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  #1  
Old 2007-02-06, 12:39pm
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lavendar420 lavendar420 is offline
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Default bulk gas & hot head setup questions

Hi, I'm thinking of setting up my hothead with a bulk tank on my apartment balcony. (Its getting warmer out...) I have some questions that I'm hoping somebody here can answer! I've been working for years at a public studio where I rent torch time, but want to be able to work at home, even if i have to switch to satake.

1) Does anybody who's tried both prefer bulk (bbq tank) propane to mapp? Is it much cheaper? I've heard that bulk propane isn't all that much better than bulk mapp but that its quite a bit more expensive.

2) What do I need for this setup? I all ready have a hothead torch, but I've been using the 1# cans. Some kind of hose must be involved, what about regulators? Any other thingies?

3) I live in Portland, OR. Does anybody know suppliers for the stuff I'll need here? Obviously bulk propane is easy enough to come by, but where do you find bulk mapp? And are some suppliers preferable to others?

4) How heavy is a bbq tank of gas? Is it reasonable to haul it up stairs to a 3rd story apartment? How long do these tanks last?
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  #2  
Old 2007-02-06, 12:49pm
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Does your apartment allow propane BBQ Grills on the upstairs balconies? If not, then you can't have a bulk tank there either.

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  #3  
Old 2007-02-06, 12:52pm
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yes, i think so. other people have propane bbqs on balconies.
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  #4  
Old 2007-02-06, 5:47pm
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Dale M. Dale M. is offline
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I would verify it with apt. managers... In most locations its illegal to have propane tank above ground floor....

Other information on HH use may be found here....

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

A full tank of propane will weigh approximately 38 pounds... 18 pounds for container weight, 20 pounds in fuel weight...

Dale
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  #5  
Old 2007-02-06, 5:56pm
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I use a tank (and that was what I used when I was on a hh). I live in Australia, so can't speak as to cost comparison, since gas is very cheap here. The tanks are heavy. I am pretty strong, have amazing upper body strength for a 40+ woman (all those years feeding horses and lifting bales of hay, I suppose, not to mention lugging the twins around!) but I would hesitate to start up three flights of stairs with a tank and no assistance. Go somewhere and heft one before you decide. Some places here deliver and charge an extra $3 or so for stairs.
HTH. Good luck!
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  #6  
Old 2007-02-06, 6:52pm
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Propane is cheaper than Mapp....
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Old 2007-02-07, 11:53am
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a bbq propane tank lasts a LONG time.
I just got mine exchanged for 21 bucks. (canadian).
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Old 2007-02-07, 12:34pm
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You should be aware that there is a risk involved using bulk propane with a hot head - and it is that the canister gas pressure is quite high - so if (god forbid) anything were to go wrong, there would be high pressure gas emptying into the room.
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Old 2007-02-07, 3:55pm
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thanks for the info. i'd have the tank & do the torching outside, so while i'd hate to pollute like that, at least it wouldn't be pressurized gas in the house.
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Old 2007-02-08, 11:15am
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I live in your area and you can get propylene ( MAPP ) at Maverick Welding Supply in Oregon City. It is not cheap though. Yesterday's quote 2/07/07 was $110.00 smallest tank. You purchase the tank with gas and return for exchange with another full tank. Called around lots of places and so far only one I can find that sells MAPP.
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  #11  
Old 2007-02-09, 6:15am
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When I was using a HH I used the bulk tank w/ propane with no problems. You don't need a regulator -- The HH is built to take tank pressure. But you do need a HH hose to go from the tank to the HH. I don't recall it being very expensive, and it was available on the standard glass websites.

Carrying the filled tank up one or more flights of stairs, hmmm. I could do one flight, but I would be resting a lot along the way!

The bulk tank did last me a long time. I'd go a month on it, but I was also using it somewhere between 20 and 30 hours a week. If you do less than that it will last much longer.

Happy torching!
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Old 2007-02-09, 9:27am
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I might wonder how neighboring balconies would feel about the fumes passing by?
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Old 2007-02-09, 9:55am
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Is there anyone out there that keeps there tank inside? I'm thinking of going to bulk and was going to keep it in my basement. How many of you also do this?
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Old 2007-02-09, 10:11am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hannahbeads View Post
Is there anyone out there that keeps there tank inside? I'm thinking of going to bulk and was going to keep it in my basement. How many of you also do this?
Hopefully no one - That would be both unsafe and illegal.
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Old 2007-02-09, 10:32am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadia View Post
I might wonder how neighboring balconies would feel about the fumes passing by?
I don't think the fumes would be any different than a propane grill.

As far as bulk tanks, when I started on a HH, I used those 1 lb tanks about 6 times, and that was it. I then changed to a 30lb propylene tank. You don't need a regulator on it either. You will need the correct hose though.
Oh, and flame away folks. I kept my tank in my basement. Yep, did this for almost 4 years with no problems. Call me stupid, lucky, whatever.
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  #16  
Old 2007-02-09, 1:14pm
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The guy I am going to buy it from said that he has glass workers using them that keep them in the basement.
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  #17  
Old 2007-02-09, 5:57pm
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I hope not...Its just DUMB...

Dale
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  #18  
Old 2007-02-09, 6:41pm
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Um...yeah....you too can blow up your house...
Propane tanks should live OUTSIDE....you can get really long hoses...it's not that big a deal!
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