Making a Straight Cut on a Cylindrical Tank

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I need to cut the end off of a pressure tank that I have, it is very similar to a propane tank.  I need to cut it so that it is very straight all the way around.  I have a Torch and a Plasma Cutter, anyone have any good ideas?  Thanks for any help!
Reply:Hey pardner,  tell you what go to your welding supply and pick up a small tool called a wrap around.  Its a fiber tool thats like, well it is like approx 4 inches wide and varying lengths.  You mark out one to two marks and then you wrap the wrap around on the pipe and when its nice and snug around your pipe mated up to the lines you will get a perfect line to draw.  From that you must just take your time and make a pretty cut.  Its hard to describe on here, but go to welding supply,  ask for a wrap around.  I think youll pay approx 15 dollars.  Then its best to mark two lines, but one is all that is necessary if you wrap the wrap over itself atleast once.  So two layers of wrap on the pipe.  OK good luck   let me know if youve got the wrap and are having trouble with how it worksCHRIS
Reply:I've used the following to cut rings, and various sections from old water heater tanks, which don't cut so well with a torch due to enamal and scale inside....and besides, it gave a cleaner cut needing less finishing.I made a sole for a circular saw that had a 1x1 cleat at each end, perpendicular to the blade. Then used an abrasive blade in the saw.  The sole was of ply-wood, so of course it got charred by the stream of sparks.The cleated sole will make the saw want to stay square, helps avoid binding/breaking the blade, but you still need a sharpie or soapstone line to follow.You can buy the special wrap thingy discribed above to mark it with, or you can use a sheet of butcher paper, gift wrap, whatever is long enough and won't stretch.
Reply:Originally Posted by fluffI need to cut the end off of a pressure tank that I have, it is very similar to a propane tank.  I need to cut it so that it is very straight all the way around.  I have a Torch and a Plasma Cutter, anyone have any good ideas?  Thanks for any help!
Reply:Anybody tried putting such a tank on a pair of rollers, could be home-made out of piping, and rolling the tank while keeping the cutting tool stationary?
Reply:You could also use some of that strapping that has all the holes punched in it or even better the stuff they wrap around chimneys to put up tv antennas. (you guys do remember tv antennas before the advent of cable don't you?).Check out your local radio Shack stor for antenna mounting kits. They even include the turnbuclkes to tighten it up.Hobbiest hack
Reply:A narrow strap can cinch up catiwampus on a big diameter.  A wide band tends to "want" to square itself to a cylinder.  The wider it is the more slack there is to indicate that it is off square.Don't know about using masking tape. Without the stickum you pull the thing tight and it slips into alignment. With stickum, if you don't wrap it straight when you apply it , it can't be fixed.  I guess if it lies flat, you know you got it right, but it might take a few tries.Oh yeah, I just remembered that I have used adding machine paper for this on smaller stuff, like 4" PVC.  With care this might work on a larger tank.
Reply:I always used a reciprocating saw or a 4 1/2 grinder with a cut-off wheel.