Easiest/cheapest way to acquire oxy/propane warming gear?

[jerrytug]

Any tips please chaps?
I have used oxy-propane cutting gear often on various jobs over the years, and now I want to buy a small set, mainly for a one-off job on my barge.
The steel prop shaft has seized rock solid in the steel stern tube and the only thing to do is warm it until we can free the shaft.
I want to get the heat quickly into a specific area, without heating the surrounding structure which is 125 yr old rivetted iron with possible lead wire sealing betwenn the plates..
The total heating time will not exceed an hour hopefully, and that is allowing for fumbles and repetitions.
I can't really hire a bottle from BOC etc, technically Im not allowed to store it on board and it is just one job anyway.
What bottles and gear would be sensible??

 

[Onoff]

Hobbyweld?

https://hobbyweld.co.uk

Would a MAPP torch not do it?

 

[jerrytug]

Hi Onoff, when you say Mapp, do you mean Mapp with oxygen, or by itself? I was wanting to use a more powerful way of heating than LPG alone, because I want to heat it quickly, and free the shaft while everything is hot, but before the heat spreads to the surrounding structure.

 

[mike os]

How big is the part you want to heat?

 

[Onoff]

Hi Onoff, when you say Mapp, do you mean Mapp with oxygen, or by itself? I was wanting to use a more powerful way of heating than LPG alone, because I want to heat it quickly, and free the shaft while everything is hot, but before the heat spreads to the surrounding structure.

I just meant MAPP on its own.

I know though the flame tip on my Rothernberger torch is more "blow lamp" than the nice tight pin point flame on oxy-acetylene. Funnily enough I bought it with the intent of melting the braze on the front wings of Capris. Never worked so it's now my plumbing torch.

 

[Ashley Burton]

@jerrytug Mapp Gas heats up more than propane

Shame your not local as I have what you need & would let you use it with covering the cost of the gas

 

[8ob]

@jerrytug you are more than welcome to borrow my oa for a weekend, just pay for what you use. One of my lads lives on pompy so I can send it down with him.

Bob

 

[awemawson]

I have a feeling HSS hire oxy-propane out

 

[jerrytug]

@jerrytug you are more than welcome to borrow my oa for a weekend, just pay for what you use. One of my lads lives on pompy so I can send it down with him.

Bob

That's very kind, not sure exactly what the plan is. It will be next month as I have a bunch of guests coming down.
Just want to get the gear ready and make a plan in advance.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys, some interesting things to explore.

 

[jerrytug]

How big is the part you want to heat?

It's a steel stern gland tube, and the shaft dia. is 3 1/2 " off the cuff. The shaft has properly seized in the tube, we've had a couple of big chaps on the 4' Stilsons and we were putting twist in the shaft!

 

[Onoff]

Can't get some atf down there to soak in?

 

[tom2207]

@jerrytug you are more than welcome to borrow my oa for a weekend, just pay for what you use. One of my lads lives on pompy so I can send it down with him.

Bob

You cant get better than that at any price.

 

[Brad93]

Rent free oxygen probably the best way to go with a small propane from a local supplier.

Personally I prefer oxy-acetylene for concentrated heating, propane makes a lot more radiant heat. Great if you want to warm a large weldment or casting up as it does so much more evenly than acetylene. If you want to heat nuts, bolts, shafts etc then acetylene is much better.

 

[jerrytug]

Can't get some atf down there to soak in?

It's gone beyond that stage, I think it might have melted some white metal bushes and brazed itself together!
Not sure exactly but it is sincerely not turning, and we have 'asked it politely' with the Stilsons etc..

 

[awemawson]

But presumably there is a cutlass bearing between the stern tube and the shaft - that needs driving out possibly from within.

 

[Ruffian]

Map gas and plumbers torch.

Or if it's a little job I like the oxy turbo 90 but then again the disposable bottles get expensive if using alot.

But then just a decent propane torch can do most stuff.

 

[armalites]

@jerrytug Can you get all the way around the shaft? It may be worth trying to borrow an inductive heater, no flames and the entire circumference can be heated at the same time.

 

[Seadog]

I think it might have melted some white metal bushes and brazed itself together!

If so, and you can get the heat to the right place, it should be a doddle to remove.

 

[8ob]

@jerrytug Can you get all the way around the shaft? It may be worth trying to borrow an inductive heater, no flames and the entire circumference can be heated at the same time.

Makes sense as there is a restriction on bottle gas, inverter/carbon arc could be another possibility.

Bob

 

[Matchless]

I have a cutting torch going begging, may have hoses and regs but post would add up a bit, no bottles spare,