10# Propane Casting Pot

oldrodder said:
Definitely not! The reason for either Argon or a MIG mix such as C-25 (75%AR + 25% CO) is that they are inert. Compressed air still contains 21% oxygen.
BE SAFE!!Purge the cylinder!!!!
Mike
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i guess i will blow myself up one day :) but on a serious note, was that a typo or is it actually carbon monoxide they use?
 
Spawn-Inc said:
But at the same time why deprive darwin from someone who would attempt to cut a propane tank with any amount of gas left inside and/or with the shutoff removed from the tank before hand and washed out with water or nitrogen or co2?
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LOL! :evil:

got to go said:
Yes DO Know there are Dangers involved in cutting propane tanks or anything with volatile fluids/gases. Also do wear protective gear, Face Shield, Gloves, Respirator etc. etc. etc. cou:
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If you try to cut that MoFo while there is anything left in there, you will need more than protective gear and a respirator................

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Before cutting and welding on any fuel storage container, I drain all fuel out, then steam the container with a hotsy steamer hose for at least 90 minutes :) Stay safe!
 
achtanelion said:
Walmart sells kids party helium tanks that're just the right size. No danger of blowing yourself up, and you have kids, helium balloons are great fun for them.
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Young kids go crazy for helium balloons.....They have high pitch voices already, when they suck back a little helium it gets even higher and can be funny depending on the kids :evil:
 
achtanelion said:
Walmart sells kids party helium tanks that're just the right size. No danger of blowing yourself up, and you have kids, helium balloons are great fun for them.
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Any inert gas can be used to purge. The intent is to remove all traces of oxygen by replacing it with an inert gas. No oxygen...............no combustion!!!

Mike
 
I've always just knocked the valve off and filled the cylinder with water, drained it and cut with an angle grinder. It's not the oxygen you're trying to remove but the combustable fuel vapor.
 
Camaroguy said:
I've always just knocked the valve off and filled the cylinder with water, drained it and cut with an angle grinder. It's not the oxygen you're trying to remove but the combustable fuel vapor.
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After 50 years as a welder, I stand by my statement. We used several methods for cleaning containers that contained various products. Steaming to remove all traces of the previous contents, followed by an inert gas purge. The gas remain in the vessel, displacing the oxygen..........again, no oxygen..no combustion! The safest and only acceptable method of removing flammable/explosive vapours and eliminating all chances of an explosion, is to fill the cylinder with an inert gas. Failing that I would use carbon monoxide (exhaust gasses) but there again is a small chance of residual gasses from the combustion process.
'nuff said!
 
oldrodder said:
After 50 years as a welder, I stand by my statement. We used several methods for cleaning containers that contained various products. Steaming to remove all traces of the previous contents, followed by an inert gas purge. The gas remain in the vessel, displacing the oxygen..........again, no oxygen..no combustion! The safest and only acceptable method of removing flammable/explosive vapours and eliminating all chances of an explosion, is to fill the cylinder with an inert gas. Failing that I would use carbon monoxide (exhaust gasses) but there again is a small chance of residual gasses from the combustion process.
'nuff said!
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Hmm, explained that way I see how your way would be safer. I yield to your experience. Thanks for the education. :)
 
I found removing the valve and letting the tank sit there upside down for a month or two before cutting seems to do the trick. I also fill with water and rinse before cutting just to be safe.
 
oldrodder said:
Any inert gas can be used to purge. The intent is to remove all traces of oxygen by replacing it with an inert gas. No oxygen...............no combustion!!!

Mike
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Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of using the helium tank to make your cooker than using the helium as an inert gas. Pretty sure that as long as the pressure's gone in the tank, you're not going to blow yourself up cutting it.

J
 
Helium tanks are made with a lighter steel than propane tanks iirc. Propane tanks are pretty tough steel. I don't know what grade, but, it is tough stuff for sure.
I have a helium tank that I've been thinking about cutting up for some project or other and it doesn't seem to weigh as much as a similar sized propane would. Thinner steel?
 
Camaroguy said:
I've always just knocked the valve off and filled the cylinder with water, drained it and cut with an angle grinder. It's not the oxygen you're trying to remove but the combustable fuel vapor.
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Going back to my industrial training for gas testing (confined entry and hazardous atmosphere), three things are needed for a fire/explosion - fuel, oxygen and an ignition source.
Since we are talking about cutting a container which at one time held a fuel, you need to remove either the oxygen or the ignition source. Unless you are going to use a manual hacksaw, which BTW, can still get warm, you really need to remove the oxygen from the equation.

Filling a tank with water will work initially, but as soon as you cut part way around the tank, and water leaks out, air (containing oxygen) leaks back in.... That is enough reason to be continuously purging with either an inert gas (MIG/TIG shielding gas) or a sufficient flow of steam.

Stan
 
I made my pot from an old air tank off a scrapped tractor trailer.No propane to go boom,works great,cost 0 dollars as it came out of the dumpster at work.
 
OldDude said:
Going back to my industrial training for gas testing (confined entry and hazardous atmosphere), three things are needed for a fire/explosion - fuel, oxygen and an ignition source.
Since we are talking about cutting a container which at one time held a fuel, you need to remove either the oxygen or the ignition source. Unless you are going to use a manual hacksaw, which BTW, can still get warm, you really need to remove the oxygen from the equation.

Filling a tank with water will work initially, but as soon as you cut part way around the tank, and water leaks out, air (containing oxygen) leaks back in.... That is enough reason to be continuously purging with either an inert gas (MIG/TIG shielding gas) or a sufficient flow of steam.

Stan
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Stan,
Thanks for adding to my explanation on purging and the need to remove all traces of oxygen from a vessel. Trying to get a "free" casting pot can cost more than a person might want to pay, in terms of health & safety.. I'm a big fan of re-use, recycle philosophy, but in the end, be safe, above all else!
Mike
 
I make ice shack stoves from old propane tanks. The residue definatly will ignight if the tank is repurposed improperly. The method I use is to knock the valve off, then fill the tank with water, I've made an copper pipe elbow for my garden hose, while filling with water I flare off the gas as it is displaced. When the tank is full I empty it, then fill it again with water and dish soap to remove the stench additives and the last of the residue. When I empty it the last time its all full of suds and cuts fine with either an angle grinder or plasma.
 
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