hot air guns and soldering copper pipes

[Robin]

v.m.t. x 4

(e&oe on the 4)

[Andrew Gabriel]

I've used 2 canisters I think (maybe plus the original) although one of these was double sized. That's a whole central heating system, and completely replacing all the plumbing in the kitchen and bathroom, and new 28mm gas feed full length of the house, all done in end-feed capilliary fittings. Plus the odd bit of plumbing for other people.

The double sized canister can make it harder to use the blowlamp in small corners.

[Peter Parry]

They will work. Contrary to what some have said they have more than sufficient output and temperature to melt solder on 15 or 22mm pipe - I use one quite often for just this although the application is rather unusual.

However - they are far from ideal for domestic plumbing jobs as they take some time and have far too much heat spread with the risk of damaging surrounding items, a blowlamp is much better.

Advantages - none really. Disadvantages - take too long, cause damage to surrounds.

Hot air gun isn't it.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Peter Parry has brought this to us :

I agree.

They work under ideal conditions - making bits of pipe up on the bench, but for anything else use a gas blow lamp.