Build Homes for Homeless Birds – Complete Plans & Cutting Lists. Easy, attractive designs that actually work. Download today!
Articles Forums Gallery Marketplace Videos

WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

Find sources of lumber, veneer, wood specialties and sawmill services - see how it works

Propane Safety First sort a OT

Posts

Propane Safety First sort a OT

#1

Propane Safety First sort a OT

Mike L

I have always made it a habit to turn off the propane bottle even if I am going to use it again in the next hour or so. Today while working in my garage I heated it up with the protable propane heater. When it got warm enough I shut it down and turned off the bottle. About twenty minutes later I placed a portable jointer on a table. Turned and walked away. A few minutes later the table top fell off the base and the jointer landed on the regulator of the propane tank. It sheared it off like a hot knife though butter. If the tank had been on I would have propane spraying straight from a 20 LB bottle into my garage. The only damage was the high pressure regulator needs replaced and the jointer needs a little work along with a busted knob. Now to fasten down the table top so it won't happen again.

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

#2

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

walta

Accidents always require several faults to happen at the same time.

How many pounds of propane are inside the building? Hint more than 1 pound per 100 square foot should make you nervous.

Is the heater vented?

Do you really have the clearances specified in the heaters instructions most likely about 3 feet in front and sides and 6 feet above?

It seems the tank need to move under the table where nothing could fall on it.

Walta

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

#3

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

Mike L

It is a portable heater that uses the 20 LB bottles of propane. I have a 1300 SQFT garage so there is plenty of space for it to operate safely. I had the bottle of gas under the edge of the table and the heater about 6 feet away. The top was not secure to the bass, and I put a portable jointer/planer on it. I am not sure why it fell off the base but when it did the jointer fell on the regulator and sheared it off.

I normally only run it about 15 minutes or so to get it warm enough to work in there. If I am glueing up panels then it might run longer to help the glue set.

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

#4

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

Bill Howatt

If something fell on it once, it can happen again even if it isn't the same item. Suggest a simple cover or relocation where the tank/regulator is protected.

Bill

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

#5

Good reminder

John in NM

Never a bad idea to take reasonable precautions. The one time you need them it makes up for a lifetime of wondering (or perhaps having the wife wonder) why you plan for the worst :D

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

#6

wondering...

John K Jordan

If you use propane to heat all winter, would it be practical to get a larger tank and store it outside, run gas line to heater(s) inside?

We use propane for our cooktop and have a pair of 100lb cylinders on a small concrete pad outside. One cylinder handles the stovetop cooking for many months (and we use it a lot.)

JKJ

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

#7

Not even an entire 20 LB bottle

Mike L

I doubt I use an entire bottle per season. I grab it from my gas grill and use it when needed. This year I have used it three time to take the chill off while I work. It moves around the garage depending on what I am doing. I normally have it in the other parking spot while I work, but my wife's car was there.

I am just glad I turned it off when I was done. I turn it off and let the heater shut off after that to bleed the lines. I do this with my gas grill also, I turn the tank off then the grill.

I have natural gas piped into the garage for a heater to mount up near the ceiling. I just haven't felt like it was needed full time yet. Next year when I retire I might rethink that.

Re: Propane Safety First sort a OT

#8

Re: Not even an entire 20 LB bottle

Bill Howatt

If I shut the 20 lb tank off first on my propane grill the odds are that the gas will not flow sufficiently to make full heat the next time I use it. The fix is to shut off the burners and tank and then turn on the tank and light the burners again.

IIRC, the owners manual or some other reference said to shut the burners down first but Googling shows split opinions on this.

Bill

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.