Hi from Belgium

Hi everyone,

I'm François, 24, from Belgium.
I've been searching informations on this forum for a while, mainly about tools that I wanted to buy in the USA.
I start this post to introduce myself, tell you about the hobbies I have in the garage and also post some pics of my tools. Lots of them have been chose according to members's reviews, thank you!

I'm studying engineering, and sometime I try to experiment directly in the workshop (with happy and bad endings ) so I do lots of different things...
I started mechanic by tuning mopeds, then motorbikes, like many of you I suppose.
Now I try to learn as many techniques as possible in the metal working field, I'd like to improve my ability to produce things "in-house".
For the moment I'm finishing my powder-coating and metal spraying setups, they should be operational this summer, I'm impatient to learn more about flame spray!
I don't really have a garage to show for the moment, the place that I used as a workshop has been colonized by carton boxes as my mother will start big renovations jobs in the house soon, so I have to stop mechanic for a while... not a big matter, I should have a nicer place, just for me, before the end of the year, I just have to wait.

Now I stop talking and show you some of my small, but growing! collection of tools. Actually most of them has never been used because I started buying them after I stopped doing mechanics (less money spent on bikes = more money for buying tools )

I'll start with the ratcheting wrenches:

Black hawk stubby metric

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0456.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0456.jpg" border="0" alt="blackhawk stubby"></a>

Blackhawk double box, metric and sae

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0446.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0446.jpg" border="0" alt="blackhawk metric"></a>

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0448.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0448.jpg" border="0" alt="blackhawk sae"></a>

Blackhawk jumbo (the small one is a 6 mm stubby )

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0438.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0438.jpg" border="0" alt="Blackhawk jumbo"></a>

Armstrong double box metric

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0443.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0443.jpg" border="0" alt="Armstrong metric"></a>

Gearwrench x-beam metric

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0457.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0457.jpg" border="0" alt="gearwrench x-beam metric"></a>

Gearwrench x-beam sae

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0449.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0449.jpg" border="0" alt="gearwrench x-beam metric sae"></a>

y20dth asked me what I thought about these wrenches in another post, here is the answer:

Blackhawk are clearly the ones I like the most, the ratchet is smooth, almost no game between the teeth. They feel exactly as Facom's (my father owns a set) and the shape is quite identical, I wouldn't be surprised if they were made in the same factory...

Armstrong's are nice but not as good as BH (now I'm a dead man ), chrome is... different... not as mirror finished as the BH but feels robust. The ratchet is the "weak" point, there is some game that I haven't in the BH, and it needs a bit more torque when you use them. These are slight differences and I'm very happy of my only USA made tools!

Gearwrench, I love the xbeam, and length of these wrenches (they're XL models), however the ratchet has far more game than the BW. When I do a full turn I can feel that a part of the circle is "harder", I don't know if that's because they're new or because of a bad batch...
Chrome is fine but finish can't compete with Armstrong and BH, but it's not what GW is looking for right?

To conclude, I'm satisfied with all the tools I bought in the US, I've bought all of them on ebay. By the way I've to say that American sellers have always been very friendly and took great care of my orders, a good thing!

I'll post more pictures of my tools later!

Those Blackhawks are very nice..

Welcome foreigner
Is there a specific reason why you bought US tools instead of readily available Euro brands?
Did you have to pay additional customs-costs when the tools arrived?

Bonjour, Francois,

Nice tools. Like the Blackhawks, Don't see too many in my location.

KEH

welcome on board nice tools !!!!!!!

y20dth said:

Welcome foreigner
Is there a specific reason why you bought US tools instead of readily available Euro brands?
Did you have to pay additional customs-costs when the tools arrived?

Click to expand...

Actually I wanted to buy a house in Dilbeek but they told me that my way of pronouncing "waar Vlamingen thuis zijn" didn't sound enough Flemish, I really don't understand

I bought US wrenches because I just wanted to try something else, I live really close to France so most of people here are formatted with Facom as the unique high end tool company. When I open my toolbox and that people see shiny tools they say "waow, is it Snap On?" then I've to explain that SO is just one of many american brands that polish their chrome wrenches...

I like quality tools, and love Facom but there are some tools I wouldn't buy from them as they're overpriced and/or not Facom's field of competence.
I could have bought German but I've already spent a big bunch of money in Bosch pro power tools, I wanted to discover another industrialized country, this time it was Taïwan
I'll come back to Germany when I'll have money for buying some Wera screwdrivers and Knipex pliers!



