Propane Torch

[Jim_P]

I'm looking for a self igniting, propane torch that connects to a 20 Lb tank. Those using heavy and ridiculously expensive small tanks are not what I'm looking for.

I've seen video of one that self ignites when a trigger is pulled and gas starts flowing. This would be the best solution I'm looking for.

Anyone know where to get one?

Thanks in advance

[Bored1]

Not sure exactly what your looking for but harbor frieghts probably got what you need.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=propane+torch

20% off coupon s are easy to find for harbor freight too, just Google for one.

[Bzcraig]

Lowes has the handheld torch here: http://www.lowes.com/pd_387416-743-TS8000KC_1z0wcii__?productId=50126389&pl=1
just need to find the gas line which should be available at a RV parts house.

[Pipefitter]

HF also sells an adapter to refill 1lb propane bottles from a 20lb tank, it is illegal to transport said refilled tanks though.

[NavyVet1959]

There are adapters that you can use to refill the portable tanks from the 20 lb tanks.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200632936_200632936
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/mr-heater-propane-tank-refill-adapter?cm_vc=-10005
http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=20213

Also, there are the pieces of the necessary adapters that you could use to build your own refill adapter. I bought my fittings at NorthernTool because they were out of the ready made unit. Basically, it consists of three parts:
1. POL fitting that connects to the 20-lb tank on one end and female 1/4" NPT on the other end
2. Short pipe / nipple threaded 1/4" NPT on both ends
3. Adapter that has portable propane torch fitting on one end and 1/4" female NPT on the other end.

This scenario varies a bit since you have to work around what you can find. For example, if #1 and #3 above have male 1/4" NPT stubs on them already, you need a fitting that has 1/4" female NPT on both ends for part #2.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/mr-heater-propane-fitting-pol
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/mr-heater-propane-grill-acme-nut-black?cm_vc=-10005
http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=16831
http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=21076
http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=15778

Need a 500K BTU propane torch?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200584783_200584783

This fitting is the same as what is found on the top of the portable torch bottles:
http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=19664

This fitting screws into the top of the portable torch bottles:
http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=16831

This fitting screws into the tank valve for the 20 lb propane tanks:
http://www.bestmaterials.com/detail.aspx?ID=15423

Combining these 3 together with some couplings and a bit of air hose that is rated for 300 psi and you have a propane torch that can be directly fueled from a 20 lb propane tank.

If you already have a oxy-acetylene cutting / brazing rig, you might be interested to know that the acetylene tank fitting is the same as the 20 lb propane tank fitting. I routinely use propane with my acetylene regulator for cutting and brazing. I'm not a great welder, but I can usually make things stick together. :)

Hope this gives you enough information to build whatever you are looking for.

Oh, by the way, I haven't had that great of luck with the propane torches that have the self-igniting feature. Maybe I drop them too often? Also, mine leaked, so I had to remove it from the tank after each use or I would end up with an empty tank the next time I used it. Don't remember the brand, but I think I bought it from Home Depot or Lowes. I much prefer the old fashioned torches that just have a valve and no igniter. I have an old empty long reach butane lighter that looks like a large match stick that I use as an igniter for it. For some reason, it seems to have lasted a lot longer than the built-in igniter on the propane torch. Probably because I don't drop it?

It looks something like this:

http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/m1vv9un1lc4fJQkGz81eTQw.jpg

It really depends upon what you are going to be using the device for. Do you need the smaller BTU torch like is normally attached to a small bottle or do you need the 500K BTU "torch" that is used to burn weeds along fence lines and by some here as added BTUs for their smelting?

[depoloni]

Your local Ace Hardware (Aco Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc/etc) should have a pre-made gas line that connects from a 20-25# "gas grill" tank to a hand-held torch that usually screws onto one of the hand-held bottles.

That's exactly what I have to provide "booster heat" on top of my turkey burner smelter to melt large chunks faster - downriggers, large ingots, that sort of thing. Is a 6 foot long black rubber hose with a brass fitting at both ends. Got the hose and the auto-ignite torch handle at the same Home Depot fwiw.

[Mal Paso]

You can get an adapter hose and run a 16 oz torch from any large cylinder.

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-12-Foot-Assembly-F273702/dp/B00005LEXM/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1441852652&sr=8-6&keywords=20+lb+propane+tank+adapter+hose+hose

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-High-Pressure-Propane-Hose-Adapter/dp/B0009PUQAK/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1441852742&sr=8-9&keywords=20+lb+propane+tank+adapter+hose+hose

[MediumCore358]

I'd buy the refill adapter rather then make one about 15-20 bucks. I've used mine hundreds of times. Put the 1 pounders in the freezer for about 10min, screw the adapter onto room temperature 20lb tank then screw the cold 1 lb tank onto adapter fill with 20lb tank upside down, when the valve is open you can hear the filling takes about 2min when you hear the flow stop close your valve. Once I removed the small tank without closing the valve, wasn't as scary as you'd think just quickly closed the valve avoiding the freezing stream of propane.

[gpidaho]

Coleman camping equipment makes the three way tree to use a bulk tank instead of the small bottles and hoses to connect where you would usually put the bottle. Gp

[bedbugbilly]

Lots of sources already given but I cast in a pot over a cast iron single propane hot-plate hooked to a 20 lb. tank. I've had this hot plate for probably 15 years - I got it in the camping section at Cabelas - had to buy the supply line from the propane tank to the hot plate separately. I'm sure it would work with possibly a bras adapter (available in plumbing departments) if it was needed. It's probably nothing more than a Coleman, etc. supply line. Might be another source for one if you're at a Cabelas.

