Oxy/Propane with Australian characteristics.

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I refer to Australian characteristics as seemingly being unable to own your own oxygen and acetalene cylinders. Unless in NSW (where some suppliers refill/swap owned cylinders). I wonder why that doesn't seem to be available in Victoria?Anyway,  I would be okay with renting just the oxygen, but acetalene as well is too expensive. Primarily want to go propane to save renting 2 cylinders. Also it is my understanding that with propane , you can't fusion weld steel?  no problem really; I can use MIG. Can I therefore still fusion weld aluminium  with its lower melting point?Is there any other issues with propane I should be aware of? . Apparently it's fine for cutting.  what about bronze brazing, silver soldering, heating, annealing etc ( which is what  I want to do)?  Are the techniques pretty much the same with propane versus acetalene?I don't really need to cut much, but it seems more economical to get a kit (which comes with cutting attachment anyway) rather than build a set up with individual components?  As far as manufacturers CIG Comet, Harris ( both v. expensive), CIG cutskill, BOC, TESUCO ( similar price, but TESUCO comes with more components). Any others I might be missing in Melbourne? . I don't want to spend Comet-like prices, but  by the same token , I don't want something unsafe, finicky on flame adjustment  or of questionable quality.
Reply:Makoman here can probably answer your question on gas welding alum using propane. He's probably one of the best here on  oxy fuel welding.Propane is often used for silver solder and heating as well as cutting. Flame adjustment is a bit different than with Acetylene due to the flame differences, but it's not that big a deal to learn. Brazing is doable using Oxy propane, but straight propane/air torches don't get hot enough to braze anything but small steel items. Propane is often used for cutting. You'll need different tips to do so however..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Propane can heat/cut/braze/solder but not weld steel. I'm really not sure about aluminum, but if it's anything like arc welding aluminum, the higher heat of acetylene might be more important than on steel. Aluminum conducts heat away from the joint faster, so you need to apply heat fast and concentrated to weld successfully without melting too large of an area. I'm totally guessing, but I bet the higher temp flame of acetylene is better for that. If you buy T grade hoses and both sets of tips for the torch, you can use both. Just swap tips and tanks, and use the cheaper gas unless you need the heat of acetylene. What is your intended use?
Reply:Originally Posted by DeuceTrinalWhat is your intended use?