Plumbing Zone - Professional Plumbers Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

propane torbo torch

Jump to Latest
20K views 51 replies 11 participants last post by  MACPLUMB777  
#1 ·
for years when I first started I humped around the B-tank and an MC tank for the turbo torch and as time when by they became heavy, also in the very cold the yellow powder would come out and if you used it with a big tip some of the acetone would come out and it could be dangerous if you pulled too much acetylene out of the tanks too fast,and last the price has just gone up up up.. so I started using propane and mapp gas and seemed the small cylinders lasted just as long as a B tank and were a fraction of the cost, not to mention weight and space on the truck. I used a turbo head that threaded onto the small cylinders and worked great 95% of the time, the issue I had was the tail of the flame was too big for small spots near flammables.
I would use a spray bottle of water to wet down were I needed to solder and sprayed any flames that flared up, but that was a pain and sometimes just getting the whole torch into tight spots didnt work, so I picked up a new propane turbo torch brand with the hose and regulator , the regulator has a big propane tank fitting, so for about 8 bucks I got the adapter that lets me connect the small propane canisters and wala...just what I wanted..the turbo torch kit came with 2 torch nozzles and I bought a smaller one for those tight spots you want just a small flame that hits the copper and the tail of the flame is very short and doesnt burn anything it shouldnt...
 

Attachments

#2 ·
I never knew you would post pics! I use a small propane torch too but not with a hose. I do not own a B-tank and it's useless for what I do. I also bought an adapter to refill my tank from the 20 BBQ cylinder. A refill costs maybe 75 cent?

I also use carbon fiber mat as a heat shield, I bought a large square from china and cut them into size. Only thing it degrades quickly and rips easily creating holes. I sometimes back it with aluminum tape. I was thinking of trying out the welding blanket if it works.

How much is that set-up and do you have the model number? I was looking at buying the Gosselin brand, seems like a better product.
 
#3 ·
why wouldnt I post pics? I got it from zoro.com with their 20% off coupon, turbo torch aint cheap, the kit was $197.00 plus tax and the small tip was $65.00 and the adapter $8.00 and turbo torch is good quality, I have acetylene torch kits 25 years old still going strong, I use them in my shop now...so if I get 10 years out of this and im sure it will last im good with that...I bought a $hit load of the small propane canisters years ago for like $2 bucks apiece and still have about 30 stock piled , I just bought some mapp gas for $10 in change for each but dont use them much unless I have to steam out water to make a solder joint..
heres the link https://www.zoro.com/i/G2193511
zoro always has discounts going
 
#5 ·
I bought something like the ceramic fibre you are showing, mine had an aluminum backing but it pulled apart so easily it wasn't worth the expensive price. I used it once and it frayed apart. I don't know where it went, probably stuck behind a tool box in the van.


This is what I use. It is also sold from Oatey, a 9" square at 25$ or from china 48" for 26$. Be ready to wait 2 months. It is marvelous direct flame onto it and tight against a wall and no burn marks. It barely melts styrofoam with direct heat against it!


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-Fib...ckness-NEW/162429129330?hash=item25d187d272:m:maL8af7r1SB_XDeshppZYqQ:rk:1:pf:0
 
#7 ·
Tango said:
I bought something like the ceramic fibre you are showing, mine had an aluminum backing but it pulled apart so easily it wasn't worth the expensive price. I used it once and it frayed apart. I don't know where it went, probably stuck behind a tool box in the van.


This is what I use. It is also sold from Oatey, a 9" square at 25$ or from china 48" for 26$. Be ready to wait 2 months. It is marvelous direct flame onto it and tight against a wall and no burn marks. It barely melts styrofoam with direct heat against it!


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-Fib...ckness-NEW/162429129330?hash=item25d187d272:m:maL8af7r1SB_XDeshppZYqQ:rk:1:pf:0
Click to expand...

that looks promising a 4 x 6 ft piece is only 38 bucks, that will make alot of smaller pieces even if it falls apart after a small amount of uses, I wonder if you glued a heavy piece of canvas on the backside if it would hold together much longer, im ordering a piece from ebay..
 
