Lampwork Etc.
 
TrueDesign

LE Live Chat

Enter Live Chat

No users in chat


Donate via PayPal to donate@lampworketc.com

Beads of Courage


 

Go Back   Lampwork Etc. > Library > Tips, Techniques, and Questions

Tips, Techniques, and Questions -- Technical questions or tips

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 2006-07-19, 10:13am
la•ni•ha's Avatar
la•ni•ha la•ni•ha is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Northshore of MA
Posts: 31
Default Yet another Natural Gas Question

Hi Guys, I'm still new here, and have been searching and reading anything I can find on Natural Gas Set ups. I have a lynx and called GTT, they told me it could run off 2psi (which is more than our house pressure which I assume is 1/4-1/2 psi from what I've read is the norm) I know I have two options, 1. Throw a booster on the line and a regulator on all our other appliance to bring them back down to normal pressure or 2. Get a new line to the house at the right presuure that will be used just for my torch.

Now heres the question...When I talked to the gas company they don't know what I'm talking about. They state that the Natural Gas is measured in Inches of Water Columns. When you talk about PSI are you using a conversion rate? Or are you just using the inches of water columns number with a psi over it?

Sorry if this has been asked before. I couldn't find a reference. I am so confused.

Thanks,
Lauren
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2006-07-19, 10:28am
Phoenix's Avatar
Phoenix Phoenix is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 09, 2005
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 6,559
Default

I was told there are 16 inches in a pound (i hope my terminology is right) so 1/4 = 4 inches

it took awhile for me and the gas guy to come close to the same language!
__________________
-Jessica
Buy Beads:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

--------------
Make Beads:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

--------------

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Do you make purple hearts? Let me know in your order and I'll send you free purple glass!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2006-07-19, 8:09pm
artwhim's Avatar
artwhim artwhim is offline
Corgi Cult Member
 
Join Date: Jan 10, 2006
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 3,723
Default

Lauren, years ago we installed a NG line for my Lynx. I was so dissappointed when it wouldn't run it. My husband and I decided the cheapest fix was to install a second line that runs to a propane tank outside the house. Would be nice to not worry about refilling the propane tank but the other options to use NG with that torch sounded more expensive.
Kathy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2006-07-20, 8:57pm
la•ni•ha's Avatar
la•ni•ha la•ni•ha is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Northshore of MA
Posts: 31
Default

Thanks for the info. It's looking like I might have to "down-grade" from a lynx to something smaller that will run on less pressure. I was taught on a Lynx and Bobcat and will hate to go to a different torch, but the Betta by Bethlaham (sp?) is rumored to run off regular pressure natural gas found in a residence. I'd rather not, but it just seems like it's going to be very expensive, I can't think of any other way
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2006-07-22, 3:33pm
BarbaraB's Avatar
BarbaraB BarbaraB is offline
It's all about art.
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: IN
Posts: 591
Default

It was my understanding that a Bobcat will run on natural gas. I have a Lynx too but when I went to NG I bought a MiniCC and wish I had bought a Bobcat. I think it is nearer to a Lynx than anything else you might find.

Barbara
__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
....
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2006-07-24, 5:13pm
lavendar420's Avatar
lavendar420 lavendar420 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 08, 2006
Posts: 1,025
Default

The studio where I work runs bobcats on natural gas. They're in an industrial area, and have extra pressure, but they also run 7 torches at once.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2006-07-24, 9:27pm
Dale M.'s Avatar
Dale M. Dale M. is offline
Gentleman of Leisure
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: A Little Bit West of Yosemite Valley
Posts: 5,200
Default

1 pound/square inch = 27.679 904 843 inch of water [4 °C]

http://www.onlineconversion.com/pressure.htm

The correct translation for WC (Water Column) to PSI ( Pounds per Square Inch)

1/4 PSI is 7 inches Water Column.
1/2 PSI is 14 inches WC.
1 PSI is 28 inches WC.

So if you want 2 PSI it converts to roughly 56 inches WC ....

Actually...

2 pound/square inch = 55.359 809 685 inch of water [4 °C]


Here is another solution....

http://www.gas-tec.com/applications.html

http://www.gas-tec.com/images/PDFs/glass_1.pdf

You can run this on TORCH line only!... But its about $1000....

