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Author Topic: nitromethane  (Read 2497 times)

Offline Bootlegger

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nitromethane
« on: July 11, 2017, 12:28:36 PM »

  Where can a fellow buy some nitro?  Thanks
8th Air Force Veteran
Gil Causey
AMA# 6964

Offline Jim Svitko

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2017, 12:38:27 PM »
I suppose it depends on where you are and it might include a bit of luck.  Here in DFW I found a source after calling some auto shops that deal in performance parts.  One gave me the name and number of a guy who supplies nitro and methanol to the "gear heads", race tracks, etc.  I usually meet him somewhere, like a convenience store, and he fills up an empty gallon can for $25.  One gallon lasts me a long time since I rarely use over 5% nitro when I mix my own.

I get the methanol, $3.75 a gallon, from a local auto parts shop.

Offline Steve_Pollock

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2017, 12:39:44 PM »
Gil, check with the local drag race crowd -- if there is any nitro in the area, they will know.

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2017, 01:10:16 PM »
You juicing up existing fuel or mixing your own?

Klotz sells nitromethane mixed with lube, in a form ready to be mixed into fuel -- presumably we'd want to add some castor into the mix, too.
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Offline kenneth cook

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2017, 02:25:30 PM »
            Torco is sold by the gallon on Ebay for about $54 and free shipping.

Offline BillLee

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2017, 02:35:33 PM »
Go to VSC next spring. Contact Mark Smith of Excaliber Fuels.
Bill Lee
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Offline Motorman

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2017, 03:35:01 PM »
Call S&W fuels.



MM

Offline RandySmith

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2017, 04:47:10 PM »
I will have a Gallon of NITRO  at  the  NATs  this year

Randy

Offline Skip Chernoff

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2017, 07:22:16 PM »
Torco has it for $54 delivered to your door. You can buy it on Ebay

Offline Rich Perry

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2017, 07:09:33 PM »
Mixing my own fuel seems to be my future.  It is becoming incredibly hard to get what I want locally.   Any tips, tricks, warnings anyone may have?  Favorite oils?   LB625 comes to mind as a good one.  I recently got news I will be losing my local hobby store this year.  So there goes my source for fuel.

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2017, 07:21:52 PM »
Mixing my own fuel seems to be my future.  It is becoming incredibly hard to get what I want locally.   Any tips, tricks, warnings anyone may have?  Favorite oils?   LB625 comes to mind as a good one.  I recently got news I will be losing my local hobby store this year.  So there goes my source for fuel.

I just ordered a case of GMA from VP.  With shipping and hazmat fees it's over $30 a gallon, but six gallons should last a good part of a year.
AMA 64232

The problem with electric is that once you get the smoke generator and sound system installed, the plane is too heavy.

Offline Motorman

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2017, 07:49:50 PM »
Keep everything properly labeled. When you get Methanol get at least 5 gallons it goes quick. Having a class C fire extinguisher is a good idea and some kind of metal cabinet for the ingredients doesn't hurt.

I mix in a 500ml graduate. Measure out 500ml methanol first and pour that in your 1 gal fuel jug then measure out 200ml methanol, 100ml nitro and 100ml synthetic oil and mix with a stir stick then pour into fuel jug. Fill the graduate up to 400ml with the nitro/meth/synth mix then add your 100ml of castor oil and stir. Add that to your fuel jug and shake well This way the oil doesn't stick to the inside of your graduate. iow don't pour oil in an empty graduate. Add one or two drops of Armorall for antifoam. Makes 1000ml (Qt).

I keep a small note book with fuel formulas and ingredient amounts to mix 1000, 2000, 4000 ect. so I don't have to think. Just have a jug big enough to get the whole batch into so you can mix it.

Having a synthetic oil with color is good to let you know it's mixed fuel if you labeling system breaks down.

Hope that helps,
MM

Offline Gordon Tarbell

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2017, 09:01:54 PM »
look on line for your local VP race fuel supplier. Try to find one that supplies fuel at the bigger drag race events. I usually get 25 to 30 gallons of nitro from the VP truck when I head to the March meet in bakersfield at beginning of season and buy drums of Methanol locally here in Sacramento. 
Gordon Tarbell AMA 15019

Offline Jim Svitko

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #13 on: July 12, 2017, 09:19:09 PM »
Mixing my own fuel seems to be my future.  It is becoming incredibly hard to get what I want locally.   Any tips, tricks, warnings anyone may have?  Favorite oils?   LB625 comes to mind as a good one.  I recently got news I will be losing my local hobby store this year.  So there goes my source for fuel.

I don't have any tips or tricks regarding mixing home brew.  I suppose one issue is storage of the components to avoid contamination, especially moisture.

I went to mixing my own fuel mainly because of price.  I can find CL blends in some hobby shops but it is $20 a gallon.  Rather than buy RC blends and add oil I just mix my own now.  I can get the methanol and nitro locally and I have been buying the oil (castor and Klotz) from Sig.

