Propane tank valve removel

[bc.gold 3,403]

A work in progress, should be completed later today.

 

A 6 inch length of DOM, slots milled into both ends, cut in half I'll have a pair, old 1/2" drive socket welded onto the ends then my cordless impact goes to work.

 

My buddy Nick in Alberta has 3,000 tanks he's collected over the years, now at 86 years old finding it difficult to deal with them. Time to help an old friend out.

 

 

Edited May 4, 2022 by bc.gold

[Ed Kennell 38,158]

1 hour ago, bc.gold said:

3,000 tanks he's collected over the years

Are they headed to the scrapper?

[bc.gold 3,403]

Five minutes / five valves the Milwaukee impact struggles as the task.

 

6 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Are they headed to the scrapper?

 

Scrap yards insist two holes cut into a tank, once the valve has been removed we'll compact them instead.

Edited May 4, 2022 by bc.gold

[Handy Don 12,216]

If an M18 Impact is challenged by these, they are REALLY tight!

Maybe a put one of the gadgets you made on a long breaker bar (like 48") just to crack the valve loose and then finish with the impact driver. Set up an assembly line with a holder and the two tools?

[ri702bill 8,316]

Or, just have target practice!!!

I worked with a Junior Designer who used a 5 foot pipe thru the handles and a 3 foot pipe wrench on the valve. I took 2 people - one on the wrench and the other to hold the tank down.

Edited May 4, 2022 by ri702bill

[bc.gold 3,403]

12 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

If an M18 Impact is challenged by these, they are REALLY tight!

Maybe a put one of the gadgets you made on a long breaker bar (like 48") just to crack the valve loose and then finish with the impact driver. Set up an assembly line with a holder and the two tools?

 

Your on the target Dan, the last couple of tanks went like a hot knife through butter.

Edited May 4, 2022 by bc.gold

[8ntruck 6,998]

What about all of the evil propane fumes you are turning loose into the atmosphere?

[bc.gold 3,403]

4 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

What about all of the evil propane fumes you are turning loose into the atmosphere?

 

Food for thought, every time someone uses a rattle can of paint, bug spray, WD40 or any other type of aerosol can.

LPG has replaced CFC's as the propellant used in aerosol cans.

Source.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Propellant Liquefied petroleum gas is a blend of two flammable but non - toxic gases propane and butane and it is very convenient and super pressurized gas used in aerosol tins
 

====================

Source.
Propane manufacturers usually add chemicals to the propane gas to smell like rotten eggs. The most common odorant used is Ethyl Mercaptan, and it is what makes propane smell.
 

Edited May 4, 2022 by bc.gold

[bc.gold 3,403]

These brass propane valves breed faster than rabbits, first day have 30 of them.

 

Just dropped off a truck load of valveless tanks to one of the native guys who makes rocket stoves  from the tanks.

 

While I was at Larry's I had another three tanks from a neighbor with the valves still attached, gave him a demonstration. The look on his face priceless, this socket attached to the M18 impact speaks volumes.

[c-series don 8,690]

All I know is that if you have a LP gas leak in your pool house and have an explosion this is what it will look like. I’m a volunteer firefighter and this is what we get called out for last evening. Mutual aid from three area departments. 

[bc.gold 3,403]

35 minutes ago, c-series don said:

All I know is that if you have a LP gas leak in your pool house and have an explosion this is what it will look like. I’m a volunteer firefighter and this is what we get called out for last evening. Mutual aid from three area departments. 

 

Your guys have a top notch investigative forensic team.

 

Hope no lives were lost and that the homeowner is insured to cover this loss of property.

Edited May 5, 2022 by bc.gold

[bc.gold 3,403]

I would like to make it known, I do have a healthy respect for flammable gas's. The Milwaukee Fuel series use a brush less motor, no arcs or sparks and the steel socket is working against brass.

 

The last of the valves.

 

 

 

[squonk 41,079]

10 hours ago, c-series don said:

All I know is that if you have a LP gas leak in your pool house and have an explosion this is what it will look like. I’m a volunteer firefighter and this is what we get called out for last evening. Mutual aid from three area departments. 

Pool heaters are notorious for getting all clogged up with soot and corrosion. Chlorine fumes start rotting pipes and fittings. Nobody likes working on them so homeowners end up bypassing a safety or 2 then WHAMMO! 

[Jeff-C175 7,201]

14 hours ago, c-series don said:

pool house

 

I didn't want to "like" your post, but I have to say that is an excellent photo!

[c-series don 8,690]

Thank goodness nobody was inside at the time of the explosion. 

[bc.gold 3,403]

More tanks along with some old CB radio's, one large speaker that the owner wasn't aware could have been re-coned.

 

Oh, well another awesome magnet for my collection.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2022 by bc.gold

[bc.gold 3,403]

On 5/4/2022 at 2:40 PM, bc.gold said:

These brass propane valves breed faster than rabbits, first day have 30 of them.

 

Just dropped off a truck load of valveless tanks to one of the native guys who makes rocket stoves  from the tanks.

 

While I was at Larry's I had another three tanks from a neighbor with the valves still attached, gave him a demonstration. The look on his face priceless, this socket attached to the M18 impact speaks volumes.

Took my brass valves into the scrap yard, $485.00, it had cost me $35.00 to have the DOM machined. Picked up another half dozen tanks this afternoon,  two of which contain propane.