RE: Methanol
Found a source in Van Nuys, CA LT Sawyer Co. 5 gallon minimum buy @ $3.05/gal. Just ten minutes from my work. The racing guy came through. 5 gallons is about a year supply for me. If anyone locally wants a gallon or two let me know and I can get more. Sincerely Steve Ciambrone Sr. Test Engineer L-3 Ocean Systems -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:52 PM To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Subject:Re: Methanol Hello Steve, Go to Home Depot and get S-L-X Paint Thinner, it is pure ethanol denatured with pure methanol, i.e. denatured alcohol or methelated spirits and will burn hot and clean. All the best, John Coughran, 310-318-1547, 1525-A Artesia Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-7160, USA
Re: Methanol
Graham, Thanks, I'll have to check on metholhydrate, with all the forests in these 'ere parts, it has to be found somehow, somewhere,--perhaps the local stills brew it. Like Steve's Dad! As Vance well noted , methanol is irritating to the eyes--and nose--so I stand back! However it does keep interfering guests away! Vance also said it is more expensive--not necessarily so- not at the $18.80 I pay for FIVE gallons. Geoff Hi Geoff > Reading all the notes on methonal ;; we in the far north use >metholhydrate ( made from wood ) cant you guys buy this in the states ? its >hot file://its clean only trouble is you cant see it burning ;; Our friend >Dick Abbot will confirm my statement > > Regards Graham S . > >- Original Message - >From: Geoff Spenceley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 1:36 PM >Subject: Re: Methanol > > >> I agree, hi grade methanol- >> >> Geoff. >> >> >> Hi John, >> > >> >I haven't had much luck with Home Depot's S-L-X alcohol. I much prefer >> >methanol. S-L-X has a tendency to clog things. I understand that the >mix >> >isn't always consistent. I have a fun connection to high grade methanol >> >through friends in the NASCAR circuit. The guys who were at Tony's >steam-up >> >in Livermore will understand. >> > >> >Stay feisty! >> > >> >Vickie-Marie >> > >> >- Original Message - >> >From: "John Coughran" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:52 PM >> >Subject: Re: Methanol >> > >> > >> >> Hello Steve, >> >> >> >> Go to Home Depot and get S-L-X Paint Thinner, it is pure ethanol >> >> denatured with pure methanol, i.e. denatured alcohol or methelated >> >> spirits and will burn hot and clean. >> >> >> >> All the best, John Coughran, 310-318-1547, 1525-A Artesia Blvd, >> >> Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-7160, USA >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >
RE: Methanol
Not a chemist but I did help to mix the mash for my Dad's still, a long time ago. (Honest!) Per Kevin O'Connor on the Southern Steam Trains site: "Ethyl and methyl alcohols have different caloric values with ethyl being the larger at 12,550 BTU per pound and methyl at 10,200 BTU per pound." Another web site that discusses alcohol as a racing fuel states 11,500 BTU/lb and 9,500 BTU/lb. However the site also states that carburation and controlling the fuel/air mix can increase the effective BTU/lb. Which means that a drafted fire in our locos will produce more BTU than for the same fuel in a pot boiler. Steve -Original Message- From: VR Bass [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 10:35 AM To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Subject: Re: Methanol Let me clarify, or possibly refocus, the conversation. Some people are asking about methanol, or methyl alcohol. What is typically used in live steamers is "denatured alcohol", or "methylated spirits" (also called "meths"). This is ethanol, or ethyl alcohol or moonshine or Everclear(tm), with a couple of percent methyl alcohol added so it's unfit for drinking. Using methyl alcohol is not necessary, nor is it even desirable, probably. You know how your eyes burn if you stand too close while you're filling your tank with meths? It's way, way worse with pure methanol. The MSDS for methanol classes it as moderately irritating to eyes, lungs and skin. So, given that it's more unpleasant to work with, more expensive and harder to find, I'm not sure what the attraction is. Is there a chemist in the house? Is the heat production per unit volume a lot greater than ethanol's? regards, -vance- Vance Bass Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Small-scale live steam resources: http://www.nmia.com/~vrbass
Re: Methanol
