Welding On 100 lb Propane Tank Questions

[Iplayfarmer]

Well, it's obvious that I pissed a lot of people off here by posting about the copyright on my fire pits and I'm sorry if you feel I was out of line in the way that I went about it.

I've got to hand it to you. Posting back with your follow-up explanation took a lot of brass, and I respect you a lot for it. A lesser man would have cut his losses and run from what I saw as a true to life first class flame job going on in this thread. My opinion of you changed after reading your second post.

This could be the beginning of a great relationship. It's obvious from your website that you've got a lot of talent and experience, and that you could have a lot to offer a group like this. Hopefully you can come to see this group for the resource for ideas and support that it can be and less of a threat to your success.

There are a number of members on this site with an entrapraneurial spirit who I'm sure empathize with your concerns. You'll find that for the most part, members on TBN will respect your rights. Those who don't, probably wouldn't be helped anyway.

Welcome to TBN! Please look around and let's help each other.

 

[dynasim]

I gotta say that I am not that impressed with his followup.

Firepits made from propane tanks with a decorative edge are not original, unique, nor any advancement to society.....

EXCEPT for the artistic component.

Threatening to sue someone when there is no basis for a lawsuit is economic terrorism.

He has no right to a monopoly, nor the right to make monopolistic profits, on such a concept. There are other "artists" in the US.

My advice is to him would be to get good at all the things necessary to make a business work(procurement, manufacuring, logistics, marketing, brand development, etc) and eliminate the incentive(monopolistic prices) for someone to build these beyond our borders by lowering the prices. Otherwise, he will be toast as soon as his business gets big enough to make it worthwhile to take.

What his actions and threats do is ensure that his competitors will be foreign, rather than domestic.

Chris

 

[excelagator]

Ok got a backyard engineering question.........

What size shaft would you use for axles in this thing. I have to get some pillow block bearings. I thought 1" soild for the axles, but I am thinking 100 gallons = 800 lbs for water allow that is a bit small???

Dan

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Not being a metal expert but I would think 1" would be over kill. With the caveat of how you run it and rod type. Soft iron rod would be a little weak compared to a rod made of hardened metal. Hardened truck axles are in the 1" range. As a matter of fact maybe use an old truck axle if it is long enough. Are you going completely through the tank from one end to the other with the axle? Or just welding stub axles on the end of the tank? I am sure smarter folk than me can better direct you. Just as an after thought why not pack it with concrete or sand. Water is 8lbs to the gallon where sand or concrete is a good bit heavier. Unless of course you want to drain the beast to move it often.

 

[excelagator]

Thanks Tree monkey,

I was going to just weld stub axles on and not through the tank. The top side has a good bit of metal there. The bottom is not. I could get weld a few gussets to reinforce the axle to the tank.

Dan

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Don't forget to take pictures of the project then.

 

[wowbw7]

I built a similar lawn roller last year out of a propane tank I found out in the trees. I drilled a 3/4 inch hole in the center of both ends, stuck a 3/4 cold rolled rod thru the holes, and welded it solid (and watertight) to the tank on both ends with about 6 inches sticking out each end. for pillow blocks, i used blocks of UHMW plastic i bought on Ebay for cheap. 3/4 inch hole in the center, and two 5/16 inch holes to mount them to the frame and voila...pillow blocks. put a flat washer on the outside of the block on each end, with a pin thru the 3/4 rod to keep the tank centered and there ya go. i don't know the gallonage of the tank, (16" diameter, 4-1/2' long) but full of water it works perfectlyto compress dirt after reseeding. that UHMW polymer is some tough stuff, but easy as wood to work with. cut, drill, with wood working tools, but the stuff wears like iron. no problems so far......

 

[excelagator]

Boy you guys are hard sells! I will out a soild shaft through.

Treemonkey,
I will get pics up for ya!

Dan

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Hey this is your baby do it how you want that's part of the fun. . Going with the shaft through the whole thing might be tougher to get a water proof seal wouldn't it? So how long is a 100lb tank?

 

[GinNB]

Rod is cheap- go with a shaft all the way through. It's a LOT stronger than two stubshafts welded to the side and you won't have to worry about runout (wobbles) when the shaft travels through the pillow blocks. Also, 1" solid mild steel is none too strong (IMHO) for an 800lb roller, especially if there's much of a gap between the side of the roller and the bearings. It'd last a while for mild use, but it wouldn't cost that much more for something that survive the occasional "ooops" moment.