Bobby, I use a 500 gallon tank to supply the house and shop. 10 psi is all I have. Maybe someone else well jump in with a better answer for you.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

Personally I've built a number of forging presses, and although 7018 is the most recommended rod, I prefer 6013. More so then the rod type, its the amperage you have available on the welder you're using, and the diameter and penetration you get with the welds.

The last press I put together, I used 5/16" 6013 rod......and used nearly 50lbs of rod. I ran triple passes on most of the press (the first pass was centered on the joint, second pass overlapped the first by 1/2, and the 3rd pass overlapped the other 1/2 of the 1st pass.)

Use the heaviest gauge materials you can for a press! I cringe every time I see someone attempt to build a press with light materials, such as 4" square welded tubing with .120 wall...... that is recipe for disaster. Most folks simply do not realize just how much stress and strain is placed on a forging press... its simply BRUTAL.

On to the propane issue. My propane company (Northern Energy) gave me an adjustable propane regulator and allowed me to install it on my tank (500 gal). Prior to that, the regualtor that came on the tank had a max of 9 psi. With the adjustable regulator, I now run 21 psi to my shop (15 psi for my venturi forge, and 6 psi for my "blown" welding forge) It might have been in my favor that I've been a customer for 20+ years, and when they installed my first propane tank, I was the one who installed the piping......and they pressure tested it to 150 psi and it never leaked. Most propane companies are so worried about liability these days....so sometimes you have to demonstrate to them that you know what your dealing with, and how to handle it..... once you do that, they become much more flexible.

Hello Bobby;

The 7018 rod is a good rod for this project.

If you decide to go with this project I would encourage you to use a tried and used blue print,with a list of material, so you can figure out what your cost

will be. You might be able to buy cheaper than you can build.

The question I have. How big is your tank? Will it be in your shop or out side and plumbed through the wall?

If it is outside, I am pretty sure 10LB is the max on pressure your gas company will allow coming into the building.

You can go to; Hightemptools.com to purchase a regulator.

Russell Roosevelt

I put my adjustable regulator I got from Riverside Machine on my 500 gal tank. Been running it at 18 lbs for years. They are not expensive.

Maybe less codes in the sticks of Oklahoma though.

Lots of good info here, gentleman.

I do believe Bobby is asking about the secondary regulator INSIDE the shop to regulate propane to his forge as needed.

Good catch Karl! I never considered that! <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> On that note...... I have the propane line coming into my shop splite two ways (one split goes down long axis of my shop, and the other goes down the short axis of my shop, both along the outside walls......with a total of 6 locations where there are "Ts" in the line, and a piece of pipe nipple that goes through the shop wall. On the interior, if they are not hooked up, they are capped.

As far as the regulator itself, mine are 1-30psi adjustable regulators that I purchased from my propane outfit. The way I have mine hooked up is a pipe nipple coming off the main line, then a ball valve, a short nipple, and then regulator.....from the regulator to the forges is propane hose.

Thanks for all the great info everyone! I called Harris Product group today and they confirmed that I can use an adjustable Acetylene regulator for propane I would just be limited to the lower working pressures. That should be fine with what we use.

I feel everyone's pain on talking to the propane companies. I called at least 5 of them and they all said they can't do those pressures until I finally talked to someone that understood this was for a special purpose and not inside a dwelling.

I have all of my press pre-fabricated and ready for welding. I will be making an H frame from W8x35 I beam. I machined the head that will use the I beam rails for its guide. Hopefully she will turn out all right.

I appreciate you guys taking the time to reply. Hope you all are well!

Bobby