A lot depends on the size of the work. Small items can be done with a blowlamp but larger ones would be better tackled with a decent sized propane torch run from a propane bottle, you don't really neex an oxy-gas setup.

J

Edited By JasonB on 07/12/2012 20:03:52

I made a roughly 3 1/2" diameter by 9" boiler for my stationary engines and it was at the limit of the large nozzle in the small Machine Mart/Clarke propane torch set. I plan to get the bigger set which should easily be man enough for a 3 1/2" gauge loco boiler.

Packing around with insulation such as skamolex blocks makes a big difference to the speed of heating.

Neil

Hi Ron,

I use a large torch (butane/propane mix) for smallish boilers up to about 65 mm diam. These size boilers would suit small stationary engines. If I need larger boilers I would buy the Seivert set from a dealer such as these a bit more expensive but burners can be added as needed. I would add a proper regulator.

Regards

Terry

Ive got oxy propane, oxy acetylene and propane. I have two propane torches, one is old and branded Calor (I thought you cooked with that??) the other is a new sievert. I find the sievert inadequate for anything bigger than a 31/2 gauge boiler, except for pree heat. Dont attempt anything with OA unless you know what your doing, at best you will burn the metal and at worst it will end up as a molten blob! OP is much more refined and easy to handle (does the 200m exclusion zone apply to propane in fires?).

Ive used a ''sievert'' torch & all its nozzles for 40 odd yrs with complete satisfaction & larger jobs I pack with thermalite blocks or carbowool [yes I know it's carcinagenic alledgedly] but since obtaining a ''flamefast'' air / gas brazing hearth I only use the sievert occasionally, they sometimes crop up on fleabay & are well worth having. I have the large gun & also a small one for fine work. Flamefast wanted £30 a gun to convert natural gas to propane,needless to say I didn't bother I just use it as it is it burns o-k but is just a little sensitive to control but I'll live with that for£60.