Halving A Propane Tank - Go Big or Go Home

[fingers284]

If you do try to make a bottom pour outfit use at least 1/2" pipe fittings or 3/4 as bertn shows in his photo. The first try I made at a pour spout was with 3/8 pipe and it froze off quite easily a short distance from the fire, even the 1/2 " will freeze if I try to pour slowly (the reason the 3/8 froze off was not enough volume flow to heat the spout to drain every time ) to many times in a row but if I pour at full volume I haven't had any trouble with it.

All of the above pertains to a "true" bottom pour (exits out of the bottom of the pot and requires a long spout to reach the ingot. A "side" pour outfit could get away with a shorter spout so 3/8 may work ok.

 

[gnmontey]

If you do try to make a bottom pour outfit use at least 1/2" pipe fittings or 3/4 as bertn shows in his photo. The first try I made at a pour spout was with 3/8 pipe and it froze off quite easily a short distance from the fire, even the 1/2 " will freeze if I try to pour slowly (the reason the 3/8 froze off was not enough volume flow to heat the spout to drain every time ) to many times in a row but if I pour at full volume I haven't had any trouble with it.

All of the above pertains to a "true" bottom pour (exits out of the bottom of the pot and requires a long spout to reach the ingot. A "side" pour outfit could get away with a shorter spout so 3/8 may work ok.

So it's just the pour spout in general that's the problem or the fact that the valve is located outside the pot?

M

 

[bertn]

So it's just the pour spout in general that's the problem or the fact that the valve is located outside the pot?

M

Everything that sticks out of the pot (spout or valve) and is not heated by the flame will cool off and make the lead in it solidify,
so keep it as short as you possibly can.
If it's short then it's no real issue, just hit it with the torch and you are back in business.

My first attempt was a bottom valve inside the pot with a screw handle, like "Satans little smelter"
but did not like it and instead I put the gas valve on. Better location of the handle and flow control.

 

[jethunter]

The burners on the turkey fryers I've seen are good quality cast and as good as you'll ever need. The frames on some of them are a bit light and can use some reinforcing. I think I paid $60 for mine at Cantire and I would buy it again no question.

I had a trial run on the power hacksaw yesterday and it worked perfectly cutting 60lb ingots. It's not a lot faster than the bow saw, but it doesn't get tired and it works while I'm doing something else. I should have got one of these a long time ago.

 

[gnmontey]

I had a trial run on the power hacksaw yesterday and it worked perfectly cutting 60lb ingots. It's not a lot faster than the bow saw, but it doesn't get tired and it works while I'm doing something else. I should have got one of these a long time ago.

Nice! I figured a power hacksaw would do it. I remember those from junior high shop. Blade runs a lot slower (cooler) than a band saw and relies on gravity for blade feed. The reverse stroke probably helps clear the cuttings out to.

Who cares how long it takes as long as it ain't you providing the HP.

M

 

[crash277]

Got her done! Still have all of my body parts and didn't burn the house down LOL.



Took a whole 15 min including a few breaks to adjust the blade depth, re-tighten the blade nut (had to go back into the house for a wrench) and rotate the tank.

The blade I used is actually labeled "metal cut-off".

Boy once those sparks start flying you sure can't see where your going. Got off the mark a couple times but that was easy to correct.

Just need to dress up the sharp edges with a file now. I suppose my dremel might make quick work of that chore to.

Suggestions for a ladle or dipper, that's one big finking pot! The dinky little Lyman lead dipper I have isn't going to cut it.

The top half of that tank sure has the gears in my head turning.... Anyone ever make a bottom pour out of one?

A big thank you to all, for your help, advise and encouragement. It was a very rewarding learning experience for me.

M

Do you think this thread this worth making into a sticky?

angle grinder with a flap wheel. that's my preferred method to remove sharp edges and it works fast.

 

[jethunter]

For a ladle I (mis)appropriated one of the wife's large stainless steel soup ladles with a 12" steel handle. Works fine for me but if you go this route, pick a sturdy one.

I tried bottom pour but found that manipulating the ingot mold under the spout while filling cavities created spilling issues, and found ladling was faster, safer, and easier. Perhaps I'm not doing it right - but I managed to survive 35 years of oilfield work with all my body parts intact and still have my sight, hearing, and a sprinkling of common sense - so I'm just going to keep trusting my own intuition on some things and this is one of them. Ladling for me.

 

[Auggie Doggie]

Suggestions for a ladle or dipper, that's one big finking pot! The dinky little Lyman lead dipper I have isn't going to cut it.

I use a 3lb Rowell bottom pour lead ladel. I got mine many moons ago from the Antimony Man. Long out of business now. I don't know if these guys will ship up here. Rotometals also carry them.

htt p://www.advancecarmover.com/rowellbottom-pouringladles.aspx

Auggie D.

 

[vagrantviking]

Princess Auto usually has some cast iron ladles and a variety of stainless utensils.
Definitely pick the sturdier versions and even then be prepared to beef them up if needed.

