Recommendation for Brazing/SS Kit?

[Andy Clark]

I have some jobs planned for the winter that will need some decent silver soldering/brazing capability and have decided that it's time to get kitted out properly. The biggest job will be the Prairie boiler towards the end of next year.

Bob Youldon of the Brighton Club gave an excellent demonstration of silver soldering and boiler making a couple of weeks back and showed several techniques using only a small range of (propane) burners, with excellent results.

Since this is a first-time buy so to speak I am tempted to buy a "package" that includes a 4 bar variable regulator, 2 metre hose, handle, neck tube, needle flame burner and general purpose burner. Can anyone recommend a good make and/or supplier and whether or not the "package" approach is best? I am inclined to Sievert at present, but open to alternatives.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Andy

[drjohn]

I'm no expert Andy, but the variable regulator is probably a waste of money - I have one but have never found the need to change the setting as the handle has a control valve anyway. A safety cut-off valve is well worth fitting at the cylinder end.

Sievert are certainly the Rolls Royce industry standard, but a flame is a flame, and my cheapo Chinese nozzles give off flames!

2 metres of hose is too short - get a longer one - 3 or 4 metres if you plan to try a boiler.

Why not get the same setup as the guy who demonstrated the boiler making - if it works, don't knock it!

DJ.

[Steve M. W]

Andy

I would recommend The Sievert set up including the adjustable regulator the Sievert one I have has a safety cut out built in so you have to increase the flow at the regulator for the bigger jets. They also do the cyclone jets which are ideal for inside the fire box if you don’t have Oxy/acet.
DJ is spot on a 2 meter hose is not long enough unless you want to keep moving the bottle, and get the biggest bottle you have room for its cheaper and works better in the cold wether
Alec farmers book is a good guide as are his articles in the modeling mags.
I have found CUP Alloys to be competitively priced. www.cupalloys.com/content.php
No connection with any of the above just a satisfied customer.

Steve

[Peter W.]

Earlier in the year I bought one of these, thanks to
a pointer from this very group !

Sievert PMPX Professional Torch Kit

www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/pmpx-professional-torch-kit/path/gas-torches-soldering-irons

[Andy Clark]

Thanks all - most helpful advice - I have now sent the web links to my family for them to buy me a worthwhile birthday present (i.e. not socks again)

[mutley]

Buy the torch with the economiser valve it makes life so much easier, and you definatley want at least one of the cyclone burners. Dont forget a pile of fire bricks /tiles as ,they make a big diffrence to how quickly the assembly heats up.

Andy

[havoc]

I got one of the promatic torches from Sievert. The piezo is just great, no need to use matches and no problem when you have to put down the torch for a minute, take it back and fire away.