@KEH

Where are you located? I've never seen Blackhawk tools in Europe, just discovered them on ebay, the I checked their reputation on GJ...

A few more tools

Britool 1/2 sockets

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0392.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0392.jpg" border="0" alt="Britool 1/2"></a>

Britool 3/8 and 1/4

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0390.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0390.jpg" border="0" alt="Britool 1/4 + 3/8"></a>

Facom 1/2 set

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0411.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0411.jpg" border="0" alt="Facom 1/2 ratchet set"></a>

Facom 3/8 set

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0408.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0408.jpg" border="0" alt="Facom 3/8 ratchet set"></a>

Facom 1/4 set

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0404.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0404.jpg" border="0" alt="Facom 1/4 ratchet set"></a>

My toolbox

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0435.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0435.jpg" border="0" alt="My facom toolbox"></a>

Facom dynapact 1" 2000Nm

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0378.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0378.jpg" border="0" alt="Facom dynapact 1&quot;"></a>

Facom valve's spring tool

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0424.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0424.jpg" border="0" alt="Facom valve tool"></a>

Facom 306 puller

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0384.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0384.jpg" border="0" alt="Facom U.306 puller"></a>

Facom 44 series wrenches:

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/?action=view&current=IMG_0453.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/IMG_0453.jpg" border="0" alt="facom 44"></a>

Metco 5p powder gun

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/?action=view&current=IMG_0024.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/IMG_0024.jpg" border="0" alt="Metco 5p"></a>

Metco 11E and 14 E wire guns

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/?action=view&current=IMG_0346.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/IMG_0346.jpg" border="0" alt="Metco 14e and 11e"></a>

The stuff I spent the most time to search, the Vulkan gas station, finally bought second hand from a really nice German who even brought it to my house

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/?action=view&current=centrale_gaz_vulkan.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/centrale_gaz_vulkan.jpg" border="0" alt="Centrale gaz Vulkan"></a>

Welcome, I was expecting all Facom, didn't see it right away, then further down the Facom, I knew it.

@ y20dth

I had to pay customs fees, but as long as the value of the goods wasn't higher than 100-120$ there weren't "real" customs fees, just 10 € for Post paperworks. None of my wrenches purchases cost me more than these 10€ in extra fees.

When the value gets higher I usually have to pay 21% of VAT, a few % of customs taxes and the 10€ of paperworks, that makes something like 30% of the value.
It's complicated to know, if they really followed the law they should tax VAT and customs tax on every parcel declared above 26€, last week I received a flame spray gun declared 600$ and they just ask me 10€...

Very pretty tools.

Welcome to the forum! Nice collection you have.

Reply to question from cantuse to KEH; I'm located in South Carolina, USA.

KEH

What do you plan to do with the flame spray guns ?

Welcome François.

Nice collection, everything looks so well kept, new and shiney.

Monte said:

What do you plan to do with the flame spray guns ?

Click to expand...

In a first time I'd like to run the 11E and 14E using oxy-propane, and spray zinc and aluminum wires with them (especially on old bikes parts I restore) for corrosion protection prior to powder coat them. I've to find a propane manifold as it needs a few bottles piped together for working continuously, I haven't found what I needed yet...

After that I'll finish my oxy-acetylen setup for the 5P powder gun, I "just" need the gas bottles and it's ready to shoot, I'd prefer buying them rather than renting them. So I've to save some money and someday take the trailer and drive to Germany to buy 2x 50ltrs bottles of acetylen and 2x 50ltrs of oxygen (here it's almost impossible to buy large bottles...).
Then I'd like to start spraying ceramics coating on exhaust collectors, turbo housing, cylinder heads, try some stuffs

The last part of the project is to buy a cylindrical grinder, probably a surface grinder too , and rebuild some worn parts, it can be very useful for really old bikes which parts are not produced anymore.

Of course I could have all these things done by a professional company with much more efficient technologies, but as I said, learning the technique, is what I look for...

premierplayer said:

Welcome François.

Nice collection, everything looks so well kept, new and shiney.

Click to expand...

Actually most them have been slightly used so they're almost new
I guess they will get scratched with time but I try to take care of them as much as I can, they're for life right?

That sounds good !! Post some pics when you start !!!
Isn`t that cheaper to get bottles where you dont have to rent them, just pay a deposit and just exchange empty with full bottles and if you dont need the bottle anymore give it back and receive back your deposit ? So you dont have any hassle with waiting for the refill or "TÜV" inspection of the bottle ?

