Can You Weld With A Propane Torch? [Updated On 2023 ]

A propane blowtorch is a tool used to apply heat or flame, usually for gas welding, and uses propane as a fuel. Propane is hydrocarbon gas and is one of the by-products of Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Propane torches are commonly used for metalworking, construction, and manufacturing. It is a good choice as a fuel because of its availability, accessible storage, and low cost.

Propane torches can be used to solder copper water pipes. It is also used for some low-temperature welding process and brazing dissimilar metals together. We can also use it for annealing, heating metals for bending, bending glass, and flame tests.

Can you weld with a propane torch? Yes, In Propane torches, propane and oxygen are mixed to produce flame; therefore, they are put in air-fuel torches. Propane torches produce a clean-burning flame due to a mixture of liquid propane and oxygen, which is best for welding. Propane torches can serve you best, especially if you don't need to weld often because they are clean-burning, inexpensive, and recyclable.

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# Table of Contents

How To Weld With A Propane Torch?

Lighting a propane torch

Propane torches can be put in the category of handy welding gear. They emit a small blue flame on the end of the brass torch. Propane torches are used for soldering copper plumbing pipes, thaw frozen pipes, or light brush fires. The tank used to contain propane can be easily found in most hardware stores and are available at a very reasonable price. Older models used an external source or ignition system to get lit. Modern propane torches use a self-ignition system. They can be lit with the press of a button.

For the sake of safety in most cases, the ignition source must be a gas torch striker.

Check security:

Make sure that the fixture of the blowtorch welding is tightly secured with the propane tank. Before moving ahead, put your face shield or goggles and gloves on.

Turn the fuel on:

You will have to turn the gas regulator to an on or open position to light the torch. Turning the fuel knob on will become a small amount of fuel to flow into the spark cup.

Ignition:

Ignite the spark lighter while holding it close to the spark cup, located at the top of the torch fixture.

Adjust the flame size:

You have to adjust the flame size according to your requirement. The flame size will increase by opening the oxygen valve, and closing the tank's oxygen valve will decrease the flame size. A small flame in the shape of a cone and bluish in color is required for the welding session. You should also be able to hear a slight hissing sound.

Welding with a propane torch

Start heating:

Make contact of flames with the object you want to weld together.

Liquefy the edges:

It would be best if you liquefied the edges of the metal to weld it with other pieces of metal. For that purpose, start moving the flame along the edges of the metal. Keep doing this until the edges begin to liquefy. To prevent overheating of metal, don't move the flame too slowly. Metal will go unheated if you move the welding torch too fast.

Bonding metals:

In this step, you will have to create a metal bond between both metal pieces. For this, press both metal pieces together and move the flame along the seam.

Closing:

After welding, turn the torch off with the help of fuel and place the propane tank and torch in safe custody.

Give it some time:

Keep the welded metals overnight. Thus will harden the weld and will set properly.

Tip: for more specific instructions, refer to the user manual or any literature included with your tank. Never toss propane torch with your household garbage; instead, bring them to the registered propane recycler.

Warning: Do not ever use butane lighter to ignite the blowtorch flame of your propane torch. It is a very combustible material; therefore, you must not use a butane lighter near propane gas containers.

Keep children and pets away from the area where you are working with propane gas.

Never use a plastic lighter to ignite the propane torch. It will melt the plastic lighter, and you will end up exploding the lighter in your hands.

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Propane welding rods

The welding rod is used as filler metal for stick welding. Therefore it is necessary that the welding rod should be the same metal as the metal you are working on. When welding is done manually, an electrode is used to hold the welding rod. It is done to isolate the welder from the electric current. An electrode is used to hold the welding rod. When gas welding with while in automatic gas welding machines, a machine is used to feed the wire.

Welding rods coated with flux can be used, which vaporizes shielding gas. But shielding gases are normally considered better than flux-only welds, but flux has many other benefits too. Therefore you should consider this when looking for rods.

Steel welding rods:

Steel welding rods are the most popular types of welding rods. Most of the workplaces are made of stainless steel. But it would help if you also considered that steel is a broader category containing many other alloys. Your work's final quality and effectiveness depend on whether you have matched the welding rod with the type of steel you are working on. For the best quality weld, you must take into consideration the percentage of the alloys of steel.

Aluminum welding rods: Aluminum welding rods are multi-purpose welding rods. They can be used for pure aluminum welds as well as dissimilar aluminum alloys welding.

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Safety tips

Propane torch welding is so widely used that people sometimes forget about safety hazards and put their lives in danger. Each year, many people get injured due to the use of oxy/fuel gas equipment. You must have to wear PPE such as a welding apron, Eye protector for eye protection, welding mask, welding gloves, etc.

Following safety measures can be taken to prevent injury and damage to the property.

