Tin Shack Update

[Richard Huntrods]

Here's a picture from back in August 2006, when I started...

[Richard Huntrods]

... and here's a picture taken yesterday (Jan 6, 2007)...

Although the main shop is a wooden structure, you can see that I've kept a "tin shack" in the design. The purpose of the metal structure is to house the glory hole - reduced fire hazard, plus the "hot stuff" is outside the people area of the shop.

[Richard Huntrods]

Finally, here's a picture of the glory hole fully plumbed and on it's first firing in the new shop. The picture was taken before the metal alcove was complete - I was testing the plumbing and such.

As it turns out, all the optimization I did back in Calgary to tune the gloryhole for natural gas (0.7 psi) has a real benefit. When the GH was first run on propane (back in Calgary), it used a Gibberson 650 head and much more piping, and took 10 psi propane to start and 5psi to run.

Now that it's been tuned for NG (much shorter piping, new orifice, new burner head from Alan Gott), it runs fantastic on propane. It's MUCH hotter, and uses a lot less fuel. It starts at 2 psi, and runs at just under 1psi propane. Plus, the gas valve is now open about 1/8 (instead of full) and the air flow is at 1/2 (instead of 1/4).

The 100lb tank should last quite a while with this setup.

-R

[Richard Huntrods]

Finally, here's a detail shot of the burner in operation.

[Glenn Randle]

Richard,
I like your style. I'm planning a simular shed type "bump out" here. I'll need to add a bit of fill first, which is the part holding me back. Too bad I can't fill it with BS, I've got plenty of that....

I got a little bit of humor seeing the garden hose in the first photo, and then seeing it again going under your wall 6 months later. Is that a multipurpose hose, full time water fountain & bucket filler and part-time fire extinguisher (hope not!). I'm running the same system.:wile: It works fine. Planning to make the upgrade to an indoor toilet in a few weeks.....guess I'll be throwing a "Potty Party"! The female visitors will be much happier. ;) Especially when it's raining.

[Richard Huntrods]

Glenn,

I understand your "fill" problem. I have found that it's all a ever-increasing daisy-chain of demand and supply(?).

I needed to dig out the shed area, so needed to buy a shovel (didn't have the standard "digging" shovel). Then I needed to have something to cart away the dirt - so my one neighbor sold me his garden tractor / lawnmower / trailer.

Then I needed gravel, so had 5 yards delivered. But wait - I need more gravel and the delivery charges are killer, so my other neighbor sold me his F350 4x4!

All because I wanted a new studio. At least I'm further down the chain than Pete - I am pretty sure I don't need a BIG tractor yet. Although... another neighbor has a big backhoe plus a caterpillar bobcat; but I am pretty sure he's not selling. ;-)

-R

[Glenn Randle]

Richard,
We could both probably save a lot of money if we only had breasts! Sometimes beer works.....




:wile:

[Richard Huntrods]

Got the gloryhole moved into the alcove today. Big deadlift with me and one other fellow.

Spent the day wiring up the 110v system for the fans and lights.

Finished off with another test fire of the GH. I'm very pleased with the new propane setup - it's much hotter (than NG) with very little propane pressure.

Now I'm just a furnace rebuild away from hot glass :D

(had to bust the maintenance lid up a bit and cut some control wires to get the furnace moved, so must now fix the lid and rewire the control circuit).

-R

[Franklin Sankar]

Good going there Richard. I have my eye on your Propane. Let it rip and take a pic. Dont forget to monitor the consumption.
Franklin