Sure, I'll post pics when I'll have shot my first part!

I should be ok with zinc and aluminum coatings before the end of summer
Just need the manifold and regulator then I'll use the deposit system for the 4 propane cylinders , just 25 € per bottle, refills available at 100 meters from the workshop

Acetylen is quite a nightmare, not to say an industrial conspiracy Everything is so expensive and complicated, I guess the certifications cost a lot...
I thought about the deposit system, it's available here too but again I'll have to buy the gas from a unique supplier and have to pay a refill at least once a year. Correct me if I'm wrong but in Germany, as long as the cylinders is in order of TÜV you can get the refills almost anywhere right?

I really don't know, the deposit system is nice, no worries about the TÜV, nor waiting time for the refills, is it a popular system in Germany?
Anyway I'm almost sure that I'll come to Germany for my gas needs, prices are far lower than what I've seen here.
And with all the money you lent to Greece, German economy need some support

Cantause said:

Sure, I'll post pics when I'll have shot my first part!

I should be ok with zinc and aluminum coatings before the end of summer
Just need the manifold and regulator then I'll use the deposit system for the 4 propane cylinders , just 25 € per bottle, refills available at 100 meters from the workshop

Acetylen is quite a nightmare, not to say an industrial conspiracy Everything is so expensive and complicated, I guess the certifications cost a lot...
I thought about the deposit system, it's available here too but again I'll have to buy the gas from a unique supplier and have to pay a refill at least once a year. Correct me if I'm wrong but in Germany, as long as the cylinders is in order of TÜV you can get the refills almost anywhere right?

I really don't know, the deposit system is nice, no worries about the TÜV, nor waiting time for the refills, is it a popular system in Germany?
Anyway I'm almost sure that I'll come to Germany for my gas needs, prices are far lower than what I've seen here.
And with all the money you lent to Greece, German economy need some support

Click to expand...

I encourage anybody who wants to save money, hell I know I do, but are you allowed to drive around in your car with a couple of those bottles in your trunk?
I'm just asking...

the "deposit system" seems to be cheaper (at least here)(also no worries with the "TÜV" (ok only every 10 years.) no worry to get the money back if i dont need the bottle anymore, no monthly fee etc. so that are the main advantages and i can exchange the bottles 6 days a week)

I pay 37,64 € for a 20 liter bottle MIG welding gas ("Sagox 18") oxygen is 26,18 € for 20 liter, acetylen 50,18 for 20 liter, Argon 4.6 is 42,36 for 20 liter. (all prices + tax)
how much in Belgium ?

my dealer gets the bottles from www.globalgas.de

if the bottle has TÜV then you can refill it everywhere. But i did this only once (then changed the supplier) because i had to wait a week or so because the company waits until they have collected several bottles to refill them at once so the loss of gas is not so high.

Cantause said:

And with all the money you lent to Greece, German economy need some support

Click to expand...

lol yes !! I`m already looking if i can find "Deutsche Mark" at the flea markets here.... for the time after the Euro....

How are the waffle out there?

y20dth said:

I encourage anybody who wants to save money, hell I know I do, but are you allowed to drive around in your car with a couple of those bottles in your trunk?
I'm just asking...

Click to expand...

It's quite complicated the Belgian law says that if the transport is occasional (even for a plumber who takes his oxy-set once a month for example), you don't have to follow the official rules regulating gas transportation, which in resume are:
-Bottle securely attached.
-Appropriate aeration if the bottle are stored in the vehicle (there are some areas and fresh air flow specified I think).
-Cylinders must have their cap.
-Specials markings on the back of the vehicle to identify the type of flammable gases.
-...
Be careful, it is the Belgian law, it might be different in another country (however in France it's the same)

So if you go to your local DIY shop to get your acetylene bottle back, you can drive smoking in the car with the bottle wide opened on the passenger's seat (as long as it has its seatbelt of course!)

I think that laws are not always made to annoy people and make life boring, so when I'll get my cylinders I'll attached the trailer on the car, put the correct markings and attach the bottles securely. Anyway I wouldn't feel comfortable to have 40 cubic meters of highly reactive gases in the trunk of the car

Monte said:

I pay 37,64 € for a 20 liter bottle MIG welding gas ("Sagox 18") oxygen is 26,18 € for 20 liter, acetylen 50,18 for 20 liter, Argon 4.6 is 42,36 for 20 liter. (all prices + tax)
how much in Belgium ?

Click to expand...

