[TheForge] oxy-propylene, propane tips and air-arc

[Kathy]

Ben,
I'd make that propylene and compressed air if you're going to delete oxygen use,
or  try oxygen enrichment of the compressed air. You can get venturi mixers for
enrichment from Carlisle Machine Works (you might just want to check out the
Unicon Hand Torch while visiting their site, unless you're made of money that is
:)
Mikey

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Ben Barrett
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 11:32 AM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] oxy-propylene, propane tips and air-arc

So, propane has gotten a little more expensive since that
All-S...whatever FAQ price comparison was written up, but clearly it
could still be a big gain.  Right now I only have a couple small Oxy
tanks, so I wouldn't want to over-use that.  For basic spot-heating,
like fine-tuning twists and bends, can propane and compressed air be
used?  That sounds like the right price!!
I have a spare compressor tank (no motor or compressor) that I was
thinking of setting up just for that purpose... I don't care if I use
up a lot of compressed air, it is cheap :)

So, if no cutting is done, does compressed air work well enough with
propane through an oxy/acet torch?  Should I still use tips made for
propane?
If this works, it would be an incredible boon, using mostly what I
already have, which we can all appreciate.  Seems unreal.

ben



On 6/22/07, Ron Childers <munlaw2 at hcsmail.com> wrote:
> A #2 Propane tip works pretty well on my big ol Smith torch that was made
> for oxy-ace. It cost about 12-15 $$ and cuts rr rail ok. Once the metal is
> hot it's the oxygen that does the cutting. The Allsnakes torch may be better
> but I would have to be convinced to spend the extra $635 when my torches
> work pretty well..
>
> I've had no problem switching from acetylene to propane and back again- not
> enough mixing of gasses to matter by the time the regulator is swapped and
> the torch is lit anyway.
>
> If you want to get nasty, quick & dirty, use an air-arc torch. Truly a
> matter of function over esthetics. It isn't pretty but does the job.
>
> Ron C
>
>
>
> ----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ben Barrett
> Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 10:47 AM
> To: Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] oxy-propylene
>
> This is all *great* info... just another question, and a comment here.
>
> Q:  What are the downsides of using a torch made for oxy/acet, with
> propane?  Will I die or waste fuel or have no control, or what?  :)
>
> Comment:  Screw Airgas -- *sorry* if they're your only choice.  I get
> my B tank of acet, swapped along with a full 40 (I think, it is about
> the same size as the B anyway) of oxy, for $25 total here at IWSI.
> Right now that's about the same price as getting the 10-gal propane
> tank filled... I've been told to avoid Airgas, unless your employer
> makes the choice for you (even then...)
> Curious about cross-use of hoses and such, I've heard re-purposing
> *can* be safe, but that sharing should be avoided for this (ie, going
> back and forth between different gasses in the same hose/reg/etc).
>
> thanks!
>
> ben
>
>
> On 6/22/07, Chris Caswell <olayers at sover.net> wrote:
> >
> > I think propylene is hotter, and I would get it at Airgas where I get my
> > other supplies.  The price quoted to me for a B tank of propylene was
> > 24.99 (a refill) while acetylene was 27.32.   So it is  twice as much as
> > propane.  Wonder if I could run propane thru a propylene hose and
> regulator?
> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
> > Jerry Frost wrote:
> > > 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/
> > >
...
_______________________________________________
Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
theforge mail list group photo site is
http://www.photoaccess.com
Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
password:  anvil
___________