G'Day,

in my quest to improve my heating facitlies in my workshop I'm considering
making a small air/propane torch. I've read about the small ones used by
some European jewellers (mouth blown propane torches) and I'm thinking it
may be possible to make a torch using propane,a nd compressed air.
Ideally I'd like to buy one of the small oxy sets, but it's out of my
budget.
So.... Has anyone got references or plans etc which could help me make a
adjustable valve for the propane? - I would just copy an air valve, but I've
read that propane is very corrosive and this poses a risk if it's not
designed properly.
ALSO.. Does anyone know what range of pressures a small propane/air torch
would use?
I'm planning on using a propane jet from a primus torch, OR obtaining a
smithy tip, for the tip of the torch.

Thanks,
Des
Oz

Hmmm...
Not quite the same thing, but...on Castinghobby group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/castinghobby/
we make naturally aspirated burners for our foundry furnaces from a
few bits of pipe and such. Maybe you could scale down one of the
designs. The naturally aspirated burners require higher propane
pressures than a BBQ. I use a 30 PSI regulator. They can be bought for
around $20US.
One of our members has written a book on burner design and building.
It is sold through skipjack press.
http://www.bookmasters.com/skipjack/001.htm
I have seen at least one burner that used air injection from a
compressor, it was he
http://www.ray-vin.com/casting/
Look in the furnace section.
I have made several burners and they all worked. They are pretty
forgiving.
Good luck.


Ron Thompson
On the Beautiful Florida Space Coast, right beside the Kennedy Space Center, USA

http://www.plansandprojects.com

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is
to fill the world with fools.
--Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)