Timbear - hi, TomH is right - MAPP burns hotter. I was trying to repair a hose bibb at my mother-in-law's house before and was using regular propane to heat the connection (copper pipe to hose bibb end). Propane wouldn't quite get things hot enough to allow the solder to melt/seal properly (the capillary action never happened). A neighbor who was a retired plumber told her I needed to use MAPP gas. I got some and voila! - the joint was fixed in under a minute.
I've used regular propane before when dealing with copper-to-copper connections. However, since the hose bibb thing (2 years ago) I only use MAPP gas for my plumbing repairs...it's faster because it burns hotter. One caution I've read elsewhere is you need to use a soldering/brazing torch tip made for MAPP gas if you need to burn the torch for extended periods - otherwise, a standard propane tip may begin to melt. I haven't experienced it myself - I just read the caution elsewhere.
I hope this helps some - regards! Jim D/West Point, VA |
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