[ironmonger]

I have Surefire Air/Acetylene tips that are self igniting, and fit in a turbotorch style handle. Victor makes a similar set up:

http://victortechnologies.com/turbotorch/products/detailProduct.html?prodID=0386-0821

that also fits on a turbotorch style handle. All of the turbotorch stuff is designed for end-of-hose use. They can operate off a standard low pressure fuel regulator, the same as used for Acetylene. The hoses need to be 'T' rated, this allows the use of acetylene or LP/mapp.

I can only speak to Airco 2 stage regulators, but many others may be similar. The internal parts for airco regulators are all the same. While the regulators are listed for different service gases, the internal parts in the gas path all share the same part numbers. There is a difference in internal first stage springs from high pressure to lp/mapp/acetylene but the soft parts are identical. YMMV

paul
WB9HCO

[NavyVet1959]

We're all kind of jumping around on our answers *thinking* that we know what the OP was meaning, but it would be nice if the OP would come back and give a bit more detail on what he is wanting to do so that our answers could be more tailored to the problem that he is trying to solve.

[Mal Paso]

We're all kind of jumping around on our answers *thinking* that we know what the OP was meaning, but it would be nice if the OP would come back and give a bit more detail on what he is wanting to do so that our answers could be more tailored to the problem that he is trying to solve.

Na! I'll bet he solved the problem while we were finding the tool! :veryconfu

[Jim_P]

Nope, haven't found it but the Victor torch kits are looking like the solution.

I was looking for a better way to heat and reflow lead in ingot moulds after pouring to give a more even and consistent shape. Using a standard propane torch with a 1 pound tanks just wasn't putting out enough BTUs to make the process easier. So, I was looking for a high capacity/heat torch to solve the problem.

This is what I came up with to include a regulator/adapter. And this solution was due to the direct input of this thread. So, again, I thank you for your input.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/313%2B7Nw-UbL._AA160_.jpg

Just haven't purchased yet.

Jim

[bangerjim]

HF also sells an adapter to refill 1lb propane bottles from a 20lb tank, it is illegal to transport said refilled tanks though.

I gave up on trying to refill propane hand-held tanks or Coleman stove tanks from 20 or 100# cylinders. They WILL fill up with gas....you have to have the source tank upside down to get the liquid to transfer, you have to use needle nose pliers to pull UP on the safety valve to get good transfer flow......but......the main internal valve where the torch or hose connects is always damaged by the adaptor to the point ALL the gas leaks out! And you cannot stop it. I wasted at least 7 16oz tanks of propane that way. And this is a professional adaptor, not the *** HF sells.

These small tanks are NOT made to be refilled and as said it is illegal to transport them!

Waste of time.

[rancher1913]

just in case you don't know that set up is for an acetylene tank not a propane and will get very hot, we use them for brazing, but you can change the tips to get less heat. doesn't look like that one is self igniting but they do make them. you can get an acetylene "B" tank at any welding supply place and it will last a good long time.

[bangerjim]

Lowes has the handheld torch here: http://www.lowes.com/pd_387416-743-TS8000KC_1z0wcii__?productId=50126389&pl=1
just need to find the gas line which should be available at a RV parts house.

I Have 2 of these, one with a 10 foot hose I put on it for convenience from a 20 pounder. Great torch! Well worth the $$ as opposed to anything HF sells!

bangerjim

[Nueces]

just in case you don't know that set up is for an acetylene tank not a propane and will get very hot, we use them for brazing, but you can change the tips to get less heat. doesn't look like that one is self igniting but they do make them. you can get an acetylene "B" tank at any welding supply place and it will last a good long time.

I spent a half hour researching these things and had the same thought at first. But, check the wording on the photo in Jim P's post - it says "Total LP Kit" and is designed for use with MAPP or propane gas. Victor makes several of these kits, differing in number and size of tips. They are for use with the small bottles, so a 20# adapter will still be needed if you want to use the big tank.

[John Wayne]

Since you are re-heating an ingot and need more btu's use Mapp gas, available at Lowes

[jmorris]

There are two kinds of auto start propane torches Bernzomatic and the rest of them. Get a TS4000 or better and a hose adapter.

[NavyVet1959]

Since you are re-heating an ingot and need more btu's use Mapp gas, available at Lowes

MAPP gas is more expensive, especially if you are buying it in the small bottles that Lowes handles. Enough so that the extra BTUs is not worth it. He would be better served by using a 20-lb LPG tank and having a torch that could run off of it.

[bangerjim]

MAPP gas is crazy expensive.....especially to just warm up lead ingots! (HOT PLATE!) I use it for fast heat when sweating copper lines in the wall. You want a ton of heat real fast.....or you could ignite the wall! And always use a heat barrier fabric!

MAPP works great for plumbing uses. But you only use it for a few seconds to get the job done. At least that is all the time I need!

banger

[NavyVet1959]

What size ingots are you casting? Are you using a ladle or a bottom pour pot? It's possible that the only way to get a smooth bottom on the ingot might be to have some sort of sprue cutter on the mold.

[bangerjim]

Why do you even care about what your ingots look like on the bottom? Most of mine look like carp and they still yield perfect boolits........every time. After all, the ingots are only an easy way to add a know measured amount of alloy to your casting pot, not win a beauty contest!

Ingots will slop around and harden as will and give rough, dimpled, dented, sunken surfaces all the time. And if you do not pour fast enough there will be layer lines on the sides. So for your example, you would have to remelt the ENTIRE ingot in the ingot mold. Might as well use it over a stove and re-melt in your ingot mold.

Beauty is only skin deep. Ugly ingots (if properly fluxed and cleaned during the re-melting process) give excellent boolits.

Save the propane torch $$ and buy more lead.

banger