I've been mixing my own nitro fuel for almost 45 years. There are advantages and disadvantages to mixing your own fuel.
There are several different fuels available to you commercially and their quality is very good. So, if you have a reliable supplier, you should be happy.
One thing is certain, mixing your own fuel will not save you any money. The two most expensive components, nitromethane and oil are much cheaper for the person that buys in drums. When you buy in smaller lots, your cost goes up.
The advantage to me is that my fuel never changes when I drive to different races. That, and being able to change my fuel to work best in different engines are the only advantages.
If you decide to try mixing your own fuel, the biggest problem is buying nitromethane. It is expensive and heavy. Very heavy, so watch your back when handleing nitromethane.
There are several different oils available. I have been using Klotz SuperTechniplate, a blend of synthetic and castor oils. It is easy to get in gallon jugs.
Methanol is simple to buy. I have been buying VP methanol in 5 gallon cans.
To mix fuel successfully, consistency is most important. Go though the same process each time. I mix in 5 gallon lots. Measure carefully to keep your mixture consistent.
The most common fuels are 40%, 50% and 60% nitro content fuels. These are simple to arrive at the recipe you like.
I use 50% in my 67 and larger engines. I also use 20% oil content in my larger engines. I measure by volume, not by weight.
To make 50% fuel, simply pour one gallon of nitro into a 5 gallon jug. Add one and one half gallons of methanol. Then empty a one gallon jug of oil into the 5 gallon jug. I pour some nitro into the oil jug and shake it to flush out all the oil. Pour that oil and nitro mixture into whatever container you use to measure. Use this and more nitro to total one and one half gallons, pour that into the 5 gallon jug.
The final amounts are 50% Nitro, 20% oil and 30% methanol.
Seal the five gallon jug and then mix the fuel. I just lay the 5 gallon jug on its side and roll it back and forth to mix the fuel.
I decant the fuel into one gallon fuel jugs. All of my fuel goes through a fine metal strainer when I pour it into the gallon jugs. Each of the five, one gallon jugs contains exactly the same fuel as in the other one gallon jugs.
As long as you carefully measure and use the same components, your fuel will be consistent year after year.
Again, there are advantages and disadvantages to mixing your own nitro fuel. Trying to save money is not a reason to mix your own fuel.
There are several different fuels available to you commercially and their quality is very good. So, if you have a reliable supplier, you should be happy.
One thing is certain, mixing your own fuel will not save you any money. The two most expensive components, nitromethane and oil are much cheaper for the person that buys in drums. When you buy in smaller lots, your cost goes up.
The advantage to me is that my fuel never changes when I drive to different races. That, and being able to change my fuel to work best in different engines are the only advantages.
If you decide to try mixing your own fuel, the biggest problem is buying nitromethane. It is expensive and heavy. Very heavy, so watch your back when handleing nitromethane.
There are several different oils available. I have been using Klotz SuperTechniplate, a blend of synthetic and castor oils. It is easy to get in gallon jugs.
Methanol is simple to buy. I have been buying VP methanol in 5 gallon cans.
To mix fuel successfully, consistency is most important. Go though the same process each time. I mix in 5 gallon lots. Measure carefully to keep your mixture consistent.
The most common fuels are 40%, 50% and 60% nitro content fuels. These are simple to arrive at the recipe you like.
I use 50% in my 67 and larger engines. I also use 20% oil content in my larger engines. I measure by volume, not by weight.
To make 50% fuel, simply pour one gallon of nitro into a 5 gallon jug. Add one and one half gallons of methanol. Then empty a one gallon jug of oil into the 5 gallon jug. I pour some nitro into the oil jug and shake it to flush out all the oil. Pour that oil and nitro mixture into whatever container you use to measure. Use this and more nitro to total one and one half gallons, pour that into the 5 gallon jug.
The final amounts are 50% Nitro, 20% oil and 30% methanol.
Seal the five gallon jug and then mix the fuel. I just lay the 5 gallon jug on its side and roll it back and forth to mix the fuel.
I decant the fuel into one gallon fuel jugs. All of my fuel goes through a fine metal strainer when I pour it into the gallon jugs. Each of the five, one gallon jugs contains exactly the same fuel as in the other one gallon jugs.
As long as you carefully measure and use the same components, your fuel will be consistent year after year.
Again, there are advantages and disadvantages to mixing your own nitro fuel. Trying to save money is not a reason to mix your own fuel.
