I thought I had this all figured out, got a connector for my HH, pipe, hose clips, regulator and the propane.
Went to the local gas supplier and he connected everything up for me and we turned on the gas and tried to light the torch.
With the propane bottle fully open and the HH flame control fully open we could only get a tiny little flame. The gas coming out sounded nothing like the roar I get with the cannisters.
Really need help, the only suggestion the supplier could offer was that my single stage regulator was the wrong one for the job.
So does anyone have any advice, is there a silly little thing I am not doing like stand on one leg while lighting the torch or have I got the wrong parts somewhere?
Yours without gas
Scarlet xx
I don't much about this cos I just bought all mine from Martin - but I know mine is a 4 bar regulator - does that help?
Julie is correct, the regulator that comes with Martin's kit is the 4 bar, is that the one you have? You should only need to have it about 3/4 open with the gas full on and the HH knob turned pretty much full on. One thing that confused me when I first tried mine was that the regulator knob turns in the opposite direction to the gas knob, could that be it? The gashas a bit less pressure than the small cannisters as it has to travel through the hosing, but other than that it should be reasonably close!
Quote from: ScarletLeonard on April 14, 2010, 04:51:43 PM
So does anyone have any advice, is there a silly little thing I am not doing like stand on one leg while lighting the torch ?
Ohh, if you try that can we see photos?! ;D
Not sure, my regulator is a standard one for propane gas (low pressure) and is 0-37 bar, which in theory should have given me a larger flame.
A friend just told me to not open the torch up so soon (which I can't try now because my supplier is closed.) to allow some pressure into the pipe and ensure there were no air bubbles.
Failing that looks like I will have to go buy a different regulator. (have a contact for a different place that should do the same one as Martins)
I couldn't afford the set up from Martin, would have been a damn sight easier if I could though.
eta - Vee, see above I do know that the regulator doesn't have a thing to turn (other than the bit that goes into the gas bottle.)
Thanks Lush
Scarlet xx
Quote from: ScarletLeonard on April 14, 2010, 05:38:08 PM
eta - Vee, see above I do know that the regulator doesn't have a thing to turn (other than the bit that goes into the gas bottle.)
The bit that goes onto the bottle is the bit I mean, you turn it in the opposite direction to the gas bottle knob...... and the air pocket theory could be right too, that has happened to me as well :D
Hope you have gas soon!
Ok well mine was a pain to begin with but I was told the following...
the regulator is open when it is down not up (I think!) and I had to cover the holes of my HH with foil and then play around with it until the flame was right and even now it will only work when I have foil partially over it. Whether this is right or not I don't know but I know I can make beads with it like that :)
Not much help i bet but maybe a little
Tanya x
Now I am even more confused... ???
The bit that screws into the bottle we put that in as tight as we could get it with the wrench (thought that was the only way to do it.)
Sorry for getting more confused with the answers I am seriously lost. But Thank you lots for the help.
"regulator is open when it is down not up (I think!)"
There is no up or down on mine. It's just there.
Scarlet xx
Ah, so the regulator is permanently open then, with no flow control? I see. Well, that won't be the problem then ;D
Probably just an air pocket, that will right itself soon enough, and do try Tanya's advice about covering the air holes too, that will create more suction through the pipe.
Good luck!
Hi Scarlet
Does your regulator look like this http://www.flogas.co.uk/buy-online/regulators-hose-and-fittings/low-pressure-propane-regulator-8mm-nozzle-714-2029/ (http://www.flogas.co.uk/buy-online/regulators-hose-and-fittings/low-pressure-propane-regulator-8mm-nozzle-714-2029/) (you need to scroll right down the page if your browser is like mine). If so it only operates at 37 millibar not bar i.e 0.037 bar. I think that is why it is not adjustable as the pressure is so low. I don't have a hot head but I understand that you need around 3 - 4 bar to operate them (fits with what Vee was saying). Could be why you have a very tiny flame.
HTH
Thats the dodad.
And now everything makes sense, and the world is put to right New regulator it is.