There is a place called Bulk Apothecary that has castor at a better price than Sig.  I seem to remember reading about someone who tried it and it worked well.  It would be nice to find such deals for the Klotz.

I can mix a gallon of 5/22 for about $13. 


Offline Bootlegger

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2017, 10:50:38 AM »

  Jim Svitko, I am gonna send you a P/M
8th Air Force Veteran
Gil Causey
AMA# 6964

Offline Reptoid

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #15 on: July 14, 2017, 09:57:13 PM »
look on line for your local VP race fuel supplier. Try to find one that supplies fuel at the bigger drag race events. I usually get 25 to 30 gallons of nitro from the VP truck when I head to the March meet in bakersfield at beginning of season and buy drums of Methanol locally here in Sacramento.
Can you enlighten us on how you purchase 25-30 gallons of Nitro from VP and transport it back home? Do you run a fuel car at Bakersfield? I was told by VP they would only sell to authorized dealers and competitors in CA. The new "Homeland security" requirements make it nearly impossible for small dealers to stock Nitro
Regards,
       Don
       AMA # 3882

Offline Gordon Tarbell

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #16 on: July 15, 2017, 11:54:15 AM »
Yes " homeland security" paper work is required when holding or transporting more than 30 gal. I think is the number. I have not yet gotten my paper work for bulk amounts yet and restrict my purchase accordingly. At the track it is a local dealer not VP directly. Right now I only run about 30 to 40% nitro in my car and couple of cars I help tune. My car is restricted to running slower than 6.00 sec. 1/4 mile so between blower boost and a little nitro power is plenty to get job done. Usually most any racer can purchase without problem small amounts of it. The Methanol I get by the drum no questions from the local fuel wholesaler , I think Ramos oil supply last time but they don't want to deal with Nitro.
Gordon Tarbell AMA 15019

Offline Fredvon4

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #17 on: July 15, 2017, 12:21:19 PM »
Out here in the sticks I have NO LHS...well there is one ...but for RC electric drones and cars...the $23 per gallon RC car alcohol/nitro low oil fuel is not worth adapting

I buy the Troco Nitro and methanol. Initially it came in clear jugs ---now they are white opaque
Sig for some synth and Castor Oils, and Riches brew for the UCON LB 625, and Randy for Aero 1 additive

Be very very cautious about any recommendation to add ArmorAll... Old stuff works...but new formulations will pollute and destroy your expensive fuel

MY sport flying is less than 3 gallons per year...

I can blend my own only just a little cheaper than Riches brew or Sig....considering the postal costs
But really I do it for the ability to follow the recommendations of various set ups for different engines I find here on SH.

I can blend my own using basically same method mentioned above using 500 and 1000 graduated Mls instead of the aggravation of Oz's math

I buy clean tight metal Qt, 1/2Gal, and Gallon cans from the Carry Company on line at reasonable costs

What has always amazed me...I see guys at some fun fly or contest with a whole clear gallon of fuel sitting in the pits or flight line for hours in the bright hot sun with no attempt to cover... usually with some fuel line open to atmosphere

I personally carry, out of the vehicle, the smallest opaque tightly closed container I have (PT or QT) and always drape a white towel or rag on the container

perhaps I am too anal...these guys fly all day and don't seem to have any problems....things that make me go huuuuummmmm?
"A good scare teaches more than good advice"

Fred von Gortler IV

Offline Reptoid

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Re: nitromethane
« Reply #18 on: July 15, 2017, 12:44:56 PM »
Yes " homeland security" paper work is required when holding or transporting more than 30 gal. I think is the number. I have not yet gotten my paper work for bulk amounts yet and restrict my purchase accordingly. At the track it is a local dealer not VP directly. Right now I only run about 30 to 40% nitro in my car and couple of cars I help tune. My car is restricted to running slower than 6.00 sec. 1/4 mile so between blower boost and a little nitro power is plenty to get job done. Usually most any racer can purchase without problem small amounts of it. The Methanol I get by the drum no questions from the local fuel wholesaler , I think Ramos oil supply last time but they don't want to deal with Nitro.
Thanks for the reply.  Just for everyone's info:
     I have a couple of friends in the business (both race car and model fuels)The "homeland security" requirements are far worse than paperwork. If you receive and/or hold over 40 gallons it requires a license, background check, and tons of paper work (about $4K per yr.). Then you have to have security at your facility equal to ft. Knox, i.e. perimeter fencing like a prison, cameras, Gov. approved locks, etc., etc.. In addition, you are subject to unannounced inspections by ATF and subsequent fines and/or criminal charges. So, a dealer can't order a drum (54 gals) without violating the law. This has driven a lot of cottage industry fuel manufacturers out of business. In addition, the only way to avoid hazmat fees on fuel or nitro is order a couple quarts or very large quantities of fuel which VP then delivers by their trucks. A local hobby shop has to order a minimum of 16 gallons of fuel to avoid hazmat/shipping or they can not sell it at a competitive price. ???
Regards,
       Don
       AMA # 3882


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