Ever cut an old Air compressor tank?

[Western]

I have a 15 year old 60 gal. Air compressor tank that the motor went out on. I was thinking of cutting open and maybe making a small BBQ smoker. I have not cut one and was curious how thick it might be?

Anyone ever cut one and have an idea of the general material thickness??

BTW, I can by a 28"x 3' piece of 3/8ths pipe for just over $100, so that is an option if the AC tank is thin walled.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a 15 year old 60 gal. Air compressor tank that the motor went out on. I was thinking of cutting open and maybe making a small BBQ smoker. I have not cut one and was curious how thick it might be?

Anyone ever cut one and have an idea of the general material thickness??

BTW, I can by a 28"x 3' piece of 3/16 pipe for just over $100, so that is an option if the AC tank is thin walled.

good question...have no idea. but the shape is just right for a nice smoker or bbq.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a 15 year old 60 gal. Air compressor tank that the motor went out on. I was thinking of cutting open and maybe making a small BBQ smoker. I have not cut one and was curious how thick it might be?

Anyone ever cut one and have an idea of the general material thickness??

BTW, I can by a 28"x 3' piece of 3/16 pipe for just over $100, so that is an option if the AC tank is thin walled.

good question...have no idea. but the shape is just right for a nice smoker or bbq.

Air compressor tank as smoker? - The BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS.

https://www.google.com/search?q=air...essor+tank+bbq&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

 

[George2615]

I cut up a 60 gallon air tank for scrap quite a few years ago. If I remember right it was only about 1/8"-3/16" thick. It was an old tank and the owner never blew down the tank so condensation rusted out the bottom of the tank.

 

[Western]

3/16ths would do in a pinch I suppose since the fire would be in another box. Would hate to run it just to find it was 1/8th.

 

[k0ua]

3/16ths would do in a pinch I suppose since the fire would be in another box. Would hate to run it just to find it was 1/8th.

I think it will be closer to 1/8 than 3/16. and it will be rusty inside. Drill a small hole in it to see, then weld it shut.

 

[Shield Arc]

For some reason:confused3: I was thinking they are only 10-GA.

 

[sparc]

There should be some info on the tank as to what code it is built to.
With a little research you should be able to find out without damaging
the tank or even easier just call the manufacturer and ask them.

 

[Reyer Farms]

I'd buy the. 375 wall pipe. It will be Cadillac for BBQ grill.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have a 15 year old 60 gal. Air compressor tank that the motor went out on. I was thinking of cutting open and maybe making a small BBQ smoker. I have not cut one and was curious how thick it might be?

Anyone ever cut one and have an idea of the general material thickness??

BTW, I can by a 28"x 3' piece of 3/8ths pipe for just over $100, so that is an option if the AC tank is thin walled.

Buy the pipe, it will last longer than you live. The air tank is probably no thicker than 1/8" minus the layeer of rust.

Ron

 

[CNC Dan]

Anyone ever cut one and have an idea of the general material thickness??

Check on youtube for user ChuckE2009. He has a few vids showing the cutting of tanks for BBQs.

Or unscrew one of the inspection ports and use your finger and thumb to feel how thick it is.
Or if you can get a small visegrip C-clamp into the port, you can adjust it so that it just touches, and then take them out and measure the gap.

But remember, the bottom will be thinner due to rust.

 

[Bird]

I've never cut one, but didn't we have a thread on TBN in the past in which someone said there's a possibility of an explosion danger due to oil that migrated from the compressor into the tank?

 

[Western]

Did a search on the web last night, seems there are BBQ forums and many guys have made them out of compressor tanks. I have read that tanks run the gamut from 1/8"-over 1/4", but seriously doubt this one is on the "thick side". I may go ahead and remove the motor, tank was only in service for about 2 years, may be able to get a caliber in some how .

If the tank is over 1/8", it should be fine for smoking since the firebox is a separate chamber (still has to take up to 300* without warping.)

I may just save the tank, could always run it parallel to my 80 gal Ingersol Rand and just buy the heavy pipe. I like working with heavier metal anyway. I was just curious after having to move it yet again yesterday:laughing:

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you cut it with a zip disc on your grinder, it shouldn't warp at all regardless of thickness. I too suspect it is about 1/8" thick just based on the size of welds on it, but that is plenty thick for a BBQ pit with a separate fire box. Schedule 40 pipe is going to be heavy to move around so light wall would be an advantage in that respect.

 

[Western]

Gary, that is what I was thinking as well, shouldn't be exposed to to much heat over 300*. I would use my plasma for the cutting, I would be more worried about the warping (flex) under cooking heat situation. I may try to get a look inside over the weekend.