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Good use for old propane tanks?

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Dave

11-28-2002 09:30:38

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Anybody found a good use for thier old style propane tank that you can't get refilled any more? I am talking about the Bar-BQ grill size tanks that you see dozens of at the dump,recycling center,etc. Myself,have taken the valves out and put in necessary fittings and hose for use as a portable air pressure tanks.Also used one on a small homegrown air compressor.These things are all over the place for free,there must be some use for the ones still in decent shape.

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John Humphrey Morocco IN.

12-03-2002 21:06:35

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

Scrap yard here won`t take scrap from your truck if there is an old compressed gas tank of any kind showing.

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Dennis Benson

12-04-2002 17:25:26

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Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to John Humphrey Morocco IN., 12-03-2002 21:06:35

I sell scrap metal every day with my one ton truck and 5 by 8 trailer, they buy tanks with a hole in them. they are happy with the valve removed, but I was unloading one day and saw one laying there with what looked like a hole from a pick. Ask them if they will take them with the valve removed. And try another junk yard.

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John

12-02-2002 17:32:02

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

I made a muffler out of an old propane tank about 15 years ago, and put it on my old CAT 613 scraper with a 3208. It's still working today and hasen't burnt out yet. Sure beat the heck out of CAT's $400 muffler.

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TimC

12-01-2002 19:59:57

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

They make a dandy little home forge. Put fire brick in and fix in place with stove cement or what ever and then build a "reil" burner for about 10 bucks and there you go.

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JohnnyB

12-01-2002 13:55:42

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

What do you mean you can't get them filled anymore? My local propane still fills the old style as well as the new style? Why would they stop refilling the old tanks?

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ben

12-03-2002 15:27:07

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Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to JohnnyB, 12-01-2002 13:55:42

saftey standards

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they make good funnels- mark ct

11-30-2002 08:19:22

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

i took one and cut the top top off of it just below where it starts to curve and cut a hole in the other end and welded a 2 inch pipe piece about 3 inches long to the bottom. it works great for pouring waste oil into a tank with a 2 inch hole

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and pto gaurds too- mark ct

11-30-2002 08:24:10

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Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to they make good funnels- mark ct, 11-30-2002 08:19:22

i just remembered that i made on into a pto slip clutch shield for my brushog once. i cut the tank at the seam in the middle and then cut that part in half to make like a clamshell shape. it worked great to keep the weather off of the slip clutch to prevent it from rusting up.

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11-30-2002 06:23:40

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

I've seen a few ice shack wood stove's made from them.i personally wonder if the wall thickness is enough,but my brother-inlaw has used his for years and swears it's perfect for the job.
Until I found a better solution ,I considered cutting one in half and filling with cement for wheel weights for my garden tractor.
Al

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Dennis Benson again, any ideas?

11-29-2002 18:21:38

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

How about making a pressurized sandblaster out of a propane tank? I see one in Harbor Freight, and it looks like it should be quite simple. Any ideas?

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willie

11-29-2002 14:03:43

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

another thought. how much does a new tank cost, 35-40 bucks? you can get the valve changed for less than $10. take it to Wal-Mart, or any of the places such as convenience stores that exchange empties for full ones. Wal-Mart charges $4 extra if you bring in old style.This is a 1 time charge. The next time you need gas, you have the new valve to exchange, so you do not have to pay again. Some propane dealers will change the valve for you for about $10 when you get it filled,& you keep your own tank.

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11-29-2002 12:04:03

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

How old are you saying???? I've had mine since about '88 and still using them to cook with. I repainted mine and they look like new. I understand that when I have them refilled I will have to install an up to date valve though.

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James Bridges

11-29-2002 11:30:43

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

The best and SAFEST use I now of is to paint a bright ornge dot on the side and use it as a target. At a very long distence I might add.

Jim

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kjm

11-28-2002 19:10:48

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

I took the valve out and drilled out the orfice and put the old valve back in and I use it as an air tank. all have had good ideas.

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Dennis Benson

11-28-2002 18:45:53

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

The stuff you smell in an empty propane tank is ethyl mercaptan, which is added to propane so that you will know propane is present. Mercaptan is absorbed into the steel and remains after the propane is gone. Mercaptan is not flammable.

