home gas line for torch?

[bhali333]

Hi,

I am brand new to flamework and am trying to figure out my set up.

Can I run my torch from my existing home gas line or must I use a propane tank?

Any help is appreciated

Bruce

[woodywood143]

what kind of torch are you running?

[tracidawn78]

Hi Bruce,

I had a plumber come out and install a hook-up from my household natural gas. It wasn't much, about $200 for the labor and the parts. I chose the NG because I work upstairs in my house and it would have been a royal pain to get propane up there. Let me know if you need a picture of what it looks like. Depending on the torch, it can be a great set up. It works wonderfully with my torch.

[woodywood143]

If your running a HH (hot head) it doesnt make a lot of sense to spend $200 to plumb in a $29 dollar torch, Im a newb too, and I would recommend trying some beads prior to attempting sculptures, at least you will get a basic idea of how to make something round, and how glass flows as well as how you can manipulate it with tools then you can move up to trying to put some handles on a vessel or two, which after 4 months I still cant seem to do evenly. What type of torch do you have?

[bhali333]

I do not have a torch yet but was leaning towards the "Mega Minor Bench Burner "

Unless someone has a better suggestion that will work for me using my home gas line.

Bruce

[playswithfire104]

Are you on NG or Propane?

[bhali333]

I do not have a set up yet but am in a great location for a natural gas line set up in my basement

Bruce

[woodywood143]

cant help you out with mega minor questions Im still on a HH with 20lb propane tank myself plan on a upgrade in the spring, Check out some of the saftey threads, I was torching without a vent system till just recentlly and was making myself sick. Your gonna need a kiln too. Im starting to get the hang of this after trial and error and lots of Youtube video on the topic check some of those out.

Pete
aka worlds worst spelker.

[Alaska]

Keep in mind that not all torches will run on low pressure natural gas. The pressure in homes in the range of 1/4 to 1/3 psi. You can check with the gas company and see if they will install a 5 psi meter. It could be costly or not available due to city codes, etc.

The GTT site states the following about the Cricket. "It can be run on 1/4 psi fuel gas and 3 psi oxygen!" Other brands may do likewise.

Presently using the GTT on propane and a 5 LPM concentrator for small boro work.

[msy439]

I run a minor on home NG,had plumber come in and set up line with a shut off valve.Works great for small beads,if you want to do sculpture you may be disappointed.On the up side you never run out of gas,no tanks to lug around,it's cleaner and safer.

[Beckah]

I've used a MiniCC, Cricket and Betta on a 1/4 PSI NG. All worked fine, but I thought the Cricket did the best. I recently got the local utility company to up my NG to 2PSI since on-demand NG water heaters require the greater pressure. At the same time my gas guy also did a line to my torch. The extra PSI is great!

[OnCloud9]

I am on a nortel minor and 2 5LPM oxycons. I am connected o my NG mainline into the house with a separtate shut off valve. With this I can make pretty big beads and small sculptures (ie goddess and off mandrel stuff).

The mega minor is even better . . .with 2 oxycon you can even do boro.

Check-out Dwyns blog on the mega minor torch and NG.
Best of luck.


http://dragonjools.blogspot.com/2007...unboosted.html

[NorthernMermaid]

I am running a Nortel minor on NG with a 10LPM oxycon without issue.

Fortunately the gas line was already present in my studio area. I am using it with normal house pressure and I get a decent flame.

[CherieRanfranz]

I use a minor (and a 5lpm oxycon) with propane piped in from my outside tank. I have a shutoff value and a flashback arrestor at the shutoff value located right next to my workspace. I had a licensed heating guy do the work and install a hood at the same time. Works great! Good luck!

Cherie

[glass obsessed]

Since you mentioned you are planning on setting up your studio in your basement also please consider checking out the venting threads at LE before you decide on your gas source. As Pete mentioned above this is also an important issue. Good luck and let us know how your studio works out.

[Cassie]

If you are going to be setting up in your basement, NG might be the better choice anyway when it comes to the "what if" type scenario where it concerns fuel leaks. Definitely check out the safety section here on LE!