How would you mark/notch this?

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Hey y'all, I was wondering if I could bother you with a quick question...I've never notched pipe, or anything like it "correctly" although I've done the ole "Uhhh, lets cut more off from that part.... PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS... Oops, that was a little much... Eh, I'll just mig it" on a few very non-critical things, but I'd like to do it right for once.I've got these two tanks that I plan to make into a vertical BBQ... One of them will be horizontal with some legs attached, for use as a firebox. The other will be vertical, sort of "straddling" the firebox:And I'd like to know how I should notch it... This tank is about 12" wide, maybe 14" at most I'd say.Where to begin?Thanks in advance, guys...[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:I recall seeing ones you can print out and put around the pipe to mark it.  Search for 'printable pipe templates' or similar.  I found this among others.  Hope this is useful.  http://www.blocklayer.com/Pipe-Notching.aspxTim
Reply:Cool photo effect!
Reply:Use electrical tape or whatever to create a long pencil, Drill a hole in it creating a pivot so pivot center to point is half the diameter of the not to be coped tank. Cut the end off the tank so you can get inside. Drill 2 holes in the tank 180 degrees apart, and perpendicular to the length of the tank. Pass a rod through one side of the cylinder, tthrough the pencil, then the other side of the cylinder. I think you can draw the shape of the cope on the inside. Plasma is nice, Torch would work, sabre saw is tricky, cause the line will be on the inside. I'm predicting some fitting will still be needed.Last edited by Willie B; 10-14-2014 at 09:37 PM.
Reply:The other choice is to scribe it, cut it vaguely to shape, get someone to hold it in position, while you use a compass to draw a line.
Reply:LanseWhat did those tanks do in their past-life? And . . . . a rudimentary drawing, with the sizes and wall gauge of 'all' of your components - would be helpful.Opus
Reply:You basically need to look up instructions to do a 12" branch test. You're gonna make a tee just like a branch. It'll tell you how to layout your marks. You'll have a saddle on the vertical tank and then you'll cut your hole in the horizontal tank
Reply:You can download the lateral pipe application that will give you precise layout to saddle any size pipe to different pipe diameters. To determine exact pipe diameters get a flat tape measure and use the trusty Circumferance=(pi)(diameter).Once you get your overall tape measurement you can solve for diameter. These pipe apps are very useful and very accurate. I use them in the field all the time. Good luck!
Reply:Also make sure you purge those tanks with 2-3lbs of CO2 while you cut them so you don't get hurt from an explosion. Don't take any chances!
Reply:those tanks look like powder tanks from a fire supresion system
Reply:'' To determine exact pipe diameters get a flat tape measure and use the trusty Circumferance=(pi)(diameter).''Get two 2' framing squares. Box the tank in forming a square box using the squares. Line the 12'' marks up from both squares and that's 12'' diameter.
Reply:If its say 12 inch diameter take a piece of 1 inch tube or square stock and drill a hole to fit a tek screw and a hole to fit the body of a sharpie 6 inches apart. Take the tank and put holes 180 degrees apart sized for the screw. Attach the square stock ,then by moving the marker in and out as you go around the tank you will get an accurate mark for the hole. After its cut you should be able to fit the other tank into the hole to mark it for the fit up.