Propane Bottles question

[etp777]

OK, glad someone posted queswtion about coloring with heat, or I woulda forgotten I had this quesiton.

I got a propane/mapp torch like a year ago, but haven't used it yet, still just using grill to heat treat my knives(The rare times I actually finish any).

But can someone explain to me the difference between the shorter, wider bottles, and the tall skinny ones(ones that look same saze as the MAPP and O2 bottles)? SUpposedly the tall ones are 14 oz, while the shorter ones hold 16, yet the 14oz bottles cost more everywhere I've looked(well, everywhere right now is walmart and home depot). Does the smaller bottle work better due to it's shape or something? ONly reason I cna think of, without being some weird physics thing()like longer skinnier bottle keeping pressure longer), would be for torches where it's solid head jsut on bottle, that theskinnier bottle makes torch easier to use.

THing is, my torch head attaches to bottle, then has long rubber hose, then torrch head. SO if ease of holding ottle is onlyr eason for extr cost, I don't wanna waste my money.
;
As always, thanks in advance for y'alls help

 

[Bearclaw]

etp777, The propane in the thin /thick bottles is the same stuff. The MAPP gas is a hotter burning fuel. The thin bottles were made for industrial use, where your torch would be used often in tight places(i.e. under the sink) you could hold & control it with one hand. After propane accesories started being used in the camping industy(heaters/lamps) the short thick bottles were manufactured to improve stabilty when the lamps were set on ground/tables. Use the cheap bottles with your extended hand set for soldering guards, and get a bottle of MAPP gas to bring blade edges up to nonmag' for hardening. www.bearclawknives.com

 

[nhamilto40]

You can buy an adapter to run your torch from a bulk tank ie. 20lb BBQ tank etc.

 

[jhiggins]

Originally posted by nhamilto40
You can buy an adapter to run your torch from a bulk tank ie. 20lb BBQ tank etc.

...also you can get less than 20# tanks, like 8 and 10 pound sizes if a 20-pounder is too big for your liking!

 

[Raymond Richard]

How come the smaller propane bottles cost more than the 20 pound bottle. One of those less for more things. Get a small bottle and ask to get it supersized....... They get you comming and going....

Back to the canned gas. I had bought one of the Coleman 16oz bottles thinking I was getting a deal but for some reason with the torch still attached to it all the gas leaked out and it works just fine on the 14oz bottle with it attached. Not sure what was going on with that.