RCCrawler Forums

xmaxxboyx · 08-08-2005, 01:30 AM

ok i wanna take a whack at building my own tuber. and i want to know
1.) what is a good cheap torch (like a butane mini torch) to braze with,
2.)what is a good tool to cut brake line with?
and
3.)whats a good bender for the brakeline, or should i just make a jig and bend it by hand?
thanks
chris

BENDER · 08-08-2005, 12:08 PM

This will get you pointed in the right direction.
http://rccrawler.com/tuber.htm

Will · 08-08-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENDER

This will get you pointed in the right direction.
http://rccrawler.com/tuber.htm

I was also thinking the same thing. That is a great article but it doesn't say what torch he uses. -Will

BultacoJim · 08-08-2005, 02:36 PM

I “think” Jay uses either the Prestolite or something similar.
I think his site used to show a picture of his torch.

I use a Victor medium duty right now.
It’s a little large for Brake Tubing though.

I think this one is more suited for the RC Hobby:

Meco Midget Torch $ 115
Torch + Victor Regulators $255
Source: http://www.tinmantech.com/html/meco_midget_torch.html

FAQ from the “Tinman” http://www.tinmantech.com/html/faqs.html

Will · 08-08-2005, 07:51 PM

I found these:
http://www.littletorch.com/kits.html
Which one do yall suggest?

aubie · 08-08-2005, 08:44 PM

Lowes has an oxy map gas rig for around $50 I think. It will take about 4 bottles of oxygen to build a tuber.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...550&lpage=none

Will · 08-08-2005, 09:16 PM

I am getting one of these:
http://tsijeweltools.com/merchant.ihtml?id=139&step=2
Thanks for the help guys! -Will

thaclodking · 08-10-2005, 12:12 AM

Not to sound like a jerk, but I would steer clear of those kits that use the map gas and disposable oxygen tanks, the cost of oxygen tanks over time would far exceed the cost of a decent refillable portable torch set. You will go through about 15 bottles of oxygen before you run out of map gas. At roughly 7 dollars a pop (depending on location, around Omaha they run $

, versus refilling a cylinder at $10, the bigger torch will pay for itself. Plus with the refillable setup you will see how much of both gases you have left by checking guage pressures, it sucks to be in the middle of brazing a joint and run out of oxygen.

If you don't plan on building more than a couple of chassis, the small rig will do just fine, but if you plan on doing more than that I would definitely check out the refillable option. It will allow you greater capabilities and it will look great on your bench as well!

xmaxxboyx · 08-10-2005, 12:38 AM

hows this http://www.blazerproducts.com/tools/bigshot.html
that doesnt show a price, so can someone please recomend a torch for about $30

aubie · 08-10-2005, 07:37 AM

You pretty much need oxy and mapgas or acet for brazing with hi temp silver solder. You can do it with low temp and map gas but its not going to hold very well. One good rollover and your probably going to crack half your joints with low temp. As far as cutting brake line a dremel with a cutting disc works fine. As far as bending it I use a piece of 3/4 oak plywood with three 3/8 wooden dowls int it.
Two on the same line placed about 1 inch apart and the third about 1/4 inch below one of the top ones basically an L shape. This works good for me and you usually get a good bends (not flattening out the tube)

Hope this helps.

Kur · 08-20-2005, 01:30 AM

all i have is a propane torch.

i have no idea how it would work on brake tubing. works ok for installing a water heater though.

any thoughts?

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Zapper2003 · 08-20-2005, 01:24 PM

a propane torch burns even cooler yet than a mapgas torch alone. Definitely find some sort of oxy/acetaline setup.

TwistedCreations · 08-21-2005, 07:26 PM

take off your propane bottle and screw on a mapp bottle, since propane doesn't get hot enough...use a grinder w/ cutoff wheel or dremel to cut brakeline or even a hacksaw if needed... make a jig for smaller radius bends and get a decent brakeline bender w/ degree marks on it. then make sure you get the Harris safety silv and the white flux to go with the safety silv.don't use plumbing solder.. then get busy.. it's that simple...

You can buy one of those kits that use oxygen and mapp. i use one also sometimes. it gets the job done faster than just mapp, but just mapp alone will work.with the mapp/oxy kit, you will go through 2 bottles of oxygen to 1 bottle of mapp and the oxygen bottles are $8 a bottle. I also have a set of portable torches and they are just too big for this type of work.

Jeeprockcrawler · 08-22-2005, 07:44 PM

I was wondering if you could use a mig welder???

MOCRAWLER · 08-23-2005, 05:43 PM

i've got a miller 210. i tried it with.030 wire. it was too thin for me. you may be a better welder though.

