BBQ tank does not fit my regulator.

[Hangs Well]

I have an oxy/acetylene set and wanted to use the oxy part and change the acetylene out for propane. I have a couple of propane BBQ tanks, but what do I do to get the regulator to fit the BBQ tank? Both fittings are female. Is there an adapter or should I go to a welding supply and get a tank similar to the acetylene tank only propane?

Thanks

Dave

[evolvingBeau]

The tank is fine, you just need a proper regulator.
Like one of these..they may or may not have one at your local welding supply.
http://www.sundanceglass.com/gas%20equipment-r.htm

[Dale M.]

You have wrong fitting on FUEL regulator. Your regulator is probably setup for a 40cuft (or smaller) acetylene tank, when you jump to tanks bigger than 40 cuft (acetylene) the connector changes is size/style .......

You need a CGA-510 nipple & nut on regulator and probably have CGA-520 nipple & nut..

http://www.westernenterprises.com/enterprises/PDFS/wi22.pdf

You either need to change nipple on fuel regulator (get new one online or from local welding supply) or get a Western Enterprises # 317 adapter (or equivalent) to mate CGA-520 style connector of regulator to a cga-510 nipple for female connection on propane tank...

http://www.westernenterprises.com/enterprises/PDFS/wi34.pdf

Dale

[evolvingBeau]

If you can change the nipple and nut or find the adapter that would defintely be cheaper.

[Hangs Well]

I have located and will be picking up the adapter today.

Another newbie question.

To hook up flashback arrestors on a torch with barbs, should I remove the barbs and add an adapter (if they are removable) or just use a small piece of hose?

Thanks, this is a GREAT forum!

[Frit Diva]

Lamp Dude~

I'm not completely sure what you're planning to do, but I was taught NEVER use an old acetylene hose for propane or vice versa. My impression is there is a latent explosion hazard (I don't recall precisely what it was, sorry). New Hoses and regulator is definitely the way to go from everything I've been taught.


Jo

p.s. I did a quick look at online resources and found that propane is thought to cause the standard R hose (acetylene) to deteriorate rapidly if the hose has previously been used for acetylene. Wish I had more info, but I wanted to pass this caution along to you.

[Dale M.]

If you remove barbs from torch body you will need to replaced them with threaded fitting ('B" style)..... I think fitting are 1/4 NPT on end that threads into the valves but are a special thread on "hose" end and that being said the fuel fitting is left hand thread where hose connects...

You could just cut ends off your hoses and slide them on to barbs... IF you do cut ends off, cut them 8-12 inches long as it gives you "stub" hoses for some future use...


Hose type is important. Grade "R" is for acetylene ONLY, Grade "T" hoses are good for all fuels including propane.... Using Grade "R" hose with propane will cause hose to break down internally and pretty soon you have flaky nasty stuff from inside hose clogging torch and hose will start to leak through hose wall at microscopic level...

Dale

[Hangs Well]

Thanks, I have my regulator all taken care of; I have the flash back arrestors (which I understand I probably don't need with a surface mix torch) and have figured out that pigtails off the torch will do the trick. I will be picking up some T-grade hose also. I have ordered an SC2 with bead door so my wife can continue with metal clay and I glass.

I have also ordered a Cricket and am concerned that that may be the wrong choice. I am thinking of marbles, beads and larger pieces made from Boro and maybe some creatures (frogs, elephants, dragons, etc.) of softer glass. This is quite an addicting art.

I have made a total of 15 beads (not bad ones if I do say so myself) with the HH and will be signing up for a couple of classes, may start with a beginning Boro class.

Should I start with the Cricket and move up after I have some time under my belt? Suggestions?

Again thanks.
Dave

[houptdavid]

Not to throw this off... Dave post your beads in the Gallery...Newbie S&T for the week!

[sosoft]

Thanks, I have my regulator all taken care of; I have the flash back arrestors (which I understand I probably don't need with a surface mix torch) and have figured out that pigtails off the torch will do the trick. I will be picking up some T-grade hose also. I have ordered an SC2 with bead door so my wife can continue with metal clay and I glass.

I have also ordered a Cricket and am concerned that that may be the wrong choice. I am thinking of marbles, beads and larger pieces made from Boro and maybe some creatures (frogs, elephants, dragons, etc.) of softer glass. This is quite an addicting art.

I have made a total of 15 beads (not bad ones if I do say so myself) with the HH and will be signing up for a couple of classes, may start with a beginning Boro class.

Should I start with the Cricket and move up after I have some time under my belt? Suggestions?

Again thanks.
Dave

Dave,
The Cricket is a great place to start. I was making boro beads on it last week when my Lynx was in for service. I ran out of tanked o2 for my bobcat, so I used the Cricket on an old 5lpm concentrator (10 years old!).
The flame is just about as big as the Bobcat and for the price you can not obtain a better glass torch IMHO.
Have fun,
Kurt
Ps. By the way I have owned every major brand of small glass torch.
I now have A Lynx, A Bobcat and 6 Crickets=D>

[Hangs Well]

Thanks,

I have decided to stop thinking this to death and go with the Cricket. I can add another torch when I get some time under my belt. GTT tells me it will be 3 weeks before I get the torch. Thought I would start out with bottled o2 because I have it.

I will get a picture of my first beads when I get a chance and no matter how humbling, I will post it.