Seen as rain stopped play on shedio building and snow forcast this weekend I'm back researching. Money is tight as always so I'm trying to get best deal I can on everything.
I have outgrown map gas so bulk conversion it is. What's best? Buying the kit or buying each part individually? I have seen old threads suggesting this could be done for about £40 which is obviously a huge saving. I have a few bits on my ebay watch list like regulator, quick release couplings hosing and the flashback arresor. I just need to find a torch connector but it is looking to be cheaper as long as I haven't forgot anything.
Second question for those with a shedio, where do you keep your propane after use? Leave in shed or take out? I was planning on taking out and storing at side of shedio? Hubby thinks thst is not needed an gas could stay in situ, disconnected if I wanted it to be. What does everyone else do?
Final question are your shedio's alarmed/ security lights etc?
You can get an adapter from tools 4 trade for about a tenner. I (with the help of hubby) sourced everything individually and spent about £70 but you do have the hassle of connecting all together yourself.
You are then waiting for several items from different suppliers and different postage rates - I had everything arrive bar the regulator which took about two weeks longer than the other items to arrive.
If I had to do it again ~ I wouldn't. I am far too impatient and want it NOW! I would buy the kit. Gas outside.
Regards Julie
Thanks...... The husband can and does weld so I would be getting him to do it :) Its my birthday soon so I am thinking i may well have some pennies coming my way :) hubby has promised me an extraction kit :)
I bought everything seperatley as my local calor bottled gas shop sold everything I needed. It was a fraction of the price and cost me £30 but i already had the connector. I didn't get the flashback arrestor as the gas man informed me that I didn't require it.
With regards the extraction hood, my partner is also a welder so I got him to make the stainless hood and bought an extractor fan for £15 from b and q which does the same job.
I also got him to make my glass rod stand as I was on a budget xx
You might consider Hamilton gas: http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/Blow_Torch_Accessories.html
They do the 4-bar propane regulator, and the Rothenberger connector for the torch. You won't need the flashback arrester until you go to a dual fuel torch.
Before you pay postage on the gas hose, check your local propane supplier - you may find that they can supply that, and will be happy to crimp it all together and leak test it for you too. That's what I did, the whole thing cost less than £50, about 6 months ago. (inc 5m hose).
You'll love not having having gas running out just when it was going so well..
Thanks everyone. I'm losing the will with MAPP, my local b&q was out for about 10 days over christmas. Add that to the torch cutting out after a bead I'm losing the will to make. By end of feb I should be in position to have shedio, bulk, extraction and kiln. Then I will start saving for dual fuel.
My propane lives in my shedio next to the oxycon, my shedio is locked but not alarmed, but I have big gates across the drive that are locked and bolted after we had an attempted break in, and I have a security light but wouldn't really see that from the house. But other than my tools I don't keep anything valuable, like silver, in the shedios and if I go away I padlock the doors closed, my hinges are held on with carriage bolts (so the unscrewable bit is inside) and I have blinds I drop at windows to stop prying eyes. As I found when I had builders in and they needed leccy, ordinary hinges can be unscrewed so any lock is useless since they just lift the door from the lock!
We have a side gate too. I'm thinking of getting my fatherinlaw to aquire a upvc door and frame for the shed. I would keep my silver and stones but I set that much amber in run up to christmas I am so bored with it. :)