Small settling tank

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I've had this old expansion tank standing in the shop for a long time with the intention of making a small settling tank. It's about 12" in diameter and 5' tall and I figure it holds roughly 30 gallons. I didn't like the bottom being inverted as I wanted to be able to completely drain it, so I trimmed the end and worked it off. I then made an bung from a piece of scrap and bored the end bell. I then welded it on using the rotary table. Working the end bell backwards into the tank took some time. I finally put it in crooked and tacked on some scrap and drove it out until it was even and then welding it back on. I hope it holds liquid. I'll fill it up with water and check it in the morning. I still need to make some legs but I'll think on it tonight. I have a new appreciation for guys that build tanks.
Reply:Settling tank... what for? Even not knowing what it is for... it looks great. And I bet it will hold whatever you fill it with. If you get a small pinole it should be a quick fix.Mikel
Reply:Originally Posted by Mikel_24Settling tank... what for? ...
Reply:fh; i know you'll pardon me cause no criticism intended but wasn't that a lot of work to weld a fitting to the end of a small tank? whoops, my bad on re reading i now see what you did to the head.Last edited by docwelder; 12-27-2013 at 11:37 AM.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumFor Oxy-settling welding.
Reply:Looks like an electric 'spitter' down there off the bottom...air tank water trap? Been a long time since I've seen an acetylene generator Pops, but nowhere as long as I'm more than willing to wait before I see the next one in use! Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mikel_24Settling tank... what for? Even not knowing what it is for... it looks great. And I bet it will hold whatever you fill it with. If you get a small pinole it should be a quick fix.
Reply:thank god for the edit feature on this forum. good job f.h. you are one good all round mechanic!i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:I plumbed in some valves and hooked the tank up to the garden hose to test for leaks. This isn't a pressure vessel but I figured if it could handle the 50 psi of the hose it would be leak free at ambient. I bled off all the air which was really easy with the tank upside down. I'd hate to have an unknown tank rupture with air inside.  I then closed the valve and let the water build pressure. Found one single leak... darn tack weld locations was cracked. My welds held. That rotary table makes easy work of stuff like this. I drained the tank down and welded up the leak and re-tested. It is now leak free.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhire... I then closed the valve and let the water build pressure. ...
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderthank god for the edit feature on this forum. good job f.h. you are one good all round mechanic!
Reply:I mispelled Missispissy.  "USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Nice job . Looks like a lot of work. Always nice when it all works out.
Reply:Originally Posted by Weld oneNice job . Looks like a lot of work. Always nice when it all works out.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhire...roll like a gas bottle...]
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumAt college, my son saw a gas bottle delivery guy roll 3 big bottles of gas at one time, at a good walking pace.  !!!
Reply:The end being the wrong way out would have bothered me too I like your attention to detail (good fit up before welding).I "hydro test" at home too - air pressure testing is too scary for me.Looks good Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThe end being the wrong way out would have bothered me too I like your attention to detail (good fit up before welding).I "hydro test" at home too - air pressure testing is too scary for me.
Reply:I finished the tank by popping a hole in the top with a hole saw. Yes, I dropped the disk inside... nothing a long stick and a magnet couldn't recover. The inverted top made a perfect funnel. Filled it about half full with the nastiest witches brew I been saving up. Now all I need to do is wait.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireThanks Dave. I'm with you on pressure testing. Ever run an expanded volume calculation on a pressurize vessel? This little tank, 30 gallons at 50 psi, would expend from 3.92 cubic feet to just over 17 cubic feet.  Think popping party balloons gets your heart going? Here's my tribute to hydrostatic testing and the original post URL if you want to build your own. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...bottle-rockets
Reply:what you need to do now is to incorperate a screen to the top. Pour into the funnel top let it slowly run into the cyl and then refill. cause to get the sludgy stuff out later might be a bit of a challenge.( sp )Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.