Buying A Torch For Silver Soldering - Advise Needed

[Nogoingback]

I'm planning on doing some silver soldering on smallish assemblies in the future and need a torch. I understand that Map-Pro torches can be used for this. Any general advise, and recommndation on torches?

 

[Ulma Doctor]

I often use MAAP , Acetylene-Air torches, and Oxy-Acetylene for silver and bronze brazing.

the MAAP is vey convenient, the cylinders are small.
MAAP gas is hot enough for brazing most small items or thin cross-sections ( about 2900°C)
Air- Acetylene torches burn slightly cooler than the MAAP (about 2200°C) and is also suitable for sweating pipe or brazing
but when you really need some heat, get the Oxy-Acetylene rig ready (3000 to 3500 °C)

i have a few different nozzles on propane and MAAP cylinders,
i prefer the turbo torch.

 

[Aaron_W]

I've got a small Bernzmatic micro torch that uses butane. I use it to solder brass parts, usually using lead free solder, which many call silver solder but I think technically that is a different type of solder with a much higher silver content.

The micro torch works well for me, but of course "small" is subjective, my small is brass wire up to about 1/8" brass rod and larger brass tubing.

 

[mikey]

A lot depends on the type of silver solder you plan to use. If you use soft solder with a low melting temp, I suggest you look at the Bernzomatic TS8000. This torch puts out a 3600 degree flame that will handle soft solder without problems and may get the work hot enough for harder solders if the work is small enough. For larger work and the higher silver content solders, I would go with a Meco Midget O/A torch.

I own and use both of these torches so I know they will work. I use the TS8000 to heat treat smaller pieces of O-1 steel and it puts out a lot of heat for a propane torch.

 

[Nogoingback]

I actually have a Turbo torch that I bought for propane but never realized it was suitable for MPS. Now I
do, so thank you for saving me from going out and buying another torch. . I know oxy- acetylene is best,
but the idea here was to do small jobs wiith silver solder to avoid the
cost of an O-A rig.

 

[Nogoingback]

A lot depends on the type of silver solder you plan to use. If you use soft solder with a low melting temp, I suggest you look at the Bernzomatic TS8000. This torch puts out a 3600 degree flame that will handle soft solder without problems and may get the work hot enough for harder solders if the work is small enough. For larger work and the higher silver content solders, I would go with a Meco Midget O/A torch.

I own and use both of these torches so I know they will work. I use the TS8000 to heat treat smaller pieces of O-1 steel and it puts out a lot of heat for a propane torch.

I have been looking a bit at types of solder and came across some videos
for Muggyweld SSF-6 which looks versitile and easy to use. What I want to do is find out just what kinds of jobs are possible with a simple, low cost torch and a can of gas. Should be a bit of a learning curve here, but that's a good
thing. I'll take a closer look at what temps these torches are capable of. As Ulma Doctor just pointed out, I actually have a torch I can start with, but I'll compare it to your suggestions.

 

[francist]

If you stack a small refractory corner out of a few fire bricks it will greatly increase your capacity. I can use ordinary propane and Bernzomatic torch with Harris Safety-Silv 45 brazing filler which needs upwards of 1225F provided the parts are small and I use a corner.

-frank

 

[Nogoingback]

If you stack a small refractory corner out of a few fire bricks it will greatly increase your capacity. I can use ordinary propane and Bernzomatic torch with Harris Safety-Silv 45 brazing filler which needs upwards of 1225F provided the parts are small and I use a corner.

-frank

Great idea on the bricks. I'll run some down. I've got the torch and both propane and MAP-PRO gas, so
all I need is some solder and I can start to play with this.

 

[Flyinfool]

Silver soldering is a low temperature silver bearing solder, Typically less that 10% silver and solders at temperatures below 840°F (450°C).
Silver brazing is a higher temp process using a silver ally that is much higher in silver content and brazes at temperatures above 840°F (450°C).
Silver brazing is stronger than silver soldering.
Silver soldering is stronger than soft soldering.

Number 1 question that makes a huge difference, Are you talking about silver soldering or silver brazing?
Number 2 question What solder/brazing alloy do you want to use?

These are the 2 big questions as to the type of torch you will need.
Next is the size of the parts, this will determine the size of torch you will need.

 

[NortonDommi]

I am going to recommend a book such as 'Soldering and Brazing' by Tubal Cain. ISBN: 9780852428450 Book 9 in the Workshop Practice series. A lot of very useful information in an easy to read format.