I found a new supplier (called JAVAC), in Belgium, which propose renting, deposit and buy system, their prices in € without VAT (21% here) are not so bad:

20 lts bottles refills Acetylene:45 Oxygen:24
40 lts bottles refils AC:69 Oxygen:31 don't know why it's not 50lts...

The bad thing is the deposit system:
Administrative fees (only once) : per AC cylinder :100 per O2 cyl: 80
Deposit per bottle: AC 20lts: 450 O2 20lts: 300
AC 40lts 600 O2 40lts: 400

As I need at least 2 cylinders of 4O lts acetylene to be sure I'm under the max flow rate without loss of acetone, it would be normal to take 2 cylinders of O2 too. So 2000€ of deposit, 360 of administrative fees = 2850€ inc. vat at that price I would go for arc spray!
And these are 40 lts cylinders, 20% smaller than standard B50 cylinders...

I found this gas supplier :<a href="http://cgi.ebay.de/Gasflaschen-Sauerstoff-u-Acetylen-50Ltr-Autogen-/370385385152?cmd=ViewItem&pt=DE_Haus_Garten_Heimwerker_Elektrowerkzeuge&hash=item563cb076c0#ht_1530wt_1139"> Gas Luedenbach </a> on ebay.de . They sell different combos, 2x5Olts cylinders AC+O2 for 560€ incl. vat, (1120€ for what I need) TUV till 2015/2018. From what I've understood if you come back for a refill with a cylinder they sold you, they directly exchange for a cylinder with a TÜV at least as valid as the one of your cylinder. I've heard that a TUV test costs less than 50 €, but there is always a risk to have a cylinder refused, I know...

However Javac offer an interesting alternative, they exchange your privately owned cylinders for Javac cylinders for FREE, then you just have to refill once a year and they'll always give you a tested cylinder.
I think I'll buy my cylinders from gas Ludenbach, and if it takes me too much time for the refills I'll exchange the cylinders for Javac's, it's the best deal I've found up to now...

Mickey O said:

How are the waffle out there?

Click to expand...

You know Belgium isn't only reputed for its waffles and fine chocolates, we start having a strong expertise in political crisis
Maybe we should think about doing some export ...

I would very much like to learn more about the zinc- and powder-guns and it's installation you're preparing. Got any links?

Cantause said:

You know Belgium isn't only reputed for its waffles and fine chocolates, we start having a strong expertise in political crisis
Maybe we should think about doing some export ...

Click to expand...

I forgot about the chocolate.

Mickey O said:

I forgot about the chocolate.

Click to expand...

I will be happy to trade you (or any GJ-member) some in exchange for some fine US tools.

wow 2850.- as investment just for bottles is a lot.....

i pay 150.- deposit.... but i also only need bottles for MIG and a oxy/ace welder (and TIG in the future)


ps: I recommend to transport your acetylene bottle horizontal in your car without cap


ps: Gase Lüdenbach only send within germany
(but you get 2 welders magnets if you buy a bottle )


ps:
these are good:

Bonjour!

Having lived in Dinant for several years, I'm quite familiar with your area. Many Saturdays I would ride the bicycle along the river Muse, have lunch in Liège and return.

Though the pictured chocolates are good, I preferred Léonidas.

Fortunately I brought my tools (Craftsman) as I many opportunities to repair household fixtures, my neighbor's tractor and I crewed on an amateur rally team.

I enjoyed living in Belgium....the countryside was dotted with historical sites, people were friendly and the variety of beers astonishing.

y20dth said:

I would very much like to learn more about the zinc- and powder-guns and it's installation you're preparing. Got any links?

Click to expand...

Sure, here is the link of <a href="http://www.gordonengland.co.uk/sef/"> Surface engineering forum </a> based in England, mostly professionals but they're really nice and helpful! Threads are very specifics, not easy to find informations when you know nothing about the subject, I'm not sure that there is such a thing as "thermal spray for noobs"

There is a book, can be found in pdf, "Science and engineering of thermal spray coatings" by Lech Pawlowski, very interesting but a lot of metallurgy...

From a more practical point of view I can give some modest advices from the long hours I spent this winter browsing the internet

The leader brand is Sulzer-Metco, half of their competitors just copy their products, it's so obvious that it's really strange...
Metallisation and Praxair are the 2 others of the "big three", I have no experience with them...

Don't look for something cheap from them, it's a word you have to learn to forget, it never existed and never will!
A basic flame spray gun cost around 4000-5000$ new, the design changed slowly since the 60's, from the outside, an old 10E guns is slightly different of the all new 16E.
As it is a virtually indestructible tool as long as you replace worn parts, they're not cheap when sold second hand from a professional.