I've tried some utensils, strainers and muffin tins etc from the dollar store but most of those didn't survive the first use.

 

[gnmontey]

Ladling for me.

I think I'll take your sage advise and just stick with a ladle. The bottom pour is starting to sound way to complicated to cobble together and manage.

M

 

[yomomma]

I think I'll take your sage advise and just stick with a ladle. The bottom pour is starting to sound way to complicated to cobble together.

M

Seen the odd video of a valve sticking open.

 

[bertn]

Seen the odd video of a valve sticking open.

That was funny..and stupid !!

He had the lead solidify in the spout or valve with the valve in open position
What was he thinking that was going to happen when hitting it with the torch..

So nothing wrong with bottom pour, as long as you are not stupid.

 

[gnmontey]

Seen the odd video of a valve sticking open.

Holy S..t!!! I can't believe the guy actually went after the valve. That's insane!

I would have retreated a long ways away and let her dump on the ground.

I had the valve jam open on my Lee 10#. It was a scramble to grab my muffin tins. The tins stay right beside the pot when I'm melting now.

M

 

[gnmontey]

Split the handle in half and weld it to the tank after you've cut it in half.

Hey redruns, can you post an image of how the split handle(s) is(are) positioned on the bottom half please? I have acquired a MIG welder setup for flux core and adding handles to my pot would make a good project.

Thanks,

M

 

[Snider shooter]

Thought about propane tanks but a friend dropped off a stainless steel tub. It's one of those used at a buffet or Timmys. Flat bottom and holds 160 lbs of lead. Easy route. Heavy duty propane burner under her for heat. Princess Auto cast iron ladle to empty.
Bottom pore that I have thought about and not done yet. I was thinking of bung and a valve in one corner. You fellows may have worked the size of pipe out for me.

 

[577/450]

propane is heavier than air so get the valve out and turn it upside down for a few days then do the water rinse and cut

 

[buzzmagoo]

Drage it down the highway . You can get a cheep angle grinder for 40.00$ if you look around when they come on sale , they sometimes come with stones in the kit . Garage sales ,yard sales , a good angle grinder is a basic power tool like a hand drill . Grind,cut ,polish,sanding disks for metals, diamond cutter for glass , ceramics, even wood cutting carving disks . Get a good one then resell it if you don't think you need it any more 100.00$ one will do all most any thing a hobbyist will need . Battery powered are way handy for smaller jobs .

 

[fingers284]

Thought about propane tanks but a friend dropped off a stainless steel tub. It's one of those used at a buffet or Timmys. Flat bottom and holds 160 lbs of lead. Easy route. Heavy duty propane burner under her for heat. Princess Auto cast iron ladle to empty.
Bottom pore that I have thought about and not done yet. I was thinking of bung and a valve in one corner. You fellows may have worked the size of pipe out for me.[/QUOTE]

I have built 3 bottom pour spouts for home built melting pot. My first attempt was 1/4" pipe, my thinking was that "the smaller the pipe the less it will freeze off from heat loss" was a dismal failure . The small hole didn't allow any molten lead to flow if some small amount stayed inside from the previous pour.

The last two bottom pours have both been built with 1/2" pipe outlet...it will still freeze off a bit but most times enough floe will be allowed to re-establish itself. a couple of times I have had this setup freeze off totally but a minute with a hand held torch and the muffin tins underneath will get the operation working again.

One thing I did discover is that I thought the lead temp while flowing would keep it going but I soon discovered the heat source must be close to the spout or problems will result.

 

[gnmontey]

Finally got a chance to use my melting setup.


PPE - Check


Going to do 150# worth of this stuff in two batches


Real Stinky Awful smoke. The smoke was worse than depicted in this image.


Starting to melt now. Will be ladling soon.



My production setup. Three muffin tins worked well. By the time the third tin had been ladled the first was ready to dump.


Final haul. 130# of BHN 7 ingots. 15# of other junk/crud (filled a coffee can) and probably left about 1# in the pot that I couldn't scoop out.
4# must have gone up in smoke?
The whole thing took about 3 hours to do including setup and teardown.


What I learned:

1. Close all of your house windows before you start!!!! Luckily I caught that one early on LOL.

2. My PA skimming spoon just barely did the job. Too flimsy, I'll need to find something more robust.

3. My PA ladle was ok other than the handle is smooth and was a challenge to pour from. This I can fix.

4. My attempt to flux using chainsaw sawdust didn't seem to accomplish anything. Too course I think.

5. Propane ring flamed out 3 times. A wind break/shield is now on my to get list.

6. The only oops I had was loosing my face shield while ladling. Nothing serious but not good either.

7. The smoke given off by that stuff is lethal. Was sporting a headache 30 min into the melt. Had to back off while skimming numerous times to get some fresh air.

8. Add lead to the pot in manageable quantities. When I dumped the first batch of lead into the cold pot I tipped the pot off the burner. Not a good thing had there been molten lead in the pot.

All in all a very interesting and rewarding morning.

M

 

[vagrantviking]

Looks like you are well on the way. Nice work.