Welding a barrel

notjustair · Apr 1, 2013

I know this is about to open a can of worms, sorry.

I have a 300 gallon fuel style barrel. Bought it at an auction. It always had unused oil in it for the companies trucks - it still has about 30 gallons of oil in it. The jake leg that loaded it drug it on one of the legs (it is freestanding) and tore the metal on the bottom where the weld is.

I want to weld it. What am I up against? Same as if it had gasoline in it?

old · Apr 1, 2013

It is not as bad as if it had gas in it but still can/will blow up unless you have a way to open it up to vent it if a fire should happen to start in it. I have one arm of a loader that some one weld on and it has a out of square before if exploded inside and pushed the sides out on it

Anonymous-0 · Apr 1, 2013

Drain oil and fill with water then weld with the water inside.

notjustair · Apr 1, 2013

That's has always puzzled me - how am I welding through a trickle of water? I don't recall any welding rods saying works well with slight water leak. LOL. I know the box of 7014 I just bought didn't say that!

Will the oil have fumes that will explode? Does opening the two inch bungs count as venting? I just need to know if I am supposed to be as scared as I would be if it was a fuel barrel.

fixerupper · Apr 1, 2013

Smoke and fumes from smoldering oil will go WHOOF in the open so I'd assume it's a potential explosive. Leaving a 2" bung open just might allow enough oxygen in to ignite the fumes. Just my .02 Jim

notjustair · Apr 1, 2013

Ok, so combining this with the barrel comments from down below - Can I drain the oil and fill it with exhaust from a gas engine? I'm thinking plumb the exhaust in one top bung and then open up the smaller bottom drain for the exit. Let the engine run a while and then keep it running while I weld?

Anonymous-0 · Apr 1, 2013

Turn barrel upside so leak is on top so water does not leak out wouldnt hurt to rinse out with water and lets say dawn soap before. Second say your prays before LOL. People weld on boats with stuff Being wet ever watch those crab catching shows.

jon f mn · Apr 1, 2013

DO NOT USE GAS ENGINE! it will likely put enough unburned gas into the tank to make a nice bomb. You might get by with a diesel, but I would go to your welding supply place and rent a tank of co2 or helium. Just put a hose in the tank and crack the valve open for a few minutes before you start to weld. Helium and co2 won't interfere with the welding. I have welded diesel tanks with nothing too, but that will keep ya up nights.

brandon j · Apr 1, 2013

I have herd of puting a shop vac to them so the vapors dont biuld up

JMOR · Apr 1, 2013

(quoted from post at 20:31:06 04/01/13) I have herd of puting a shop vac to them so the vapors dont biuld up

ight as well drop a match in it! Sucking a mixture, that at some point may be explosive, over that universal motors sparking brushes is definitely not a good plan.

Drop down a few posts & read about cutting up a gas tank. Nitrogen is the answer. Sure you can always find someone that has welded many gas tanks using water, exhaust, etc. . Sometimes you get lucky. My dad did until the umpteenth tank blew up.

Kenneth R Ohnstad · Apr 1, 2013

A bunch of dry ice and a little water.

guaranteed to be safe

K

edj856 · Apr 1, 2013

If you have access to a steam cleaner, turn it up to about 200*F, stick the nozzle in the barrel, zip tie the trigger, and let it run for about 15-20 minutes, just make sure you tip the barrel so that the water can drain as your washing it. This will remove all the vapor and also works on gas tanks. We used to steam out 9200 gal gas tankers at work so we could go inside for inspections and repairs. We would spent about 4-5 hours steaming and then check with a meter before entering the tank.

rustred · Apr 1, 2013

all you have to do is use a blow nozzle hose and have it taped about 1/4 to 1/2 open and throw it in the tank and weld till your hearts content. always fresh air circulating out of tank. done that a few times. cant blow up when no fumes.

casenut1 · Apr 1, 2013

I know everybody says not to do this but, the old local guy who welded gas tanks always had you go and fill up full.Then he would crawl under and weld it up. Never ever blew one up. I think he was crazy.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 1, 2013

I second the steaming idea. A gas tank isn't something to experiment with just because a certain technique worked for someone else. If something goes wrong you could end up dead! Spraying some CO2 in it isn't a bad idea either.

60 acre hillside · Apr 2, 2013

I wonder how many who sent a post ever welded a tank. I have cut oil. diesel, gasoline and LP with no problems. Most of these expert's advice is dangerous. Get a new tank or burn away all of the fumes.

showcrop · Apr 2, 2013

(quoted from post at 04:06:17 04/02/13) I wonder how many who sent a post ever welded a tank. I have cut oil. diesel, gasoline and LP with no problems. Most of these expert's advice is dangerous. Get a new tank or burn away all of the fumes.

Burning away all fumes is good advice? That sounds like you are suggesting holding a propane torch to an opening. I wouldn't take that as good advice!

hoof print · Apr 2, 2013

I agree Jon, never could understand the recommendation to use exhaust as inert gas....have you ever seen "flame throwers". At a hot rod car show? Sure some pipe in propane for a longer flame, but all it takes is a spark plug in the tail pipe!

JMOR · Apr 2, 2013

(quoted from post at 07:06:17 04/02/13) I wonder how many who sent a post ever welded a tank. I have cut oil. diesel, gasoline and LP with no problems. Most of these expert's advice is dangerous. Get a new tank or burn away all of the fumes.

t least one!

Welding a barrel

notjustair

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old

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Anonymous-0

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notjustair

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fixerupper

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notjustair

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Anonymous-0

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jon f mn

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brandon j

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JMOR

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Kenneth R Ohnstad

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edj856

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rustred

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casenut1

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Anonymous-0

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60 acre hillside

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showcrop

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hoof print

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JMOR

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