Cutting a propane tank, smoker wanted

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I am in the design stages of an offset smoker/bbq.I can get a nice propane tank for cheap. I am however to reluctant to use it.It is empty and has 6 holes drilled into it. It has been sitting for a long time at a junk yard. I'm sure the propane is mostly gone.I still cringe thinking of putting a torch to it. Am I overreacting? This is a good price but not worth injury. Thoughts from others please. Can I safely cut this?RyanLincoln PowerMig 180cVictor O/ABandaids and aspirinI don't know what I don't know!?
Reply:You can purge the tank if you don't trust it. Better safe than sorry. Though in all likely hood if it's been setting with the holes in it for years it should be emty. Since it has holes in it you could fill it with water, then drain it.Or if you have a saws all you could cut it with that since it wont make sparks.
Reply:Originally Posted by Grimm1You can purge the tank if you don't trust it. Better safe than sorry. Though in all likely hood if it's been setting with the holes in it for years it should be emty. Since it has holes in it you could fill it with water, then drain it.Or if you have a saws all you could cut it with that since it wont make sparks.
Reply:I would think you'll be fine to cut it any way you decide. Propane, being a gas, is only in liquid form when compressed; will not infiltrate into metal; and as heavy and lingering as it may be, they add the odor to it so you can detect it's presence. If the tank has had sufficient time to "air out" with openings in it, and no smell of propane present, there won't be any disastrous results. ( I personally hate propane, I had a propane furnace blow up with my arm inside it while trying to re-light the pilot light.)"SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.
Reply:Originally Posted by papabearI would think you'll be fine to cut it any way you decide. Propane, being a gas, is only in liquid form when compressed; will not infiltrate into metal; and as heavy and lingering as it may be, they add the odor to it so you can detect it's presence. If the tank has had sufficient time to "air out" with openings in it, and no smell of propane present, there won't be any disastrous results. ( I personally hate propane, I had a propane furnace blow up with my arm inside it while trying to re-light the pilot light.)
Reply:The way most guys using propane tanks for smoker builds is remove the valves, fill it with water & let it sit a couple days.  Then empty it out by rolling it over.Refill & let sit another couple days, then empty it out.  Let it air dry a day or two, then cut.  A couple I've seen use an engine driven metal cutting chop saw to cut it open, then torch out the firebox opening.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderBCDo you still have an arm?. .
Reply:Originally Posted by oxy moronlook at his signature:  it says SOUTH PAW in big letters.  maybe he was lighting the pilot light wit his right handsorry, couldnt resist.
Reply:add dawn dish washing soap to the water to break down any oils left.
Reply:Originally Posted by papabearIt's all good. Yes I still have my arm and all extremities. The furnace didn't explode into pieces, I just didn't give it enough time for the combustion chamber to air out sufficiently. Luckily, I was wearing my Carhart jacket, which is surprisingly flame resistant. It blew the cap off the chimney & a canon ball of fire out the access hole, pushing my arm out extremely fast and hitting me in the gut blowing me back into the wall about 5' behind me. Someone was looking out for me that day. (The "southpaw" is because I'm right handed, but do weld and do a couple other things left handed.)
Reply:Just to be save! Rinse it out with soapy water, then run some exhaust from your car through it, then you can cut it no problem. That's the way we do gas tanks. Darrell