Hot Head and Propane

[BugNerd]

Can I use propane with a hot head or does it have to be MAPP gas? (which I think is propylene with an additive for more heat?) These little canisters are not lasting long at all!! Propane is much more easy for me to get.

[theglasszone]

Yes, you can use Propane. Do yourself a huge favor, though, and DON'T buy into a "swap" such as Blue Rhino, etc. You might want to invest in a fresh, new tank from Home Depot (the 20lb. one will last you a good, long time), and have it filled locally - there's probably a station nearby that can do that for you.

You will also need a proper hose, which can be purchased from many of our vendors, such as Delphi, Blue Moon, LB Supply, Frantz, etc.

DeAnne in CA

[BugNerd]

Thank you. I have a hose. Just have to see if it fits or if it will need an adapter. Is propane going to work as well without oxygen (get as hot as MAPP)?

Thanks again!

[Ellen Black]

Mapp is just a brand name. A brazing fuel is all it needs to be. I used to use Chemtane (available in the Chicago area), and bought a 10 pound tank and a 5 pound one for backup, I'd drive to Chicago, and the guys would fill them for me. Brazing fuel burns a bit hotter, and cleaner than propane. Big tanks do need to be kept outside.

[beadlvr]

I'm not sure what companies you have there but what we did when we lived in the DC area was contacted an oxygen or welding supply place and we bought out tank from then and they filled it with a MAPP equivalent (I can't remember what they called theirs but they mixed it). We got a tank a little bit bigger than a barbecue propane tank. When I switched over to my mini-CC they swapped the tank out for me and gave me a new propane tank.

[NLC Beads]

I've used straight propane for years with no problems...

[Flonche]

Same here. Blue Rhino propane and lovin'it!

[lunamoonshadow]

I use propane too. Own my own BBQ tank (that way I don't get rusty icky things that were in someones back yard for 2 years :roll: & have to put them in my car!--I keep my tank nice & clean, under cover--OUTSIDE--but tidy!) & get it refilled locally. Quite happy with it.

[BugNerd]

*snip*...DON'T buy into a "swap" such as Blue Rhino, etc....*snip*

What is the issue with Blue Rhino?

[Dale M.]

It is "argued" that Blue Rhino propane is dirty........

As for the argument that exchange tanks that are less that pristine in appearance are not good is just a personal preference, mainly just aesthetics. Tanks have to be pressure tested and inspected on regular basis. IF there is any doubt about tanks safety factor check latest inspection date on tank safety collar.

I have always used Amerigas exchange tanks and have never had a fuel related issue. As for aesthetics, a tank is a tank, its the fuel inside not the ugly outside that is important.

Dale

[lunamoonshadow]

Unless you're wearing light colored clothing & rub up against it when you're moving it :lol:
(hey Dale--lots of us here are women :poke: & forget to wear "dirty" clothes when we have to move the tank!)

[BugNerd]

Unless you're wearing light colored clothing & rub up against it when you're moving it :lol:
(hey Dale--lots of us here are women :poke: & forget to wear "dirty" clothes when we have to move the tank!)

:lol:

Well, I'm a single guy that pretty much wears whatever is on the floor and stinks the least....hey, wait a minute, maybe that's part of my problem! :p

[lunamoonshadow]

could be Ricky, could be :poke:

(actually, I inevitably am wearing my "work"--read: job that pays the rent--uniform--which is light tan pants when I pick up my tank--and if I was swapping for one with "ick" on it, well, lets just say I've learned every way to *ruin* those work pants possible...and "stained" = "ruined"....sigh...)

[NLC Beads]

I switch to jeans as soon as I get home, and they're functional - if they get dirty, I wash them, if they stay dirty, oh well... They have a permanent wear spot from using my right thigh to rub my graphite marver on every time before I use it. :lol: Yeck to tan pants - but our dress code is a black skirt, sooooo... Flip a coin which is more of a pain...

[KarenBeth]

Do I need to have a flashback arrestor or gauge to hook propane to my hothead?

[Kerri LeRoux]

Hi everybody. Newbie here. Mind if I jump aboard?

I have a Hot Head and had a welding supply place make a gas mixture for me. They gave me something marked HGX. Said they had made that mixture for other glass workers. They were so proud of themselves because they painted the tank orange for me. Problem is, I can't seem to make a bead without the scum factor when I use it. Don't have that problem with MAPP. Any ideas? Sure would like to make it work, if I can.

Thanks!

[Dale M.]

HGX..... A flame enhancement additive for bulk Propane.

http://www.energyadditives.com/html/cutting_fuel_additive__hgx-3_.html

http://www.energyadditives.com/html/testimonials__hgx-3r_.html

And this is what it is.........

http://www.energyadditives.com/html/msds__hgx-3r_.html

Relates to a simple additive to BULK PROPANE to possible increase burn temperature characteristics......

Dale

[LadyHaak]

I have a question. I've always used a minor with 02 and propane. When the 02 goes out, the bead gets scummy just staying in the propane. Add the o2 back in and it burns off the scum. If you're just using propane or mapp, how do you keep the glass clean?

[Dale M.]

I have a question. I've always used a minor with 02 and propane. When the 02 goes out, the bead gets scummy just staying in the propane. Add the o2 back in and it burns off the scum. If you're just using propane or mapp, how do you keep the glass clean?

If you you have a fuel/oxygen torch and are in a propane rich flame your have exceedingly reducing flame....

A HH is a fuel/AIR torch that constantly draws air from around it to support combustion, since room air is only about 19% oxygen (+/-) it is a reducing to neutral flame.... Since air flow into torch is a constant you adjust flame chemistry and heat by adding or reducing the fuel. And you have to find the best location in flame where to work the glass. You have to find the "sweet spot" in flame where heat is still intense but combustion on "more" complete, usually 1-1/2 to 3 inches for front rim of torch... This is also why a fuel/air torch is slower to work in and produces less heat (BTU) than a fuel /oxygen torch.

Dale

[LadyHaak]

Thank you Dale. I'll be away from home for 3 months and want to be able to do something with glass.

[KarenBeth]

Does anyone know how long a 20 lb tank of propane lasts on a hot head? I'm just wondering about how often I would have to change my tank as compared to my Mapp containers. My Mapp gas 1 lb containers last about 3-4 hours. I know that 20 lb of propane doesn't actually contain 20 lbs of gas plus with the fact that propane doesn't burn as hot as Mapp, I'm just curious about how many hours could I expect my propane to last.

[Dale M.]

Propane weighs 4.25 pounds per gallon. There is 4.7 gallons of propane in a #20 tank... For a total of 19.9 pounds...

Usually a #1 cylinder holds between 14 to 16 oz (brand dependent).. So if you get 3-4 hours per #1 cylinder, you should get 60 to 80 hours of use from #20 cylinder (just by the math), but your time may vary....

Dale

[KarenBeth]

Thanks Dale! Wow, that sounds sooo much cheaper than paying 8 bucks a pop for MAPP. When I did the math I came up with something similar but it sounded too good to be true hence me asking here. Wow... I've been spending so much $ when I didn't need to. #-o I'm such an idiot!

[BugNerd]

I have been using propane instead of MAPP and I'm happy with it so far. Had to clean the HH because it became ultra reducing, but that was relatively easy and quick.

You aren't an idiot, KB :D