Cutting gas cylinders

[Ruffian]

Any helpful tips to make sure it's fairly safe.

I cracked the valve to make sure was empty.
Made tool to totally remove valve, and filled with water and going to drain that and refill again with fresh tomorrow or Friday.

Any other good points?

 

[Screwdriver]

If you have a battery grinder, cut it while it's full of water.

 

[MattF]

Any other good points?

Stop worrying & just cut the damn thing. If it's been flushed twice with water, I wouldn't give it a second thought.

 

[Parm]

If it’s been fully purged and your Satisfied with that then cut away with what ever tool you want

Battery grinder is no safer than any other abrasive cutting tool. It’s the sparks that will ignite anything flammable. Both battery powered and mains (including 110v) all produce sparks when cutting

It’s very safe to do if you employ the correct precautions, I’ve cut open cylinders more than once or twice, as have others

My best advice is be confident in your cleaning regime. If you have any doubt, don’t do it. Just walk away

 

[Screwdriver]

Yes I appreciate the sparks etc. but a full bottle of water won't care. My only concern is having avoided blowing yourself up, might be a good idea not to be electrocuted instead.

 

[brightspark]

robably worried you use a 240v grinder where there is water all the new ones are double insulated so not so bad just use through an rcd if you do the plug in ones are ok if you haven't one in the supply to socket

 

[Parm]

Yes I appreciate the sparks etc. but a full bottle of water won't care. My only concern is having avoided blowing yourself up, might be a good idea not to be electrocuted instead.

True, but much safer ways of doing it when it’s not full of water. Power full rotating cutting things (any source of power) and full things of water introduces a whole world of hazards that are easily done away with

 

[Screwdriver]

Yeah, you could write an essay on the subject (I'm gonna hazard a guess you probably already have!).

But the OP has a tank full of water and while there may be better, safer and less messy ways of going about it, he could just cut it already and just be done with it....

 

[brightspark]

just don't over think things

 

[Badger1bear]

Cut the dang thing already, can you setup a camera to record the aftermath ?
Just kidding........ cut it !

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I always leave the cylinders inverted with the valve open/knocked off once empty, then flush with water just before cutting.

 

[8ob]

Made tool to totally remove valve, and filled with water and going to drain that and refill again with fresh tomorrow or Friday.

I made a tool for removing the valve out of an old impact socket, it was not a pretty thing and one of the lads thinking it was scrap has launched it into the bin so I need to make another one

Bob

 

[Ruffian]

I made a tool for removing the valve out of an old impact socket, it was not a pretty thing and one of the lads thinking it was scrap has launched it into the bin so I need to make another one

Bob

All mine is 20mm box section with 2 bit's welded on the end to make a hook,
Wrap's around the valve and lays along the side of it for good grip.
As soon as it shifted 30degrees or so was able to spin it out with pipe grips then hand.

 

[brightspark]

take the protection ring of the top and 4 good bats on the side of the valve outlet with a 2 and a half lb hammer and there loose. don't just mess about with stillies or any other tool

 

[Ruffian]

Picked up the little fire chamber tonight.
12kg butane into a 47kg propane. Yes I know I may have to load the fire a few times but think it should work well.

@8ob this is my valve tool,
Really simple and works a treat.

So now to aquire a couple of length of stainless dairy pipe when there damaged beyond repair, and start cutting.

 

[Screwdriver]

Just out of interest, has anyone tried just purging the darned things and chopping them up while full of CO2/Argon?

 

[Parm]

Just out of interest, has anyone tried just purging the darned things and chopping them up while full of CO2/Argon?

Not recommended to cut open even when filled with inert gas.

Gas pressure may cause sparks etc to travel much further than normal

 

[addjunkie]

I do that with petrol tanks.

Issue with purging with an inert gas, as soon as you cut it disapates, unless you maintain a continuous purge. On a large scale you asphixate the cutter potentially. You also need to know is the dangerous flamable gas heavier or lighter than the gas being used for purging. Then at atmospheric pressure( vented before cutting)

Nitrogen is routinly used to purge oil and gas pipework before hot work. However it would be ventilated first, proven gas free, and if people are any where near it tested for oxygen content too.

 

[Bsmith]

take the protection ring of the top and 4 good bats on the side of the valve outlet with a 2 and a half lb hammer and there loose. don't just mess about with stillies or any other tool

Some rings are welded on. Make sure the valve is working and turned off before cutting the ring off with a grinder and don't cut through the bottle.

 

[Mr shiney]

Blimey, I feel such a cowboy.... I just take the valves out, leave them over night and then rinse a couple of times and set to it with the plasma cutter!!!!