Frit-Happens !

Technical Forum => Studio/workspace/setup/equipment => Torches => Topic started by: Ibeadza on March 25, 2007, 06:04:31 PM

Title: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Ibeadza on March 25, 2007, 06:04:31 PM
Can anyone advise me about switching to a bulk fuel tank for my Hot Head torch? I can only get butane in a tank here. Will it work with a Hot Head torch? Are there any possible problems?
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Buzzybead on March 25, 2007, 07:21:04 PM
I'm a bit rusty on this, but is butane hot enough to melt glass??
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Billie on March 25, 2007, 07:44:21 PM
Might be best to consult Martin at Tuffnells.  You could send him an email maybe..?
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Mary on March 25, 2007, 07:47:25 PM
I don't think butane is high enough pressure. Have you tried caravan shops, boat shops or garden centres? Camping equipment and barbecues need propane. Look for the orange/red bottles.
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: BeadyBugs on March 25, 2007, 07:56:19 PM
Can anyone remember how Krista got on on Cyprus?  I know she had problems finding gas and fittings....just going off for a scout about.

HP x
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Mary on March 25, 2007, 07:57:43 PM
Oh yes, the Cyprus fittings were different. THat's a point, won't butane fittings be different to propane?
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Billie on March 25, 2007, 07:58:51 PM
The only place I could find propane locally was our garden centre, in the BBQ section  :)
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Ibeadza on March 25, 2007, 08:00:34 PM
I asked a similar question on lampworketc

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49968

Dale M replied:
"Butane mixed with air has a flame temperature of 3900° F. (2093° C.)
Propane mixed with air has a flame temperature of 3800° F. (2148° C.)

I don't think butane as a fuel is a problem, it is a plus as being hotter than propane. Only "condition" may be the of the purity of the gas available to you.

According to my reference material Butane gas is actually a hotter fuel when mixed with air as compared to MAPP - 2680° F. (1471° C.)"


I'm in Ibiza and the bottled gas is butane and in an orange bottle. There isn't piped domestic gas either.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has tried bulk fuel butane with a Hot Head torch before I try it!
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: BeadyBugs on March 25, 2007, 08:10:44 PM
Sorry Ibeadza - we're not being much help are we. ;)

Didn't LPG come into the equation somewhere?  I've done a search, but not found very much?  Is it just me, or does the search facility on here not always find words you know for a fact are on here?  Curiouser and curiouser ;D

HP x
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Billie on March 25, 2007, 08:30:01 PM
I thought it was just me that had that problem.  Maybe it's CAPS sensitive  ???

I've even done a Google search and can't find anything.
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Mary on March 25, 2007, 08:31:36 PM
LPG is liquid petroleum gas - propane. That's what my central heating is powered by.

Oops, correcting self - propane and butane are both in LPG! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquified_petroleum_gas
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: *Nicky* on March 25, 2007, 08:34:28 PM
Quote from: Helen P on March 25, 2007, 08:10:44 PM
Sorry Ibeadza - we're not being much help are we. ;)

Didn't LPG come into the equation somewhere?  I've done a search, but not found very much?  Is it just me, or does the search facility on here not always find words you know for a fact are on here?  Curiouser and curiouser ;D

HP x

When you do a search make sure your on the HOME page rather than in a section of the forum, when your in a section it just searches that section !
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Billie on March 25, 2007, 08:36:36 PM
Ahhhhhh... That might be where I've been going wrong  ;D
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: BeadyBugs on March 25, 2007, 09:15:58 PM
Ooo cheers Nicky - I'll double check where I am before hitting search.

HP x
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: *Nicky* on March 25, 2007, 09:56:02 PM
Hehe it took me a few goes to realise what was going on, i think its when i put in Annealing and i got 1 answer that i reaslied something was up......... anyways back to Butane !
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Redhotsal on March 26, 2007, 12:09:16 AM
The butane will melt the glass but you will have trouble keeping the colours "true" - i.e. most of the glass will reduce to some extent or other. The butane will also burn "dirtier" than propane so you'll have lots of black/grey deposits. Sorry about that. Try and get some propane, it should be available, you only need a small "tank" or bottle of it 3.9kg is the minumum but will do fine - it's stacks better and you shouldn't have too mauch of a problem getting hold of it.
Sal
Title: Re: Hot Head torch and bulk fuel butane?
Post by: Ibeadza on March 26, 2007, 01:46:52 PM
Thanks for the advice. Clearly you can not use bulk fuel butane with the Hot head torch. I also asked on the Wet canvas forum and for anyone interested in a more technical explanation, here is the link. 

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410867

The search for propane continues!