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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 423 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 423 Likes: 36 |
What sort of torch setup do you all prefer for gunsmithing?
I'm interested in answers to these sorts of questions:
- air-fuel (plumbers torch) or oxy-fuel mix torch?
- propane, MAP, or acetylene?
- any favorite torch tips? Rosebud? Welding tip? Etc?
- any other suggestions for heating in the gunsmith shop?
Last edited by Woodreaux; 01/29/20 03:57 PM.
Jim
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,307 Likes: 613
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,307 Likes: 613 |
Acetylene/air turbo torch for 90% of what I do, oxy/acet occasionally when I need to get a larger part really hot or a lead bath up to temp for making springs. I use a good soldering iron to do the brunt of the soft solder tinning I do. I also have a heat treat oven.
Firearms imports, consignments ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/Ez9oz9Rl.jpg)
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,593 Likes: 101
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,593 Likes: 101 |
I also use an Plumers Acetelene/air turbo torch with 2 tips but I also use a Mapp torch with 3 tips for small quick stuff. I use an oven for annealing and heat treating.
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 423 Likes: 36
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 423 Likes: 36 |
I have a propane forge, and I was hoping to keep my setup simple by using an oxy-propane torch. Seems like oxy propane should be able to do most of what air acetylene could do, right?
I'm thinking a rosebud tip and a brazing tip would cover the vast majority of my needs.
Jim
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 5
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 5 |
I use a standard MAPP for 90% of what I do, also standard "plumbers" propane, since propane is much cheaper than MAPP, but is not nearly as hot.
Interested in these acetylene/air turbo torches, how do they compare to MAPP... what brands are ya'll running?
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,307 Likes: 613
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,307 Likes: 613 |
I can not say how acet/air compares to MAPP because I have not used MAPP. I bought out a shop a longtime time ago and it came with two acet. "b" tanks and a Turbotorch brand torch. I have used it ever since. I like it because I can turn it down for smaller parts and have good control, turn it up and it will met soft solder at the breech end of a double.
Firearms imports, consignments
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 911 Likes: 45
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 911 Likes: 45 |
Propane will do most of what needs done. Using one of the 4' hoses so you can move the torch around a barrel set is really useful. Acet/air is or can be way hotter then MAPP. With Acet/air you can braze but not hot enough to weld. It will melt aluminum.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,079 Likes: 393
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,079 Likes: 393 |
MAPP gas was discontinued in 2008 as the only firm making it stopped production. It was great "stuff" and I distressed to see it go.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 5
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 277 Likes: 5 |
Bushvield
I was about to argue with you because I'm still using MAPP, but I decided to look it up.
Yep... true MAPP is gone replace with MAP-PRO, although it's not advertised/marked that way.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 151 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 151 Likes: 2 |
Mike,
Use an old Smith Acetylene/air torch with a variety of tips. Largest over 1/4", Smallest about 3/32". Works well.
Never used MAPP, but those propane/air push button torches, about 1" diameter will do a lot of good work. MAPP should be better.
Chuck
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