Removing valves from oxygen tanks

BSer · Oct 24, 2009

I have a 100 or so oxygen tanks that I want to junk. We haven"t been able to break them loose,let alone turn them. We have a 1" impact and a special socket that zips them out of propane tanks but can"t break them loose. Is there a trick to it or a solvent for the tape?

Kentb of SWMO · Oct 24, 2009

Why are you junking the O2 tanks? Will they not pass a hydro test? If junking why do you need the valves out? If junking take a Saws-all or band saw and cut the valve off. Holding the tank for me is the hardest thing But I discovery I have a winch under the back of a truck with the cable through the rear. I wrap a couple of turns of cable around the tank. Winch it down tight and then use a BIG pipe wrench with cheater handle if needed.

Kent

bc · Oct 24, 2009

Are they left handed or right handed threads? May have to cut one to find out.

sjh · Oct 24, 2009

Around me(western NY)steel is .0675 cents/lb. Brass is $1.36/ lb. Makes sence to me to remove them. Also some yards will not take a tank with the valve on.

rrlund · Oct 24, 2009

Could do like the Mythbusters did. They made an outfit to BREAK them off. Sent a tank right through a concrete block wall.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 24, 2009

If it's a high pressure oxygen cylinder, I think the supplier/manufacturer has to cut them up for scrap. I heard years ago that they have to be cut in 10 pieces so that there is absolutely no way that someone could weld them back together. You should check with a welding supply and also the scrap yard if they will accept them. Dave

Wardner · Oct 24, 2009

They make great chimes by varying the length and using the different diameters. I'll bet some college of music would love to have them.

RodinNS · Oct 24, 2009

Buddy of mine told me that a 10# sledge does an excellent job removing the valves. They practiced in shop class one day on a full one when the teach wasn't around...
That's what you call an UNguided missle. He remembers the whistle it made to this day, over 20 years later.

Rod

504-2 · Oct 24, 2009

The tanks are worth 250.00 a piece if they are 200 size, selling them for scrap is 100 per ton,tanks weigh about 80# each.

BSer · Oct 24, 2009

These tanks are JUNK.they are highly pitted and were sold to me by a welding supply.i'm a scrap dealer and want to process them safely. I appreciate the leads so far I just wondered why the valves wouldn't unscrew as easily as the propane tanks.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 25, 2009

The welding supply shouldn't have sold them to you before they were cut up. I realize you want to cut them up but I think it is a big offence to sell unsafe cylinders that could perceivably be made to look good for use. Maybe you have a special permit for scrapping old cylinders? They might have a special seal material since oxygen is usually 3000 psi or more. Propane is only about 250 psi max., I believe. Dave

Removing valves from oxygen tanks

BSer

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Kentb of SWMO

Well-known Member

bc

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sjh

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rrlund

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Anonymous-0

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Wardner

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RodinNS

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504-2

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BSer

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Anonymous-0

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