourmet kitchen stores for the little propane or butane torches that chefs use, although they may be too small.
 
I bought a mapp and found it to be a waste of money. It is so small it runs out quickly and there is nothing I cannot get hot enough using propane. The only nice thing for propane is a long flex hose.
 
Thanks for that idea Gerry - I actually have one of those little torches and may give that a try.

Dan, I'm surprised - MAPP was recommended to me over propane. What I need to do is put up a fence so I can get a propane grill, then be able to tap that whenever I want to do any soldering! [:D]
 
Jim,

How big is the stuff you solder?

Dawn has access to Mapp torches through her stained glass suppliers, but they are made for HOT, not small. Would that help?????

Regular size torch tops are available at the local hardware or Big Box.

So, whatcha' want?????
 
Ed,
I'm doing silver soldering on jewelry pieces. I need a small, focused flame that I can use for things like rings, centerbands, etc. I'd like to get another tip for doing HOT as well, since I hope to at some point use it to actually melt a reasonable quantity of silver as well, but I'm probably a few months away from that at this point.
 
I'm guessing a PM to some "Bruce Boone guy" might get you a pretty sophisticated answer.

People say he knows a few things about rings.
 
Also, Dawn sent you an e-mail with several sources. Check your yahoo account, if you have more than one e-mail.
 
I use a Little Torch from a jewelry supply. It has very tiny tips, so you have very good control over the heat, and it uses the small oxygen and propane tanks available at Home Depot and similar places. It is definitely worth the price. Here's a link: http://www.sfjssantafe.com/itemstable.php?Gid=181&ItemSet=Torches&DepId=tools&ot=&at=
 
I had a little torch just like the one Bruce linked to that would run off of my welding bottles. It worked very well??

Sadly someone wanted it more than I did and it grew legs. I never replaced it as I really didn't use it enough to justify buying another one.
 
Thanks Billy, that's pretty close. I had hoped to find something in the under $50 range, but that doesn't look like it will happen, at least not if I want to also be able to melt metal with it later. I'm going to order some silver solder and try my little hand torch first, and if that doesn't work I may pester the PR Princess or others. Thanks agin!
 
How about this one?
http://www.bernzomatic.com/bernzomatic/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=BernzoProd100040

I just checked Amazon, $39.99.
 
Originally posted by JimGo
<br />Thanks Billy, that's pretty close. I had hoped to find something in the under $50 range, but that doesn't look like it will happen, at least not if I want to also be able to melt metal with it later. I'm going to order some silver solder and try my little hand torch first, and if that doesn't work I may pester the PR Princess or others. Thanks agin!
Click to expand...

At "professional billing rates" what's this work out to, about TWO minutes???????[}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)][;)][;)]
 
You're worth every penny of it, Jim.

Tell management you need a raise to pay for your hobbies. I'm sure they will agree immediately.[:D][:D]
 
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