one thing I've seen done is filling the tank with water, displacing the
fumes. Of course now your tools are getting wet, but hey, at least
they aren't exploding.... :-)
Seth
On Tuesday, October 15, 2002, at 07:50 PM, Lawrence Rhodes wrote:
> This tank was long dry. I cut from the outside. Tons of sparks. No
> problems. I would however never take a torch to any gas tank.
> Varnishes
> on the inside or residue could be ignited by a torch. Cutoff tool is
> much
> cooler. I can't remember if I washed it out or not. Lawrence
> Rhodes...
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris Tromley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 7:39 AM
> Subject: Cutting gas tanks (was: RE: Bradley conversion)
>
>
>> Lawrence Rhodes wrote:
>>
>>> They are really light and I think they would make a terrific
>>> conversion. The VW pan that it goes over is very strong.
>>> Batteries could go over the back axle and behind the front
>>> seats. Some might even fit in the area in front where the
>>> gas tank was. A VW gas tank cut in half at the seam makes a
>>> great battery tray. I cut one off to fit in the 56VW I had.
>>> Used a Dremel tool with a cutoff disk. Lawrence Rhodes....
>>
>> Hi Lawrence,
>>
>> That actually wasn't a very smart move. You should assume any gas
>> tank
>> is filled with combustible vapor. Cutting with abrasives creates
>> sparks. A much better method would have been drilling a starter hole
>> and using manual or power snips.
>>
>> Just to give you a feeling for how persistent fuel vapors can be, I
>> heard about a tank truck that was used to haul gasoline and was then
>> used for hauling non-potable water for years. When the "water" tank
>> needed a repair, the welder blew it up with his torch. Then there was
>> the guy who ventilated his long-empty gas tank by drawing air through
>> it
>> with a vacuum, "just in case". Vapor hit the brushes in the vacuum
>> and
>> turned it into shrapnel.
>>
>> Be very careful with gas tanks.
>>
>> Chris
>>
>
>
>
>
--
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