Junk propane tanks

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Novel uses for old propane tanks?Franz’s recycling of a propane tank for oil extraction got me thinking?   Outside of useless junk sculptures of my sister in law, what else can a discarded tank be used for?
Reply:Barbecue grill of course.   or a cow trough when cut in half.  A fuel tank for diesel,  Or a container for your own attempt at splitting the atom.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Here's one use.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpMS15kJyOY[/ame]City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I have never tried it but a friend of mine says there's an adapter that you can put on those used propane tanks that will turn them into great portable air tanks for filling tires.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Propane tanks do not make good air tanks. Please do not go that route.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:But they can be safely used as vacuum tanks for a vacuum bagging system (when working with composite parts). There was a posting here with a self-made sand blaster out of a decommissioned propane tank. Holger
Reply:Why arent they safe as air tanks? they are 120 psi tanks and Im not sure but I would think they would have at least a 5 to 1 safety  rating and they are heavier built than 175 psi air compressor tanks. I have cut both up when I was working for a scrapper they are almost double the wall thickness.
Reply:I just thought about it the best use for them is pull the nozzle out put about 2 gallons of diesel in them put the nozzle back in then fill them with o a gas and shoot them with a tracer round
Reply:Here's a neat use: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPL7KC1DEA[/ame]
Reply:Really Large SpitoonsMain problem as an air tank is the lack of a drain valve.  (Most folks won't think to turn it over and drain it).  I think that's why you see a big warning on portable air tanks to dispose of them after a few years.  Water, rust."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Hey Bill????Is that a golf club stickin' outta that poor cat's butt, or is it his tail"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:We Scrap out a bunch of them from the store.. they do make good air tanks for low pressure uses.. most of them are rated to 350psi.. There is the problem with the drain as posted above.... if you are a decent welder you can put a 1/4 npt fitting in the bottom though and add a petcock drain pretty easily.. Your local welding supply store should have the stem and nipple to fit the tank CGA 510.. One the outlet end of the stem is 1/4 npt.. from there it can be tied to almost anything.. If nothing else there is almost 1lb of yellow brass in the valve on top of the tank.. I think the neck of the tank is 3/4 pipe. Check the manufacturer date on the neck ring if its older than 12yrs from when it was made it has to be re-certified to be put back into use for propane. This can be done by most propane dealers.. If it has an older non OPD valve it can be changed over to OPD.. A 20lb opd valve is about $15 right now.. Thats still cheaper than buying a new tank if its in good shape.. I kinda like the sculpture Ideas though.. Carl
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammHey Bill????Is that a golf club stickin' outta that poor cat's butt, or is it his tail
Reply:Recently at a convenience store, I saw 20# retail propane tanks that were not metal, they looked like spun fiberglass, you could see the liquid fuel through the tank.Suggestion in post #8 should definitely be skipped.
Reply:The "Myth Busters's" TV show did a similar fire-ball experiment but with 500lbs of coffee creamer and a very large amount of compressed air for atomization.   It produced a huge fire ball that scarred the living willies out of the mad scientist.   That reminds me of the time I lighted my BBQ grill with lacquer thinner.  BTDT...never again....
Reply:I have seen the composite propane tanks advertised in boating magazines for a few months.  There is obviously an advantage in being able to see the level in the tank but I wonder if there is also a significant weight reduction.  Anyone out there used one of these tanks.
Reply:they make a nice hydraulic tank for diy log splitters.
Reply:I have used 5 and 10 gallon tanks for air tanks, for vacuum and for holding diesel fuel, in addition to making things of them. Sometimes the residual odorant is very strong, but that I won't discuss here. For old tanks, sometimes the valves can be very tight so I have often used some heat to loosen any sealer, sometimes use 'gentle' pounding of a ball peen hammer on the steel fitting the thread screws into, and now always use the wrench below with a 3/4" impact wrench. Before using the heat and peening, I successfully twisted the top of a couple valves off of their lower threaded parts. No pictures of that. FWIW, the wrench was a temporary, quick and dirty assembly of scrap parts except for the top socket which was milled; I don't have a punch like Denrep does. BTW, the handle must be removed before using the wrench. Attached Images
Reply:I got around to doing one 100 lb'er this weekend. Going to make a lawn roller out of it.DanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldiron2I have used 5 and 10 gallon tanks for air tanks, for vacuum and for holding diesel fuel, in addition to making things of them. Sometimes the residual odorant is very strong, but that I won't discuss here. For old tanks, sometimes the valves can be very tight so I have often used some heat to loosen any sealer, sometimes use 'gentle' pounding of a ball peen hammer on the steel fitting the thread screws into, and now always use the wrench below with a 3/4" impact wrench. Before using the heat and peening, I successfully twisted the top of a couple valves off of their lower threaded parts. No pictures of that. FWIW, the wrench was a temporary, quick and dirty assembly of scrap parts except for the top socket which was milled; I don't have a punch like Denrep does. BTW, the handle must be removed before using the wrench.
