I'm really sorry I keep asking questions, but I'm super nervous about safety, and I can't find the exact answer to my questions in past threads :(
I really want to move onto bult propane, and was going to get the bulk set-up from Tuffnells, but they haven't had the kits with quick-release couplings in stock for a while, So my questions are:
If I work outside, and put the whole hothead, hosing and tank in a bin after each session (to protect from weather/animals) can I do without the coupling?
Can I disconnect the regulator from the tank after each session instead? (so I can take the hosing and torch inside)
How hard is it to disconnect the hosing from the regulator if I can do the second option?
Is it less safe when actually lampworking to have no quick-release coupling?
Please help? :)
You could always get a quick release from Hamilton Gas?
http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/&WD=release%20quick&PN=copy_of_8mm_Quick_Release_Gas_Hose_Coupling.html%23a1_21HA035H#a1_21HA035H
or your local calor gas shop.
There are lots on ebay as well.
You don't need one though - I don't think they're included on the regular bulk kit, which has been used happily by many for a long time.
I used bulk with my hothead - I had the gas bottle outside and disconnected at the bottle at the end of each session and never had any problems.
Thanks both - looks like I can finally get onto bulk then :D I'm really not confident enough to connect up my own coupling, and can't think of anywhere to get it done so I'll go without as long as it's safe :)
I have the bulk kit without the coupling, i work inside with my gas bottle inside also, i just unscrew the regulator from the bottle when im finished (turning the gas off at the bottle of course) and i dont have any problems!
Quick release kits can sometimes be a little problematic with leaks so you're probably better off without it.
Easiest thing to do is probably to leave the whole thing connected up. If you keep disconnecting the regulator end from the gas bottle you will have to do a leak check each time you reconnect and because the fittings are quite soft (being brass) you don't really want to be screwing and unscrewing them repeatedly.
If it were me I'd leave it all connected up and at the end of each session I'd turn the gas off at the bottle, bleed the gas through the torch (i.e. leave the torch on but turn it off at the bottle until the flame dies away. Then, let the hothead cool for a while and then coil the whole thing around the gas bottle, drag it outside and plop a rubble sack over the whole lot. It won't hurt the torch being outside, but I have found that the hoses don't like direct sunlight - makes them go brittle.
If you are working inside but have the bottle outside you could make a little hole - poke the hose through and leave it all set up, if that makes sense?
We used to keep our bottles outside with the torch connected and then feed the pipes through the cat flap, cat was not amused ;D
What RedHotSal said. This is how I'm set up, except that I don't always take everything outside at the end of the day. Especially as I tend to torch all day for several days and then not at all for a week or so. But I ALWAYS bleed the line and have the window open when the setup stays indoors. My thinking is that there are two knobs turned off: bottle and torch. And the gas STINKS.
Thanks for all your help - I decided to go without the quick release coupling, and now have my bulk kit, yay! I'll pack it all together into a metal bin at the end of the sessions, so I won't weaken the connections too much.
What RedHotSal said - as well - turn off gas leave torch valves open but I alway turn off regulator to protect the diaphram and it acts as an extra "off switch" :)
Probably a dumb question, but why leave the torch open after the line is bled of gas???