[Deck]

I'm preparing to melt some lead in a cast iron pipe hub and so I bought one of the plumbing torch kits (UL2317 brass pencil flame torch) from Home Depot. I've since discovered it has some really bad reviews. I'm thinking about returning it for the TS8000 torch which has really good reviews on Amazon. I'm also thinking about getting some MAPP gas (or whatever it's called now) to work faster, after reading this and this.

One thing about the TS8000 is though it burns really hot the flame is apparently too wide for some, according to the reviews. Is there any trick that can be used to narrow the flame on that model? Would you use propane for soldering instead of MAPP to limit the heat?

What torches do you guys use? Do you have one go-to or do you use different ones depending on the project? Or any torch advice anyone has...

 

[47_47]

I have both of those and they work about the same.

Most of the negative reviews for the propane I read I'd ignore. It appears that most were written by first timers and it didn't go as well as the u-tube videos. You are not supposed to light a torch with a match or butane lighter, only a striker. The other negatives were about the consumables and not the torch.

I prefer the MAPP one, only because you don't need the striker.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... I've got abunch of various models of the ole torches, like yer 1st link, rarely use 'em, unless forced to, because I forgot to bring a ts8000 with me,....

Got several ts8000s too,....
1 in the pickup, 1 in the garage, 1 on each paver, 'n 1 at the riverhouse, where it's known as the "Boy Scout Match", if it'll burn, that torch will light it,... Quickly,....

 

[TheEplumber]

If you,re melting lead out of a fitting it's best to drill it out with a small bit, then pry out the scrap/remaining lead with a screwdriver.

 

[Deck]

I used a TS8000 and a can of MAPP gas to melt out the lead. Wow was it difficult, I don't recommend it. I did try drilling the lead a few times and the bits kept getting stuck so I stopped. Also I was worried about damaging the hub since I was going to put a donut and I didn't want a leak. Unfortunately I don't have a pic of this. You can see the related thread where I put the donut in this post.