TwistedCreations · 08-24-2005, 02:22 PM

the only time i use a welder ( which is a 110, not a 220 ) is when doing solid rod or just tacking some brakeline in place so i can braze it. that way i don't need all kinds of crap to hold it in place while i braze. anytime i try to weld brakeline, i just burn through it.. but once you get brazing down pat, it is alot easier and cleaner than welding

bktoys · 09-05-2005, 09:37 PM

i bought a micro jewlers torch $110 @ the gauges were $50 bucks each at weldingdepot.com ,oxy-ace bottles$120

Nasty · 10-25-2005, 06:05 AM

why not tig it or get someone to do it for you yall live out west around oil fields welders should be all over the place you can tig anything if you know what your doing if you cut & bend everything they shouldnt be much of a charge to do it just a thought

roktoy · 10-25-2005, 07:58 AM

One problem with MIG welding is getting the welding nozzle in tight places. TIG could work well but getting the nozzle and the rod into tight places would make it pretty difficult. One advantage to brazing is you can kinda get the braze rod to flow "around" the joint without having the torch at every angle on it. Can't do this as much with an arc weld process.
Jay

Ace · 10-25-2005, 08:21 AM

I have one of those $360 cutting/welding oxy acy outfits like they sell at Home Depot. Works pretty good but the torch is a little big and akward for a tuber.

So I picked up one of the littletorches like posted above. The thing works great, I'm VERY happy with it. I just attached it to my bottles from the Home Depot rig.

I got mine at A2ZMetalsmiths in Denver... Great place to buy stuff like this in Colorado. They mail order too. www.A2Zmetalsmith.com

They sell two kits propane/oxy and act/oxy. Mine has the bigger tips, prop/oxy I think. The smallest tip is about unusable (for r/c) so I'm glad I got the bigger tips.

08-08-2005, 01:30 AM	#1
xmaxxboyx Rock Stacker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: connecticut Posts: 63	tools for building a tuber ok i wanna take a whack at building my own tuber. and i want to know 1.) what is a good cheap torch (like a butane mini torch) to braze with, 2.)what is a good tool to cut brake line with? and 3.)whats a good bender for the brakeline, or should i just make a jig and bend it by hand? thanks chris Last edited by xmaxxboyx; 08-08-2005 at 01:48 AM.

08-10-2005, 12:12 AM	#8
thaclodking Rock Crawler Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: a place of settlement, activity, or residence. Posts: 842	Not to sound like a jerk, but I would steer clear of those kits that use the map gas and disposable oxygen tanks, the cost of oxygen tanks over time would far exceed the cost of a decent refillable portable torch set. You will go through about 15 bottles of oxygen before you run out of map gas. At roughly 7 dollars a pop (depending on location, around Omaha they run $, versus refilling a cylinder at $10, the bigger torch will pay for itself. Plus with the refillable setup you will see how much of both gases you have left by checking guage pressures, it sucks to be in the middle of brazing a joint and run out of oxygen. If you don't plan on building more than a couple of chassis, the small rig will do just fine, but if you plan on doing more than that I would definitely check out the refillable option. It will allow you greater capabilities and it will look great on your bench as well!

08-10-2005, 12:38 AM	#9
xmaxxboyx Rock Stacker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: connecticut Posts: 63	hows this http://www.blazerproducts.com/tools/bigshot.html that doesnt show a price, so can someone please recomend a torch for about $30 Last edited by xmaxxboyx; 08-10-2005 at 12:40 AM.

08-20-2005, 01:30 AM	#11
Kur Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: over yonder Posts: 18	all i have is a propane torch. i have no idea how it would work on brake tubing. works ok for installing a water heater though. any thoughts? [IMG][/IMG]

08-22-2005, 07:44 PM	#14
Jeeprockcrawler Rock Stacker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Between 2 Rocks Posts: 65	Could you use a mig welder I was wondering if you could use a mig welder???

08-08-2005, 12:08 PM	#2
BENDER 2006 2.2 National Champ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Big Bear Lake Posts: 8,328	This will get you pointed in the right direction. http://rccrawler.com/tuber.htm

08-08-2005, 02:36 PM	#4
BultacoJim Pebble Pounder Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 165	I “think” Jay uses either the Prestolite or something similar. I think his site used to show a picture of his torch. I use a Victor medium duty right now. It’s a little large for Brake Tubing though. I think this one is more suited for the RC Hobby: Meco Midget Torch $ 115 Torch + Victor Regulators $255 Source: http://www.tinmantech.com/html/meco_midget_torch.html FAQ from the “Tinman” http://www.tinmantech.com/html/faqs.html

08-08-2005, 07:51 PM	#5
Will Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 265	I found these: http://www.littletorch.com/kits.html Which one do yall suggest?

