I would like to make a small cauldron from a 20 lb propane cylinder. The valve has been removed and the tank rinsed clean and dry. I am looking for suggestions regarding how to cut it in half. I do not have access to a torch. Thanks.
Sounds like me cutting down the 63 VW brake drum to fit the 49 when I stripped the spline out of the drum way out in the netherlands of rural Zambis back in '73. A LOT of work - would never do it if there was an alternative!!!
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It is very possible to make this cut reasonably safely and cleanly using the edge of a thin grinding wheel. If I were going to do this, I'd use a cutoff grinder and 3" wheel. This is one of the cheapest air tools in existence, it's trivial to find them priced under $10. If you have shop air, this is a great way to go. Once you're done cutting your cylinder save the cutoff grinder for a way to quickly unweld things. If you don't have shop air, then I suggest a 4-1/2" angle grinder. Lots of varying opinions on these, but the orange one from HF (at all costs do NOT get the blue one) at under $20 is a decent tool.
It is *really* easy to screw up cutting something with the edge of a grinding wheel. Be really careful, wear ear, eye, hand & body protection, clamp the tank down well (chain & turnbuckles work great) and do a little at a time, and HANG ONTO THE GRINDER. Don't let your attention wander, and don't let any small kids come around while you're doing this.
I really hope you learned about rinsing the tank out with a cup or two of household bleach in a quart or two of hot water, the bleach breaks down the ethyl mercaptan (the skunk smelling stuff) and afterwards it may not smell sweet but it is way less offensive.
"RoyJ" wrote: (clip) Sabre saw with a metal cutting blade works about the same as a saws all. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A GOOD sabre saw works well for me. I mean one that has an internal rotating weight to balance out vibration. I always have trouble with the Saws-all--I have trouble keeping the sole plate firmly against the work, and then the saw starts to vibrate. Is it just me?
Nope. A 20 lb propane cylinder is less than 12" dia, the maw of a portaband is about 6". It won't cut it off like a pipe in one whack, but the blade will penetrate at least 3/4" in the middle of the mouth. Just walk it around the cylinder. I'd be a whole lot quieter and faster than a sabersaw or sawzall.
a single wrap of 200 gr primacord. And a hammer to beat the swedged cut back out. It will be surprisingly neat cut..but will tend to be pushed inwards.
Gunner
"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."
"Doug" wrote: ummmm, so does propane not impregnate steel???? i KNOW gasoline does to where the methods mentioned will make a large bang. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Neither gasoline nor propane impregnates steel. The reason gasoline tanks are dangerous is that the fuel lurks in crevices and seams, and is hard to get rid of. A propane tank would not have this problem if properly ventilated for two reasons:
1.) It is a gas at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, so hardly any could reside in a seam.
2.) A propane tank has no seams.
"Tom Gardner" wrote: I sure would like a few feet, can you spare some? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yeah, Gunner, can you send it through the mail? Seriously, is there any way a law-abiding civilian can buy it?
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