[TheForge] oxy-propylene

[Kathy]

Hi Jerry,
Propylene has not been sold as a fuel gas for all that long a time; the market
for it is not set like that of the older fuels. Therefore, both it's price and
availability vary from one area to the next. In order to tell whether propylene
is a good choice in any given area, a little bit of market research is still
needed.

Why anyone would think they needed a special rig for oxy-propane is a mystery to
me. All fuel gases other than acetylene and compressed hydrogen (the usual kind,
rather than atomic hydrogen) use the very same hoses and regulators. Most people
who use oxy-propane at home run it from regular propane cylinders. The only way
dedicated cylinders are needed for propane is when it is bought as Chemtane from
welding supply stores. The price of special cylinders for Chemtane is more than
offset by the savings in fuel per pound prices on Chemtane Vs regular propane in
urban areas.

And finally, yes, propylene really is that much better.
Mikey 



-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Jerry Frost
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 7:07 PM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] oxy-propylene

I know little to nothing about propylene as a fuel but 
even if it has better heating properties is it easy to 
get? I mean commonly available at every second gas 
station, Home Depot, 7-11, etc.? Is it economical? Say 
around $12.00 for a 20lb. / 5gl. bottle?

I know I see propane signs and tanks everywhere; you 
can get a tank filled even in the remotest parts of 
Alaska. I don't recall ever seeing propylene for sale, 
at least not advertised. So, where would I look for it? 
What would I expect to pay for the equivalent of 20lbs 
of propane?

The downside to an All-States oxy propane rig is it's 
initial price. Last time I checked they were running 
around $650 for the set. If you want the special 
propane tank that fits your oxy acet cart that's extra. 
The upside is that by the time I'd used up my first 
20lb. bottle of propane it'd paid for itself about 3 
times over. Consumables for the All-States oxy propane 
rig are about 2% what oxy acet is for the same amount 
of work.

Is propylene that much better?

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/

From: "Chris Caswell" <olayers at sover.net>

> I would be getting a set designed specifically for 
> oxy-propylene - not a super heavy duty one but as I 
> prefer to use the coal forge as my primary heat 
> source I think that will be ok!
>
> -- 
> Chris Caswell

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