Dale
__________________
You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can't make them think.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Vendor-Artist-Studio-Teacher Registry

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
San Francisco - A Few Toys Short of a Happy Meal

Last edited by Dale M.; 2006-07-24 at 9:37pm.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2006-12-12, 8:47pm
merigypsy's Avatar
merigypsy merigypsy is offline
Newfoundland lover!
 
Join Date: Sep 03, 2005
Location: south shore, Mass.
Posts: 979
Default

Hi Lauren
I know that you posted this a few months ago, but I am curious as to what you ended up doing. I am on the South shore- same state and same dilema!

My hubby hooked me up to NG but the psi is way too low & when he called Keyspan, our gas co., they didn't know what we were talking about, as well.

I have a Firebird by Wale, which is small and just a step up from the minors so I don't think going smaller is going to help me. I could barely get my little blue cones to 1/8 inch!!! I am thinking about going to G-tec for the booster, but whewww the price is not easily justified in my case.
Thanks!
Merilee
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2006-12-13, 10:46am
Emily's Avatar
Emily Emily is offline
Missing presumed fed
 
Join Date: Nov 15, 2005
Location: Wherever
Posts: 3,158
Default

You'd want to call GTT to be certain, but I think a Bobcat will run off residential gas pressure. I believe the whole point of the Betta was that it was designed to operate on lower gas pressures. If you want to stick with your Lynx, though, your options are to persuade your gas company to increase your pressure (which people reportedly have succeeded in doing, sometimes, although I bet it hasn't been easy), spring for the gas booster, which is at least $1,000, or use propane.

You might want to check over on WetCanvas for posts about which torches operate well on residential gas pressure. I just did a little bit of searching over on the ISGB forum and found a couple of posts about the Bobcat suggesting that it did, but nothing very informative, and a mention or two of the Betta, but just inquiries without information. For what it's worth, when I bought my Bethlehem Bead Burner (which was the model that was replaced by the Pirahna), Beth told me that it would operate on residental NG pressure. I never got around to hooking it up to the gas, though, and now I've been seduced by a Lynx so I'm totally out of luck on the NG.
__________________
To those who question the real value of the Web: Sea slugs. Now, please fall into a respectful silence, and don't speak again until you understand why you were wrong.
Scorpion and one Intensity 10 lpm 20 psi concentrator
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2006-12-13, 11:40am
kbinkster's Avatar
kbinkster kbinkster is offline
PyronamixK
 
Join Date: Jun 24, 2005
Location: Spatula City
Posts: 4,196
Default

The Bobcat will run quite nicely on NG at household pressure (around 1/4 psi).
__________________
Kimberly
working glass since 1990 - melting it on a torch since 2002
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 2006-12-13, 7:16pm
cgreagor's Avatar
cgreagor cgreagor is offline
FireDancer Glass
 
Join Date: Oct 20, 2005
Location: Banks, OR
Posts: 884
Default

My bobcat runs on NG and I have had no problems with it. I am very happy with it! I had to go thru a welding company, not natural gas. NG had no idea what I was talking about! But the welding company had worked with lampworkers before and was very helpful. NG company wouldn't even come out. Since I was allready hooked up when the house was built they sent me over to the welders.
good luck
Christy
www.firedancerjewelry.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2006-12-13, 7:30pm
JoyasdelSol's Avatar
JoyasdelSol JoyasdelSol is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 11, 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 135
Default

I run natural gas at household pressure with my mini-cc and love it!

Carlisle

Joyce
__________________
Carlisle Mini-CC/15 LPM OxyCon/Natural Gas - 2005

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
- No auctions right now.

Last edited by JoyasdelSol; 2006-12-13 at 8:11pm.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2006-12-13, 9:11pm
merigypsy's Avatar
merigypsy merigypsy is offline
Newfoundland lover!
 
Join Date: Sep 03, 2005
Location: south shore, Mass.
Posts: 979
Default

Emily, Kbinkster(kimberely?), Joyce & Christy
thanks!!!
Seems like a Bobcat or minor would be the way to go. It would be a lot cheaper than to get a Booster-tho I did speak to some really helpful people at G-tec and will keep that as a serious option.

