Just curious to here peoples opinions I was trained old school with brazing an oxy act rig. Company I work for now says its overkill had to by a turbo torch.
What do you prefer?
What do you prefer?
The ongoing debate? Oxy/Act rig vs Turbo Torch
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channelislands
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92 Posts
Just curious to here peoples opinions I was trained old school with brazing an oxy act rig. Company I work for now says its overkill had to by a turbo torch.
What do you prefer?
What do you prefer?
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7,916 Posts
I'm surprised a company made you buy another setup.
Personally I prefer just my MC tank and my self igniting tip that burns about 30% hotter than the regular tip. I do mostly resi service and usually only braze lines that are 7/8 or less. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Some guys like the hotter temps you get with the dual rig, it allows them to get in and out faster. My MC tank is light and always works for me. Its what you are comfortable with that should be most important.
Personally I prefer just my MC tank and my self igniting tip that burns about 30% hotter than the regular tip. I do mostly resi service and usually only braze lines that are 7/8 or less. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Some guys like the hotter temps you get with the dual rig, it allows them to get in and out faster. My MC tank is light and always works for me. Its what you are comfortable with that should be most important.
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1,514 Posts
I have never used anything but a turbo torch but I really want to try oxy/acy
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7,226 Posts
Are you guys kidding??
A real tech uses oxy/acet.
A real tech uses oxy/acet.
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1,514 Posts
Hey im lazy, why carry two.
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92 Posts
I agree seatonheating the hotter temp allows for a better brazed joint, and yes a real tech does, I have no choice unless I wanted to quit. Not only that you can use the cutting tip to remove rusted out bolts etc.
hvac_superman ocy acet rig take practice lots!!! You have to adjust your regs to a get the optimum flame neutal etc and amount of heat.... If your not the least bit carefull you will burn a whole in the copper very quick. You cant just hold the d!@$ tip by the copper and let it heat up, you have to move in a swirl figure 8 like motion around the joint. It took me a long time to get used to and lol now I wont even have to use it. Its a great thing to learn but it seems goin to supply houses that there are far more turbo torch sales.
hvac_superman ocy acet rig take practice lots!!! You have to adjust your regs to a get the optimum flame neutal etc and amount of heat.... If your not the least bit carefull you will burn a whole in the copper very quick. You cant just hold the d!@$ tip by the copper and let it heat up, you have to move in a swirl figure 8 like motion around the joint. It took me a long time to get used to and lol now I wont even have to use it. Its a great thing to learn but it seems goin to supply houses that there are far more turbo torch sales.
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3,866 Posts
Oxy/Acetylene is much better, you have total control over the flame, much better suited for service work, especially in tight quarters, I have an MC tank with an adapter so I can connect a turbo torch regulator to it, I use it sometimes when Im working in an area where its a pain to drag and oxy/acet rig into.
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92 Posts
forgot to mention with an oxy/acet rig you can actually get the rod to flow around completly much easier, it doesnt look like the luray caverns when your done.
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4,913 Posts
Yeah, oxy/acet gets my vote...........for most things
Besides, you can't really "pop" a turbo torch like you can an oxy/acet on start up, so with a turbo torch, the whole "stealth mode" scare tactic kinda goes out the window
Seriously though I think both the turbo and the oxy/acet have their place. I personally wouldn't have much success using the turbo torch for brazing as I am very accustomed to my oxy/acet. On the other hand, I would probably burn up a joint if I didn't use my turbo torch to soft solder a fitting..............Just me I guess
Besides, you can't really "pop" a turbo torch like you can an oxy/acet on start up, so with a turbo torch, the whole "stealth mode" scare tactic kinda goes out the window
Seriously though I think both the turbo and the oxy/acet have their place. I personally wouldn't have much success using the turbo torch for brazing as I am very accustomed to my oxy/acet. On the other hand, I would probably burn up a joint if I didn't use my turbo torch to soft solder a fitting..............Just me I guess
LOL, I get the reference cause i've been there....The sunrise room was awesome.
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2,777 Posts
Nothing wrong with using a Turbo torch. Practice with it and you will learn how to get the flow you're after. Nothing wrong with oxy/acet either. I use both and I have a Turbo / Mapp that I'm practicing on Staybrite with. The { A Real Tech Uses - - - - or doesn't use - - - -} is bull. The same thing was said about almost every piece of test equipment we all now use everyday and take for granted by our predessors. Im sure I'm not the only one that has heard ( why would anyone waste their money on one of them new fangled digital meter's? A real tech owns a Simpson and knows how to use it.) Or how about ( temp probe? that's what your hand is for. A real tech can feel it.) Get the idea? Mabie, just mabie a real tech is a guy or gal that isn't afraid to learn to use any piece of equipment or tool that comes their way in order to do a better faster job. JMO
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22,466 Posts
I have to agree with using oxy/acet I have for 30 years, but I don't know if it makes them
a real tech, I might get some bad feedback agreeing with that.
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6,381 Posts
If you can get the copper to 1300 - 1500°F (15% silver) why does it matter how it's done as to if your a good tech or not?
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6,381 Posts
Not even the slightest bit enticing??
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I think the bottom line is as long as you are getting good penitration you should use what you like. That being said I use both the turbo torch is good for everyday use but not good on larger stuff or in high wind. Ox acc is good for larger stuff and ideal for cutting. With practice oxy acc is better near items that are sensitive to overheating you can get the area you need hot faster than a turbo torch which may over heat other areas while waiting for your joint to be hot enough. Either way if the joint is not hot enough to melt silphos by itself it is not hot enough to be brazed.
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445 Posts
I normally use oxy/act, but do have a turbotorch setup for working areas where taking a oxy/act is too hard to cart in.
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