08-08-2005, 08:44 PM	#6
aubie Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the shop terrorising the cat with the heli. Posts: 386	Lowes has an oxy map gas rig for around $50 I think. It will take about 4 bottles of oxygen to build a tuber. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...550&lpage=none

08-08-2005, 09:16 PM	#7
Will Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 265	I am getting one of these: http://tsijeweltools.com/merchant.ihtml?id=139&step=2 Thanks for the help guys! -Will

08-10-2005, 07:37 AM	#10
aubie Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the shop terrorising the cat with the heli. Posts: 386	You pretty much need oxy and mapgas or acet for brazing with hi temp silver solder. You can do it with low temp and map gas but its not going to hold very well. One good rollover and your probably going to crack half your joints with low temp. As far as cutting brake line a dremel with a cutting disc works fine. As far as bending it I use a piece of 3/4 oak plywood with three 3/8 wooden dowls int it. Two on the same line placed about 1 inch apart and the third about 1/4 inch below one of the top ones basically an L shape. This works good for me and you usually get a good bends (not flattening out the tube) Hope this helps.

08-20-2005, 01:24 PM	#12
Zapper2003 Pebble Pounder Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Millerton, PA Posts: 137	a propane torch burns even cooler yet than a mapgas torch alone. Definitely find some sort of oxy/acetaline setup.

08-21-2005, 07:26 PM	#13
TwistedCreations Colt Python/SR9c Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: out in the shop, reloading ammo! Posts: 8,626	take off your propane bottle and screw on a mapp bottle, since propane doesn't get hot enough...use a grinder w/ cutoff wheel or dremel to cut brakeline or even a hacksaw if needed... make a jig for smaller radius bends and get a decent brakeline bender w/ degree marks on it. then make sure you get the Harris safety silv and the white flux to go with the safety silv.don't use plumbing solder.. then get busy.. it's that simple... You can buy one of those kits that use oxygen and mapp. i use one also sometimes. it gets the job done faster than just mapp, but just mapp alone will work.with the mapp/oxy kit, you will go through 2 bottles of oxygen to 1 bottle of mapp and the oxygen bottles are $8 a bottle. I also have a set of portable torches and they are just too big for this type of work.

08-23-2005, 05:43 PM	#15
MOCRAWLER I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The bunker Posts: 3,767	i've got a miller 210. i tried it with.030 wire. it was too thin for me. you may be a better welder though.

08-24-2005, 02:22 PM	#16
TwistedCreations Colt Python/SR9c Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: out in the shop, reloading ammo! Posts: 8,626	the only time i use a welder ( which is a 110, not a 220 ) is when doing solid rod or just tacking some brakeline in place so i can braze it. that way i don't need all kinds of crap to hold it in place while i braze. anytime i try to weld brakeline, i just burn through it.. but once you get brazing down pat, it is alot easier and cleaner than welding

Sponsored Links

09-05-2005, 09:37 PM	#17
bktoys Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Apache Junction Posts: 305	i bought a micro jewlers torch $110 @ the gauges were $50 bucks each at weldingdepot.com ,oxy-ace bottles$120

10-25-2005, 06:05 AM	#18
Nasty Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Taylor Mill,KY Posts: 11	why not tig it or get someone to do it for you yall live out west around oil fields welders should be all over the place you can tig anything if you know what your doing if you cut & bend everything they shouldnt be much of a charge to do it just a thought

10-25-2005, 07:58 AM	#19
roktoy Dirt Addict Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stumblin' thru the parking lot of an invisible 7-Eleven Posts: 1,053	One problem with MIG welding is getting the welding nozzle in tight places. TIG could work well but getting the nozzle and the rod into tight places would make it pretty difficult. One advantage to brazing is you can kinda get the braze rod to flow "around" the joint without having the torch at every angle on it. Can't do this as much with an arc weld process. Jay Last edited by roktoy; 10-25-2005 at 08:01 AM.

10-25-2005, 08:21 AM	#20
Ace Rock Crawler Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 901	I have one of those $360 cutting/welding oxy acy outfits like they sell at Home Depot. Works pretty good but the torch is a little big and akward for a tuber. So I picked up one of the littletorches like posted above. The thing works great, I'm VERY happy with it. I just attached it to my bottles from the Home Depot rig. I got mine at A2ZMetalsmiths in Denver... Great place to buy stuff like this in Colorado. They mail order too. www.A2Zmetalsmith.com They sell two kits propane/oxy and act/oxy. Mine has the bigger tips, prop/oxy I think. The smallest tip is about unusable (for r/c) so I'm glad I got the bigger tips.

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