Frit-Happens !

Technical Forum => Studio/workspace/setup/equipment => Oxycon/Oxygen/Propane => Topic started by: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 02:55:46 PM

Title: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 02:55:46 PM
Where did you get your propane regulator from? because i'm having a hard time locating a 4bar one, they're all 37mbar, and no matter how many times I say i need it to have a higher pressure than that some man or another assures me they've been in the business 25 years and have never heard of something so crazy.

Please tell me before I go on a mass murdering rampage accross all the hardware stores in my area.

:)
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Stacy on September 07, 2007, 03:03:45 PM
We got ours from Martin at Tuffnells but it was in a kit
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 03:12:30 PM
Yeah I've seen that Martin does them, and I would have ordered one a week ago but for my father, and now I want one right this second, but i might just have to be patient!

:(
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Shirley on September 07, 2007, 03:13:25 PM
The thing about ordering from Martin is that it is definitely the right one.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: glassworks on September 07, 2007, 03:18:50 PM
the 37milibar one will be absolutely fine for a torch plus oxycon setup - we use them in the studio because they are soooooo much cheaper and simpler than the bigger ones...

the limiting factor on a torch running an oxycon is the oxygen - never the propane...

anyone else using the basic ones?...

8)
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Les on September 07, 2007, 03:19:26 PM
I got mine from a local welding shop .... I was surprised at how helpful and non-condescending he was .... :)
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 03:23:16 PM
I only have a HH at the minute though Q, although I haven't tried this reg yet, going to wait until my dad comes home. 


It ws my local welding shop which told me they didn't exist!  It doesn't really matter if I have to wait a few more days, but I was so up for some torching today.

Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: glassworks on September 07, 2007, 03:30:55 PM
oh okay, we have some spare from when we still had the hothead and stuff...

we also found a local welding shop that stocked everything including quick disconnects and oxygen regulators etc... they also made up hoses for us which was really great!!..

;D 8)
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 03:32:21 PM
Rub it in why don't you!  :P


;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Bluebottle on September 07, 2007, 04:53:52 PM
Hi, the reason you can't find a 4bar regulator is because that is the working pressure of the gas cylinder what you actually need is a propane bottle connector which is just a straight through connector these are usually supplied with commercial blowlamps ( the guys in the welding place shoud have known this  ::) ) try places like tool hire companys, I have a web address somewhere that does them I'll get back to you when I find it.

Mike ( retd gas engineer )
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Bluebottle on September 07, 2007, 05:02:58 PM
Found it  :o  http://www.bes.co.uk/  loads of stuff but look at high pressure regulators about 2nd or third down

Good hunting  Mike
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Bumpy Beads on September 07, 2007, 05:20:02 PM
I got all my bits from here http://www.chorleybottlegas.co.uk/.

I actually telephoned them because I was confused about what to order, and they were ever so helpful, and not in the last bit patronising. They sell on Ebay too http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Chorley-Bottle-Gas

I saved quite a lot of money. The stuff arrived the next day, and they kept the postage at cost.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 05:24:36 PM
thanks guys

:)
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 05:30:46 PM
does it matter how big your baottle is, as to what regulator you can fit, because looking at the link mike gave me (thanks) they say  8 kg propane high pressure regulator, and my bottle is 6kg (i think)

So do i need to go and get a different bottle of gas??
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Bluebottle on September 07, 2007, 05:33:57 PM
Quote from: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 05:30:46 PM
does it matter how big your baottle is, as to what regulator you can fit, because looking at the link mike gave me (thanks) they say  8 kg propane high pressure regulator, and my bottle is 6kg (i think)

So do i need to go and get a different bottle of gas??

No it shouldn't make much difference but check with them before/if  you order just to make sure ;)

Mike
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: TheJanie on September 07, 2007, 05:51:01 PM
Quote from: Bumpy Beads on September 07, 2007, 05:20:02 PM
I got all my bits from here http://www.chorleybottlegas.co.uk/.

I actually telephoned them because I was confused about what to order, and they were ever so helpful, and not in the last bit patronising. They sell on Ebay too http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Chorley-Bottle-Gas

I saved quite a lot of money. The stuff arrived the next day, and they kept the postage at cost.

Heather, you don't know how pleased I am that you posted this - I'm off to Chorley Bottle Gas tomorrow to ask them about all this... they're only about 5 minutes from my house :)

Great to know they should know about this already!  I'm a little less concerned about not knowing what I'm talking about now ;)

Cheers,

Janie

Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 07, 2007, 06:22:09 PM
Thanks Mike, you're a star.

;D
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Bluebottle on September 07, 2007, 06:53:54 PM
No problem Anna I'm pleased to help anytime  8)

Mike   ;D
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: TheJanie on September 11, 2007, 02:32:09 PM
Hi all...

I have to admit, after a rather confusing time at Chorley Bottle Gas, I'm still a bit in the dark :/

I've come away with a 0-4 bar regulator, a piece of 0.25 inch rubber hose and had to buy the adaptor for the Hothead from Tuffnells.

