building a propane tank forge

[Jason brooks]

Hi,

I have an old propane tank to build a forge with. I need to remove the opd valve. Two internet sources suggest I heat up the tank's valve threads with a heat gun. Is that reasonable?

Btw: I am reasonably certain the tank's depleted...

--jason

[Wayne Coe]

That is what I do. I drill a hole before heating it.

[Bruce Macmillan]

That is what I do. I drill a hole before heating it.

I use that method........only my drill can do it from say 50-100 yards......I also live on 15 acres surrounded by farmland..............

[J Wilson]

I'm curious. Why drill a hole? I open the valve all of the way...

[J Wilson]

We've had several discussions here regards using old propane tanks as a forge shell. Generally the advice is don't. An empty disposable party balloon tank (helium) is a far safer and less problematic option.

[Neil Gustafson]

Good Morning,

Pick a place where you can bolt a plate to the floor. Weld two tabs (with holes in them) on the plate, so you can put a bar through the holes in the base of the tank and through the tabs. Now the tank won't spin!!

Use a pipe wrench to grab the valve, you are not saving it so don't be friendly with it (cut off the safety shield if you want to). Un-thread it, counter-clockwise. If the valve is open, you won't get a surprise!!!

I made a socket (an ugly looking socket) to undo the valve with my 3/4" impact gun. No survivors, take it out.

[Daryl]

Cutting open a propane tank is extremely dangerous. Even with all the gas out of it propane tanks can have a wax residue in them that is highly explosive. There was a kid killed at a school down east a couple months ago cutting open a barrel that had held Mint oil. He was using a zip cut, a was going to make a BBQ for a shop class project.

[Steve H]

Years ago someone suggested I flush out my 100lb tanks with water prior to cutting them apart to build a tumbler. I waited until late in the evening to purge them because of the rank smell. So much skunk-oil came out someone called the fire department the next morning and they shut down the whole block! Fortunately I wasn't anywhere near the place, only showing up later in the afternoon!! Hee!

[Jason brooks]

Hi Steve,

Was the skunk-oil the waxy buildup Daryl mentioned?

I think given the risk, I will just take the tank to suburban or ferrelgas, float the tech some cash and have them remove the valve. I don't think it's worth it otherwise.

--jason

[Bruce Macmillan]

This video has some pretty informative data........course the tanks they shot at were FULL and not mixed with air, which the mint oil barrel certainly was, wish I could be paid to have that much fun! 

MythBusters: Propane Peril MiniMyth : Video : Discovery Channel