J
#8 ·
Nice setup. I had that years ago but with a 5 pound bottle and I had I guess a 12 pound mapp bottle too. didnt have the adapterfor one pound disposable. Its long gone now. been using turbo hand torch thats been acting up and finaly bought a new one just couldnt keep orofice clean or something frustrating going on with it I was using my b tank alot till I got the new turbo hand torch.
been refilling the throw away bottles too .
 
#10 ·
I really need to get one of those, just not sure I can shell out the money for it right now. I use the small screw on head that you're talking about. Mine isn't even a year old and sometimes it doesn't shut off all the way. I give the knob a little tap and then it's off. Something is screwy with it. I also don't like holding that thing on top of an 8 foot ladder. With my tendonitis I worry that it's going to fall out of my hand.

I know it's not much, but I had a good month last month and I don't want to blow it all on toys. Some of it needs to stay there for slow months.
The good news is my liability and my large bond are now paid through March, so I have 3 months with less expenses. After I see numbers for December I might have to knock that off the list.



We had that kit at my employer's shop, but never had the small tip. I'd love to try that tiny thing. I also love your hanging device. That's great!



I should probably comment on Zoro too. That's one of those sites that I usually steer away from because it feels like some unfamiliar territory and i'm worried to get defective stuff, ripped off, knock offs, or something like that. Have you bought much through Zoro? Good luck with it?
 
#12 ·
nope, zoro stocks alot all my stuff came in boxes with zoro logo on them, many ebay sellers are just drop shippers....and zoro has great customer service...a few months ago I bought a gallon jug of corrosion x and it arrived and seemed a little low in the amount, it was almost $100.00 for the gallon, they shipped me a new gallon and let me keep what I had...
 
#13 ·
I had the Benzomatic Mapp gas torch with auto-ignition (not the head shown here). A holster to carry the 1lb. tank and the head with a 3' hose.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: Tango
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#16 ·
I always take off the torch off the bottle even for 2 minutes because all the small turbo torches I owned including this one leaks gas and all of a sudden you look at at it and there's a flame at the end that ignited because of the hot tip!
 
#32 ·
only 10x, I think at least 12.456X more reliable...I know people that unscrew the bottle and ones that dont, I like to live dangerously and dont, but the torch heads are of quality and I check to hear and smell if it leaks after use, they arent stored in air tight areas so even if it does leak it will dissipate, I always leave my truck window cracked to let fresh air into the truck as all the chemicals ( pvc, glue and primer and solvents) release enough fumes that are not healthy to breath on their own, so if you hear about a truck go boom it may be me..lol...:surprise::vs_laugh:
 
#33 ·
My boss' dad ended up throwing the tiny turbo torch head back in his side box (pickup truck) after a soldering job and it didn't shut off all the way. Someone had to pull him over going down the highway because everything inside the box was on fire and smoke was billowing out.


I always pull the head off the tank. Propane is too expensive. :p
 
#35 ·
This is what most of us use. They are cheap plastic that only last like 2 years but it's what the supply house carries so it's all the shop will pay for. I have a couple metal versions of this style but I don't use them at work because why ruin my own tools. This is actually the more expensive one with two different tips. If the shop parts woman orders it you only get the single tip. But I know I will send solder or flux inside one and ruin it so I get the spare. They are technically different sizes but realistically you can't tell the difference.
 

Attachments

Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#38 ·
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#40 ·
Plumbing Zone - Professional Plumbers Forum
posts
677K
members
23K
Since
2008
A forum community dedicated to professional plumbers. Come join the discussion about the industry, safety, finishing, tools, machinery, projects, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Plumbing Discussion Residential Plumbing Business, Marketing, and Sales Plumbing Pictures New Member Introductions