Cutting an oil drum

[Perry Owens]

I've been asked to cut an oil drum lengthwise for a barbecue. It's a Castrol Magnatec drum from a known source so I'm sure it hasn't had anything else in it. Motor oil isn't very volatile so I was thinking of flushing it out with compressed air before taking the angle grinder to it, but are there any special precautions I should take?

 

[armalites]

Goggles,ear defenders and gloves,

I've cut the top out of loads using the plasma to use them as incinerator or scrap bins and never had any issues. I don't think you will be achieving anything flushing it with compressed air. Obviously this all depends on it being a drum that has only had oil in it.

There will be some oil residue so be prepared for that

 

[angellonewolf]

grinding the sides could heat the metal for the oil readuse to flame up

 

[addjunkie]

Goggles,ear defenders and gloves,

I've cut the top out of loads using the plasma to use them as incinerator or scrap bins

I just use a cold chisel for that, quicker than dragging plasma outside and setting it up

 

[armalites]

I just use a cold chisel for that, quicker than dragging plasma outside and setting it up

Takes seconds to plug it in and be up and running and I can cut nice round vent holes in seconds

 

[Parm]

It can be done safely and without risk, but do take some precautions

This gives some useful advice

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg314.pdf

 

[Perry Owens]

It can be done safely and without risk, but do take some precautions

This gives some useful advice

Thanks for that. I have a plasma cutter but I thought it might be more likely to set fire to residual oil than a cutting disc.

 

[bigegg]

The local scrappie uses oxyacetylene - take the bungs out, hole in the bottom (flames out the top) then cut from the top downwards.
Last one had white spirit in.
That was quite energetic, but not "boom"

 

[WorkshopChris]

Lay on side and fill with water so your long cut is the first all along the cut, so your cut is just below the water level. once cut drain to cut the 2 side cuts (top and bottom). Your long cut is safe as the drum volume is reduced as the water replaces and volatile fume space.
Once you drain to cut the rest it's now much safer as any theoretical or potential explosion of combustible gas can safely vent out along the long cut edge so no chance to the top blowing off/out.

 

[Pete.]

If I was certain it had only engine oil in it I'd just pull the plugs and cut it with a mini grinder and 1mm disc. Good luck setting light to engine oil with mini grinder sparks.

 

[armalites]

Even with a plasma the oil doesn't ignite, fresh engine oil takes some igniting.

 

[anto44]

I've cut loads of them over the years with grinders, plasma's and oxy bottle, I just take the bungs out and cut away. Only time its ever got interesting is when they've had fuel in them.