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How do you clean turbo torch tips??

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16K views 38 replies 15 participants last post by  brianpatrick  
#1 ·
I got about 25 turbo torch tips of various sizes laying around and most of them are putting out a yellow flame
and are impossible to solder with any longer--just throws a black soot all over the fitting and causes troubles
I do not want to throw them out without attempting to clean them first....

So does anyone know a good way to possibly bring them back from the dead or not...??

I thought about just boiling them in water just to see what effect it would have on them if any
maybe throw them in some paint thinner??

any ideas or advice would be appreciated
 
#3 ·
Send them to me.

Heat them up and put them tip down to get all of the solder drips and spatter out if it. Then let it cool and soak the tip in shotgun choke cleaner. Then put them in an ultrasonic cleaner (I just use water and dawn with heat on). Then hit it with a torch tip cleaner and pipe cleaners; I use carb cleaner to help get the crap out of it.

some times the very ends are dented and it messes up the flame. I use a ball peen hammer and a drill bit. Gently tap them when hot and you can kind of pry with the non-business end of the drill bit. This will get them mostly back round ( enough to work).

The cleaning part is the perfect job for an apprentice on a slow day; or at least that’s what I do.
 
#4 ·
Send them to me.

Heat them up and put them tip down to get all of the solder drips and spatter out if it. Then let it cool and soak the tip in shotgun choke cleaner. Then put them in an ultrasonic cleaner (I just use water and dawn with heat on). Then hit it with a torch tip cleaner and pipe cleaners; I use carb cleaner to help get the crap out of it.

some times the very ends are dented and it messes up the flame. I use a ball peen hammer and a drill bit. Gently tap them when hot and you can kind of pry with the non-business end of the drill bit. This will get them mostly back round ( enough to work).

The cleaning part is the perfect job for an apprentice on a slow day; or at least that’s what I do.
This is the proper way. I am too lazy for this haha.


I do occasionally low fire my tips and hold them upside down as mentioned. I have more of an issue with flux than solder though dripping in.
 
#8 ·
I inherited most of these tips from buying out some dead plumbers' stock a few years back
I was rather disappointed that most of them were toast....considering what they would be worth new...

shotgun choke cleaner sounds a lot like plain old WD40... to me...
 
#13 ·
You are probably correct but on E-bay they want about anywhere from 60 bucks to 90 for a new one

and I got a fortune in used ones just sitting here...I have to make the effort....

If I can save a dozen of them from the trash
In my mind I can justify my next gun purchase
 
#17 ·
I dont know.. I am just talking...
I really probably ought to get myself a gun case...
I threw the idea out to my wife and kids and maybe
they will buy me one for X-mas..
 
#25 ·
I never even knew they made orfice replacement parts...

I took them all this morning and threw them in a coffee can filled with paint thinner and a little gasoline...
gonna let them soak overnight and see what that does to them
 
#23 ·
Who has the screw in tips for the soft flame torches ?

I couldn’t decide so I bought both types. Then I found a deal on eBay for the screw in type torch tips and bought a pile of them.
I have both but use the quick change. Except for my big tip (2"+), that's a large propane one, screw in, the cup on the end is ~1-1/4". It's basically a brush nozzle.
 
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#37 ·
I got about 25 turbo torch tips of various sizes laying around and most of them are putting out a yellow flame
and are impossible to solder with any longer--just throws a black soot all over the fitting and causes troubles
I do not want to throw them out without attempting to clean them first....

So does anyone know a good way to possibly bring them back from the dead or not...??

I thought about just boiling them in water just to see what effect it would have on them if any
maybe throw them in some paint thinner??

any ideas or advice would be appreciated
Heat em up with another torch and tap on them with pliers to the crap falls out