Conference 7.286::home_work

    
    BTW, I forgot to mention, I'm using 50/50 solder (on baseboard heat)
    and No-Korode for flux. 

  What exactly is the problem with the soldered joints?  I've had good
  luck since I learned to apply the torch to the *back* of the joint -- 180
  degrees away from where I'm going to apply the solder.  That way, when
  the workpiece is hot enough to melt the solder in front, you know it's
  even hotter everywhere else and so it should flow smoothly into the joint.

  JP

    It isn't too hot, most plummers use air-acetyline wich is
    much hotter.
    
    Have you done baseboards before?  They generally are large
    diameter pipe and have a good heat exchanger attached. Maybe
    you torch isn't hot enough (or doesn't have enough BTU output).
    
    How does the solder behave? That can give us some hints.
    
    - gerry

    Thanks for the hints. It was the lack of adequate flux, not
    the torch. I reverted to my old method of applying the flux
    and all is well. 
    
    Thanks 

    Among the other odds and ends in the basement of the house I just
    bought, I found a propane torch made by a company called Goss.  It has
    torch head, 5' of hose, and a valve and guage that attaches to a bulk
    type propane tank.  I don't have a use for it and plan to sell it;
    anybody have a feel for how much I should ask for it?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Steve

    Under tools, this device wasn't listed.
    
    I'm looking for info on operating a  Gasoline Blow Torch.
    
    I recently re-worked an old Gasoline Blow Torch that my father had
    used. It has a container that holds regular gas, under pressure.
    The gas goes up to a needle valve assembly that in turn
    exits out a cast iron tube.
    
    I seem to remember that the starting procedure was to pour some
    gas into a trough under the torch, lit it to heat up the torch/
    needle valve part, and then light off the torch.
    
    I've seen them for sale in hardware stores...you know, the type
    with the old creaky floors.....
    
    Anyone use these? 
    
    Marc H.

    Yep, you've basically got it.  Fire it up OUTSIDE, not inside....
    Guess how I know.....
    
    As I recall, fill the tank part way with regular gas (they very
    specifically say not high-test), leaving some air space.  Pump
    so you have some pressure.  Fill the trough under the burner
    with gas and light it to preheat the burner assembly.  When that 
    is almost burned off, crack the valve and let some gas come through.  
    It may sputter and shoot flaming gasoline for a while until it gets 
    truly warmed up.  Once it settles down it should work quite well.  
    Not for the faint-hearted, however.

    Thanks Steve.....I'll try it outside.
    
    Marc H.

    What's your plan...settle a neighbor dispute?
    
    Dave'
    

    Re: .3
    
    Nope.....just curious as I have the torch. Maybe I'll need it in
    the future for big pumbing jobs.
    
    Marc H.

    Marc, try not to turn it upside down...the flame gets kinda out of hand
    when you do that. If you knock it on it side it gets kinda crazy too.
    
    
    The Mad Weldor...Jim
    
    ps I have a couple of them....nice toy flamethrowers...   :-) but
    nothing like my homemade propane weedburner.

    Why is it that I read these comments and could see the little sub-title 
with the words....



    These are professional stuntmen, don't try this at home, kids!  8^)

    	Vic

    Interesting, this shounds like the same principle as a little backpack
    stove that I have. It consists of a burner and a little brass tank that
    you fill with Coleman fuel.
    	To operate I first open the fill cap to equalize the pressure. (I
    may have hiked up a mountain remember?) Then close this cap snugly. I
    then open the burner valve and hold my hand on the tank to provide the
    initial heating. This causes a few drops of gas to spill out of the
    burner into a little cup beneath the burner. After lighting this the
    heat from the flame warms the brass tank nicely to the point where
    there is sufficient pressure to get a proper blue flame roaring out of
    the burner. There is a chrome reflector that can be moved between the
    burner and tank to moderate the heating/pressure. Works well in all but
    the coldest weather. Sounds like a small jet engine though.

    Fired up the torch last night. Interesting.......
    
    The torch was made before the lawyers got into our daily lives...i.e.
    there are no "warning labels" on the device. Today, it would have a 
    book with it.
    
    Using common sense, it works just fine. Its really a coleman type
    of approach, i.e. the heat vaporizes the gas through a generator
    type of affair. Until it gets up to temperature, it "spits" the
    gas, making a yellow type flame. Once up to temp, the flame is
    deep blue and **HOT**. This thing really puts out!!!
    
    For large heating needs, this tool is the way to go.
    
    Marc H.

    Glad to hear you didn't burn the house down!  Yes, they really
    crank out the heat.  

    re: .8
    
    >> The torch was made before the lawyers got into our daily lives...i.e.
    >> there are no "warning labels" on the device. Today, it would have a 
    >> book with it.
    
    Marc,
    
    	You are sounding a little naive. ;-} Do you really think that they
    would even *sell* such a tool today??? :-} :-} :-} (wish *I* could get
    one ;-{   )
    
    	Mark

    Mark,
     I saw a similar torch for sale, about 3-4 years ago in a small town
    hardware store. I don't know just how long it was "on the self" though.
    
    Marc H.

    Not to continue this rathole too much further but isn't it ironic how
    everyone is so concerned with making this a fool-proof, safe world with
    warning labels on everything? People sue manufacturers when they get
    hurt even as the result of their own stupidity, yet for recreation we
    have people inventing sports like bungee jumping?  ;-} 
                                                    

    RE:.12
    
    My pet peeve too. The "good old days" were not that good, but, the
    greed for $$$ due to your own fault is a recent problem.
    
    Marc H.

    Those blow torches are all over the place. I see at least 3-4 each
    weekend at tag sales.
    
    Jim