Cutting Gas Cylinders Open Safely - HELP

[LeviPrince123]

Hi, I've got a couple of gas cylinders that I want to cut open to make a forge and quench tank. I have seen advice from many people doing it and feel comfortable attempting it on my own. However, I'm still a teenager and my dad seems convinced that there is absolutely no way to cut it open without blowing up the entire planet. From what I understand, you only need to vent it out to atmospheric pressure, remove the valve and fill it with water to expel the propane. Is there anything else I should know, or any advice you can give me to help convince him that it's safe?

 

[Pete.]

Not much chance of setting fire to water.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Do it well away from him.

Fill with water, leave.
Drain.
Refill and leave.
Drain.
Refill and leave.

You can fill the valve, as they can be very tight to remove.
Or with lots of water drill a 6mm vent hole and fill through valve.


I like to cut mine with a disc cutter, with it full of water.

It will still smell of gas when open.

 

[Matchless]

they smell of gas for a very long time after but it is hard to ignite a smell!

I used a couple as extra air tanks for blasting some years ago, bet they still smell,

 

[Paul.]

Butane and propane are odourless, the smell is a stenchant added for safety reasons, I Leave them vented for a day or two then just fill with water then cut them, A jigsaw is as good as a disc, they are not very thick, about 3mm. and if cutting a door for a burner you can put a nice radius on the corners,

 

[Memmeddu]

Hi, I've got a couple of gas cylinders that I want to cut open to make a forge and quench tank. I have seen advice from many people doing it and feel comfortable attempting it on my own. However, I'm still a teenager and my dad seems convinced that there is absolutely no way to cut it open without blowing up the entire planet. From what I understand, you only need to vent it out to atmospheric pressure, remove the valve and fill it with water to expel the propane. Is there anything else I should know, or any advice you can give me to help convince him that it's safe?

Sawzall

 

[James1979]

Sawzall

Anything non sparking.

I cut them on a bandsaw with plenty of flood coolant.

 

[Memmeddu]

Anything non sparking.

I cut them on a bandsaw with plenty of flood coolant.

I have to use two CO2 tanks to make an air reservoir , I will remove the valve and I will have the excuse to buy a mag drill
I will weld 1/2" NPT fittings to it

 

[Bullet2012]

Well done for asking before you did something stupid. Most people on here have actual experience of this sort of thing and are not just google warriors.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[Parm]

You done your reading and research.

Next up you just need some confidence

Remove the valve, plenty of YT vids showing you how

Vent, fill with water, drain, cut away till hearts content

The odour you’ll get is butadiene, A’s has been mentioned it’s an odourant

Once used the smell will go, I’ve cut up one or two cylinders in my time

Most importantly, post up some pics of what ever you make

 

[Maker]

The odour you’ll get is butadiene

No it's not.

 

[Country Joe]

I will have the excuse to buy a mag drill

I think they're only any good on flat surface, really.
At least that's all mine can deal with!

All the Best,
CJ

 

[mdr]

One video with a successful welding on a potentially exposive container (well he ends up brazing it but, same difference)...

...and one that documents a no so happy ending...

...just to make you hem and haw about it

 

[brightspark]

there's always and doom and gloom merchant about. just fill it with water and get it cut. if water could explode it would make u multi millions

 

[RichardM]

Just one thing to think about if welding them afterwards, they are Zinc plated in UK so watch out for fumes.

 

[mdr]

there's always and doom and gloom merchant about. just fill it with water and get it cut. if water could explode it would make u multi millions

meaning me? Just putting up a bit of information. Suggest you read this...

https://www.calor.co.uk/news-and-vi...ing-gas-cylinders-could-land-you-in-hot-water

 

[doubleboost]

Remove valve
Fill with water
Pour out water and cut it
up
Once it is full of water there can not be anything else in there
Tip the water out then it can only be full of air

 

[James1979]

It says change of use is unlawful. Is that a specific law does anyone know or just theft law? Not that it'll put me or anyone else off, just idle curiosity!

 

[sg66]

The bottle remains property of owner so any use other than that intended and agreed to under original contract is probably breaking the law, heyho.

 

[Parm]

No it's not.

I didn’t know that, I’ve only ever seen butadiene used as an odourant