"Two and a Half" wrote in message
...
I currently have a propane torch that I use for jointing using lead free
solder but I now need to use a torch that is hot enough to enable silver
solder to flow and seal copper joints with a good degree of flame control.
At the same time it has to be reasonably small enough to store away as I
have no room to store large oxy-acetelene cylinders. I need a UK supplier.

Any info greatly appreciated

Craig

[Real silver solder (also called hard, or jeweler's solder) is difficult to
use for copper joints. Everything must be really clean, and things have to
fit exactly. This type of solder has very little ability to fill gaps. There
are some solders that contain small amounts of silver ("silver bearing"
solder -it might be called something else in the UK) which melt at lower
temperatures and do a better job with gaps, but they aren't as strong. For
most copper-to-copper joints, I prefer phos-copper rods. They are typically
flattened rather than round in cross-section, and fill gaps well. Use them
with an air-acetylene torch. This only requires one small acetylene cylinder
(we call them "B-tanks" over here) and no oxygen - the torch entrains air by
the Venturi principle. I'm not up on UK suppliers, but you should be able to
find the torches and rod wherever plumbers go for supplies - this system is
generally used for assembling copper pipes and fittings.]

Andrew Werby
www.unitedartworks.com