Propane tank/BernzOmatic compatibility

J

JoshEarl

Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
197
I'm getting tired of buying little propane tanks at $2.50 a pop for the JTH7 torch that's powering my two-brick forge. I seem to get an hour and a half to two hours per bottle if I'm running at top speed.

Today I bought an adapter hose that'll let me hook my torch to a regular-size propane tank, like you'd use on a gas grill.

Are there any problems with hooking my torch up to a larger tank of propane? I'm pretty sure it'll be OK, but I was wondering if there was any difference in pressure or anything that could cause problems.

I'm also curious as to how big of a propane forge is safe to use in a two-car garage. I've been running my two-brick forge in the garage for about an hour at a time, paying close attention to how I'm feeling. Not the slightest dizziness or anything that might make me worry about CO poisoning. I think I'll have to bring our plug-in CO detector out with me some time and check the levels.

Would it be unwise to consider a slightly larger burner in this enclosed area? I'd like to eventually upgrade to a slightly more effective forge, maybe built in a piece of stove pipe. I might be able to open the door sometimes, but we live in a residential neighborhood, so I want to keep the noise contained if possible.

Thanks for any help you can offer,
Josh
 
I'll be strait and to the point.

If you are running a forge burner in a closed garage you are nuts!

Find some way to add ventilation, but you are playing Russian Roulette right now.
Stacy
 
As for hooking the JTH-7 up directly to a propane tank, I've been doing it for a year now and it works great. I seem to get a bit hotter flame than with the small tanks and it is definitely way cheaper to operate that way. I have lately been using a small bottle of MAPP gas since my propane tank is empty and I haven't had the funds to fill it but that should change shortly.

Charlie

p.s. do be careful with the ventilation thing. I've ran mine in the garage before with the door halfway open and a fan blowing.
 
Thanks, guys. I'll have to check into the ventilation thing. Maybe there's something simple I can do. Partially opening the door might be a workable option.

Josh
 
I lived through bad Carbon monoxide poisoning and it is not fun. The fact of the matter is, I am sure quite a few knifemakers burn forges inside. I would like to know how to get around this because it does not make sense to forge outdoors during winter months in many parts of the country. I am sure there has to be a safe way to ventilate a small forge.
 
Keithcellini said:
I lived through bad Carbon monoxide poisoning and it is not fun. The fact of the matter is, I am sure quite a few knifemakers burn forges inside. I would like to know how to get around this because it does not make sense to forge outdoors during winter months in many parts of the country. I am sure there has to be a safe way to ventilate a small forge.
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I remembered you when reading, CO poisoning must be horrible.
 
i also have had co poisoning ,definitely not fun. I know of several other smiths who live in a residential area as well,but from what i've heard mostly that gets em some positive attention!,your neighbors will most likely understand and be somewhat accepting if you aren't forging too late at night-heck you may even get a few orders outta the deal.Better than bein dead.
 
CShepherd said:
As for hooking the JTH-7 up directly to a propane tank, I've been doing it for a year now and it works great.



I've been wanting to do this but was not sure the best way to hook up the hose from the JTH-7 to the propane tank. Did you have to get another adapter?

thatnks


Steve
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medtech said:
CShepherd said:
As for hooking the JTH-7 up directly to a propane tank, I've been doing it for a year now and it works great.



I've been wanting to do this but was not sure the best way to hook up the hose from the JTH-7 to the propane tank. Did you have to get another adapter?

thatnks


Steve
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Steve,

I got a 5-foot adapter hose from a sporting goods store. It was in the camping section. Cost about $25. Wal-Mart had some cheaper adapters but I wasn't positive they were what I was looking for. There was actually a fitting that looked as if it would allow me to hook two JTH-7s up to one 5 lb. propane tank. If I build a bigger forge, I might go with that option. :)

Josh
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At least keep one garage door at least halfway open, a monoxide detector may not be the worst investment, I'm sure you already have a big ABC fire extinguisher already? same idea. The tank adaptors are a great idea, be sure to soap bubble test your connections regularly, I had a leak once, scared the snot outta me!

-Page
 
medtech said:
CShepherd said:
As for hooking the JTH-7 up directly to a propane tank, I've been doing it for a year now and it works great.



I've been wanting to do this but was not sure the best way to hook up the hose from the JTH-7 to the propane tank. Did you have to get another adapter?

thatnks


Steve
Click to expand...

I got the adapter at Ace Hardware. If I remember correctly it was something like $10. Definitely worth it. Just take in the JTH-7 with you and tell them what you want to do. They'll hook you up. Some people have suggested a pressure regulator but I haven't tried one yet and it seems to work great.

