welding a gas tank

[macklow]

Sorry, not really tech but...

A while back I saw a picture here of a guy welding the gas tank of his (pickup?). It was parked on the side of the road, propped up at a 40 degree angle (or so) with some 2x4s...

I've tried searching for the thing... does anyone remember which thread it appeared in?

Thanks!

 

[flyfisher11]

Do a google search for "why women live longer than men". It seems like I received that pic in an email titled that. It had a lot of pics like that.

 

[d1driver]

I once saw my dad weld one with some gas left in it. He tilted the tank to where the gas was at the other end.....attached a hose to a running car's exhaust, and put the other end of the hose in the tank.

Didn't blow, but I didn't stand by to see if it would or not.

 

[p m]

Saw that exact photo in FSJ Magazine three days ago.
With a comment like "how dumb this guy is..."
He's not dumb, he's poor. And when you're poor, you do take risks that you wouldn't if you could pay your way around.

 

[d1driver]

My dad is not poor by a long shot. And he is definitely not dumb. Just knew what he was doing from past experience.

He is one of those.....fix anything with what you have....kinda guys. He is an engineer, without ever going to engineering school.

 

[rmuller]

This one?

 

[roverover]

I have welded many gas tanks with and without gas and almost always used the exhaust method. Gasoline does not burn or explode, if you take up the space with exhaust that would be normally gas fumes that do explode and burn you're fine.

I would be much more afraid of the sticks supporting the truck.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

yep that exhaust method is well known....but kinda a thing of the past now that tanks are all plastic.

 

[macklow]

This one?

That's it! Thanks!

 

[edthediscoman]

I always assumed it was the 4x4's that were the interesting point....never saw the welder!!

 

[David Despain]

another my dad post..... when my dad was in the 'nam he was a heavy equip mechanic. they had an above ground diesel storage tank that would get pot shots taken at it every nite. first thing he did every morn was go down to the tank and weld up the holes that were leaking fuel. he said if it was running out it was safe to weld up the hole if it wasnt running out he left it alone until there was enough fuel to run out the hole then he'd weld it up. im not sure if this was with oxy/acetelyne or the stick welder on his field service truck but im betting it was the stick.

 

[perazzimx8]

Diesel is hard to ignite. We used to use diesel stoves to keep us warm at the shipyard and a cutting torch would have to be stuck into the diesel fuel a few minutes to warm it and the the diesel would ignite and keep us warm. We also would stick weld on a diesel barge all day long. Nothing to worry about.