- Thread starter VertexZ
- Start date
I would fill it with either argon, CO2, Nitrogen or any other inert gas you happen to be able to lay your hands on and try make sure there's a good steady flow of it into the tank while your welding. That should prevent any oxygen from getting back in.
I suppose the water would fulfil the same purpose but I'm not so sure about the safety implications of that plan. Personally I'd keep water well clear!
I suppose the water would fulfil the same purpose but I'm not so sure about the safety implications of that plan. Personally I'd keep water well clear!
ozzman
Member
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problem with water is that it turns to steam when heated.
And steam takes up more space than water so as soon as you start welding your vaporizing the water causing an explosion.
my tutor blew up a jerry can trying to weld it after it had been left openm for a week steamed cleaned twice then filled it full of water and up it went.
And steam takes up more space than water so as soon as you start welding your vaporizing the water causing an explosion.
my tutor blew up a jerry can trying to weld it after it had been left openm for a week steamed cleaned twice then filled it full of water and up it went.
Sam
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Run a pipe from an exhaust from a diesel engine and let it run for 10/15 minutes that will expell any fumes in the tank I have been using this method for 15 years after splitting my tank at the TT in the Isle of Man.
There was a facility set up for welding by Air Products when I approached the lets say elderly chap (should have retired about 10 yrs previously) that was doing the welding he told me of the procedure he had used for many years by the way he was a master at alloy welding using oxy/act.
There was a facility set up for welding by Air Products when I approached the lets say elderly chap (should have retired about 10 yrs previously) that was doing the welding he told me of the procedure he had used for many years by the way he was a master at alloy welding using oxy/act.
Sam
Banned
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He must have closed the top if it had been open the steam would have come out of the neck.
Drains
Yeah, nah.
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That's about as dangerous as you can get George, as if the fuel vapour to air mix is just right, you'll get an explosion. That's really chancing it mate. One way or another, the tank MUST be purged.
Also folks,
While water does turn to steam, trying to weld water usually ends in failure, so a water filled tank will normally be fine. The water won't steam. Trying to weld a tank/pipe closed, which contains water/oil/paint, will invariably give problems as the expanding gases or steam will pressurise the item.
Exhaust gases seem to be ok but i've heard stories of explosions even when exhaust is used as a purge. CO is unstable, and can be used as a fuel in the right circumstances (woodgas is largely comprised of CO and H2)
Cut and paste from HSE website, maybe keep you alive, or certainly in one piece. It only takes one tablespoon of combustible fuel in 45 gallon drum to make an explosive substance.
Tanks and drums
F lammable liquids and vapours such as petrol, diesel, fuel
oil, paints, solvents, glue, lacquer and cleaning agents are
found in many places of work. If a welding blowpipe or burner
is used on a tank or drum containing flammable material (solid,
liquid or vapour), the tank or drum can explode violently.
People have been killed and seriously injured by such
explosions. Tanks and drums that are 'empty' usually still have
residues in the bottom, and in seams and crevices. Just a
teaspoon of flammable liquid in a drum can be enough to cause
an explosion when heated and turned into vapour.
You must never use an oxy/fuel gas blowpipe on a drum or
tank that has contained or may have contained flammable
material unless you know it has been made safe.
If it contains flammable material, it will need thorough cleaning
or inerting (see the HSE guidance note CS15 The cleaning and
gas freeing of tanks containing flammable residues). It may be
safer for a specialist company to carry out the work. If in
doubt, ask.
Tanks and drums
F lammable liquids and vapours such as petrol, diesel, fuel
oil, paints, solvents, glue, lacquer and cleaning agents are
found in many places of work. If a welding blowpipe or burner
is used on a tank or drum containing flammable material (solid,
liquid or vapour), the tank or drum can explode violently.
People have been killed and seriously injured by such
explosions. Tanks and drums that are 'empty' usually still have
residues in the bottom, and in seams and crevices. Just a
teaspoon of flammable liquid in a drum can be enough to cause
an explosion when heated and turned into vapour.
You must never use an oxy/fuel gas blowpipe on a drum or
tank that has contained or may have contained flammable
material unless you know it has been made safe.
If it contains flammable material, it will need thorough cleaning
or inerting (see the HSE guidance note CS15 The cleaning and
gas freeing of tanks containing flammable residues). It may be
safer for a specialist company to carry out the work. If in
doubt, ask.
Finalreminder
Professional amateur
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- Denbighshire
Id fill it with dry sand and weld it.
thanks for your advise guys, sounds like theres a bit of risk any way I do this!
the hole is approx 5mm in diameter, and its on the side of the tank near the bottom, so I think it would only hold 2 lt of water with the cap off (its an 8 lt tank)
is a metal putty a better option?
the hole is approx 5mm in diameter, and its on the side of the tank near the bottom, so I think it would only hold 2 lt of water with the cap off (its an 8 lt tank)
is a metal putty a better option?
Finalreminder
Professional amateur
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J&B Weld is excellent stuff, well worth a try.
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
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Sam
Banned
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If you were not so far away I would have welded it for you to prove a point,put it on an exhaust for 15 mins. give it a sniff you will sense if there is any probability of it exploding.Epoxys will last for a short period of time and will fail when you are miles from anywhere that is Murphys law been there got the t-shirt fix it properly epoxy is ok for an emergency repair.
Finalreminder
Professional amateur
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Sam
Banned
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You are not trying to say that using an epoxy is better than fusing two metals together as one.It will not be as good as a weld! no matter what they say! do the job properly weld the god damn thing.When the epoxy fails you will get a leak if fuel spills onto something hot say the exhaust worry about that no more breeding for you.
Drains
Yeah, nah.
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The Egg never said epoxy was better Sam, just that it wouldn't dissolve. Chill out dude!
BTW, I re-iterate, CO is still potentially explosive with a bit of the right "other" gases about. Not being able to smell petrol doesn't mean you don't have an explosive atmosphere.
Have to say, like you, i'd just get on and weld it meself. A bit of inflammable wotsit never put me off. But I'd be shy of telling other people to do it, without being aware of the possibilities.
BTW, I re-iterate, CO is still potentially explosive with a bit of the right "other" gases about. Not being able to smell petrol doesn't mean you don't have an explosive atmosphere.
Have to say, like you, i'd just get on and weld it meself. A bit of inflammable wotsit never put me off. But I'd be shy of telling other people to do it, without being aware of the possibilities.