Reply:CautionThere was a recent article in the news about inappropriate use of consumer propane tanks for storing anhydrous ammonia.  Crack manufactures have discovered that propane tanks make handy storage containers for ammonia.  The ammonia attacks and dangerously weakens the brass valve.  Sometimes these tanks will find there way back into circulation and be refilled.  The presence green corrosion on the valve is the indicator of inappropriate use.   By all means get your family away from the tank and call the fire department.
Reply:OK, so how much air pressure have you put into those that you have used for air pressure?
Reply:If you do not like using them for lawn ornaments you can find some people who like playing at knights - People like Society of Creative Anachronisms (SCA) or the Markland Medieval Mercenaries.  They take the appropriate sized tanks and make helmets out of them (Honest - seen it done).  They pad the inside with foam and cut slits to see and breathe through and then decorate them.  Then they wear them when they whack at each other with padded sticks.  Once one of these people take the propane tank from you it is gone - and they might send their friends to you for another one.
Reply:Originally Posted by jayjayemIf you do not like using them for lawn ornaments you can find some people who like playing at knights - People like Society of Creative Anachronisms (SCA) or the Markland Medieval Mercenaries.  They take the appropriate sized tanks and make helmets out of them (Honest - seen it done).  They pad the inside with foam and cut slits to see and breathe through and then decorate them.  Then they wear them when they whack at each other with padded sticks.  Once one of these people take the propane tank from you it is gone - and they might send their friends to you for another one.
Reply:Here is the link to my propane tank sandblaster http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ht=sandblasterMiller Big 40Lincoln SP 125Millermatic 180Century 20/50 plasmaHe who dieswith the most toys ...Still DiesThere is room for all Gods creatures .......... Right next to my mashed potatoesThey make an ideal sized shell to build a small gas forge or metal melting furnace from. There's lots of plans out there to get ideas from.-Matt------------------------------------------
Reply:Not junk anymore............South Arkansas RebelMiller 210 W/ Spoolgun& dual tank rackMiller Thunderbolt AC/DC
Reply:I really like the sandblaster setup and BBQ grills.  I am thinking a tank may make a handy pressurized lubricant dispenser for heavy gear oils.   I would weld a large bung near the top to allow easy pouring of lubricant into the tank.   I would also add 3/8” NPT  bung close to the bottom for a discharge hose and valve.   Utilization of low pressure air applied original valve port would be used to displace the lubricant.This would be better then squishing the plastic squeeze bottles into a differential or transmission.
Reply:Originally Posted by BilldacatI really like the sandblaster setup and BBQ grills.  I am thinking a tank may make a handy pressurized lubricant dispenser for heavy gear oils.   I would weld a large bung near the top to allow easy pouring of lubricant into the tank.   I would also add 3/8” NPT  bung close to the bottom for a discharge hose and valve.   Utilization of low pressure air applied original valve port would be used to displace the lubricant.This would be better then squishing the plastic squeeze bottles into a differential or transmission.
Reply:Originally Posted by BilldacatCautionThere was a recent article in the news about inappropriate use of consumer propane tanks for storing anhydrous ammonia.  Crack manufactures have discovered that propane tanks make handy storage containers for ammonia.  The ammonia attacks and dangerously weakens the brass valve.  Sometimes these tanks will find there way back into circulation and be refilled.  The presence green corrosion on the valve is the indicator of inappropriate use.   By all means get your family away from the tank and call the fire department.
Reply:Seen them used to make a warm morning heater, (ie) wood or coal burning stove/heater.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Originally Posted by HephaestusAnhydrous is for Meth, not crack
Reply:Originally Posted by metalmeltrHow do you know?
Reply:Originally Posted by Hephaestus: Anhydrous is for Meth, not crack
Reply:no dimes here fella's and gals. girl friend first time  welder helped out on  this build.  garage heater  from  junk i had  around Attached Images
Reply:Tell us some more about your tank heater, where is the pilot, is there a burner in each tank, is it radiant only? Just Wondering,Bruce The Welding ChefLincoln Weld-Pack 3200 NORWELD StickStanford Hill Farm
Reply:I don't know much about heaters but, How about that bb gun against the wall?HeheLincoln SP 135 plusHF 14" chop sawDewalt 4.5" angle grinderloads of hand tools for my Trade job
Reply:just an old propane heater burner in bottom tank. each tank has 4" opening  to other tank  at opposite ends and vents outside at top tank. I have to hand light it so far but plan to incorporate pilot  and thermostat at later  time. adjustable pressure valve on  gas tank i  can put more  gas  to  it  than it  needs. LOL but it  breaks the chill real  nice.  top tanks started out to be  double lawn roller.  but i  got  a  lawn roller  cheap so  this is  why  tubes welded in top  2  tanks. 4" conduit from dumpster dive is connecting the tanks and is the  chimney stack. welded with miller 252 torch is uniweld and air  cut off tool to  cut holes
Reply:I've seen lots of pics of people using them for the shells of home made micro foundries or forges.   several over at   backyardmetalcasting.comThe SCA used to use FREON tanks for helms.  That's been out of style for a long time though.  They still would probably take the tank.  fill it full of concrete and that's one BIG doming boss, or maybe they'd just cut it apart for material for extra thick apangenhelms.