Butane torches are appropriate for welding zinc, cast iron, copper, and other common materials. Butane torches are easy to use and readily available at your local store.
This torch gives you consistent flame, which is ideal for soldering and welding as it creates a maximum temperature of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit. Learning to weld with a butane torch is vital for any DIY application.
We are going to give you a step-by-step guide on welding with a butane torch. First, let’s be frank, it’s difficult to weld some metals with any torch for that matter.
The guiding factor is the melting point of the metal, it should be low for you to use a butane torch. Lastly, a butane torch is perfect for a DIY that doesn’t require distortion of the metal shapes.
How to Weld with a Butane Torch
Butane torches are easily accessible and can help you solve most of your emergency plumbing problems and other home challenges. The butane torch comes in handy when welding and melting some metals apart from soldering.
The torch is fueled by high pressured butane gas, which is highly flammable and requires optimal care when handling to avoid accidental fires and injuries. Use the torch wisely to get the desired results. The torch is an impressive tool and can weld any metal with a melting point below 2400 degrees Fahrenheit or 1430 degrees Celsius.
Examples of metals a butane torch can weld include:
- Welding brass
- Antimony
- Beryllium
- Cast iron
- Zinc
- Magnesium and its alloys
- Copper
- Silver
- Lead
A butane torch welds any of the metals mentioned above and their alloys. Now, let’s turn to the welding procedure. Before we get into it, you need the following things for successful welding.
- A lighter
- A butane torch
- An extra butane tank for emergencies
Step 1: Clean your Metals
Clean the metal surfaces using a wire brush regardless of whether you want to braze or weld. Cleaning the area removes debris, sand particles, and dirt to remove any impurities that may make the welding imperfect.
Step 2: Join your Metals
Join the two metal sections you want to weld in your desired shape. Do this before lighting your butane torch to make welding easier and faster.
Step 3: Light your Butane Torch
Ignite the butane torch using a lighter and ensure the blue flame is visible. Use the flame on the metal section you want to weld. Open the oxygen valve slightly until you get the right flame. Adjust until you get a steady flame with well-defined blue edges.
Step 4: Weld the Metal Sections
If the metal has a low melting point of fewer than 100 degrees Celsius, hold your butane torch at a distance to avoid distorting the metal. Weld the section quickly to prevent distortion.
Higher melting point metals or those needing over 1000 degrees Celsius temperature are handled differently. Bring the butane torch closer for more effective welding.
Move the torch in a series of short runs while paying attention to the angle of your torch.
Step 5: Allow the Metal to Cool
After finishing welding, let the metal cool for a few hours. If you worked on several metal sections, you can leave them overnight to cool perfectly.
Welding and Brazing; What is the Difference?
Welding involves joining two or more pieces of the same metal, but brazing is joining two similar metal pieces with a filler metal that is different.
In welding, you are melting the metals before joining, unlike brazing where the metals remain intact and the welder is only melting the filler metal for connecting the two metal pieces you are joining.
Welding needs high temperatures, which is not the case for brazing. Both brazing and welding give you solid metals joined and are strong enough.
Can you Braze with a Butane Torch?
You can braze metals with your butane torch, as the process doesn’t need much heating like welding. Brazing metal involves joining metal pieces together with a filler metal, which is different from the joining pieces.
The low temperature prevents distorting your base metals because you are not melting them, hence their integrity remains.
The procedure:
- Clean the metal surface using a wire brush or an emery cloth
- Position the metal pieces and clamp them appropriately
- Use your butane torch to heat the meeting joints until they glow
- Place your filler rod into that joint as you continue heating
- If you are dealing with large pieces, work on each section at a time
- After completing work, clean the joined section using a wire brush to remove excess residue.
Can You Solder Jewelry With a Butane Torch?
Soldering is a common technique in jewelry making. Butane torches are the perfect tools for soldering as they can handle fine details. You can solder silver, gold, copper to any shape you desire. The procedure below helps;
- Bend the metal pieces into the desired shapes before soldering
- Clamp the pieces into position
- Apply the solder to the joints without adding too much to get a clean outcome
- Use your butane torch to heat your solder at the joints as you move around the joints to evenly temper them
- Quench your soldered jewelry pieces in cold water to cool them.
- Clean the joints using sandpaper.
Safety Considerations When Welding With a Butane Torch
- Ensure you have basic knowledge about welding
- Wear protective goggles for eye protection
- Wear a protective helmet for head and neck protection against hot metal pieces when welding
- Wear a welding apron to protect your body from burns.
- Wear hand gloves to protect your hands from metal sparkles or burning when holding the hot metal pieces.
- Weld in an open space as the butane torch is full of gasses and is highly flammable and the butane torch can explode.
- Ensure you have an extra gas tank and plenty of water for cooling
- Research the melting points of the metals to know how much heat you should apply to avoid distortion or damaging your metals.
- Decide whether you want to braze or weld for a better result.
Bottom Line
Welding needs high temperatures and a butane torch has a maximum temperature of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit or 1430 degrees Celsius. Knowing how to weld with a butane torch as explained above is crucial to do the work safely and effectively.
Observe the safety considerations to avoid injury or ruining your work, which can be a painful setback. If dealing with steel, you are better off using a propane torch. Soldering is commonly used in jewelry pieces like gold, copper, and silver metals.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