The bloke at CBG had to warm the end of the 0.25 hose in hot water in order to get the regulator in and said he wasn't sure how secure it was.  The adaptor arrived this morning and although my caliper says the widest part of it is 0.25 inches, I can't for the life of me get it into the tube and think I'll have to do the same with the warm water.

However, all this and a bit of reading around has left me wondering if I should have a larger tube?  What sort of size do I actually need?

I'd really appreciate some help with this - the last thing I need is to make my house disappear with a loud "kaboom!"  ::)

Thanks in advance :)

Cheers,

Janie
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 11, 2007, 03:08:37 PM
i'm not sure about the size of the hose you need (as you can see i'm struggling too) but all my connections are secured with jubilee clips, if that's any help

:)
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: TheJanie on September 11, 2007, 03:40:21 PM
Quote from: annasjewellerybox on September 11, 2007, 03:08:37 PM
i'm not sure about the size of the hose you need (as you can see i'm struggling too) but all my connections are secured with jubilee clips, if that's any help

Yeh, I have jubilee clips too... the bloke said something about that hose not being able to supply the correct pressure but he connected the regulator to it anyway... had a heck of a time doing it and then didn't seem to happy about it...

It's all very confusing, isn't it? :)

Cheers,

Janie
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 11, 2007, 04:40:10 PM
i know. i am confused!

i am still waiting for my regulator to come (hopefully in the next day or two) and then for my father to come back from holiday to hekp me set up.

the link which mike (bluebottle) provided sells hose for high pressure propane, if the other hose is making it difficult to light the torch or melt the glass.

;D
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Mary on September 11, 2007, 04:51:48 PM
I don't think you should have jubilee clips on propane hoses. Martin's set comes all crimped together, and he does the "o" rings to do it yourself - he sent some with my quick connects. It was very hard to get the quick connects into the hose, sounds like the same struggle you had, so that is probably right enough.
I think the main thing to watch about the hose, is that acetylene hoses get "eaten" by propane over time, you need to get t-rated (I think!) hose.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Bluebottle on September 11, 2007, 05:28:26 PM
If you don't have a crimping tool then you have to use jubilee clips as 4 bar is extremely high  pressure, and at this type of pressure you have to use high pressure  propane hose which has a small bore and thick sides ( to withstand the pressure) also don't rely on hand tightening connections as you will never make it gas tight without tools

Mike   ;D
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: TheJanie on September 11, 2007, 06:00:41 PM
Quote from: Bluebottle on September 11, 2007, 05:28:26 PM
If you don't have a crimping tool then you have to use jubilee clips as 4 bar is extremely high  pressure, and at this type of pressure you have to use high pressure  propane hose which has a small bore and thick sides ( to withstand the pressure) also don't rely on hand tightening connections as you will never make it gas tight without tools

Thanks for the advice, Mike :)

I don't have great strength in my hands so would always tighten the connections with an electric screwdriver anyway...

So is the 0.25 inch rubber hosing I have too thin then?

Cheers,

Janie

Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Bluebottle on September 11, 2007, 09:08:45 PM
Hi Janie, where are you measuring the tube??  as a rough guide the tube should be about .25" bore and about .125" for the walls. The link I gave to Anna has the correct type if you are not sure  8)

Mike   ;D
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: TheJanie on September 11, 2007, 09:43:54 PM
Hi Mike,

I was measuring the inner bore of the tube.. I have it and my digital calipers here... been finding out how difficult it is to measure a non-solid pipe with these things ;)

Anyway, I get:

Inner bore: 0.22"
Walls: 0.135"
Full width: 0.46"

From what you said, I think this should be OK?

Cheers,

Janie
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Dragonfire Glass on September 11, 2007, 10:35:19 PM
I would ring Martin & ask him.
There is a problem using jubilee clips on hoses - I think they were replaced with O rings and you are no longer allowed to use jubilee clips.
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: annasjewellerybox on September 11, 2007, 11:32:02 PM
i'm pretty sure that I have the correct stuff (probably just don't know what anything is called), i trust my dad (most of the time) he deals with gas in his work.

:)
Title: Re: Propane Regulator
Post by: Bluebottle on September 12, 2007, 12:58:53 PM
Quote from: TheJanie on September 11, 2007, 09:43:54 PM
Hi Mike,

I was measuring the inner bore of the tube.. I have it and my digital calipers here... been finding out how difficult it is to measure a non-solid pipe with these things ;)

Anyway, I get:

Inner bore: 0.22"
Walls: 0.135"
Full width: 0.46"

From what you said, I think this should be OK?

Cheers,

Janie

Sounds OK Janie, as regards clips ask at your local LPG supplier or on the link I provided there must be a screw type clip available.

Mike 

PS   BES have "jubilee" or crimp type clips here  page 65 http://www.bes.co.uk/ so they should be OK