So, over the past few days I've been attempting to make a flamethrower similar to http://mirror.linnwood.org/flamethrower/

We just need to get one more fitting for the tank, and we can start putting it together.

The biggest problem is denatured alcohol is $16.95/gallon at our hardware store.

So, I've been wondering if any of you would know of a good alternate fuel that is cheaper, and won't dissolve PVC.

Pictures and videos (If I can get access to fast internet) will be posted when done; my friend's band is playing at another friends house tonight, so we're going to be using flamethrower and two potato cannons (One combustion, one pneumatic)

Diesel and gasline mix?

Diesel and gasline mix?

I read on the page that gasoline can dissolve/damage the PVC...mixing it with diesel make a large difference?

Five seconds on google... (http://www.spudfiles.com/spudtech_archive/viewtopic.php?t=7896)

Since gasoline is fine, why not use the cheaper E85? Heating fuel oil would be cheaper yet, and safer. It will only ignite as an aerosol.

Kerosene?

Not sure on this, but wouldnt you want something with a low flash point?
Or would you want a high flashpoint incase it goes back and....boom...like cooking oil?

^^But, Spatula, I think E85 does degrade PVC. (3rd paragraph (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/e85toolkit/specs.html))

But then the dude on the site in the OP is using denatured alcohol, which is a lot like E85, and claims it doesn't degrade the PVC...


Conflicting science ftw!

Get something that you can coat the pvc in that will resist petrol/gas perhaps?

Use a flour/air mixture.

Seriously, that shit is fucking FLAMMABLE.

Use a flour/air mixture.

Seriously, that shit is fucking FLAMMABLE.

Not really feasible in this case...

-N-

Five seconds on google... (http://www.spudfiles.com/spudtech_archive/viewtopic.php?t=7896)

Since gasoline is fine, why not use the cheaper E85? Heating fuel oil would be cheaper yet, and safer. It will only ignite as an aerosol.

Oh, wow, thanks Spatula.

I'm just drilling some holes and looking for a pipe clamp now, pictures when done :)

the thing is, if you are looking for range I doubt you will get it with normal viscosity fuels. Your gonna need a jelling agent if you want any sort of distance like a real flame thrower, and high pressures.
a real flame thrower can shoot at least 80 feet. Ive never seen a home made version with that kind of range, the most I ever saw like 30 feet in those youtube videos.

Well, just got back from trying it, it works well, except for a small leak in the air tank.

Main problem is it's just a stream of fire; there's no large orange flame. Need to adjust the nozzle or put some kind of screen over it to diffuse it.

Well, just got back from trying it, it works well, except for a small leak in the air tank.

Main problem is it's just a stream of fire; there's no large orange flame. Need to adjust the nozzle or put some kind of screen over it to diffuse it.

what range

Don't use PVC.

Metal or gtfo.

How much psi?

I think military ones were made to operate at 300psi~ and im not sure of the tank-mounted ones.

I hope to use a metal tank eventually, would allow much higher pressures.

For now though, I feel it is the only option.

Hopefully getting the correct tank fitting tonight...


I screwed around with the pilot light fitting, and cut up a few pieces of metal I had laying around, and made a clamp-type thing held together with the bolts for a toilet seat.

I really like the way it turned out.


Here are some pictures so far...

Older, original design:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6971/dsc001ov0.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1439/dsc002xk6.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6595/dsc003fu8.jpg

Newer Design with toilet/aluminum trim clamp:

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1607/dsc004xb2.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/8990/dsc005fo2.jpg

http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc006yg9.jpg

can you please inform me of the range of your weapon

^ weapons are illegal remember?

It's a self-contained flame dispersal system

can you please inform me of the range of your weapon

Unknown at this time. Tank still leaks.

Any ideas for how to seal the pvc screw-on endcap?

Going to try Teflon tape soon.

You need teflon tape. It's standard in all plumbing screw fittings.

13579, are you Endotropic Decay? I just got really confused...

13579, are you Endotropic Decay? I just got really confused...

Yes. I used that account for awhile to throw off some people I know IRL who were reading my posts.

Should probably email a mod so I don't get banned...

Cooking oil works. At work we use cottonseed oil, and we spray it on the grill sometimes. If theres a flame and you press the squeezy bottle hard(so it turns into a mist) it'll make a flame maybe 1meter long. If it's just a steady stream it wont ignite.....hmm

Ways around this for use in a flame thrower?

edit:tested it last night

Cooking oil works. At work we use cottonseed oil, and we spray it on the grill sometimes. If theres a flame and you press the squeezy bottle hard(so it turns into a mist) it'll make a flame maybe 1meter long. If it's just a steady stream it wont ignite.....hmm

Ways around this for use in a flame thrower?

edit:tested it last night

Test yielded.....?

RDP

^ O.o? You mean by-products or....

Makes a bright orange flame, guessing around 300-500C, makes it very uncomfortable to stand within 3-4 meters of it, seems to burn cleanly otherwise, just need more force and maybe a gelling agent....

Could also keep it very cold, as oil will solidify or freeze at a certain temperature, but not really practical/economical.

Gelling agent = fake napalm?

As in, mix gasoline and soap or styrofoam packing pellets to make gelled gasoline?

Distill your own. Use pure grain alcohol/ever clear. Pharmacys sell 91% isopropyl for about $1.00 a pint, it burns well. Don't try the 70%.

Maybe using some gelatin in the alcohol, it could/should thicken the fuel.
But 1dollars a pint for IPA at a pharmacy? I have to pay 2,5eur of a mere 100ml, and thats technical grade and the maximum they sell to a individual.

Gelling agent = fake napalm?

As in, mix gasoline and soap or styrofoam packing pellets to make gelled gasoline?

Real napalm (really napalm B, modern version) is only benzene, styrofoam and gasoline so ..