Charlie
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Thanks, Charlie that's what I needed to know. I have a nice collection of small blue Bernzomatic bottles:o.

Steve
 
They sell a hose kit in 5' or 12' for the the little Buddie heaters that take the small replacement propane tanks to work off larger propane tanks. Thats what I use and it works great for me.
 
All of you need to take note, that if that large cylinder is full, and gets to hot, the gas will expand and can trip the safety relief valve. When that happens, and the escapeing gas finds ignition, you are in the middle of an instant inferno and no time to react. Only time to die! The cylinder needs to be outside, or at least in another area with a good wall between you, and it, and a fast exit route. The newer cylinder valves are safer than the old ones, but there is still a definate danger. A cylinder filled in a cold environment, then taken into a warm evironment is the most dangerous. I just recently experienced a valve release from this very condition, but the tank was outside, and heated from the sun, and had no ignition source. After about five minutes, the valve closed itself, and things went back to normal.
 
LRB said:
All of you need to take note, that if that large cylinder is full, and gets to hot, the gas will expand and can trip the safety relief valve. When that happens, and the escapeing gas finds ignition, you are in the middle of an instant inferno and no time to react. Only time to die! The cylinder needs to be outside, or at least in another area with a good wall between you, and it, and a fast exit route. The newer cylinder valves are safer than the old ones, but there is still a definate danger. A cylinder filled in a cold environment, then taken into a warm evironment is the most dangerous. I just recently experienced a valve release from this very condition, but the tank was outside, and heated from the sun, and had no ignition source. After about five minutes, the valve closed itself, and things went back to normal.
Click to expand...

OK, I'm confused here. Propane tanks cool themselves as the gas burns off, right? So, aside from being out in the sun or picking up heat radiating from the forge, how would the tank overheat? Given that the tanks sit outside all summer, it seems like the temps would have to be pretty extreme to cause a problem. Well over 100 degrees, anyway.

All you guys who run propane forges in sheds and barns, what tanks are you using?

Josh
 
My tank sits on the ground just outside the door connected by a propane rated hose to my forge when I am working with the forge inside, and the roll up garage door is alll the way up. Yes propane tanks get cold in use, when I'm running a full welding heat in my forced air forge a 20 lbb bottle will freeze in about an hour and a half

-Page
 
Josh. The normal way a tank is filled is to hook it up to the fill hose and fill it until the vent spews propane. This completely fills the tank with little or no vapor space. The tank is cold from the filling. You take the tank home and set it down. It warm up to ambient temperature and the pressure overpowers the relief valve. The valve opens and vents raw propane. Most of the time it is just a slight hiss and some smell, but it can be a big blast and a big surprise if there is an ignition source nearby. I use 20# and 100# tanks. I always have them filled with 90% of the rated amount ( 4.5 gal and 22.5 gal, or 18# and 90#). That way there is always some expansion room.
Stacy
 
As far as forging inside is concerned. I forge in my basement with a modified 2 brick and 1-1/2 brick forge. I live in a very residential neighborhood with some uptight neighbors so i can't forge outside. The way I acheived safety is I installed a peice of 4" round sheet metal duct with an automatic damper and a screen (for bugs) to the outside. I installed a inline inducer motor just like the kind you install on hot water heater flues to exhaust the air to the outside. I have a second damper to work in series with the first to supply fresh air and replenish the air I take out. I have a CO detector and have never seen it in the danger zone yet. This is not cheap but it is a whole lot cheaper than medical bills or the costs you leave behind to your loved ones if you croke. Bottom line is you have to have proper ventilation when working with propane.
Clarification: I have the dampers and inducer on a switch which I can turn on and off.
 
bladsmth said:
Josh. The normal way a tank is filled is to hook it up to the fill hose and fill it until the vent spews propane. This completely fills the tank with little or no vapor space. The tank is cold from the filling. You take the tank home and set it down. It warm up to ambient temperature and the pressure overpowers the relief valve. The valve opens and vents raw propane. Most of the time it is just a slight hiss and some smell, but it can be a big blast and a big surprise if there is an ignition source nearby. I use 20# and 100# tanks. I always have them filled with 90% of the rated amount ( 4.5 gal and 22.5 gal, or 18# and 90#). That way there is always some expansion room.
Stacy
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Stacy,

Excellent info--that makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

I think I'll look into a longer hose that'll let me keep the tank outside the garage. I can work by the garage doors for ventilation.

Josh
 
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