I may have to shout at the idiot that sold me the regulator when I told him I needed 0-4 bar and he said it would be fine.
Thanks so much
Scarlet xx
You need something like this:
http://www.weldinggear.co.uk/Gas-Consumables/Regulators/REGULATOR---PROPANE--SINGLE-STAGE-PLUGGED-4BAR--British-Made_307.htm (http://www.weldinggear.co.uk/Gas-Consumables/Regulators/REGULATOR---PROPANE--SINGLE-STAGE-PLUGGED-4BAR--British-Made_307.htm)
Tufnell have them available at £39.99
It is possible that your gas man has used low pressure gas hose. Make sure that the flexible hose you have is rated to at least 10 bar pressure, standard welding hose is usually used.
Got the correct regulator coming now from the bay
Hose is high pressure rated so that is fine
Hopefully nice mr postman will bring it before saturday.
:D Anybody would thing you've got a glass delivery arriving Saturday the way you're willing the postie to arrive!!! ;)
Scarlet - I hope you don't mind me asking, but at the end of this, have you actually found much of a saving against buying the whole kit from Tuffnells or Off Mandrel?
I come across a lot of people setting up from scratch and I do recommend buying the complete kit but it would be really helpful to know if the savings are worth the shopping around.
Lol jules
Lush - yes a large saving
Regulator - £10 bay
Pipe - £5 local store
HH adaptor - £11 (trade price) jacksons, from rothenberger range.
Only thing I couldn't find cheaper was flashback arrestor. I'm also not using quick connect because the bottle is inside my studio.
My gas suppler is buying my lower pressure regulator from me at the price I bought it at so in the end I've not lost out there.
Julie there is a big saving I got my regulator, hose and flashback arrestor from a welding supplier, Cost me £28 (regulator £10, arrestor £13 and hose £2.50 a meter) I originally used jubilee clips but I took it back into them and they used the machine to fit the new style crimps and only charged my £6. The part that screws into the HH is a standard adaptor for US to UK fitting and cost me £8.99 from a plumbing supply shop. So my total cost was £46 I think that the kit costs £137 so the saving is good.
Nikki
Yep, big savings, thank you!
Sorry to jump onto a thread, but I'm looking at Tuffnell's kit, and looking into buying the parts myself, and I'm just wondering if the stress of trying to fit it all together safely and correctly is worth the savings for my circumstances (I don't know anyone with any welding or plumbing know-how). How difficult is it to fit together if you don't have any experience?
If you can afford the kit them why not, its already to go and all tested, its just like cooking- you can do it yourself or get a take away. I didn't have a problem the place I buy my gas from are a welding company and they are really helpful. Why not call into your local gas supplier with you hot head and tell them what you need, if they can help great, if not buy the kit Tuffnell's supply great quality products and take out all the guess work or worry if you don't know what you are doing. Safety is the most important thing.
Hope that helps.
Nikki
If you haven't got anyone with the knowledge to set it all up I agree having it all come ready to go is worth it for the reassurance.
My gas supplier connected everything up for me, tested it then brought me the cylinder connected to the hot head and even clamped it to my worksurface for me. But he does litterally live on the end of my road.
Now off to play with it.
Scarlet xx
I already had a regulator I bought on the forum and so tried my local gas suppliers for other parts and couldn't get hose seperately and when I asked about a flashback arrestor the reply was...a what?
I gave up in the end and went with tuffnels kit, I am happier that I did but mostly because the sourcing the various parts was difficult for me especially gas suppliers who didn't have what I needed and /or hadn't a clue what I was speaking about.
Whilst I hate to think I've paid more for something than I needed to, as a total beginner I bought the kit from Martin because I felt I was getting his experience at setting something up and testing it for me. I wouldn't have known what to buy or how to safely make it. Expensive if you can DIY but I see it as buying peace of mind. I guess it's a case of going as far as you feel comfortable with making your own kit - in my case 'not at all ~'.
DH wouldn't have been too happy if I'd blown myself up - he doesn't know the password to the on-line joint bank account! ;D