Welding to Hydraulic Oil Tank

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Hi! I'm new to the forum. I need to weld a support to the outside of a 90 gal. 14ga. steel hydraulic tank that is full of oil. Is there any way to avoid the time and expence of draining and cleaning the tank? We have many of these to do and they are installed on the equipment.Thanks for any help or ideas!!
Reply:I have welded to many tanks just like that. I would tell you to weld on the cold side a little. I have had the best luck welding with a 1/8" 6011 for a root pass and I use the 6011 because low penetration. I then cap it with a 7018. You can MIG it just be very carefull not to undercut into the tank and cause a leak. I would also recomend you have means to empty the tank in a hury if need be. 14 ga. is not really what I would call thin so mainly just remember not to weld to hot or try to get a lot of penetration. Good luck Steel Thunder Welding LLC. St. Thomas VI USAMM350PBOBCAT 3MAXSTAR 150 STH375 EXTREME PLASMA6.5 HP COMPRESORDEWALT 18, 24, AND 36 VOLTO/A TORCH SETAND SO MUCH MORE I DONT REMEMBERALL IN MY 2005 2500HD EXTENDED CAB L/B
Reply:Use a mig, GMAW or FCAW are suitable and life will be much easier. Run downhill on the first pass and uphill on the second. Be very careful with 10 class rods because they are designed to dig and 14ga is some thin stuff. If the mig isn't available I would just use 3/32 7018 running uphill and concentrate the heat on the heavy metal of the bracket and just enough into the 14 ga for penetration. The tank being full will help you because the oil will cool the 14ga.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I usually just burn a 6010/6011 good and hot, haven't had one leak yet.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."