Alcohol Lamp Fuel ?

[BucktailJiger]

Picked up a simple alcohol burner for heating heads to powder paint . What is best fuel to use in it ? Got a bottle of Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 70% USP . Thanks

 

[CrappieHappy]

i still have some denatured alcohol, i think redman was using some 90%

 

[BucktailJiger]

i think redman was using some 90%

That's funny right there !

 

[CrappieHappy]

90% isopropyl alcohol that is, dont think he would waste the shine on the stinkin burner.....

 

[Fatman]

I think the Shine!!! might burn a might bit hotter than the isopropyl stuff there buddy!!!!!!

 

[Shoemoo]

I'm thinking of getting an alcohol lamp so I looked into fuel sources. From what I found out, denatured alcohol is the best fuel since it's almost pure alcohol and doesn't smoke. Only drawback is it's kind of expensive. I think I paid about $9 for a quart can last year. Of course, that will probably last forever. 90% rubbing alcohol smokes a little more but is usually cheaper if you can find it. However, it's kind of hard to find. Most drugstores carry 70% and that has too much water.

 

[redman]

No I drink moonshine and yes it's good stuff I ain't running it thur any dang burner. Now I picked up a quart today for about $2.50 no soot and burns hot. I get a good job on the heads that I paint by using it. In fact that is always what I do use to fuel the redneck Alcohol lamp. It is 91% isopropyl alcohol. Today I was at Wally world and thought that I better pick up another quart. One pint will paint up to 800 heads. Sometime I get a few more and some times a few less. Pour it right back into the bottle with what ever is left in the bottom of the burner and have never had one bit of a problem.

Redman

 

[Radtexan]

Isopropyl does work a promised..

I used denatured for several years before tying the rubbing...It tends to burn a little hotter from what Ive found,but after a little practice it really will do the job...I was paying about 6 buck per quart for the denatured and a fraction of that for the isopropyl,the best thing if found it doesnt evaporate like the denatured.

 

[Ron Don]

Are there any local stores that sell alcohol lamps that you know of? Like to get one before the weekend so would rather not order.

 

[Shoemoo]

Try stores that sell jewelry making supplies. Jewelers use them to heat wire.

You can also make your own using a glass jar with a metal lid and a cotton ball. Poke a small hole in the lid with a nail, tease out the cotton ball to form a wick and feed it through the hole. The size of the wick poking through determines the size and heat of the flame.

 

[redman]

Ronnie use a 1/4 inch cotton rope that is what I did. do a search of the redneck Alcohol lamp. it took me all of 5 minutes to make and if you follow my instructions you will never have one minutes of problem with it.

Redman

P.S. If you need me to make you one I can and get it in the mail. I have a few jars as we have had Pimiento cheese samitches a time or two since I posted.

 

[Shoemoo]

I have a heat gun, but it keeps tripping the circuit breaker in my apartment. I found one of alcohol lamps on sale at a local hydroponics store today and decided to pick one up. I used it to heat a few heads and so far I like it. I'm using denatured alcohol because that's what I had on hand.

 

[redman]

Stacy have a couple like that. One I have used for over 40 years. Yes they work good the base is beveled so you can use it laying at a odd angle. This is the type of lamp that was used in the jewelry industry for well over a hundred years. The bottoms are beveled so that you could use them for soldering rings and jewelry items with a blow pipe. The blow pipe soldering is one thing I never mastered. I did have a old boss that could and did solder like crazy with one of them.

I made the Redneck lamp as a lark to show what could be done with nothing but stuff laying around the house. It has become my go to lamp to use powder painting.

Redman

 

[Shoemoo]

Apparently the pot and shroom growers use them to sterilize their blades too. LOL

Don't really need the different angle feature, but the little wheel is handy for adjusting the size of the flame. For $10 I think it was a good investment, but the redneck version was a lot cheaper I'm sure.

At least I won't have to stop painting every 15 minutes or so or risk tripping the circuit breaker.

 

[Fatman]

Stacy

Whereever you're using your heat gun - spend the 10 -15 bucks and have someone install a GFI socket for you, will take care of the problem.