Subject: fuel type? and teacher?

From: [email-masked] (Marc Davis III )
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 19:34:25 -0800

I ASKED THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE BUT DURING THE MAIL PROBLEM LOST 40 
PIECES OF MAIL BEFORE I COULD READ THEM SO I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE 
ANSWERED OR NOT.

1) WHAT IS THE MORE EFFICIENT FUEL NATURAL GAS OR PROPANE? IS THERE A 
DOWN SIDE TO EITHER IE..WON'T WELD EASY OR CAUSES MORE SCALE?

2) HAS ANYONE HEARD OF A BLACKSMITH NAMED HANS RUEBEL FROM THE OHIO  OR 
WISCONSON AREA? HE IS IN HIS MID TWENTIES. HE IS TEACHING BLACKSMITHING 
TECHNICS AND DAMASCUS PAATTERN WELDED STEEL AT THE CENTER FOR CREATIVE 
STUDIES.

ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED

MARC

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 12:47:31 -0500

No need to shout.
Natural gas is not usually available at 30 psi or so unless you are an
industrial user. It is also variable in BTU content. The local gas company is
only required to supply 1100 (?) minimum BTU's per cubic foot. When the
demand is high, that is all you get. When the demand is low you get more.
They actually dilute the gas with air. Natural gas out of the well head is at
best about 96% methane anyway. The other 4% can be almost anything. Propane
is more consistent as it is "distilled" out of crude oil or other
hydrocarbons. Natural gas will burn hotter but with some fooling around you
can match the flame temperature with propane, i.e., a recuperative forge like
the Sandia design. Also propane tends to be portable.

Good Luck, 

Bill Hochella