Fire:

The fire caused due to spark and heat or being in direct contact with the flame. To prevent the fire, take the following measures:

To carry out hot work move the workplace to a safe location
Remove all the combustible material from your workplace.
If any combustible materials are available that cannot be removed, protect them by using suitable guards and covers.
Check that no combustible materials are hidden behind the walls.
Use flame-resistant sheets or covers.
If you think that the consequences of fire will be severe, keep a fire watch whenever working with a propane torch, especially after you finish the work.
Always keep fire extinguishers near you.

Fire or explosion due to gas leakage:

Take the following measures to prevent fire from gas leaks:

Before transporting the cylinders or after work is finished, turn the gas supply off from the cylinder.
Remove hoses from crowded close places which are poorly ventilated.
Keep hoses away from sharp edges and prevent them from getting run over by a vehicle.
Prevent hot metals from falling directly onto hoses.
Regularly check the condition of all the equipment.

Backfires and flashbacks:

Burning back of a flame in a torch is called backfire, often with a blow. It may occur the nozzle is partly blocked or holding the torch too closes to the workpiece.

If backfire occurs, then:

Shut off the oxygen first, and secondly, shut the fuel has.
If necessary, use water to decrease the flame temperature of the blowpipe.
Inspect the equipment for any abnormality, specifically the nozzle.

Prevention from fumes while flame cutting:

Try to weld in the direction of the air so that the wind keeps fumes away from you.
Working on metals painted with lead or chromate paints or metals contaminated with grease and oil are likely to cause more fumes, therefore, require extra fume control.

Conclusion

Regardless of some limitations, we come to know that propane torches are inexpensive and can be easily found. Due to their temperature limitation, propane torches are not suitable for a large variety of gas welding operations. But they are ideal for brazing and soldering, especially for home-oriented projects. These torches can be used for fixing air conditioning units and copper plumbing fixtures at different places. These torches are invaluable where shaping and bending of the metal are required. Propane usually produces heat of 5000 degrees F.

Propane is heavier as compared to air, so it is considered unsafe, while some people find it safer than acetylene because it doesn't ignite easily. But generally, it is deemed to be safe.

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FAQ

Can I use a common propane torch to weld mild steel and metals such as exhaust pipe?

Welding steel with a propane torch is an art. Filler rods will be needed; usually, mild steel is covered with copper, which keeps the rod from rusting. It is good to use a hand torch because, with one hand, you will be holding the torch while the filler rod with the other. Fire brick is an excellent working surface.

Can I weld aluminum with a propane torch?

Yes, you can. Propane torches are best for aluminum welding. Because it needs a temperature of 700 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit and a propane or acetylene torch can easily get this welding task done. For welding aluminum: It is always a good practice to clean the metal surface before welding. First, clean the aluminum metal surface. You can use a wire brush for this purpose. Now the metal is ready for sufficient heat. Apply the heat from the heat source to the surface until it is hot enough to melt the rod. The rod must melt when you sweep it along the metal joint. It does not melt, then apply more heat and try sweeping again. You should always know that you need to melt the rod with pieces of metal and not flame. And when everything is cooled down, you will get a strong weld joint.

Is the propane torch hot enough to braze?

Yes, but to braze with a propane blowtorch, you need to control the environment because you need to put more heat in the brazing joint than heat loss in the atmosphere. With the correct type of propane or acetylene torch, you can braze with brass rods. It will be easier to use silver solder with a lower melting temperature. The standard brass filler metal needs 800c to 900c.

Can propane torches explode?

Yes, generally propane accidents fall into two categories and both be called an explosion. I know you are thinking about the tank, but surprisingly most have these incidents have nothing to do with the tank. The most common reason for propane explosion is propane leakage. If the propane tank is not kept closed, the leaked gas can ignite and cause an explosion. The explosion of the tank itself is the type of explosion called BLEVE. BLEVE happens when the pressure of the propane tank is more than the pressure it can safely vent. An increase in pressure forces the tank to rupture, and an explosion occurs. BLEVE is caused when the tank is placed in excessive heat, expanding the gas to the point that the tank cannot hold the pressure and result in an explosion. Propane is released in a closed room in large quantities, and exposure to high heat and flame can cause a heavy explosion.

Can you weld with a butane torch?

No, you cannot weld with the butane torch because butane torches do not produce enough amount of heat or energy to blaze or weld metals easily. Butane torch does not simply get hot enough to affect the metal. You should be aware that 90% of blow torches are dissipated through contact with the air, making them unable to weld metals without a shield.

Can you solder with a propane torch?

Yes, propane torches produce enough heat to solder metals. First, to solder with a propane torch, clean the metal to be soldered—clean inside and outside using sandpaper if you need to solder the pipes and fittings. Use flux to remove impurities from the surface. Spread the flux over the surface. Slide the two pieces to be soldered together. Lighten the propane torch while wearing safety goggles. All the parts of the flame should be blue. Turn the gas down if the flame is orange. Hold the flame on top of the surface to heat. The flux will melt, and the metal will change its color. When the metal is heated, touch the soldering wire where you want to solder. The solder will be drawn into the joint if done correctly. After the soldering is completely clean up, the area with a wet cloth.

Last Updated on June 7, 2021 by weldinghubs