Let me clarify, or possibly refocus, the conversation. Some people are asking about methanol, or methyl alcohol. What is typically used in live steamers is "denatured alcohol", or "methylated spirits" (also called "meths"). This is ethanol, or ethyl alcohol or moonshine or Everclear, with a couple of percent methyl alcohol added so it's unfit for drinking. Using methyl alcohol is not necessary, nor is it even desirable, probably. You know how your eyes burn if you stand too close while you're filling your tank with meths? It's way, way worse with pure methanol. The MSDS for methanol classes it as moderately irritating to eyes, lungs and skin. So, given that it's more unpleasant to work with, more expensive and harder to find, I'm not sure what the attraction is. Is there a chemist in the house? Is the heat production per unit volume a lot greater than ethanol's? regards, -vance- Vance Bass Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Small-scale live steam resources: http://www.nmia.com/~vrbass
Re: Methanol
Hi Geoff Reading all the notes on methonal ;; we in the far north use metholhydrate ( made from wood ) cant you guys buy this in the states ? its hot file://its clean only trouble is you cant see it burning ;; Our friend Dick Abbot will confirm my statement Regards Graham S . - Original Message - From: Geoff Spenceley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 1:36 PM Subject: Re: Methanol > I agree, hi grade methanol- > > Geoff. > > > Hi John, > > > >I haven't had much luck with Home Depot's S-L-X alcohol. I much prefer > >methanol. S-L-X has a tendency to clog things. I understand that the mix > >isn't always consistent. I have a fun connection to high grade methanol > >through friends in the NASCAR circuit. The guys who were at Tony's steam-up > >in Livermore will understand. > > > >Stay feisty! > > > >Vickie-Marie > > > >- Original Message - > >From: "John Coughran" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:52 PM > >Subject: Re: Methanol > > > > > >> Hello Steve, > >> > >> Go to Home Depot and get S-L-X Paint Thinner, it is pure ethanol > >> denatured with pure methanol, i.e. denatured alcohol or methelated > >> spirits and will burn hot and clean. > >> > >> All the best, John Coughran, 310-318-1547, 1525-A Artesia Blvd, > >> Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-7160, USA > >> > >> > > > > >
Re: Methanol
I agree, hi grade methanol- Geoff. Hi John, > >I haven't had much luck with Home Depot's S-L-X alcohol. I much prefer >methanol. S-L-X has a tendency to clog things. I understand that the mix >isn't always consistent. I have a fun connection to high grade methanol >through friends in the NASCAR circuit. The guys who were at Tony's steam-up >in Livermore will understand. > >Stay feisty! > >Vickie-Marie > >- Original Message - >From: "John Coughran" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:52 PM >Subject: Re: Methanol > > >> Hello Steve, >> >> Go to Home Depot and get S-L-X Paint Thinner, it is pure ethanol >> denatured with pure methanol, i.e. denatured alcohol or methelated >> spirits and will burn hot and clean. >> >> All the best, John Coughran, 310-318-1547, 1525-A Artesia Blvd, >> Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-7160, USA >> >> >
RE: Methanol supply source
I went the school/chemical supply house route the first time and paid $29 a gallon for it. I am working with a model airplane buddy who is also into motorcycle racing for a source for methanol. If that does not pan out, I am going to a Model Airplane fuel supplier and try that route. Sincerely Steve Ciambrone Sr. Test Engineer L-3 Ocean Systems -Original Message- From: Gary [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 8:16 AM To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Subject:Methanol supply source Methanol can be bought from chemical supply houses that supply labs like chemistry labs for schools and medical labs. You can get it in almost any volume you want, they even refill bottles if you have your own. I advise against buying the 55 gallon drums :) Still waiting for AristoCraft to make more 8' stainless rail to build my short line spur in Eugene, Oregon http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor ~Gary
Methanol supply source
Methanol can be bought from chemical supply houses that supply labs like chemistry labs for schools and medical labs. You can get it in almost any volume you want, they even refill bottles if you have your own. I advise against buying the 55 gallon drums :) Still waiting for AristoCraft to make more 8' stainless rail to build my short line spur in Eugene, Oregon http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor ~Gary
