Printable View
I know it has been asked before but does anyone have a sure way that they use for cutting propane tanks without getting hurt. I found a few that are too rusted out to be reused so i had another idea for them
http://www.fire-bowl.com/wp-content/...ire-Bowl-2.jpg
that isnt my picture just an idea of what i want to do. Im thinking i may be able to sell them at craft/vendor shows with a friend of mine who sells etched glass and stuff.
Any ideas thoughts sugestions?
Look below this thread for similar. Just be careful and don't blow yourself up.
im thinking filling with water i guess i also kinda wanted to show off the new plan
I have heard the water method a few different places. I cannot think of a reason that it wouldn't work.Quote:
Originally Posted by joef1812
Does anyone have a more efficient way that is also safe?
I filled a bunch of them with water so they would freeze and split open in our -30 degree F winter temps but not one of them busted open so I just shot a few holes in them and will burn them in the trash pile before I do any torching on them.
I'm not taking any chances of getting hurt or killed.
The local yard gives me all of the tanks that get dropped off and even send people out here to give them to me.
I will cut the brass valve out and cut the tank in half before I sell them back to the yard.
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...t/DSC00136.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...t/DSC00137.jpg
This one went through a barn fire before I transformed it.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...lrydr/mill.jpg
yea, call the propane company and have them evacuate the bottle, a professional should evacuate the bottle, i am not qualified
And creating live steam adds real excitement to your cutting experience.
I have also heard of using nitrogen it another inert gas but I think that may get expensive
Why can't you pump exhaust gas into the tanks using hose adapters like they do when cutting on gasoline tanks??Quote:
Originally Posted by joef1812
Carbon monoxide should not burn and it'll delude the propane.
This is just my method and opinion of how to deal with them but gas tends to permeate the metal of the container it is stored in and heat expands and releases it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mechanic688
As far as exhaust goes It may work fine coming from a warm well tuned engine with a catalytic converter but is noxious as hell no matter what
I've seen a lot of people get away with cutting and welding on them without incident but I just won't do it.
I've seen enough tanks blown apart to convince me that I don't wanna be anywhere near one going off.
How about exhaust from a diesel engine all my trucks and tractors are diesel
I've torched open several 500 gal propane tanks, only way the yard will take them, and I always fill em with water and torch em. Takes a little getting use to torching a vessel full of water but it's not bad, if you can keep your puddle ahead of where the water is coming out is the trick to it. That's only after they sit a week or so with all valves REMOVED not just open.
A little more info with a few pics on the subject
http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/day-l...r-torched.html
I think what yah ment was what cutting methods the best. I'd go with a Plasma cutter. Its just compressed air & a plasma Arc.Quote:
Originally Posted by joef1812
You can get a 2nd hand machine, or go brand new & get a guarantee too, same with the air compressor.
A air compressor is really handy for scrapping.
You can buy air tools for it, they have plenty of power & are pretty cheap compared to electric. They provide fresh air around you & if you work in the heat/summer, the tools get cold & make it easyer to work with. (you will also need a 'air oiler' to provide lubrication to the tools as they work)
Then, at the end of the day, you can still sell it & get some of your $$$ back.
------------------
Oxy/propane/acetlyene gas torches generate a huge hot flame & leave a messy & wide cut.
You need to buy the torch/regulator unit & then rent the gas bottles, even if you are not using it, you are still paying to rent it...
Thats expensive as the gas company is geared up for renting to other companys, who can pay more $$$ than you can.
You will never get your rental $$$ back.
Also you will have to start the gas cut almost continuously, because as you work as it always stops, rusty & thin metals are worse for this.
It also has a large slag buildup on the far side of the cut.
The gas torch is best for thick metals as they hold the heat needed to keep the cut going.
-------------
Gas bottles are a different hazard than Fuel tanks which hold liquid etc.
A (liquid) Fuel Tank has seams.
They hold the fuel in the seams & even after you have washed it out with water & then purged it with exhaust gases (which may still have oxygen in them anyway...).
As soon as you put the gas torch to the tank, on a seam or on a flat, the heat will get to the residue fuel, vapourise it & now you have a tank full of explosive gas that you spent sooooo much time trying to avoid.
A Gas bottle, once its filled with soapy water, will not be holding any fuel gas.
------------
I love that idea of the flames around the gas bottle fire pit. Never even thought about it myself.
----------- After edit.
The air tools have a 'Sawzall' sort of tool, it uses hacksaw blades, pretty cheap tool too.
If you drill a hole into the tank, you can then use the sawzall to open the hole up to ventilate the tank. Air tools are safe around (& under) water, unlike electric tools........
How do you remove the brass valve? Release the existing gas by opening the valve, then unscrewing the brass valve itself? Then cut up the tank?
"You can lead a horse to water......"
"But you can't make him think"
Gas and fuel residues can remain in any vessel embedded for many years after they have been emptied of usable amounts of fuel.
Any mechanical method of cutting into steel tanks is likely to involve friction causing heat.........saws,hammers&chisels, grinders,plasma cutters,welders and torches all create heat when we put them to work which expand any gases or chemicals absorbed into the metal itself even paints can become volatile when heated in an enclosed area.
All I can say at this point is, what might only happen once in a million times is not going to happen to me if I shoot a few holes in them before I burn the entire tank prior to cutting or welding on them.
It also burns up the stinky stuff in them too.
Filling with water eliminates any chance of fire/explosion just as well.