Hi attempting to buy the hothead set up but weighing up pros and cons of buying the kit as bit out of my price range but least i would know it was all fitted and ready to go practically anyway.
So far been googling came across link to this 4 bar propane regulator is this the correct one to buy?
http://www.castreekilns.co.uk/regulators_80.html
Any help appreciated if i had the money i would buy martins kit but have been saving for ages and other things crop up and it gets spent >:(
Liz
have you tried www.tuffnellglass.com ?
Martin has quite a range of equipment :)
I have just bought a load of stuff to convert a HH to bulk propane, it came to £56 here are the ebay links
5m hose
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120575128753&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
flashback arrestor
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220417700383&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
regulator
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300426707168&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
hose adaptor for torch end of the hose
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400178433696&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
I still need to buy the clips for the hose and something to fix to the torch to the table.
I know a ready made kit costs £100+
I sourced my own bulk set up and my regulator came from ebay. I spent ages going round local stores and I got funny llooks when I asked for 4bar they must have thought I was some sort of pyromaniac or an extreme caravaner that likes to dice with death.
From the page you linked if it's
Product Name : 0-4 bar Adjustable (Budget) Regulator
Product ID : REG006
Product Price : £ 8.00
then yep that's the one.
I made up my own bulk kit as well.
Hose from the local Calor Gas shop.
Regulator from Hamiltons Gas - http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_LPG_Reca_912_0.5-4_Bar_High_Pressure_Propane_Gas_Regulator.html - I started off with a cheaper one from ebay but dropped it once and it broke. It may have just been me dropping it, but decided to buy the replacement from Hamiltons for a few pennies more 'cos it just might be better quality.
Didn't get a flash back arrestor - did a lot of research and they are not technically needed on a single fuel torch - but you will most definately need it if you upgrade to a gas/oxygen mix torch at a later date. I know it's only a few quid - but I bought some glass with that few quid.
Clips - we already had some in the shed.
Can't remember where I got the adaptor from - but google TLHA adaptor and you will get loads of hits'
All together came to just over £30.
I know not everyone will be confident to join all this together and set it up - but I suppose you could always ask a plumber or gas fitter to do it for you.
Thanks everyone not sure if i am confident about putting it together but as i need to buy a gas cylinder for my silversmithing and the guy will be coming to deliver will ring him and ask if he would fit the hot head set up for me.
By clips do you mean jubilee clips? Sorry me being a thicko there.
I already have a torch for silversmithing i havent connected it yet i was wondering if i could get a Y splitter so i could leave my silversmith torch set up and the hot head set up. Ive been reading the forum and people say you need to bleed the torch at end of sessions im a bit confused if i had both torches on a y splitter would both torches need to be bled then?
If i eventually convert to dual fuel would i need the quick release couplings then?
Thanks everyone had a couple of not very good years you may remember some of you as my daughter, 14 has been seriously ill and i just havent got time to do things but now my new years resolution is to just get on with it as she will be ill for some time maybe a lifetime and i cant put my life on hold forever. For those who cant remember my daughter has chronic ulcerative colitis and chronic pancreatitis intermittently but yeah ;D was home for christmas. Im hoping the hot head set up may help me calm down between hospital sessions/visits to let off steam so to speak.
Liz :)
Quote from: lizziedx2 on January 02, 2011, 10:28:03 AM
By clips do you mean jubilee clips? Sorry me being a thicko there.
Many people say you must use pipe clips, but the man at the Calor Shop said jubilee clips are fine - just take care to not over tighten them.
To be honest - joining it all together in really quite easy. The biggest problem is actually getting the hose onto stuff as it is quite stiff. Best tip I have is to dip the end of the hose into a cup of very hot water for a few mins - that will soften it enough and make sure it's pushed right onto the adaptor/regulator etc. When you have tightened everything up turn the gas on and check for leaks - big ones are obvious as you'll hear them. So, gas on and listen - hissing means a leak and you need to find it and stop it. Even if you can't hear gas or smell gass check each joint - squirt a little washing up liquid on each joint and look for bubbles, if you can see them forming then tighten up the clips, or screw a little till no bubbles are seen.
Can't comment on quick release connectors as I don't use one - just unscrew the regulator. I turn the gas off while the torch is still lit and let it burn the residual gas in the hose off - don't know how necessary this is though, but it's a habit I got into years ago when firing kilns with propane.
If you are using a propane torch for silversmithing then the hot head set up will look very much the same - only it needs a higher pressure regulator setting - 4 bar. My Sievert soldering torch operates at 2 bar. You can set it up so both torches are connected with a splitter, but I figure I am unlikely to be using both at the same time so just chop and change as necessary.
Thanks Terri very precise instructions to make me feel more confident. Going to gas place tomorrow to ask about parts or i will buy on line if he doesnt understand lampwork terms, ive written down the details of what i need to show him. ::)
Im excited about this new venture been meaning to take the plunge for 3 years now but never got round to it and not on my list of priorities but think the time is right to start it off now. Dani will get ill whenever so i will just fit around her and hopefully the lampworking will destress me ;D unless my beads are hideous. I am one of those people who will keep trying until i get it right though and have taught myself a lot of things online mainly soapmaking using the cold process method and have had good soaps that came out. A couple of batches were not weighed out correctly in the beginning but my lavender goats milk soap ive been told is the best people have tried so i have to make time to make that again as i have run out ;D
In a years time might get a round bead hopefully ::)
Liz x
Understand where you are coming from Liz. My DH has epilepsy which presents in an unusual way and I am his primary (only) carer so everything has to fit around his needs. I find lampworking totally absorbing and as it is so immediate (unlike my ceramic stuff) very exciting. Good luck with your set up and don't forget to show us your beads. ;D
I have a second hand HH for sale if you're interested?
Thanks for sharing all those links HighlandTony there is a lot of valuable info there, and welcome to the forum ;D