BUT! usually particular sell them on ebay "as is" because they don't have to setup to try them, so most of the time you can get one for around 400-800$. However take care to buy a gun which is not too old, if the spares are discontinued, it will be useless... so stick with these wire guns (for Metco):

-10E: old, not supported by Metco, parts can be found from some other suppliers.
-11E: I think it still supported, high speed gun, only for soft wires
-12E: spares available from various suppliers, HARD WIRES only
-14E: Metco's best seller since it was replaced a few years ago by the 16E, soft and hard wires.

Soft wires: Zinc, aluminum, alu/zinc, maybe tin and copper
Hard wires: steel, chromium, tungsten,...

They show up on ebay.com, usually one each month.

Original spares are expensive but "pirates" parts can be found for as low as a third of the oem prices. Sometimes you can buy a bunch of spares from pros who stop doing their own surface engineering jobs. like this

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/?action=view&current=IMG_0339.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/IMG_0339.jpg" border="0" alt="Metco 14e parts"></a>

The gun is not the most expensive part of the setup, you'll need an air compressor, wire is fed by a compressed air motor in the gun, and also propel the molten metal, usually an output of 850l/min (30cf/m) @ 4,5 bars (65 psi) is enough. Air must be filtered, (water and oil free).

You have the choice for the fuel gas, all used with oxygen:
-Acetylen: Very hot (3150°), ideal for high melting point metals (tungsten, ceramics (powder),...), a bit pricey.
-Propane/Butane: Cheap, easy to get, lower temperature (2850°), ideal for zinc and aluminum spray.
-Hydrogen: Very clean (low contamination of the molten metal), expensive, usually used when it's a process by-product.
-Others?

Finally you need the pressure regulators for fuel gas and O2.
A gas flowmeter, as pictured below (Metco 3GF, around 700€ new) is a good add-on, especially when you use Acetylene, if the flows are not good you can easily burn your nozzle (too hot) or the wire doesn't melt enough, poor bond strength (too cold). Wires and powder suppliers provide precise flow settings for each of their products.
However I've heard that for zinc spray you can do without a flowmeter as it is a low melting point metal, I haven't tried yet...
<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/?action=view&current=IMG_0317.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/IMG_0317.jpg" border="0" alt="Metco 3gf"></a>

The gas station, to manifold acetylene bottle is big expense, around 2000€ for the one below (price of a new unit):

<a href="http://s739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/?action=view&current=centrale_gaz_vulkan.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/cantause/Flame%20spray/centrale_gaz_vulkan.jpg" border="0" alt="Centrale gaz Vulkan"></a>

It's a must if you plan to spray during long periods, you HAVE to manifold multiple cylinders. There are lots of things said about the maximum withdrawal rates for acetylene cylinders, some says 1/7 of the total volume/h, other says 1000l/h...
However the big brands sell mobile flame spray setup with just one cylinder of each gas, I guess that for sort shooting session the acetone loss isn't significant...


For those who don't know about acetylene, as it is a very reactive gas, it is stored in particular cylinders, containing a porous material (I think it's a mix of cement, charcoal, asbestos,...). Acetylene can't old high pressures like oxygen does, it's not possible to store it at 200 bars, it would start breaking up. So acetylene is dissolved in acetone, that way the pressure inside of the thank is around 15 bars at room temperature and the stored volume is equivalent to a 200 loaded cylinder. If the maximum withdrawal rate is exceeded, evaporation of acetylene makes too much bubbles in acetone and small drops of the solvent start leaving the tank in the gas pipes, two bad things happen:

1) Acetone lowers flame temperatures, lowers the coating quality and may lead to flash backs (it's what I've heard).
2) The one you should worry about , the cylinder contains less acetone, acetylene equilibrium pressure gets slowly higher, when enough solvent has left the bottle the critical pressure is reached. Acetylene begins breaking up generating lot of heat, as temperature is getting higher, pressure too, reaction gets quicker, cylinder's paint start smoking. At that point you'd better have noticed that a funny thing is gonna happen .
You can run and check if you had a good fire insurance, or if you're really brave start cooling down the cylinder with water, I don't know what happens next but it seems to be the plan A in some emergency rules, (I do believe that employees usually skip directly to plan B "run and scream").
To conclude with what I know about acetylene, it's very intolerant to copper, so copper gas pipes (or alloys containing more than 70% of Cu), can't be used.

