I Need A Nice, Hot Torch

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

I had to build up an area on my pistol's slide release as they got it down a bit too far on the frame. I bought some low content silver solder and a torch hot enough to melt it.

It works, but I wouldn't trust the low content silver solder for higher stress applications.

I saw this, and am considering it:

http://www.bernzomatic.com/bernzomatic/consumer/images/products/OX2550KC_sm.jpg
http://www.bernzomatic.com/bernzomatic/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=BernzoProd100044

It's $70 or so including tax, and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with it. It would come in pretty handy, not just for gunsmithing, but for working on cars, etc.

Thanks,

Josh <><

[Hawkmoon]

I have no experience with that torch, but I have a straight MAPP gas torch that burns hotter than propane and works pretty well. The addition of oxygen should heat things up nicely. For gunsmithing, though, I wonder if that torch can be focused down to a small enough flame to not cook the entire piece.

[Joshua M. Smith]

I saw it in person, and it's pretty small. The nozzle is about the size of my pen torch, maybe just a bit bigger.

Thanks,

Josh <><

[berkbw]

I bought a MAPP/O2 set at Sears. Couldn't turn it up far enough to get the heat I was looking for, tho.
b-

[log man]

JMS,I would only consider TIG and have done so on many parts as you can put a very small bump exactly where you want it without over heating the part.In your case a new slidestop (release) for $20. ;)

[RdB]

Slide stops are heat treated. Heating them will either soften (anneal) them, or make them brittle

[log man]

RdB,Thats true, but I didn't suggest quenching so that at most would mean, you got it, annealed. Now I like my slide stop softer than my slide how about you. :)

[dogmush]

Eh.. I've used that torch for a little around the shop. I got about three uses out of it and none worked great. Go ahead and get an Oxy/Act rig if you need more heat then MAPP.

That being said, I wasen't gunsmithing, I was working on cars. Less delicate. There's not a whole lot of parts on a pistol I'd like to get that hot, because of hardness issues.