Oxygen tank

[mrblue]

I got a few oxygen tanks, the small kind maybe a foot tall. I was wondering if i cut it in half that it could be used to melt my wheel weights in them. Let me know your thoughts thanks

[Duckiller]

How are you going to cut the tank(s) ? Once cut the tank you can determine if the metal is thick enough to smelt your wheel weights. My main concern would be purging and cutting the tank(s) safely.

[ku4hx]

Actually I prefer an ammo can to an O² bottle.

[bangerjim]

Why not just buy a cheap pan a WalFart? Works well on a turker fryer. Many guys here use that method.

[mrblue]

I was gonna let the air leak out with a valve. Don't know the size, but i fugured if they can handle that much pressure a little heat wont hurt. I was gonna use a chop saw once i got the top valve off. and hey it's free, vs having to buy stuff.

[duckndawg]

i cut a 20lb propane tank to use as my smelting pot. make DAMN sure it is purged take the valve out and fill with water

[bangerjim]

cutting tanks like that is VERY risky!!!!!

O2 + metal filings + a spark = well......not fun!

As stated, if you absolutely insist on doing this take the valve out and fill the tank with water.

bangerjim

[clintsfolly]

The tanks are worth more then the pot you will make!! I have a small cast iron pot will trade for the small tank. Where in MI are you ? Clint

[Mr Peabody]

My first pot was the bottom of a tank like that. You use way too much heat getting the pot up and running. Use a thinner pot; mine is a cast iron pot I got at a thrift store.

[Bloodman14]

I would actually like to have one of those small tanks for my garage; would you consider selling me one?

[trk]

Larger in diameter and shallower in depth is good. (more surface area and less vertical distance for crud to float up (with stirring) and get captured by the flux.)

[Mal Paso]

Thick metal is SLOW with a chop saw and will eat heat.

Find a welding shop, get some money for the tanks, and get a stainless pot.

[RP]

some tanks are aluminum I would not use them for smelting but if they have O2 in them you can shoot them at a long range and they will explode in a large fire ball. Well that's what I heard long range shot only never did find any of the tank.

[gimling]

you can do it but there is a pimp cast iron pot at your local harbor freight around $20 holds 100pounds or so at a time.

[dbosman]

If the tanks are within their hydro test date range, sell them!
Any welding shop, AirGas, or brazer would purchase them for a lot more than a cast iron dutch oven would cost.
The date the test is valid til is stamped on the cylinder. Even out of date, they are worth more than a dutch oven.

[Mohillbilly]

I'd just go to Salvation Army or Goodwill and buy A $2.00 pan or pot.

[mrblue]

My guess is yes, they are within the hydro date. I have several and didn't know what to do with them, Was just gonna scrap them

[Lead Fred]

Been using a O2 tank bottom for over a decade now to melt WW in.
Used a 6in bolt, nut and a broom stick as a handle

[Foto Joe]

Modern O2 tanks should be aluminum. Even SCUBA tanks that hold more pressure than O2 tanks are aluminum unless you come across an old one.

As far as cutting it is concerned, O2 DOES NOT BURN!! It acts as an oxidizer which allows other flammable substances to burn more readily. This is why NO petroleum products may be used around O2 tanks or valves, spontaneous combustion of the petroleum product can occur, not the O2. A hack saw or chop saw would be fine, a torch not so much as it is using acetylene as a fuel. If you want to try an experiment, attempt to light the O2 from an oxy/acetylene torch without the acetylene turned on.

[jonp]

If you know of a small propane dealer or someone that fills tanks they often have 100lb tanks beyond the good date stamped on them. These make great pots but make sure to take the advice posted and remove the valve and fill with water before cutting.