Alan in Vermont
08-09-2016, 09:45 PM
I drive, part time, for a company that has a hook lift truck and 15 cy open top containers. Today a took a load of scrap metal to a local salvage yard. I scaled in and one of their employees directed me to where I was to dump the load.
On the open tops the tailgate swings horizontally and hooks back to the side of the truck for dumping. So,, I swung the gate around and noticed a bunch of propane tanks on the ground a few feet away. I started walk over to see if any of them were punched, as I need a couple for smelting pots. Nope, none punched but one sort of stood out in the crowd. Hmmmm, wonder if I can buy that one?
Dumped, closed the gate and saw one of the owners approaching. I asked him if I might be able to buy something from him. Showed it to him, he wasn't aware of what it was, so I told him. He hefted, proclaimed, "That's not very heavy, take it"
At first I didn't think I had a way to carry it on the truck, then I remembered the underbody tool box on the curb side. My new-to-me propane plumbers pot fit in there nicely. Enough propane in the tank to slosh and it let out a nice hiss when I cracked the valve. The tank looks like it should past inspection so there's over $200 in value just in the tank, I have no idea what the burner might be worth but I would consider this a really nice score.
Now when I smelt range scrap I can have two pots going and should, very nearly, cut my time in half. Slow link now will be cooling ingot molds fast enough to keep up.
On the open tops the tailgate swings horizontally and hooks back to the side of the truck for dumping. So,, I swung the gate around and noticed a bunch of propane tanks on the ground a few feet away. I started walk over to see if any of them were punched, as I need a couple for smelting pots. Nope, none punched but one sort of stood out in the crowd. Hmmmm, wonder if I can buy that one?
Dumped, closed the gate and saw one of the owners approaching. I asked him if I might be able to buy something from him. Showed it to him, he wasn't aware of what it was, so I told him. He hefted, proclaimed, "That's not very heavy, take it"
At first I didn't think I had a way to carry it on the truck, then I remembered the underbody tool box on the curb side. My new-to-me propane plumbers pot fit in there nicely. Enough propane in the tank to slosh and it let out a nice hiss when I cracked the valve. The tank looks like it should past inspection so there's over $200 in value just in the tank, I have no idea what the burner might be worth but I would consider this a really nice score.
Now when I smelt range scrap I can have two pots going and should, very nearly, cut my time in half. Slow link now will be cooling ingot molds fast enough to keep up.