Hey guys, while I am in the forum writing mood just though I would pass on some info for those who have expressed concerns on acquiring methanol in some of the older posts on this forum and others. I was in the fuel distributors office some time back paying my bill for my home heating oil and just thought I would ask if they knew where I could buy pure methanol. After getting some strange looks from the ladies, I explained that I just wanted to use it for fuel in my 'toy' r/c airplanes, not make crack cocaine! ( this is in California, after all) This seemed to put everyone at ease and she happily replied: sure, we sell it in 5 gallon and 55 gallon cans. Elated, I say, how much do you charge? After some amazing wizardry on her antique, crank type adding machine, (really, I'm not kidding) she gives a number that came out to about 5 bucks a gallon for the 5 gallon can and around 4 bucks a gallon for 55 gallon drum. Okay, now I am euphoric dreaming that I can now afford to buy and fly, all the Evolution radials on the planet, no worries. Then I come back to reality knowing that I will have to explain buying all these expensive 'toy" engines to my wife. Seriously though, I was thrilled to find that I could easily get enough fuel for the rest of my life at an affordable price.
So, the whole point of this rambling is to let others know, (who love these engines like I do) that you may have a source right in your own back yard like I did!
Check with your home heating oil distributer in your town to see if you can get it there also. Just be prepared to get some funny looks at first. (It helps to wear clean clothes and a fresh shave when you go in, though). Good luck!
Tom