Servicing propane regulators

[MattF]

Just wondered whether it was feasible to strip propane regulators and torches and give them a quick fettle, replace any perished seals/rings etc., (if so any caveats to keep an eye out for?), or whether it's more hassle than it's worth to fart around with them? Not really played around with any propane gear as such upto just, so no idea whether they need any special treatment.

 

[brightspark]

ive never had to-touch regulator or torches even on my oxy acet gear in 40 years if its not broke don't fix it

 

[MattF]

Sound advice. Not sure what works or not as yet, so just trying to preempt possible choices. Had some gear turn up today, (yup, I succumbed to something on Ebay once again ), and everything looks in generally decent nick. Bit of an emulsion in one of the connectors. I assume just a wipe down or flush with some solvent is okay for that? Bit of dried up grease in the adjuster of the adjustable regulator, so I assume solvent wipe/flush again there?

Btw, I'll post up some photo's shortly. Well chuffed with what's turned up. Even though I had to spend more than ten bob, I think I've done decently with this lot.

 

[rtbcomp]

I took one to bits and it was full of all sorts of crud. If in doubt fix it with a new one.

 

[Kent]

Nope silly move just replace. If you wanna see how it works take the old one in bits then bin it

 

[MattF]

I took one to bits and it was full of all sorts of crud. If in doubt fix it with a new one.

Simple and straight forward setup inside?

Nope silly move just replace. If you wanna see how it works take the old one in bits then bin it

Not generally interested as such in finding out how they work, though obviously that's should be a fairly predictable setup. Regarding replacing if needs be, have you seen the cheesy quality of most and silly prices of owt approaching decent regulators these days?

 

[gordon stephenson]

A couple of weeks ago my propane gas heater in the garage was acting up, finally ended up hardly passing any gas, so swapped it for another. instant fix, Stripped the old one out of curiosity and the metal disc that the diaphragm is attached to had completely fallen apart, it wasn't just rusty the whole metal disc was as crumbly as a cream cracker, Never been used outside so must be down to the moisture in the propane.

 

[MattF]

This is the stuff which turned up today. Wasn't expecting it until later on in the week. I know Ebay tends to get a bad rap in general, but this seller was top notch, and got the stuff through very quickly. First one is some form of butane regulator. Not sure what this is from though, going by the connections.

An adjustable Calor regulator.

Some torches. There's a Bullfinch, (handle appears to be aluminium rather than nylon, which they have listed for it's current incarnation), a Calor and a Sievert for those disposable/returnable bottles. There are two of the orange Bullfinch fixed regulators, and a Calor cast gas ring.

These are the bits I was most interested in though.

 

[Screwdriver]

Good grief. That's quite a haul!

Top bombing.

 

[MattF]

It was just pure luck on my part. Happened to do a search for something on Ebay in the middle of the night, (must've been something Sievert related I was searching for, I assume), and dropped across the listing. Job lot with a very tempting buy it now price. Listing had only been on half a day or so, judging from the time remaining. I was actually undecided for a hour or two as to whether to get them or not, but decided I'd be a right prat if I didn't. Very glad I did now.

 

[Screwdriver]

I'll be interested in any spares or swapsies you might have there. Offset your costs...

 

[MattF]

Which bits are you interested in? The large Sievert torch and its burners, adjustable reg and gas ring I'm definitely keeping, (and possibly one of the fixed regs just as a backup), but the other bits I might well be willing to part with.

 

[Screwdriver]

Just PM me with pics of any bits and bobs you don't need. I'm thinking of making a propane burner, preheater etc. Anything that I can plug onto a Calor gas can and play with.

 

[MattF]

I'll sort through over the next day or two and take a photo of any bits I'm not stuck on keeping.

 

[rtbcomp]

Simple and straight forward setup inside?

...

Yes, it was a fixed pressure reg. I wanted the bullnose connector for a project - believe it's in your possession now.

 

[Kent]

Simple and straight forward setup inside?




Not generally interested as such in finding out how they work, though obviously that's should be a fairly predictable setup. Regarding replacing if needs be, have you seen the cheesy quality of most and silly prices of owt approaching decent regulators these days?

yes, but look at the hourly rate someone capable of doing a good repair should be on. Stuff like this is just dear when your the one paying not the one selling

 

[zx9]

Nope silly move just replace. If you wanna see how it works take the old one in bits then bin it

That is exactly what I did, bought a new regulator and stripped the old one. It was well gunked up inside and consisted of a rubber diaphragm, two springs and a metering needle and jet, nothing serviceable but curiosity salved. I have two mankie bull noses here, doubt they would be any use to you rtbcomp, I did think of making a hose for filling small propane cylinders but I don't think they are fit even for that.

 

[Jim Davey]

Working on gas regulators without the proper qualifications or experience is definitely not advisable and completely voids any warranty from the manufacturer or retailer.
You can't even replace a stem, guage or outlet without falling foul of the above, so if a reg plays up, it's best to bin it and buy a new one with a guarantee etc.

 

[rikrobson]

So, own up. How many torched do you have now?s

are we adding then to the list?

Vices
Drummond Lathes
Hammers

 

[MattF]

Yes, it was a fixed pressure reg. I wanted the bullnose connector for a project - believe it's in your possession now.

yes, but look at the hourly rate someone capable of doing a good repair should be on. Stuff like this is just dear when your the one paying not the one selling

I'd be the one paying, so too right I'm tight.

Working on gas regulators without the proper qualifications or experience is definitely not advisable and completely voids any warranty from the manufacturer or retailer.
You can't even replace a stem, guage or outlet without falling foul of the above, so if a reg plays up, it's best to bin it and buy a new one with a guarantee etc.

I can understand the reasoning behind not doing it. I merely find it pointless binning something, (if owt is actually knacked), if it's readily repairable. End of the day, the mindset of most on here should put them firmly in that camp, and also likely most do have the ability too, so it's not a stretch to consider doing it. As always though, best to ask advice from those knowledgeable on a subject before just wading in blindly.

Guarantee validation and such obviously aren't a consideration with old gear, and any repaired/serviced gear will be staying with me, not going elsewhere. It's merely as to whether certain things bare prone to perishing with propane that I'm not sure of, (say in the case of O rings. Will standard rubber rings perish, so is another material required?). If something has parts which are unobtainable, then that's obviously a different matter, but where fairly standard parts are concerned, it's just to check what holds up and what doesn't, material wise, beforehand.

It obviously sounds like reg's are bin fodder if they're gone, judging from what everyone has said who's dismantled one, but that still leaves the torches, if they ever need service/maintenance.

So, own up. How many torched do you have now?s

are we adding then to the list?

Vices
Drummond Lathes
Hammers

These are the only ones. Honest. Mainly decided to get something so that I don't have to keep annealing copper & brass on the gas cooker. Not personally a fan of having gas knocking about, (which is why I jumped at the opportunity of getting a carbon arc setup here ), but convenience is also winning out somewhat on this one. Besides, that old Sievert is a sexy looking torch.


p.s: Btw chaps, apologies if I seem to be doing one of those 'countering each post' type threads. Not intentional, but just trying to get down to bare facts as to what is and isn't feasible from an availability and compatibility viewpoint with individual components which might be involved in any of the gear. I'm truly grateful for all of the advice.