Braze/solder question

[rquad]

Pardon me if this isn't the right forum--I'm a newbie and admit it. Please redirect me if needed...

I'm taking my HVAC class that leads to the EPA test, so I'm new at all this stuff--even though I do have general light construction experience in plumbing and electrical. I just finished the sections on brazing and soldering, and I'm a little confused. I went into HVAC under the impression that soldering was pretty much all that was need. I didn't know that--according to the books--brazing is really the skill most used.

I just wanted to find out from some of the pro's what the real story is. (I'm new to HVAC, but not to schooling and life. That means I know the books don't always teach what is right, or what is common practice). Thanks in advance for any input.

[gravity]

brazing is the most common practice. all the install manuals from manufacturers state that everything should be brazed

there is a solder type braze called stabrite 8 which is like a soft solder but has tensile strengthes of brazing rod

[jpsmith1cm]

Soldering isn't that different than brazing.

If you can solder well, a little practice and you'll be brazing just as well.

[rquad]

Thanks for the info. The reason I asked the question is related to equipment. With soldering (sweating in the plumber's world I come from), all you need is a cheap propane torch, which I have on hand. To braze, my understanding is that you can only do that with a full blown acetylene setup.

[WhiteSoxFan]

IME, you can get way with an air-acetylene torch but it isn't always practical on the larger sizes because it can take way too long to heat up to the flowing point.

An oxy-acetylene setup is certainly my preference, by far.

[socotech]

Oxy/acc setup brazing with 15% silver solder is what use 95% of the time. Never soft solder refrigeration lines. Soft solder is for water.

[zw17]

I only use a oxy/acet set up in this trade for AC/R piping.

MAPP and propane are for copper water lines.