I have just purchased an alcohol torch to have a go with on my next build.

Question is it says to put denatured alcohol in is this the same as isopropyl alcohol ?

If not what can i get here in Australia to substitute.

cheers

Ray Balmforth
Figtree
NSW
Australia

They are different, don't know if they are interchangeable DNA is ethyl alcohol with additives to inhibit consumption..

Ray,
It really doesn't matter.
Just be sure to use an alcohol that is as close to 100% alcohol as possible.

Here in the US, it is quite common to find alcohol in drug stores that are used for wound cleaning.
The problem with using this alcohol in a torch is that the low % of alcohol in the material causes the flame to burn colder and less efficiently. You will notice a very yellow flame with low % alcohol in the mix.

But, if you are running 100% or near 100% alcohol - you will have a virtual clear flame.

Try a paint store. Alcohol is commonly sold as a cleaner as well as a thinner for certain paints. This Alcohol is mainly 100% or near 100% alcohol.

[www.menards.com]

Another place to check in your location are stores that sell

Alcohol for stove fuel. This fuel will be essentially 100% alcohol.

Another place to check is for alcohol that is used to fuel drag cars or racing cars. Again, very high quality 100% alcohol.

Take care
Roger

Denatured is sometimes also referred to as "alcohol stove fuel." It's what you want. Isopropyl isn't going to burn very well.

..............

Hi, Ray. Is Methylated Spirits (meths) available in your country? This is what i use and it works great. Methylated spirits is denatured Alcohol.

Jersey, Channel Islands. (U.K.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2012 07:29PM by Steve Mcleod.

G'Day Ray Steve's on the money with metho .Just make sure you don't drink it

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

G'Day Ray Steve's on the money with metho .Just make sure you don't drink it

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

Shellac thinner is denatured alcohol, found at the paint store. Confirm that first, though.

If you want to use that to make your finish better
You don't really need it

Bill - willierods.com

I had same problem Ray even went to my chemist to work out what the @#$%& dna is and like others said its simply metho mate get the good stuff from bunnings not the cheap diluted stuff from coles.

Cheers
Mark
Old Bar NSW
Australia

Thanks guys for the rapid responses so far.Just having a chuckle to my self as Barry has let the cat out of the bag on what we will
be drinking at the next SEARBs meeting.Must meake a no smoking rule though.

Thanks Roger you always give me a response will go down to Bunnings to check things out.

Yes Steve we have metho here will give it ago just have to remember not to drink to much.LOL

Bill i had very good results using the cigarette lighter last build so was just going to see how this worked out.The lighter gets a bit
hot after a while but i got my best finish yet.I am a hard marker so for me to be happy it was good.

cheers

Ray Balmforth
Figtree
NSW
Australia

In the US isopropanol sold at pharmacy is available in diluted percentages. The diluent is often water. So even at 97% there is 3% water so using this in an alchol burner is trying to burn water. I use DNA (ethanol based alcohol) from my local hardware store in the paint section. Find less sputtering of the flame with this than with Isopropyl alcohol.

Hi Ray,
You can always add boot polish or vegemite if your desperate for a drink.
If you are using the alcohol torch to heat finish have a play with it until you get used to the size of the flame. I prefer to use a small gas torch for that. If you are going to use it for burning off any fuzzies be careful as the one I've got has got too large a flame for my liking. I just use a few drops of metho in a teaspoon and it doesn't last long, just enough to get rid of fuzzies.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

IMHO
Don't play with the finish I use light Fast turner Get it all coated Stop the turner - Sometimes- Let it hang Wipe off excess Give it a 180 turn Then turn it slow

I play with fire I may just burn the place down
Also if there is any air in the wrap the heat will cause it to expand and then Bubbles

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2012 08:25AM by bill boettcher.

Denatured alcohol is 5% methanol and 95% ethanol. This methanol is what is toxic. This the way that the US Government cannot collect the taxes on ethanol.. If you can get 190 proof alcohol (Everclear) it would work just as well.

Ed Smith

here in the northwest at bimart in the paint section they have dna in quarts and gallons

Thanks again for all the replies.Went to Bunnings and got some shellite which was labelled as stove fuel.Hopefully this
will do the trick.Better check the house insurance first.

cheers

Ray Balmforth
Figtree
NSW
Australia

Shellite is not alcohol! It is Naptha.
While I don’t know what would happen if you put Shellite in an Alcohol torch:

THE POTENTIAL FOR AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IS HIGH.

Shellite is Naptha, Google or search the net for Shellite and look at the MSDS’s, I looked at 3 different MSDS’s in a short time, all were very similar. Naptha is a generic term for a range of hydrocarbons, in the U.S. a common name is White Gas or Coleman Lantern Fuel.

You are looking for Methanol, Ethanol or Isopropanol or some combination of these, denatured alcohol is common. Check the ingredient list on the package, if one of these 3 alcohols is not listed as the primary ingredient, DO NOT USE THE CHEMICAL IN AN ALCOHOL TORCH.

Hopefully someone with a chemical background can provide a clearer explanation.

My apologies for not speaking or understanding the Australian form of English very well or knowing Australian trade names.

MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet – If you are considering a new to you chemical; always review the MSDS for that chemical, preferably before purchasing(1) the chemical or definitely before using. The life or health you save may be yours. MSDS's are readily available on the web. In the U.S. the supplier (store) will have the MSDS available, I belive it is an OSHA requirement.
1) Know the chemical before purchasing. Once you take possession you are now legally responsible for safe and proper disposal of that chemical and any waste products from its use.

BE SAFE

Morgan Hanscom
Mechanical Engineer
Anchorage, Alaska

If you wish to apply a particular amount of heat to a specific area I suggest you purchase a small, inexpensive electric soldering iron and vary its distance from your work. You can barbecue with the alcohol, or better yet consume it - and the soldering iron isn't likely to burn your house down

Ray Dont' use shellite get some metho either from coles or your nearest hardware store

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia