My frames are tig welded and I use a precision MAP torch for bosses. I currently have to borrow an Oxy acetylene torch to braze tab style dropouts.
I very much dislike borrowing tools yet I already have very limited garage space.
I am curious if a portable oxy acetylene torch like HCAC technicians carry would satisfy my needs.
My main concerns are how long the tanks last. I see from other sources they don’t last long when cutting but I cannot find solid run times when brazing.
Anyone have experience with these? Should I just find a way to make a full size set up fit in my shop?
I think the cheapest way for you to go about this is a oxy + propane setup. You can sub the oxy for an oxygen concentrator if you want. Propane is a cleaner gas to work with / less dangerous / doesn’t create soot. It doesn’t get as hot, but I’ve been using it problem free for 3 years now. I think a lot of other builders use propane over acetylene too.
I find a normal user-owned Prax-Air oxygen tank lasts 3-4 frames total. If you’re just doing brazeons and the occasional dropout, the tank will last you a while. At my local Prax-Air the tank refill is $65 Canadian.
I use a Smith brazing torch. I can’t remember the model, but I have a bunch of tips and switch depending on what I’m doing (silver vs bronze vs fillets vs whatever).
If you are mainly interested in brazing bosses, I’d recommend a Minitherm torch paired with a propane tank and an oxygen generator. I personally like a bigger flame when brazing forks, but my friends, who braze way more than I do, absolutely love it. It’s very wrist friendly.
I had one of those mini tank setups for a handful of years I kept around for repairs and demos elsewhere than my shop. It was fine, the regulators are kinda cheapie, but the setup will get you by as a hobby.
The main consideration is some/a lot of welding suppliers won’t do tank refills on those minis. I’m not sure of the reason, but it would be worth double checking with wherever you will locally get your gas before investing in the setup.
For what it’s worth… I think most people are using the Victor J28 or the Smith AW1A or clones of them. If you use a torch hanger it doesn’t have to be pretty but please make sure it’s secure. This is my J28 and hanger.
Curious if you could share what you are using now for bosses? I’m getting ready for my first frame and I’m trying to figure out what I need for braze ons etc.
My bottles are strapped to a hand truck. They are taller than this setup, but don’t really take up much more floor space - if any. If you get a decent O/A setup you might use it for bosses too. I’m a brazer who has to borrow a tig welder for an occasional job; funny to hear about someone in the opposite situation!
Keep an eye out for a Meco Midget. I see they’re expensive new but maybe if used is an option? I got mine for free, came with a GasFluxer I bought off ebay, and the torch was thrown in, not even shown in the ad.
They’re a bit polarizing, as in people seem to love 'em or hate ‘em. There’s no doubt they are the most firepower for the least size and weight. With ultralight hoses like from TinManTech, you hardly notice the weight. But with the larger tips, they put out as much flame as a Smith or Victor. Even rosebuds. For the bigger tips, consider the longer extension tubes that put your hand further from the balls o’ fire. Tubes come in 4", 7" and 10".
Best tips I’ve used for propane are from Paige Tools
The advantages of propane are so compelling that I think acetylene is practically obsolete, unless you want to do gas-welding of steel, and who does that amymore? (Apologies to Thursday)
I used my MAP-Pro torch yesterday and it worked good but the tip is way too large to be precise, today I was at ACE and noticed this kit for ~70$ including the cylinders, wondering if it’s enough for the occasional brazing
Occasional silver brazing? Yes. Occasional bronze brazing? I think you’ll be frustrated.
But for braze-ons, the propane torch you already have is probably just as good and less hassle - those tiny oxygen tanks run out fast. You want to be heating the whole area evenly anyways.
I use a Harris Model 15-5 with Airco Concoa 2 stage regulators. I’m very happy with it for both silver and brass brazing. I can also gas weld, and even do thin material for jewelry. It is light, and a good size for frame brazing with smaller diameter hoses. I highly recommend it.