RE: Methanol
I have never had a bit of problems with SLX. My Best, Chuck Charles W. Walters Twin Lakes Railway CEO http://home.twcny.rr.com/twinlakesrw -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of VICKIE-MARIE PARKER Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2002 1:32 AM To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Subject: Re: Methanol Hi John, I haven't had much luck with Home Depot's S-L-X alcohol. I much prefer methanol. S-L-X has a tendency to clog things. I understand that the mix isn't always consistent. I have a fun connection to high grade methanol through friends in the NASCAR circuit. The guys who were at Tony's steam-up in Livermore will understand. Stay feisty! Vickie-Marie - Original Message - From: "John Coughran" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:52 PM Subject: Re: Methanol > Hello Steve, > > Go to Home Depot and get S-L-X Paint Thinner, it is pure ethanol > denatured with pure methanol, i.e. denatured alcohol or methelated > spirits and will burn hot and clean. > > All the best, John Coughran, 310-318-1547, 1525-A Artesia Blvd, > Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-7160, USA > >
Re: Methanol
Hi John, I haven't had much luck with Home Depot's S-L-X alcohol. I much prefer methanol. S-L-X has a tendency to clog things. I understand that the mix isn't always consistent. I have a fun connection to high grade methanol through friends in the NASCAR circuit. The guys who were at Tony's steam-up in Livermore will understand. Stay feisty! Vickie-Marie - Original Message - From: "John Coughran" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 5:52 PM Subject: Re: Methanol > Hello Steve, > > Go to Home Depot and get S-L-X Paint Thinner, it is pure ethanol > denatured with pure methanol, i.e. denatured alcohol or methelated > spirits and will burn hot and clean. > > All the best, John Coughran, 310-318-1547, 1525-A Artesia Blvd, > Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-7160, USA > >
Re: Methanol
Hello Steve, Go to Home Depot and get S-L-X Paint Thinner, it is pure ethanol denatured with pure methanol, i.e. denatured alcohol or methelated spirits and will burn hot and clean. All the best, John Coughran, 310-318-1547, 1525-A Artesia Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266-7160, USA --- Begin Message --- In the LA area, does anyone have a source for methanol. Sincerely Steve Ciambrone Sr. Test Engineer L-3 Ocean Systems --- End Message ---
Re: Methanol
Try, motorcycle "performance" and car "speed" shops/distributors also. Tony D. At 12:09 PM 9/9/02 -0700, Geoff Spenceley wrote: >Steve et al, > >If we can find methanol in rural Humboldt County, the it HAS to be >available in LA County, or anywhere for that matter! Contact the >petroleum distributors (not gas stations) -- Automotive parts outlets may >be able to tell you where you can find these friendly? distributors. They, >the distributors, may be kind to you and sell 5 gallons or so, especially >if they are told that it is for little steam locos. That opens all kinds >of doors--in addition to the door of our wives pocket books! (my own >wallet is now empty!) > >Geoff. > > >In the LA area, does anyone have a source for methanol. > > > >Sincerely > >Steve Ciambrone > >Sr. Test Engineer > >L-3 Ocean Systems > > >
Re: Methanol
Shellac thinner is 95% denatured anhydrous methanol, and it should be available in hardware or paint stores. In the quart or gallon cans they sell, it's quite inexpensive. -vance- Is it too much to demand? I want a full house and a rock-and-roll band, Pens that won't run out of ink, and cool quiet and time to think. Shouldn't I have all of this, and passionate kisses?
Re: Methanol
Steve et al, If we can find methanol in rural Humboldt County, the it HAS to be available in LA County, or anywhere for that matter! Contact the petroleum distributors (not gas stations) -- Automotive parts outlets may be able to tell you where you can find these friendly? distributors. They, the distributors, may be kind to you and sell 5 gallons or so, especially if they are told that it is for little steam locos. That opens all kinds of doors--in addition to the door of our wives pocket books! (my own wallet is now empty!) Geoff. In the LA area, does anyone have a source for methanol. > >Sincerely >Steve Ciambrone >Sr. Test Engineer >L-3 Ocean Systems
Methanol
In the LA area, does anyone have a source for methanol. Sincerely Steve Ciambrone Sr. Test Engineer L-3 Ocean Systems
