does anyone know anything about mapp gas from bernzomatic? id like to do some simple things like anneal steel and weld weld sheet. nothing complex or pretty.
i was looking at the kit that uses mapp gas and oxy as its far cheaper than an acetylene kit. i know it cant do what acetylene can but it doesnt explode or cost as much. has anyone cut or welded with either?
while we are on it how do you solder brass and does anyone know how much it cost to fill an acetylene and oxygen tank?

Quote: Originally Posted by carbongraphite does anyone know anything about mapp gas from bernzomatic? id like to do some simple things like anneal steel and weld weld sheet. nothing complex or pretty. i was looking at the kit that uses mapp gas and oxy as its far cheaper than an acetylene kit. i know it cant do what acetylene can but it doesnt explode or cost as much. has anyone cut or welded with either? while we are on it how do you solder brass and does anyone know how much it cost to fill an acetylene and oxygen tank?

I am not sure about either. I have tig, stick, and mig welded. I also use a plasma cutter for cutting. Heres what I hafta say. You get what you pay for when you buy tools. IF you wanna go the cheaper way thats what you pay for. I say you just go spend the extra money and get what is right for the job. This way you don't need to do it twice. Doing it twice can spend more money and more time.

Quote: Originally Posted by carbongraphite does anyone know anything about mapp gas from bernzomatic? id like to do some simple things like anneal steel and weld weld sheet. nothing complex or pretty. i was looking at the kit that uses mapp gas and oxy as its far cheaper than an acetylene kit. i know it cant do what acetylene can but it doesnt explode or cost as much. has anyone cut or welded with either? while we are on it how do you solder brass and does anyone know how much it cost to fill an acetylene and oxygen tank?

well----that stuff is for brazing or cutting. not for welding.....

Quote: Originally Posted by carbongraphite does anyone know anything about mapp gas from bernzomatic? id like to do some simple things like anneal steel and weld weld sheet. nothing complex or pretty. i was looking at the kit that uses mapp gas and oxy as its far cheaper than an acetylene kit. i know it cant do what acetylene can but it doesnt explode or cost as much. has anyone cut or welded with either? while we are on it how do you solder brass and does anyone know how much it cost to fill an acetylene and oxygen tank?

Carb,
opt out on the burns-o-matic...you'll get burned by the price of oxygen...8 bux a bottle for the red ones and they only last 10 minutes tops...
cost to fill the small "A" bottles of acetylene is about 12 bux and the O2 is about 10 bux...
Look for a "VICTOR" set of gauges and torches...I seen them on sleez-bay for 50 and that's what the burns-0-matic sells for...
MAPP gas is an acetylene-propane blend and will get hotter than straight propane but not as hot as straight acetylene, with or without the O2...
Just get the standard O2/Acet setup and you'll be able to afford to learn how to use it properly...

...be sure to always light it with a striker or match, never with a BIC. And always protect your eyes...

thanks zenn! thats what i needed to know. ive been looking at acetylene packages and i think it would be nicer to have than just a cheap mig since i could cut like a plasma and do simple welds. i'll look around for a regulator and tank deal

Well, as you might guess, I am a muffler man and a certified welder. My advice is to go with an entry level mig. The inital expense is higher, but the consumable expenses are much less. You'll be laying nice beads within a few hours of practice, welding light material is ALOT easier with a mig and honesly, the cuts made with an oxy-acetylene setup look awful... and with certian materials (ie galvenized metals) can be poisionous. You can find inexpensive mig setups for around $250, and the fab work you can do with them is definately worth the cost. Hope this helps.....Z

I hope none of this sounds rude, just offering my opinion, no offense intended to anyone.