The Craftmans Shop > New from Old
Resurrection of a CFEI 100 KVA Induction Furnace
awemawson:
Effectively yes Pete, you need the right raito not to get a sooty flame and get a hot enough flame.
These things never go smoothly do they - I just came out to the workshop to try and free up the volume control on the gas torch - just a simple taper duel gas cock - dismantle, clean, grease, put it back together and test. Simple, except when I came to test, the gas interlock valve won't operate - no gas - no flame :bang:
Now the two valves, the interlock, and the zero pressure are made as a single diecast block with two coils removable to operate them. This unit gave me trouble years ago, and I sourced a new valve block, but it turned out just one coil had failed. So I have a block with just one coil. Wiring the spare coil to a mains lead and with everything else turned off I was able to prove that the lower valve unit wasn't operating. Nice click from the upper one, just humming from the lower with the same coil used each time, so the lower valve is stuck in the closed position. Gentle tapping and warming have failed to free it so it looks like I'm going to have to fit the spare I bought all those years ago.
The plumbing isn't conducive to removing it as various elements haven't room to rotate due to the outer cover. One pipe has a knuckle joint so easy to remove, but the other doesn't !
- lunch time. I'll have a go after lunch.
AdeV:
What's the jet size for Butane? Would that be somewhere between propane & NG?
awemawson:
Interesting point Ade - I don't know :scratch:
So pulling the front casing off I was hoping to reveal a union to allow me to pull the pair of valves out in a civilised way, but sadly none were apparent. so I am going to revert to drastic measures and saw off the pipework, and when I re-make it insert a standard pipe union where the stubs of the cut off pipe will be.
1/2" BSP pipe union ordered - should be here Tuesday meanwhile I'll get on sawing off the pipe. No doubt filings will fall into the valve but it's being replaced anyway so hey - ho !
hermetic:
Beware Andrew, when I first fired up my Flamefast brazing hearth using a variable blowlamp regulator, I got a roaring blue flame, and lots of heat, but after a few minutes my CO alarm went off, warning me of incoplete combustion and potential death! I got the right regulator as recomended by Flamefast, and it made a huge difference! Drop them an email, their tech dept are very helpfull
Phil
awemawson:
Good point Phil, although this is the same regulator that I used for years before I moved - googling tells me no more than 35 mBar at the input to the forge regulator for Propane, and it seems that my manometer tubing IS still OK. I'll check it's set up when I replace the gubbins that I've just sawn off. Mind you, incomplete combustion should have given you a yellow flame (carbon particles in the flame) not a blue one.
I've just taken the reciprocating saw (newly acquired - thanks Steve !) to the pipe work and sliced off the offending bit that I couldn't unscrew.
Now remember I tapped, nay even BASHED the unit while I was testing it hoping to free it up into a working state - now needless to say having used the reciprocating saw on it's pipe guess what - it works ! I'm not entirely surprised.
So I think I will put the original back, but it will have to have the union fitting of course, as if it sticks again it will only be a union and a pipe clip to remove it for replacement.
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