Gas preferences?

[Iwannadobeads]

Hi All!
I couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking a lampwork class and I took to it like a duck to water and want to start lampworking.

Sooooo, here are my choices regarding gas:
I can spend $400 to put a Natural Gas stub in the garage. OR
I could do a BBQ Propane tank.
I (maybe-depending on DH) could lease a large propane tank to put out back and pipe in.

I was trying to get set up in a spare bedroom (on the second floor) in the house, but the plumber who would plumb it with Natural gas doesn't feel comfortable doing it to a living area. Dang it! and after reading posts I see that a propane tank inside isn't smart.....I soooooooo wanted to be in a warm house, not a cold garage. Is there some way around this???

Thanks in advance!

[Hayley]

I understand that if you want to use NG, you should get a torch that uses 1/4 psi (Bethlehem's Betta is made to use on NG) . . . otherwise, you will be much happier with propane.

Tank must stay outside for obvious safety reasons. The right way is to pipe it in, there is a thread on how to do it with shut-off valves, etc. PM me if you need that info - can't find the link but have copies it to my hard drive. There are LOTS of threads here at LC that discuss this and why.

Also, I think lots of people will agree, do look into getting a reconditioned oxycon and not tanked oxygen - it's safer AND much more cost effective in the long run.

MOST importantly, and lots of beginning lampworks tend to overlook, is a GOOD ventilation system . . . with hood and adequate fan (mine is 650 CFM with an enclosure under a 24x40 hood and is JUST adequate, I was told.) If you plan on using any reactive glass, frit, silver/gold foil, not to mention enamel, fuming, etc. - you must has a strong enough fan to get the fume from you face immediately.

This is not an inexpensive hobby, I am afraid. I am just finishing up setting up my lampwork station myself. Invested a lot of time and money in researching and purchasing!

Hope this helps. Welcome to our addiction!

Hayley

[NW-Teri]

I am in need of a good ventilation system - where should I start looking for one? Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

Thanks - Teri

[Venbead]

http://www.glasscraftinc.com/product/product_list.cfm glasscraft has a great hood. I fabricated my own but when all was said and done I should have just bought one from them

[Hayley]

Teri - which torch are you using. I have a Bobcat with oxycon and tanked propane. I got the glasscraft hood but use rigid ducting instead of the flex ones that came with the hood (I actually told them not to ship it, save on shipping). I also have an metal enclosure - extending the sides and back to it's like a box - which will increase the efficiency of the 650 CFM fan.

There are a lot of threads on ventilation on this forum - it's worth reading about. The experts here are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Most importantly, when you get a good ventilation system put it, you must have enough input air to make up for the bad air it is drawing out.

Hope that helps.

Hayley

[Dale M.]

Here is some information on various gases (NG - Propane) and how to get them into studio...

http://www.artglassanswers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9

Dale