Makin a Forge, need some advices

[Sam]

Hi Guys, im new here, i will start building my tools so i can start learning to make some knives soon.

 

i found the following tank to make an forge and want to know if will be too big for it.

 

 

its an 10kg propane/butane tank that are used in my country.

 

i can get this for free.

 

if think that are OK, and someone can point me to some good thread about how to build an forge i will be happy!

 

Thanks in advance.

[Simon Attwood]

Hi Sam,

 

there's a thread in tools and tool making that i started called "Show your Forge". I did it so that there would be 1 thread that can show the vast variety and styles of forges that people make and use, all in one thread. It's got just about every style of forge you could think of.

 

I've made a forge out of an 18kg propane tank and i found it too large, I think 10kg should be just right with 2 layers of 1 inch wool inside.

 

be very very careful about how you initially cut in to the tank and if you don't know what you are doing, seek advice before cutting it because of the chance that there is still butane inside and a spark could turn it in to a small bomb!!!!

 

when i've done it, i've opened the valve and left it upside down (the gas is heavier than air) for a few days. Then, using a cordless drill set on very slow, i've drilled holes top and bottom keeping the drill bit in a stream of water to avoid the risk of heat or sparks. Others suggest filling it with water but i've not found that necessary.

[Bryan Bondurant]

Sam, Do not try to open any fuel tank unless you are a expert on the subject. It can be very dangerous to say the least and fatal if you you are unlucky. I have a few propane tanks and other fuel tanks that have been cut open but I buy them already cut open. I have seen a few close calls at the junkyard where I bought the tanks and even though I think I know what I'm doing I would not cut into any closed tank or even one filled with water.

 

Best advice is buy something simple like a Air Caddy or other Compressed Air Tank if you want to fabricate. Do not confuse Oxygen Tank with Air, Oxygen is very very dangerous. If you can find old tanks that are already cut in half you still need to be very careful, messing with tanks is a very dangerous game.

[Art Lawrence]

Just to add a word of caution; even an empty propane tank will have the metal saturated with propane. It's like an empty gun. Always treat it as loaded. There are ways to cut it open. I did mine. It's better to have someone else do it while you stay uphill, upwind, upstream, and far away.

Edited February 5, 2009 by Art Lawrence

[dragoncutlery]

should do a nice one remove the valve fill with water or just leave it open to the world for a few days

[Sam]

Thanks all you guys, i know that is risky i was thinking about open the valve an try to fill it with water, i will read a lot before open it!

 

I already read the thread "Show your Forge" so im asking if this tank will be OK, just to head experiences from all the guys that are using one

[KPeacock]

The Safest way I've cut tanks is to purge with water. I've got argon tanks for SCUBA diving and welding to purge with a noble gas, but I don't trust it. There will always be a concentration of the original gas in there. With water, I know when it's full. Water also has the advantage of keeping the steel cool when you cut it to save wear and tear on your cutting tools.

 

I'd just remove the valve and fill with water. The cut with your favorite tool.