Brake lines to run propane

[Nflanders]

Good afternoon, this may sound like a stupid question, but does anyone use brake lines to run propane for their forges? I found a set of burners for sale on ebay, but he says to use brake lines to run the propane... 

[Brian Madigan]

By brake lines I'm assuming he means hard lines. I use copper or copper-nickel. Copper nickel or cupronickel are the ones used for hard lines in cars.

There's no problem using copper or copper nickel lines as long as they are not subject to a lot of bending. They're not meant to be flexible lines. If you keep bending them back and forth, they'll get a kink and will crack or break. This is probably not an issue in a stationary forge. Just be careful if you have to bend them not to overdo it. 

Mine are 3/16" lines soldered to brass fittings. 

As always, check propane fittings for leaks. 

[Nflanders]

his listing ( and after asking him ) he said that he literally uses brake lines to run his propane, he said to buy a 1/4" inverted flare line from an auto parts store. Would it make sense to get 1/4" copper line, and flare it/ solder it instead?

[GBrackett]

Lines from a propane company are not that high in price and last as they are design for the job.

Edited April 3, 2017 by GBrackett

[Joshua States]

How about something that is actually manufactured for the specific purpose?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/BrassCraft-ProCoat-1-2-in-MIP-x-1-2-in-MIP-x-48-in-Stainless-Steel-Gas-Connector-5-8-in-O-D-106-000-BTU-CSSC44-48-X5/100138397

these also come in 3/8 inch diameter (ID)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/ProCoat-1-2-in-FIP-x-1-2-in-MIP-x-36-in-Stainless-Steel-Gas-Connector-1-2-in-O-D-71-100-BTU-CSSD54-36-X/100161743

Edited April 5, 2017 by Joshua States

[Nflanders]

That's the plan, I'll have to check out the connectors when they show up Friday, and work from there, I'd like to set up a shut-off so that I can run a single burner.

[AndrewB]

On 4/3/2017 at 1:07 PM, Nflanders said:

Good afternoon, this may sound like a stupid question, but does anyone use brake lines to run propane for their forges? I found a set of burners for sale on ebay, but he says to use brake lines to run the propane... 

That's just dangerous I would advise against it.   You can get a good 4 foot propane hose for under 20 bucks.  In some stores.  

[Alan Longmire]

Actually, seamless copper tubing is the best for gas lines around forges.  Think about it: propane hose is easily meltable rubber.  You just have to get comfortable with compression fittings to use copper.

[Mike Jesensky]

I came here looking for what some guys are using for a connect to their tanks and I see a recommendation for the yellow dryer hookup from home depot,these are made for up to 5 PSI,I tried them before and in my case I kept smelling gas at times ,it didn't bubble soapy water,and it didnt get past 1700 degrees and the yellow flex tube wouldnt let me get more gas.If you want to get a flex line and you use anything other than a low pressure regulator I would make sure all parts of your line are rated for high pressure or soldered hard lines

[Doug Lester]

Wayne Coe and High Temperature Tools and Refractory both carry the the connections you need to go between the propane tank and the brass nipple for the injection tube.  The set ups come with the POL fitting to hook up the regulator to the propane tank and the regulator.  No guessing if they'll work, they will.

 

Doug

[Joshua States]

On 11/20/2019 at 12:54 PM, Mike Jesensky said:

I see a recommendation for the yellow dryer hookup from home depot,these are made for up to 5 PSI

 

CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing) gas lines like this one, are rated to 37 psi operating pressure. I don't think I have ever run either of my forges above 8 psi.