Besides being glued to the computer because of this and that, and despite Chris having to go into work, we had a great weekend. Chris has been searching high and low for an Oxy-acetylene torch, and we found one last week! Seriously, I love Craigslist. We’ve both been anxiously waiting for Saturday so we can finally bust the thing out.
At first I was really jumpy, it’s been a while since I’ve fired one up (like 3 years), so I didn’t want to do anything wrong and I have no desire to blow up. Our practice braising session was a little rocky at first, I was thinking you set the flame as high as you would for welding, NOT SO! Your flame doesn’t need to be nearly as hot in order to braise effectively. It’s very similar to soldering.
We tested our braising skills on copper (pretty cheap), and got some really colorful results. We have to get a lot better before Chris starts braising on his steel frame, but I’m glad that no longer feel we’re in way over our heads.
Chris was nice enough to let me give it a try.
So what are you going to do with the torch? The steel frame…is that for a bicycle? But it doesn’t really matter what you do with it. Just the fact that you own a Oxy-acetylene torch sets you in a higher bracket of cooldom than the rest of us.
Thank you so much for posting comments on my political post. And tell your Mother-in law thanks also. She gave me a lot to think about!
By the way, I’ve decided people get exponentially more attractive when they are holding a torch. I must get one of those, if not just for photographs.
Oops. That’s a paintbrush. Shows you how much I know. I was wondering where the sparks were…
Chris didn’t take any photos of me using the torch. Bummer. The picture is me putting on the flux before firing it up.