MAPP Gas in Winter

[LauraLou]

I read this post. I have the same question regarding bulk MAPP gas. If it is kept outside, in the cold Michigan winter, will it freeze? How cold is too cold? I'm contemplating switching to bulk from the 1 pounders for my Hot Head.

Laura

[Dale M.]

According to this MSDS... -187°f.... You should not worrry...

http://www.uniweld.com/msds_sheets/G118.pdf

Of course pressure will drop in tank as temperature drops..

Dale

[LauraLou]

Ok, so the freezing point is -187, do you have any idea how cold it get before the Hot Head will stop getting hot enough to work the glass?
If anybody has experience with this, will you please reply?

Thanks for that info, Dale!

Laura

[LauraLou]

Originally Posted by LauraLou

Ok, so the freezing point is -187, do you have any idea how cold it get before the Hot Head will stop getting hot enough to work the glass?
If anybody has experience with this, will you please reply?

Thanks for that info, Dale!

Laura

I thought I would post an update, in the event the info is needed by someone else....
I bought a hose to hook up to bulk Propylene and found out that the fitting for bulk propane is different for bulk propylene. They are not interchangeable.
The hose for bulk propane was available at a local superstore. The hose for bulk propylene is available at Heritage Glass. I bought the 12 foot hose for $32.95 + S&H.

The reason I started this thread was that I wondered if a bulk tank would lose pressure after awhile (like the 1# mapp), If kept outside in the snow.

I bought a 30# bulk propylene tank and it stays outside. There is snow here now and it has been below freezing for many nights. I have not had any trouble with losing pressure. Maybe this is a "DUH" to most of you, but as a newbie, I wasn't sure what to expect. I have worked at the flame for over 1 1/5 hours at a time and did not lose pressure. Now, I can make large beadies without having to stop because I'm losing pressure! :clap: It does take me awhile to finish something over 1 1/5 inches, but at least now I can finish it!

I did try bulk propane, because that was the first hose I had purchased so I thought I'd give it a try, however the beads looked real bad. They were dark and sooty (is that even a word?) and I was very unhappy. I only made 2 beads and quickly decided to go with propylene.

So, for what it's worth... 3 hoses and 2 weeks later, I'm happy... for now. I am saving up for a oxy/propane set up because I want to work faster. (I am an impatient person.) This is nothing against a Hot Head. I am so happy that I have one. It gave me the time to play with the molton glass and learn the properties of the glass, and the time to decide if this was a hobby I will stick with.
Anyway, thanks for listening!

Laura

[Darelyn]

I get very little pressure from the propylene tank when it's outside in the Minnesota winter. Therefore, I can't make beads when the tank is cold.

[cadia]

I agree with Darelyn, I develope a hate/hate relationship with my HH during the winter months, so right now I'm punishing it by not letting it play til it warms up...am thinking of upgrading my torch after I try bulk propane on the HH.

Originally Posted by Darelyn

I get very little pressure from the propylene tank when it's outside in the Minnesota winter. Therefore, I can't make beads when the tank is cold.