Quick release problem?

awrylemming · February 26, 2012, 01:13:00 PM

Has anybody ever had their quick release come apart, jetting propane all over their feet? Cos I have today! I put it together as normal and pushed it until it clicked, and then my son always pushes it a second time as he doesn't trust my arthritic hands

So, a couple of hours into torching and it bursts apart, mid flaming murrini (good thing I put the kiln on!). It was definitely connected properly, so do these things ever fail? They must be under huge amounts of pressure. $:-\$ And how long would you wait before lighting the torch again, doors and windows are open and ventilation is on?

sarah t · February 26, 2012, 04:06:05 PM

no idea but sounds like it must have made you jump a mile

Alison G · February 26, 2012, 04:11:40 PM

Never! I don't know if I have one but if I do I'll be eyeing it suspiciously from now on! Poor you.

awrylemming · February 26, 2012, 04:42:56 PM

I had ruddy cold feet, I know that much! Yep, it scared the hell out of me, I think I'll phone Martin on Monday and ask him about it.

Blue Box Studio · February 26, 2012, 05:31:22 PM

My god, scary! Did the hose come away from the fixings, or the fixings come apart? I don't have quick release fittings but would have (naively) assumed that if part A comes away from part B that there was a seal to stop gas escaping. But then if your hose comes off the fittings .... Hope you are OK, if a little cold.

Alison G · February 26, 2012, 08:40:38 PM

Nope I don't have one. Be careful!

dangerousbead · February 26, 2012, 09:30:55 PM

My quick release needs to be tested each time I connect it. Sometimes it doesn't push home properly and will easily pull apart. It needs to be pushed in and twisted then pulled. It shouldn't pull apart. I think the bearings can sometimes stick inwards. If that makes any sense.

Magpie · February 26, 2012, 10:14:28 PM

Quote from: Blue Box Studio on February 26, 2012, 05:31:22 PM
I don't have quick release fittings but would have (naively) assumed that if part A comes away from part B that there was a seal to stop gas escaping.

Not naive, if the quick release comes apart it should cut off and not let any more gas escape. If gas is still coming out you have some sort of failure there. You can check by connecting it, turing the gas on at the cylinder, off at the torch and disconnect it. Shouldn't be any gas release apart from the initial hiss of the stuff in the pipes being vented.

awrylemming · February 26, 2012, 10:16:56 PM

There is a problem - obviously the seal isn't happening, so it looks like it needs to be replaced which is a bit of a pain, and not something I'd expect of a piece of equipment that is a year old.

sea-thistle · February 26, 2012, 11:17:07 PM

Blimey that was frightening I bet!

awrylemming · February 26, 2012, 11:37:59 PM

Yep - it wasn't a simple hissing of gas escaping, this was a pipe under pressure lashing around the room guffing propane all over the place. Sheer luck that it wasn't worse I think.

Nick · February 26, 2012, 11:46:20 PM

you could try these suppliers

http://www.gasequipmentdirect.co.uk/Store/Product/QRNOZZ.aspx

or

http://www.gasproducts.co.uk/acatalog/8mm_Quick_Release_Gas_Hose_Coupling.html

I have used Hamilton and they were very helpful when I rang them

awrylemming · February 27, 2012, 07:14:23 AM

Thanks Nick - I'll have a word with my original supplier first though

Kalorlo · February 28, 2012, 10:17:24 AM

Just one thing: if you have the 6mm hose from Martin, the 8mm quick releases from Hamilton won't fit it. (I tried for quite some time!)

awrylemming · February 28, 2012, 10:48:08 AM

Nope, mines all Tuffers and Martin has offered to replace it. Unfortunately that means my having to pay a second time in a year to have it removed and replaced, as my disability prevents my doing it myself, so it won't be getting done any time soon. It will have to be a gaffer tape job for now!