I went back a searched for a while and I think that I understand that the best alcohol to use for a solvent for degreasing/cleaning blanks, errant epoxy, etc. is DENTAURED alcohol.

Is this the same alcohol that is supposed to be used in an alcohol burner? If not, what is appropriate.

Where is the best/likely place to buy denatured alcohol? Hardware store? Drug store?

Thanks in advance!

Scott Hunt

I got some denatured alcohol at Walmart (paint dept.). Most any store that carries paint will have it. (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) As per the burner: Methanol (aka methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) is best. I do not use an alcohol burner but I would expect paint stores to have it. Years ago, I got some at a drug store. I also think the denatured alcohol would work almost as well. I use a heat gun or a hair dryer because they do not have a flame (which is an ignition source) and are easier for me to control.

Ed

I got some denatured alcohol at Walmart (paint dept.). Most any store that carries paint will have it. (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) As per the burner: Methanol (aka methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) is best. I do not use an alcohol burner but I would expect paint stores to have it. I also think the denatured alcohol to work almost as well. I use a heat gun or a hair dryer because they do not have a flame (which is an ignition source) and are easier for me to control.

I got some denatured alcohol at Walmart (paint dept.). Most any store that carries paint will have it. (Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) As per the burner: Methanol (aka methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) is best. I do not use an alcohol burner but I would expect paint stores to have it. I also think the denatured alcohol to work almost as well. I use a heat gun or a hair dryer because they do not have a flame (which is an ignition source) and are easier for me to control.

Ed Smith

Scott,
I have been using Denatured Alcohol for 10+ years of building. I get it at Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot. It has worked quite well for me in my alcohol burner also, I keep the wick very short for a cooler flame.



Tight Wraps
DG Rod Works

Scott,
I have been using Denatured Alcohol for 10+ years of building. I get it at Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot. It has worked quite well for me in my alcohol burner also, I keep the wick very short for a cooler flame.



Tight Wraps
DG Rod Works

Denatured or Solvent Alcohols are often labeled as "alcohol stove fuel" and either will work fine for that purpose, as well as being a good all around solvent.

.........

I use denatured alcohol as both a solvent and in alcohol lamps. Methanol will work just as well - whichever is cheapest. Denatured alcohol is simply grain alcohol (ethanol) with additives (often methanol) that make it poisonous. I get mine in gallon cans at the local ACE hardware.

IsoPropyl Alcohol (also called "rubbing alcohol", or IPA in a laboratory) is also an option for a fuel in an alcohol lamp. It comes as 70% or 91% IPA, the balance being plain water. Any pharmacy will carry it, usually in the First Aid section; now costs about $1 per pint or half-liter. ANY solvent is flammable, and an open flame is something I avoid if possible. A red-hot tool placed down on an unseen spill can ignite the puddle and set the whole bench on fire in a flash. And if you smoke in your shop, one ash drop is all it takes. It won't explode, but trying to use water to put it out can actually just spread it around and make it worse.

IMO, I personally do not use an alcohol lamp much. It's good for heating rod tip-tops, but boiled water is safer. It's good for flaming out bubbles in thread finish. But I would consider switching brands of thread finish or the way I mix the epoxy or the brush / applicator I use before I had to always rely on flaming out the bubbles. Or I'd try a heat gun. Some use a flame to singe off thread "fuzzies" that poke up thru a coat of thread finish. But I'd watch my burnishing technique and use a smoother tool, or cut off those spikes with a razor or nail clipper. ... I'm afraid of h-e-l-l and fire, wherever they may be. -Cliff Hall-.

I use 91% Isopropyl alcohol and it works just fine.
Hope this helps,
Noel

91% may work, but the 70% won't. At least not in my burner. I use the 70% for cleaning my hands and tools....had to make a WalMart run for the denatured which is PERFECT for any alcohol burner.

I encourage all to stop using alcohol lamps. They are inherently unsafe and are not required for rodmaking.

I use denatured for my burner and cleaning blank and hands. Works ok. ED...