View source for Brazing Hearth

[[File:BrazingHearths.png|300px|right]]
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=====Description=====
'''Brazing Hearths''' are usually at bench height and provide a convenient, heat proof  and shielded location for '''[[Hard Soldering]]''' and '''[[Heat_Treatment#Annealing|Annealing]]'''. They are used in combination with a '''Blow Torch''' fuelled by natural gas, and for which they may have a built-in air compressor, or a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane_torch '''Gas Torch'''] fuelled by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_petroleum_gas '''Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)''']
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<span style="color: green">'''Note:'''
Keep the '''Brazing Hearth''' clean and dry and avoid using it for '''[[Soft Soldering]]''' : soft solder residues and splashes of lead/tin solder alloys can contaminate or adversely react with metal surfaces when heated sufficiently for '''[[Hard Soldering]]''' ''(this is especially true when working '''silver''' since the contamination could affect the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallurgical_assay assayable value] of the finished product)''. 
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[[File:Brazing.png|300px|right]]

=====Features and Applications=====

Commercially available '''Brazing Hearths''' often have air compressors built-in to supply natural gas fuelled '''Blow Torches'''. Some also have a rotary table such that the workpiece can be turned as it is heated - this is particularly helpful when '''[[Heat_Treatment#Annealing|Annealing]]''' large items in '''[[:Category:Beaten Metalwork|Beaten Metalwork]]''' for example.


A perfectly serviceable '''[[Hard Soldering|Brazing]]''' area for use with an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_petroleum_gas '''LPG'''] fuelled [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propane_torch '''Gas Torch''']  can be assembled using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_brick '''Firebricks'''] and other [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refractory '''Refactory Materials'''] such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiculite '''Vermiculite''']. The materials can be assembled on a steel plate set within an angle section frame and mounted on a steel turntable bearing to create a rotary table if required.

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<span style="color: red">'''Safety Point!'''
Do note play a torch flame on to firebricks which have become wet : the resulting heat will turn the soaked in water into steam which may cause the bricks to explode!
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{{Brazing Hearth Buyers Guide}}


[[Category:Heat Area Equipment]]
[[Category:Beaten Metalwork]]