I'm looking to buy a torch set-up & I'm kind of thinking of going with a propane or propylene & oxygen system due to the added safety benefits. My main use for the torch would be for heating parts to bend & brazing repairs on cast-iron! I've read that the propane/propylene set-ups are not recommended for gas welding, but can the acetylene style welding tips be used for brazing withpropane/propylene? Any recommendation on a torch set? DougLast edited by dwall174; 11 Hours Ago at 04:07 PM.Reason: Correction
Reply:If safety is only concern I wouldn't be concerned. Acetylene is still king. Better at everything IMO.
Reply:
Originally Posted by danielplace
If safety is only concern I wouldn't be concerned.
Reply:I have a Victor propane set. Propane tips are different than acetylene tips. Propane tips are two piece. They have tips for heating too. Lots of different sizes for both heating and cutting.
Reply:You just need the tips for propane. The rest will work without buy anything else. Dave
Originally Posted by dwall174
I'm looking to buy a torch set-up & I'm kind of thinking of going with a propane or propylene & oxygen system due to the added safety benefits. My main use for the torch would be for heating parts to bend & brazing repairs on cast-iron! I've read that the propane/propylene set-ups are not recommended for gas welding, but can the acetylene style welding tips be used for brazing withpropane/propylene? Any recommendation on a torch set? Doug
Reply:Acetylene is better for brazing. You may think it just heat and both supply sufficient amount of heat to braze. But acetylene offers significantly better control and accuracy of bead placement. Propane heats large areas better. I have used mostly propane more than 15 yrs since it was easier to access. Recently I switch back acetylene to demonstrate for an employee. It is much better than propane for brazing and faster. And you can weld with bit. I use the use the same welding tips for propane and acetylene. However 2piece tip for cutting.
Reply:I've used both acetylene and propane in my shop for years and rarly use acetylene now. In addition to costing less,not having to deal with surly counter help is a bonus. I have two medical supplys that are happy to refill my oxygen bottles and I buy propane in 100 pound tank then transfer to my 11 pound bottles. The reason propane doesn't work well for welding is because it doesn't cover puddle with right type gas. Tips aren't interchangeable but I've always used same handle.cutting attachment and fuel regulator for both. You need regulator capable of supplying more than 15psi which some dedicated acetylene regulators don't. It is recommended that type T hose be used with propane. If you are accustomed to acetylene,hold tip a little farthar away because hottest part of propane flame is farther from tip. I suggest anyone starting out with propane time how long it take's to heat a rod to cherry while holding various parts of flame on rod. Once you know what part of flame heats best,time it with acetylene and you'll find the difference isn't as great as some say. I built a small forge and air/propane burner that brings steel to yellow for hammer weld. I often use the burner in hand for rusty bolts.