[Shop-talk] Brazing Aluminum

[Jim Stone]

I need to fill in a 1/8" hole in an aluminum intake manifold prior to having
it powder coated.  While much of the aluminum is around 3/8" thick, I don't
think it is more than 1/8th or so around the hole.  Right now, the hottest
torch I have is an old MAAP Gas one that has served me well with small
projects for many years, mostly plumbing.  I just test brazed a similar hole
in a piece of scrap (a bit thicker than the area on the manifold) and, while
the resulting repair is invisible, I am not sure the brazing aluminum really
bonded with the surface metal.  Is simple MAAP hot enough for this
application, or do I need to buy an Oxi-MAAP torch
(http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarnk/R-202185043/h_d2/P
roductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)?  Any other suggestions
before I tackle it?

As always, Thanks.