Comments for Chaotic Glass by Mike Aurelius http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com Safety for the glassworker, and random thoughts and opinions on the state of the glassworking world Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:34:55 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Bulk tanks and the Hot Head Torch by mikeaurelius http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/bulk-tanks-and-the-hot-head-torch/#comment-1429 mikeaurelius Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:34:55 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/bulk-tanks-and-the-hot-head-torch/#comment-1429 Oxygen is not explosive. Not even a tiny bit. Oxygen is, as you pointed out, an accelerant. In the presence of fuel (solid, liquid, gas), it makes the fuel burn hotter. There is no discrepancy here at all. Oxygen and propane, oxygen and hydrogen, oxygen and acetylene are all commonly used together, quite safely, and yes, many times in apartment buildings. As I've pointed out elsewhere, the safety issue is one of major concern to me. Oxygen, however, is not the issue here, propane is. Let's stay focused on that! Oxygen is not explosive. Not even a tiny bit. Oxygen is, as you pointed out, an accelerant. In the presence of fuel (solid, liquid, gas), it makes the fuel burn hotter.

There is no discrepancy here at all. Oxygen and propane, oxygen and hydrogen, oxygen and acetylene are all commonly used together, quite safely, and yes, many times in apartment buildings.

As I’ve pointed out elsewhere, the safety issue is one of major concern to me. Oxygen, however, is not the issue here, propane is. Let’s stay focused on that!

]]> Comment on Bulk tanks and the Hot Head Torch by werper http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/bulk-tanks-and-the-hot-head-torch/#comment-1427 werper Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:52:19 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/30/bulk-tanks-and-the-hot-head-torch/#comment-1427 I really don't mean to be argumentative, just point out a discrepancy and pose a question. You mention nothing of the danger of using Oxygen AND propane (or any other fuel) with a two-gas torch. You simply say "hotter, more focused, and use far less fuel. And they are miles away more quieter." You never say it's safer. I suspect that's because it's not. Oxygen is HYPER explosive AND an accelerant. It would seem common sense to me using two explosive gasses is twice as dangerous as just one. How do/can anyone, especially apartment dwellers, use ANY type of torch safely and legally other than outside, away from a building? I really don’t mean to be argumentative, just point out a discrepancy and pose a question.

You mention nothing of the danger of using Oxygen AND propane (or any other fuel) with a two-gas torch. You simply say “hotter, more focused, and use far less fuel. And they are miles away more quieter.” You never say it’s safer. I suspect that’s because it’s not. Oxygen is HYPER explosive AND an accelerant. It would seem common sense to me using two explosive gasses is twice as dangerous as just one. How do/can anyone, especially apartment dwellers, use ANY type of torch safely and legally other than outside, away from a building?

]]> Comment on On-Site Consulting now available by Robyn http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/on-site-consulting-now-available/#comment-1331 Robyn Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:25:09 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/?page_id=180#comment-1331 Looking for studio set up guidance. Looking for studio set up guidance.

]]> Comment on Ventilation Basics, Part 3 by Will Harrison http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/ventilation-basics-part-3/#comment-1328 Will Harrison Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:16:05 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/ventilation-basics-part-3/#comment-1328 http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=30559019&id=1514834514 sorry here is the photo. I notice that without the torch on incense smoke does an okay job at moving its way to the fan but with the torch on the updraft makes everything in front of the torch gone. I worry though about spots around the hood that dont get sucked out and I wonder what I can do about this. I will get info from grainger but I got a furnace blower second hand that i believe is 1500 CFM and I have it wired on the lowest setting. I want to rest knowing that this is okay for me to work under. I have a air velocity meter at work and I wonder what it should say when I hold it in front of me. It measures in feet/minute. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=30559019&id=1514834514 sorry here is the photo.

I notice that without the torch on incense smoke does an okay job at moving its way to the fan but with the torch on the updraft makes everything in front of the torch gone. I worry though about spots around the hood that dont get sucked out and I wonder what I can do about this. I will get info from grainger but I got a furnace blower second hand that i believe is 1500 CFM and I have it wired on the lowest setting. I want to rest knowing that this is okay for me to work under. I have a air velocity meter at work and I wonder what it should say when I hold it in front of me. It measures in feet/minute.

