Kendrick Posted September 18, 2009 Posted September 18, 2009 After reading the "efficiency" thread I decided to add a gauge to my forge for the first time. I have always had trouble getting anything even 1/4 stock sized up to welding temp. I knew I was running a low pressure regulator and not getting the volume most people had. I just had no idea how little. Assuming a standard air gauge will read propane correctly, at full blast I'm running about 1 1/2 psi of gas! I need a bigger regulator! Kendrick Quote
Kendrick Posted September 18, 2009 Author Posted September 18, 2009 OK, after an experiment I think that the gauge isn't working right. Tried the regulator from a turkey fryer that was labeled 5 psig and the gauge only got to 3. Quote
Frosty Posted September 19, 2009 Posted September 19, 2009 Go to a propane dealer, hardware store, etc. and buy a 0-30 psig regulator, it should run between $25-35. If you can't find one locally Larry Zoeller or Jay Hays sells them mail order. A search of IFI will bring up the contact info for either. The reg from your turkey frier probably does provide 5 psig but not in the volume you need for a forge. The only problem a non-propane pressure gage will run into is a shortened life but it will read accurately enough for our purposes. Frosty Quote
evfreek Posted September 20, 2009 Posted September 20, 2009 Hi Frosty. So, why does the non-propane pressure gauge have a shorter life? I used an old acetylene regulator on a bbq tank for awhile, and it eventually died from creep. I refuse to use a creepy regulator, since I have a buddy whose overpressure valve didn't release, and his diaphragm blew instead. He's lucky that he didn't lose a piece of his face. So, I opened it up, and the body was full of this stinky black goo. No damage to diaphragm, seats, anything else. I cleaned it up and the regulator worked fine. Guess the propane isn't all that clean. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.