New Forge burner port question

[Imagine]

Building a new forge from a #20 propane tank. Wayne Coe style. I will be running two 3/4" Frosty T burners. The burner holders are mounted tangent to the curve of the tank. I have the steel thread protectors on the burner tubes. 

I'm getting ready to form the cast-o-lite inside the upper section around the burners. 

The question is, should I leave the protectors off and form the cast-o-lite into a 12:1 and not use the protectors, or leave the protectors on, and form to them? Does it even matter at that point?

Any input is appreciated. 

Keith 

[Frosty]

Welcome aboard Keith, glad to have you. Sounds like you have a good idea of what you're doing with the forge. Good deal glad to see it. 

You can do one, either or both without worrying about messing something up. I like the thread protectors in that situation as sacrificial ends on the burner tubes. Better to let cheapy thread protectors burn up over time than the not expensive but not free iron pipe burner tubes.

You WILL post pics of it up and running yes? Please? 

[WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith]

Keith, now when are you going to come back and learn to make tongs, etc.  I have demonstrated 3 different ways to make tongs so maybe you will be all set up.

Let me know how I can help you.

Wayne

[Imagine]

Thanks Frosty,  I like the idea of a sacrificial end. Although, to be honest,  I couldn't find anything but the plastic thread protectors so ended up with threaded conduit couplings. Not free, but cheaper than pipe nipples. 

Wayne, thoroughly enjoyed my visit at your forge. I hope to be able to come back and spend some more time soon. My wife loved the leaf you made by the way. 

For those that don't already know,  when Wayne says "let me know how I can help" he means it. 

[Frosty]

Did you ask at a plumbing supply or a big box store? Plumbing supplies generally get pipe by the pallet and plastic thread protectors don't so they have steel ones. The HVAC supply up the road has buckets of steel thread protectors, last time I asked for a couple they made me take the bucket, at least 30 of them.

The Home Depot or Lowes guys don't even know what I'm talking about.

I have a plastic jar with a couple inches of kaolin clay slip I was experimenting with a few years ago. When I put a new thread protector on a burner tube I stir up the slip and dip the burner end. It fills the threads, dries and seems to preserve the thread protector. Some day that jar will be empty and I'll have to find something different but for now it seems to help.

Frosty The Lucky.

[jcornell]

I've successfully used the conduit connector as a burner flare for years - it's reasonably durable, and really cheap to replace.  I can't tell from your picture if you ate the zinc coating off with acid before using - out my way the conduit connectors from Lowes and Home Depot are galvanized, so they get an overnight dip in muriatic acid before I deploy them.

[Imagine]

The conduit couplings were indeed galvanized, but spending the night in a jar of plain old vinegar took care of the zinc. 

I just  about have the forge ready for a trial run if I can catch a break in the weather. I'm outdoors for the time being and it's been pretty breezy the past few days.