]]> Comment on Ventilation Basics, Part 3 by Will Harrison http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/ventilation-basics-part-3/#comment-1327 Will Harrison Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:02:54 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/25/ventilation-basics-part-3/#comment-1327 I would like to get some help with setting up my exhaust hood. Here is a pic of my studio in my basement. I want to put the blower outside so it is not noisy and after reading your article I need to change out the flexible ducting. I first need to know so more info. I am confused about how high it should be from torch head, and also where in relation to the torch it is. Basically if I hung a string from the front of the hood where would the string hang in relationship to me. I would like to get some help with setting up my exhaust hood. Here is a pic of my studio in my basement. I want to put the blower outside so it is not noisy and after reading your article I need to change out the flexible ducting. I first need to know so more info. I am confused about how high it should be from torch head, and also where in relation to the torch it is. Basically if I hung a string from the front of the hood where would the string hang in relationship to me.

]]> Comment on Glassworking, an expensive hobby by sandrar http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/glassworking-an-expensive-hobby/#comment-1297 sandrar Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:33:12 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/glassworking-an-expensive-hobby/#comment-1297 Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post... nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R. Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R.

]]> Comment on Makeup Air, or Your Fresh Air Supply by mikeaurelius http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/makeup-air-or-your-fresh-air-supply/#comment-1246 mikeaurelius Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:27:14 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/makeup-air-or-your-fresh-air-supply/#comment-1246 The picture above (shown as option 1) is what the local HVAC folks did at my studio. The picture above (shown as option 1) is what the local HVAC folks did at my studio.

]]> Comment on Makeup Air, or Your Fresh Air Supply by mikeaurelius http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/makeup-air-or-your-fresh-air-supply/#comment-1245 mikeaurelius Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:19:49 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/makeup-air-or-your-fresh-air-supply/#comment-1245 Chuck - I used this system in Sauk Rapids and the inspector had no problem with it. The only thing he "requested" was that additional fresh air ducting be routed to the existing furnace so that the furnace wouldn't "starve" for air. There's no reason at all to have a furnace in-line with the fresh air, as you say, it will do nothing but pump all that heat outside. Foolish to say the least. If he's concerned about starving the furnace, have him run a smaller duct direct to the furnace. That's code anyway on all houses built since sometime in the 1980's. Chuck – I used this system in Sauk Rapids and the inspector had no problem with it. The only thing he “requested” was that additional fresh air ducting be routed to the existing furnace so that the furnace wouldn’t “starve” for air.

There’s no reason at all to have a furnace in-line with the fresh air, as you say, it will do nothing but pump all that heat outside. Foolish to say the least.

If he’s concerned about starving the furnace, have him run a smaller duct direct to the furnace. That’s code anyway on all houses built since sometime in the 1980’s.

]]> Comment on Makeup Air, or Your Fresh Air Supply by chuck burton http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/makeup-air-or-your-fresh-air-supply/#comment-1243 chuck burton Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:12:58 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/makeup-air-or-your-fresh-air-supply/#comment-1243 Mike, My HVAC guy isn't sure that make up air fed to the bench will pass code--but he has never seen anything like this before. Can you give me any localities in Minnesota that have inspected this system? He currently wants to make the replacement air duct provide for the torch hood and the heating but that won't do what I want [exhaust torch fumes] without requiring a monster furnace blowing out a massive amount of BTUs to keep the place warm. Again any help is much appreciated. chuck Mike,
My HVAC guy isn’t sure that make up air fed to the bench will pass code–but he has never seen anything like this before. Can you give me any localities in Minnesota that have inspected this system? He currently wants to make the replacement air duct provide for the torch hood and the heating but that won’t do what I want [exhaust torch fumes] without requiring a monster furnace blowing out a massive amount of BTUs to keep the place warm. Again any help is much appreciated.
chuck

]]> Comment on Makeup Air, or Your Fresh Air Supply by chuck burton http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/makeup-air-or-your-fresh-air-supply/#comment-1225 chuck burton Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:07:17 +0000 http://mikeaurelius.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/makeup-air-or-your-fresh-air-supply/#comment-1225 Thanks! It all sounded pretty obvious, but after reading a variety of contradicting opinions from multiple sources, I wanted to be sure I really understood what you were talking about. I appreciate you taking the time. Thanks again. Thanks! It all sounded pretty obvious, but after reading a variety of contradicting opinions from multiple sources, I wanted to be sure I really understood what you were talking about. I appreciate you taking the time. Thanks again.

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