Or anyone else that may have some experience with a Sievert propane soldering iron.
Bought one from ABC Supply about a year ago for a copper project that never came to pass. (Nobody there has any clue how it works-I had to special order it) Have another project now, and tried to fire it up and see how it works.
The directions are very poor. The self igniter doesn’t work, but that’s something I can work around.
What’s happening is that the flame, according to the directions, is supposed to be internal to the iron. But…….instead of being internal, the flame is coming out the “vent” holes up near the iron’s head.
It’s supposed to heat up in 3-5 min. but after 20 min. with the flame wisping around the outside of the iron, it’s barely hot enough to evaporate spit.
Anybody know how these are supposed to work?
John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
Replies
It sounds like a propane torch that's not getting enough air. Is there some way to turn the nozzle to get more air to the flame?
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Not that I can see.
The flame coming out of the holes is pretty big, it's just that the heat it's generating is dissipating, rather than being focused on the base of the iron.John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
Just bumping it back to the top.
I've e-mailed Sievert about the problem, but I have no idea how long they'll take to respond-and I need help with this quikly!John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
good question , svenny... i'd like to know more ablout soldering torches..
Barry always did all of our copper work.. but it looks like i'm going to have to do the minor stuff..
what's best ... MAP... Propane ?
which mfr ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mike
For me MAP gas is the hottest and esiest to work with although a little expensive.The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
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Mike,
I use LP with a Sievert Promatic iron. It was kind of expensive (think I paid about $350-375) for a basic set of hose & regulator, self igniting handle set, soldering iron attachment and two interchangeble irons. One that comes to a point, and one that has a broad chisel tip. They also can be rotated so they come straight off the torch handle, or at a right angle, to get in hard to reach spots.
Another nice thing about the Sievert is that the soldering iron fixture uplugs from the handle, and you can buy various torch attachments for it. Don't know what they cost, but I'm sure I'll eventually get some.
The old timer's use a small oven, just big enough to hold 2 or three irons, but when I priced out that set-up, the ovens started at 4 or five hundred. They also run on propane. I suppose you could get then set up for MAP, but it's not necessary, and I've never seen them that way.
All the plumbers I know use MAP for torch soldering. But as you know, copper sheet is soldered at lower temps than copper pipe and with an iron, not a torch. So I think that's why I have never seen a MAP set-up for soldering.
I have soldered sheet copper in a pinch with a burzomatic, but it's just too hard to keep from overheating the copper. You have to get your soldering surface perfectly flat, so the solder doesn't run downhill. And you usually end up turnig the copper blue & purple from overheating. It's definitly not recommended.
I would get the Sievert, and start playing with it to get the basic skills.
Wish you lived close to me so I could get your copper work!
Actually, greencu should be doing the copper seminar not me. From what I've seen he is quite accomplished.
John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
Edited 11/17/2004 5:50 pm ET by Svenny
thanks , svenny... do you have a link for the sievert ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
http://www.sievert.se/us/promatic.htm
Go down near the bottom of the page. Model 700300. There's a variety of coppers for them. I use different styles and sizes (plus I've modified coppers) for different tasks. You can get hoses and regulators to hook them to 1 lb tanks or big tanks depending on the task. For ladder work, we use the 4' hose on a one lb tank which hooks to your belt. If were going to be stationary for a while we use a 25' hose hooked to a 20 lb tank. For flat seam work, we normally use a furnace with individual coppers. I don't have any idea what brand that is.
I invented the solar soldering iron.
thanks .. i'll look it upMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Fiddled with it some more this morning and presto! All of a sudden it started to work.
The self igniter started working again, and that is what seems to make the difference. Even though the directions say it can be externally ignited, it seems to want to burn the gas outside the chamber not inside. But as soon as the igniter lit it, I had my nice hot internal flame.
Only took 5 min to heat up enough to tin.John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
Sorry, I've been real busy and haven't spent much time around here the last few days. You probably had some kind of clog inside the mechanism. I have to blow them out with air pressure sometimes. Do not take the handle apart to replace the flint. You'll never get it back together again. I send mine back to Sievert and I think they charge me about $75 for a clean and rebuild. Also, I noticed that the last kit that I bought only cost $275.00. The first one I bought about 10 years ago cost nearly $400.00.
I invented the steam power soldering iron.