Brazing metal parts may seem like the exact same process as welding them but in fact, it's clearly a different fabricating technique. This is easily recognisable by what's being melted. Torch brazing only melts the filler material and it leaves the base metals intact.
This allows you to use torch brazing mainly for repair work but it can also be used in a manufacturing process. In both cases, a certain type of gas needs to be used. Depending on the gas you use for torch brazing, it will determine the quality of the weld depending on what type of metals you're joining. One of these gasses is LPG.
Benefits of LPG Brazing
Affordability
When compared to oxy-acetylene brazing, brazing with LPG is far less expensive. Not only is the torch itself more affordable but the consumables and fuel costs are much lower too. With an LPG welding kit, you get a fairly priced solution that is ideal for beginners too. LPG is also known as being less harmful to the environment as it produces fewer emissions. This is because LPG gas kits require much lower operating temperatures.
Usage
When it comes to using an LPG brazing kit, there's nothing easier as it allows you to join different types of base metals together with far less difficulty. Also, LPG brazing allows you to have the highest caloric value just from its lower processing temperatures.
Less Risks
Being easy to work with, LPG brazing is also not going to put you at risk of metal warping or burn-throughs. LPG brazing is not going to cause as much heat stress and it won't pose a secondary fire hazard, since it doesn't have as high of a working temperature.
What's Found in an LPG Welding Kit
Torch
The simplicity of LPG gas kits extends furthermore as the number of components you typically get is not a lot. The torch is the most important one and it typically comes with a lever-activated, automatic ignition. LPG torches usually weigh around 400 kg and produce about 4 bar of pressure.
Regulator
A regulator is a component that helps you manage the output of the torch. Regulators usually allow you to set a maximum input pressure of 20 bar and a maximum output pressure of 4 bar. Regulators are typically made of brass and have an operating temperature between -20°C and 50°C. This temperature range makes for a versatile enough regulator that will perform at its best no matter what.
Hose
The hose is what helps connect the above two components and it's usually made of EPDM rubber that's been reinforced with a synthetic material. A high-pressure hose is what you should look for in an LPG brazing kit.
What to Consider in an LPG Welding Kit
Capabilities
The capabilities of an LPG torch will determine if you need to go for a certain LPG brazing kit or not. Not all torches are made the same and thus you can't use them for the same things. For example, some LPG torches are made only to be used in your garage for personal projects. Others are made for industrial use and are able to weld and cut steel with a large diameter to it. The former are made for moderate welding such as heat treating tubes and cutting steel or, any metal for that matter, with a small diameter.
Usage
How you'll end up using an LPG welding kit will make or break your experience with it. But in order to avoid having issues, especially in the beginning it's important to go for a straightforward kit. One that will be powerful enough for your needs but portable enough to make it easier to switch from one project to another. A simple-to-use torch will have push-button features as well as a swivel nozzle to make it easy to work in narrow spaces. Although portability is an important factor it still shouldn't be a determining one.
Regulator
While a regulator looks quite simple as it only allows you to control the pressure of the gas when you come across the regulator, one crucial factor that you should consider is going to be its identification method. You see, you can easily end up connecting the wrong gas cylinder if the regulator doesn't have the right colour to it. Alongside that, a regulator should also come with a meter on it so that you can see the pressure of the gas. With such a simple yet important feature you'll be able to have better control over the flame.
Conclusion
With the right LPG kit in hand, you're bound to get the best brazing results whenever you use it. As long as you're maintaining a solid level of upkeep, your LPG torch and the rest of the components will last you a long time without failing you out of nowhere. Pick up a kit that fits your needs and take care of it so that you won't need to get a new one for quite some time.