Strange(to me ) update... My hubby & I found that if the heat isn't on that I can get a decent flame. So things may just work if I keep the heat low while at the torch. Yes it can get real cold here, but it would only be for a few more months and there is a sep heat in the part of the house where the torch is in.
I can't say how much I appreciate the help you gave me ,Gals, and for all the things I learn on here!!!!
Merilee
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2006-12-14, 7:40am
jknappcampbell's Avatar
jknappcampbell jknappcampbell is offline
Always with a smile!
 
Join Date: Sep 03, 2005
Location: Lakewood, CO
Posts: 2,638
Default

I have a booster and love it, if you become as "addicted" as the rest of us (speaking for myself and those I know), eventually you will want/need the higher pressure. I've not been disappointed in my g-tec booster.
__________________
Jill Knapp Campbell
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
) and
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
)
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 2006-12-14, 12:39pm
merigypsy's Avatar
merigypsy merigypsy is offline
Newfoundland lover!
 
Join Date: Sep 03, 2005
Location: south shore, Mass.
Posts: 979
Default

Oh Jill
I am SO addicted, too!- and I really don't make much from my stuff yet. But It is a passion/hobby I am keeping around for the long haul!!!!
Heck maybe I save for another torch and a booster- I rather give up most luxuries just to do my creative passions!
My next conquest is to figure out how to upload pictures of my beads to show- one of my programs conflicts with others so I jsut give up and go make beads!

Thanks
Merilee
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 2006-12-14, 1:30pm
Dale M.'s Avatar
Dale M. Dale M. is offline
Gentleman of Leisure
 
Join Date: Jun 10, 2005
Location: A Little Bit West of Yosemite Valley
Posts: 5,200
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by merigypsy View Post
.... update... My hubby & I found that if the heat isn't on that I can get a decent flame.
This would indicate that either supply pressure from utility company is not adequate or the plumbing in your place is to small and can not handle the volume of fuel required for heating and torch at same time....

Adding a booster may NOT be a solution, if NG system in your home or utility company can not supply enough volume now it is going to really be a stretch when you kick on NG booster and system is required to supply 4 to 8 times the gas volume it is now supplying...

Suggest you investigate going to (or back to) tanked fuel such as propane...

Dale
__________________
You can lead a person to knowledge, but you can't make them think.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Vendor-Artist-Studio-Teacher Registry

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
San Francisco - A Few Toys Short of a Happy Meal
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2006-12-14, 9:04pm
merigypsy's Avatar
merigypsy merigypsy is offline
Newfoundland lover!
 
Join Date: Sep 03, 2005
Location: south shore, Mass.
Posts: 979
Default

Thanks Dale!
I hope I am wrong about this, because I really don't want to have to go back to tanks...But I will do what I have to to torch!
But again thanks
Merilee
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 2006-12-19, 10:04am
la•ni•ha's Avatar
la•ni•ha la•ni•ha is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Northshore of MA
Posts: 31
Default

Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I ended up going with the Betta. It was just to much of a hassle and where I am living is not permanant. I will be here for about a year longer so I did not want to invest to much into this location. I have loved the Betta so far. I'm glad I went for it, the hassle of the gas company just seemed like it was to much to deal with. I do miss my Lynx, but I kept it for later...you never know what will happen, I've learned to never return any form of art or craft supplies. Good luck with everything, I know I've caught the bug and spend every extra minute I have in the studio...I'm sure you feel the same!

Lauren
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 2006-12-20, 2:27pm
lavendar420's Avatar
lavendar420 lavendar420 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 08, 2006
Posts: 1,025
Default

so how did you hook up the betta to your household gas?
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 2006-12-21, 11:44am
la•ni•ha's Avatar
la•ni•ha la•ni•ha is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 11, 2006
Location: Northshore of MA
Posts: 31
Default

Very Simple. I called a plummer and he put a T connector into our gas line with a shut off valve. He then ran that over to my torch. At my torch he put another shut off valve (make sure it's a heavy duty one because you will be shuting it on and off everytime you use your torch...that's a lot more than a normal shut off valve is use to). At the end, I had him put a graduated cap on (no idea if that is the correct title) but it looks the same as what is on the torch to connect the hoses to.
I hope I explained that right. Let me know if you have any more questions. I can post pictures if you'd like me to. Just let me know.

Lauren
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:23am.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Your IP: 3.237.24.82