"The flammability range for propane is from 2.4 to 9.6 % in air. This compares to a flammability range for gasoline of 1 to 7.6 % in air. The ignition temperature, a identification of anti-knock-property, of propane ( 457 C ) is at the higher end of ignition temperature range for gasoline ( 227 to 471 C )," this is found at: Link

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Bernie

11-28-2002 18:26:20

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

I used one to get my old engine freed up. Welded legs on it so it was on it's side, took out the old fitting, screwed in pipe adaptors until I got it radiator hose size and then plumbed it to the bottom of the block. With an old gas burner under it I got the water in the engine block boiling, the Kroil seeped down, and voila! the pistons moved. It also took a block down to a piston which was under a bar being tightened down by the head bolts, but I got a basically parts tractor running again.

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John Ne.

11-28-2002 19:19:43

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Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Bernie, 11-28-2002 18:26:20

Bernie thats one of the most interesting uses I've heard for one. The next time I have an engine seize was thinking of heating the cooling system in hopes it would unstick, guess it will too. thanks for posting. john in nebr.

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Alvin NE WI

11-28-2002 17:26:02

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

I put mine to good use, have it setting about 10 feet from the house, about 10 PM I take my little doggie for a walk, and he use's that as his fire hydrant and acts darm pround. Sure bets trying to give the tank away and he must be happy cause he comes in smileing.

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Jerry (KS)

11-28-2002 17:21:10

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

My propane dealer says that all you need to do to purg the tank of any propane is to take the valve off the tank and turn the tank upside down. As propane is heaver than air all fumes will flow out over a 24 hour time span. I plan on using my old tanks as air bottles.

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Tom

11-28-2002 17:00:44

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

How about a gas tank, or hydraulic tank? Just be carefull to have washed out and aired out the inside before you weld any fittings onto the tanks.

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JMS/MN

11-28-2002 11:14:46

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

Take out the old valve and make it into a power bleeder for brake work or filling gearboxes with oil. Like on a Case 2470 where the brilliant engineers expect you to (pour) 140 wt oil into differentials through a 3/8 inch hole. You need to construct something that runs inside the pipe screwed into the top opening (3/4? inch). That line runs to near the bottom of the tank, while the balance of the opening allows air into the tank, thus pushing the oil up through the line going to the bottom. No need to weld anything on the tank itself- just remove the old valve and purge all gas.

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bill b va

11-28-2002 15:47:21

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Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to JMS/MN, 11-28-2002 11:14:46

no need to put a tube in the tank . when you want what ever fluid you have in it out just turn the tank up side down and if it is pressureized with air the fluid will come out .( the air is now on the top)

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Greg D.

11-28-2002 09:51:47

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Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 09:30:38

Fo safety sake I personally wouldn`t use them for anthing more than a doorstop.

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yeah I know

11-28-2002 12:32:47

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Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Greg D., 11-28-2002 09:51:47

BOOM!

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Dave

11-28-2002 19:26:24

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Re: Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to yeah I know, 11-28-2002 12:32:47

You guys probably don't charge up your arresol cans that have gone flat with the blow nozzle on the air hose either?? Old timer showed me that one,have been doing it for years.

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Brian G. NY

11-29-2002 10:07:43

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-28-2002 19:26:24

Dave, I'm surprised I never thought about that, being as cheap as I am. Can't hardly wait to try charging up some of my old "dead" cans of paint and stuff.

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Dave

11-29-2002 10:30:43

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Brian G. NY, 11-29-2002 10:07:43

I just pull the nozzle off and use about 80 psi through a small tip blow nozzle.I made a chamfer in the outlet tip with a 1/4" drill bit held by hand.This will give you a good contact with the stem that protrudes from the cans valve.The kind where the nozzle with attached stem are a little harded to blow into but you usally can get enough air into em so they'll work again.Have seen people use full line pressure and never seen any mishaps.

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James Bridges

11-29-2002 11:24:36

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Good use for old propane tanks? in reply to Dave, 11-29-2002 10:30:43

OK let us get real. I have seen a nut throw a lit match into a can of gasolene and it went out. Just becouse you get away with it one or more times DON'T make it SAFE. You can buy a lot of cans for what it cost for a hospital stay or even a visit to the Dr..

Jim Ex. Amerigas service man

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