All these things are expensive but with patience you can find most of the equipment second hand at affordable prices, it's what I've done


I'm sorry if that post is sooo long, there are so many things which can be said about flame spray, and I just know a little...
If you're interested, I'll write other posts about powder spray and the other thermal coatings technologies I know...

François

dan76 said:

Bonjour!

Having lived in Dinant for several years, I'm quite familiar with your area. Many Saturdays I would ride the bicycle along the river Muse, have lunch in Liège and return.

Though the pictured chocolates are good, I preferred Léonidas.

Fortunately I brought my tools (Craftsman) as I many opportunities to repair household fixtures, my neighbor's tractor and I crewed on an amateur rally team.

I enjoyed living in Belgium....the countryside was dotted with historical sites, people were friendly and the variety of beers astonishing.

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Forgot about the European beer, mmmmm.

Monte said:

wow 2850.- as investment just for bottles is a lot.....

i pay 150.- deposit.... but i also only need bottles for MIG and a oxy/ace welder (and TIG in the future)


ps: I recommend to transport your acetylene bottle horizontal in your car without cap


ps: Gase Lüdenbach only send within germany
(but you get 2 welders magnets if you buy a bottle )


ps:
these are good:

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Eitorf (gas Lüdenbach's place) is about 180 km from Liège so I asked them if it was ok to pick up the cylinders directly there, they told me that there were no problems. If their prices are just normal prices for Germany, I'd prefer to have them around Aachen, it's closer... If it's a really good deal, I don't care about spending half a day every six months for a refill, are there speed limits on the German highways for cars with trailers full of highly flammable gasses?

dan76 said:

Bonjour!

Having lived in Dinant for several years, I'm quite familiar with your area. Many Saturdays I would ride the bicycle along the river Muse, have lunch in Liège and return.

Though the pictured chocolates are good, I preferred Léonidas.

Fortunately I brought my tools (Craftsman) as I many opportunities to repair household fixtures, my neighbor's tractor and I crewed on an amateur rally team.

I enjoyed living in Belgium....the countryside was dotted with historical sites, people were friendly and the variety of beers astonishing.

Click to expand...

Hey Dan,

Glad to hear that you spent some time in Belgium, what did you do in Dinant? Actually it's even closer of where I really live, Liège is the city where I study, I just spend weekdays here. I go back every weekends and vacations to my hometown, near Bouillon, you've probably heard of that place. I go to Dinant quite often, especially when the sunny days come back, I take my motorbike and ride the long turns along the Meuse, nice roads there

I agree that Leonidas are good, but it's a kind of Gearwrench in the world of "pralines", good value for money! Until you haven't held some Snap On or Mac in your hands you don't really know what you're talking about...

Mickey O said:

Forgot about the European beer, mmmmm.

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Yup, but as tool's world it suffered from market economy, some of our most well known Belgian beers are brewed in foreign countries, for example Leffe in Brazil, some others in Mexico or Eastern European countries, it's sad...

But this one still being proudly brewed here in Liège,



And we use their products for many different things:



Well, we haven't tried to build children's hospitals yet...

His tools are too nice!


Just kidding, welcome to gj!

arkangel06 said:

His tools are too nice!


Just kidding, welcome to gj!

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But who the hell told me that canadians where friendly ?

Hi welcome aboard the GJ,you have a very nice set of tools,I like the set of facom wrenches,very nice!

Cantause said:

Eitorf (gas Lüdenbach's place) is about 180 km from Liège so I asked them if it was ok to pick up the cylinders directly there, they told me that there were no problems. If their prices are just normal prices for Germany, I'd prefer to have them around Aachen, it's closer... If it's a really good deal, I don't care about spending half a day every six months for a refill, are there speed limits on the German highways for cars with trailers full of highly flammable gasses?

Click to expand...

i think speed limit with a trailer is 100 km/h , i would put the bottles on the back seat so you can drive 250 km/h

Monte said:

i think speed limit with a trailer is 100 km/h , i would put the bottles on the back seat so you can drive 250 km/h

Click to expand...

That sounds a good idea, I'll open a little the window, safety first!

Here are some new pics of my tools, mostly Facom

Screwdrivers and torx drivers





Some pliers



Crimping tool



Wire strippers





Shears



Laser drain plug socket set, always useful when a friend call you the day he decided to drain his car's oil pan and found a strange plug...



Hammers and saw

nice stuff !!!!!!!!!