Hi Andy I have a bullfinch torch but I use Butane not propane as it is a hotter gas and allows a hotter flame. You will be able to harden steel and other processes that need more heat. I have heard the sievert is also a good torch but my torch is about 30 years old and still going strong.

David

Although the 404 Bullfinch will get upto high temperatures it is a relatively concentrated flame so may not be ideal if you want to heat bigger items, boilers, etc, even the largest burner is only rated at 6.6Kw.

The starter Sievert kit comes with a 7.7Kw burner and you can get several times that if needed for large volumes of metal, You won't be able to use a low pressure regulator as found on things like BBQs so you will need a 4bar regulator, hose, handle and burner something like this kit would be a good entry into the Sievert range.

Budget option would be a machine Mart 3 burner and handle set.

Propane is better for the higher heat output burners as Butane can't always keep up due to lower off take rate

Edited By JasonB on 28/10/2019 18:35:44

I use Propane with a Sievert torch (range of sizes) for silver soldering and hardening including case hardening.

I bought every thing other than the gas from CuP Alloys. The gas comes from the local hardware store.

Easy.

JA

Many years ago, over 35 to be exact I went to the Colchester Saturday sale with a friend, we went every week, and I bid on a bucket of complete junk and paid £5, my friend thought I had lost the plot but once we got back to the car I showed him what was at the bottom, a Sievert gas torch, several nozzles and the regulator. The torch has a Black Bakelite style body and I still use it today and as required I buy new nozzles.

Martin P

Yes I bought Sievert, also from Hamilton Gas Products. Best prices I could find anywhere and good service.

I would agree with Jason that the Bullfinch is not the ideal torch for some jobs (Boiler making for instance) and the Sievert can pump out lots of heat (I have a similar non-Sievert torch). However, the Bullfinch can hit the higher temperatures needed to brass braze (SIF bronze) which the Sievert would struggle to do (it might work in some circumstances). So the real difference is maximum volume of heat (Kw) available versus maximum working temperature (Degrees) – and the choice depends on what you need it for.

The Bullfinch Autotorch Brazing system (used to be sold as the 404) can normally hit temperatures of 950C (and up to 1200C if well screened) and in this respect the Bullfinch is very much a poor mans Oxy/A – and it is a very useful general workshop tool. You can of course silver solder/braze with a Sievert but you can easily do that with the Bullfinch. However, being able to SIF (brass) braze small items is very useful for tool making and small steel fabrications – not to mention that SIF rod is very much less expensive than silver solder.

Try buying 6 x 1 metre lengths of 1.6mm silver solder and you will notice the difference. I've just checked and 6 x 1m x 1.6mm SIF No 1 lengths are currently available for £4.80 (inc VAT). I paid about £24 for 60 x 1.6mm (1Kg) SIF rods a few years back (they were on offer) and I don't worry about using them – I'm a lot more cautious with my silver solder usage!

So as with nearly all queries on this forum – the answer to your question will depend on what you need the torch for? If you are building boilers, buy a Sievert. If you need to braze small items then get the Bullfinch. I have both torch types but use the Bullfinch the most – it's the one that's normally on the propane bottle (the push button ignition is also more convenient of course ).

Regards,

IanT

My go to soldering /brazing equipment is a micro torch for small stuff & a click ignition GoPro Propane/Butane canister system for any silver soldering that needed more heat… relatively few jobs so far… I did use it for a small brazing job, using Sif bronze rods/flux, for my daughters school & extending a steel security chain for my self; so far neither has come apart. My basic kit was bought from the local B & Q store, the Sif bronze rods off eBay & the flux I've had for years, so no probs with shelf life on that score, usual disclaimer applies.

George.

Hello Andy, I have a Bullfinch for sale. Would you like to send me a PM. John

I have a bullfinch and you say it is no good for boiler making yet it seems to put out a lot of heat surely I would have thought it could be used for that purpose or have I not understood this.

Here is the one I have so going by what people have said, I would need to change this for another brand.

"NOTE" the hose has just been pushed on the ends and WILL BE secured before I use it.

Derek, comments were about the Bullfinch 404 (4100) which the OP mentioned.

You need to get a large amount of metal upto heat when boiler making and the smaller Burners of the 404 won't do that, think of it like painting a ceiling with a 1/2" brush. vs a Sievert roller.

Give me a day or so and I'll see if I can get my Sievert to braze a small part.

I don’t think that’s right but have a look at the range of burners? The largest Sievert burner is this one.

**LINK**

and the largest Bullfinch.

**LINK**

Edit: looking at the Hamilton site Bullfinch provide a choice of 7 standard burners whilst Sievert have 13. 

Edited By Vic on 29/10/2019 18:44:45