Hot Head - alternative to small MAPP cylinders

[magpiedreams]

Hi,

I got a Hot Head torch and starter kit several months ago and am using those small MAPP cylinders but hate it when the bottom starts to ice up and the angle pokes me in the mid-section!!!

I cannot for the life of me recall the type of larger gas cylinder recommended that comes in the smaller cylinder much like those used for barbeque grills. I do believe that fuel is not the best for this application, or so the Home Depot guy said when I asked.

What do others use and do you have to get it at a welder's supply store? I know our local Home Depot requires that you buy the tank in the store, then immediately exchange it for a full tank, kept outside. I understand these types of cylinders cannot be kept inside the store, fire regulations, but the small cylinders are on the shelves.
Thanks - Ken

[misfit]

well you can use propane and a bulk hose. but you may have some gray color develop from the propane. Have you considered upgrading to a mini cc or other torch? 02 concentrators are nice things too.

A.

[alexm]

There are several options availble to you. All of them are much more convenient and less expensive than buying MAPP in the little canisters.

Depending where you live, you can get large tanks of MAPP, Chemoline, propylene or propane from your local weldiing supply store. You will have to purchase the tank, but once you do that, you can just swap out the empty tank for a full one.

You can use the barbeque tanks of propane (which is the cheapest option), however, some people have had sooting problems with propane on the HH. It seems that some parts of the country have dirtier propane than in other part of the country.

[Palestrina]

You can get 30 lb. Mapp Tanks. You can also get 7lb. Yes, you would get them from your local welding supplier where you can also rent or lease the tank. Don't buy it. Why would you want to do that? Then, if there are any issues, they are your issues & your left with a tank you can't use should you ever upgrade.
The lease doesn't cost that much. For a 30lb. tank, the lease is around $40 a year. And if you have any issues with it, the supplier will take it back & give you a new one. Not only that, they have absolutley every thing you need & will tell you if you really need it. You may not even know you need a certain part. But they do.
Also, Home Depot would be the last place I went for something like this. At a welding supply, you have people that do this stuff all day every day & who work there for years at a time. At home depot, your dealing with people that may or may not know what they're talking about. They don't get paid much, & they could not be there tomorrow. Who knows? You could get someone that is just covering the department.
Hope this helps.

[Dale M.]

Here is detailed information about "bulk" fuel for Hothead torch..

http://www.artglassanswers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7

Dale

[Nejoum]

I have a 20# BBQ tank out side...I run the hose thru the window.
The Propane works great for me.
I get it filled at the RV repair just down the street from me. I have had no problems.
Diana

[x_phoenician]

I use propane all the time now, no way am I spending $7 something for a 1lb. canister. I'm not comfortable with using bulk gas tanks yet and having a hose coming into the house so 2.79 for a 1lb canister of propane isn't that big of a deal.

Anyway, I have 3 beads that "sooted" and I think it was because I held them too close to the torch itself. Don't let your beads dip too low in the flame and you should be fine. Works for me.

Tracy

[Passing Glass]

Please note that it is illegal anywhere in the U.S. to use unregulated propane inside any structure. Including if the tank itself is outside. The only legal way to run propane into your house (or any other fuel gas) is through hard lines (iron), the same way your natural gas is delivered to your stove, dryer, etc...

A Hot Head is a great torch and it works fine using bulk fuel, but was not intended or designed to be used that way. The danger is that you can trip over your hose, yank it off the torch or tank, burn through it with hot glass, split it with your chair leg, etc, etc... If that happens your tank will be dumping about 30 pounds (BBQ bottle) of liquid propane into your room in about 90 seconds under very high pressure because you do not have a regulator on the line like you do with an oxy/fuel torch setup, and your BBQ grill, too, BTW.

If you survive the resulting explosion, your insurance company will likely not cover the damages to your house if you have normal homeowners insurance. They will exclude any damages resulting from anything outside of code, and that code exists everywhere - it's basic. Also, many medical insurance companies will balk at your medical claims due to the particulars of how the accident happened, if they find out. Do your research before setting up a bulk fuel/hose arrangement with a hot head. Many people have used this setup successfully, but some have not.

Have fun and torch safe! 8)

[magpiedreams]

I am amazed and impressed by all the replies to my post on fuels for the Hot Head, posted just this morning. I expected 1 or 2 replies but I think I have a good 10.

The link for the other forum white paper on fuels is very informative.

The post regarding safety issues and cautions regarding codes and fire regulations as well as how our insurance may view the use of torches and fuels within a structure - I have seen pictures of studios where the fuel bottle and hose(s) are laying right under the work table.

I am hopefully going to talk to a person at a welding supply place where they also handle gasses. I guess I also need to examine how best to locate the fuel tank so it outside the home and not just laying in the basement.

Again, thanks.

[Dale M.]

Please note that it is illegal anywhere in the U.S. to use unregulated propane inside any structure. Including if the tank itself is outside. The only legal way to run propane into your house (or any other fuel gas) is through hard lines (iron), the same way your natural gas is delivered to your stove, dryer, etc...



You are somewhat mistaken.... It is illegal to PLUMB IN, IN METAL piping in a permanent manner propane at tank pressures. NO WHERE in NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) codes does it say you can not bring a hose through door or window in a temporary situation. This means you must disconnect hose from tank at end of torching session so door or window can be closed. This also means you can not poke a hole in a wall and put hose through wall...

Yes you can bring in propane into a building in metal piping, but it is limited to 20psi.

Also it is illegal to keep a any propane container larger than one pound inside a residence. Any "BULK" tanks must be outside. As for the #1 cylinder rule, NFPA allow two such containers in a residence and any given time. And any garage attached to a "residence" is considered part of the residence.

Also having your hose supported off floor and out of the way so it can not be damaged by hot glass or become a tripping hazard is a necessity. A little common sense goes a long way to having a safe studio.

Dale