Hi
I am new to gas welding and work in the HVAC field and have two primary needs, copper to copper brazing (easy for most any torch), but my second requirement is a little odd:
often, we run into a home compressor (steel) that has a vibration crack where the body of the compressor and the 3/4 suction line join, this crack results in a refrigerant leak out of this compressor body crack, and the compressor is therefore doomed and replaced.
I think that a silver brazing, using something like the fancy Silvaloy A-56T would work, and save these expensive compressors, it liquefies at about 1200 F. It is said to have the lowest brazing temperature, best wetting and best flow of all the cadmium-free alloys. Its low zinc content minimizes problems due to excessive heating (as by less skilled operators, LIKE ME!)
My question is: what gas/fuel combo would be best for this application, and which brand/model of torch.
I am not sure whether to get something like the light duty Victor Medalist or Cutskill "port a torch" type $300 oxy-acet tote kits, or something like the Smith Quickbraze kit, or something else entirely.
please note that, in addition to portability, that I need concentrated heat, as I do not want to heat up the whole area way too much, lest the entire suction line fitting stub might come loose (it is welded in at the factory when they build the compressor) I also need *enough* heat to counteract the fact that the steel compressor body will act as a big heat sink when I am trying to braze, so I am afraid I will need an oxy/fuel solution, rather than air/fuel.
thanks for the help!
cowboy