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Thread: Can I weld near gas tank???
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03-24-2008 #1
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Can I weld near gas tank???
I have some frame brackets that need to be welded near the rear end. Whats the safest way to weld near a gasoline tank in the car, maybe 8" away on the frame? No leaks in the tank and I would shield the tank and lines. Thanks
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03-24-2008 #2
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Can you drain it and let it air out with the cap off and then weld it the next day?
Better to be safe than burnt toast. I would hate to see something small turn into a disaster.Rick
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" Better to Be Lucky than Good "
03-24-2008 #3
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The safest way is to completely remove it. Draining it isn't always the safest way as the vapors in the tank not the fluid is what is most combustable. Less fuel = more vapor.
If you must, insure there are no leaks, cap all vent lines, shield the tank/lines from welding sparks and I like to put a fan near to pump fresh air into the area so fuel vapors will not collect.MrQuick ΜΟΛ'ΩΝ ΛΑΒ'Ε
03-24-2008 #4
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MrQuick, that's damn good info!
Letting a tank air out and assuming a tank is completely dry could create a more dangerous situation.Rick
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" Better to Be Lucky than Good "
03-24-2008 #5
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No problem. It all depends on how long you let it air out.
A friend of mine thought it would be safe to just empty it and go to town. It popped on him. Luckily it was a small boat tank.
Back in the day we would just fill it with water but that was gas and stick welding but I wouldn't recommend that for mig or tig.MrQuick ΜΟΛ'ΩΝ ΛΑΒ'Ε
03-24-2008 #6
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You're almost better off welding near a full tank than an empty one. As other people have said, it's the fumes that are flammable.
You'd be surprised how often we get away with welding near gas at work. We often set our Ranger 8's on fire, because we weld overhead and the sparks come down and hit the gas tank on the unit.
Mathius
03-24-2008 #7
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#1 fill tank and sheild with a welding blanket.
#2 remove tank....
#3 TIG weld with good ventalation. But not so much you lose your sheilding gas
03-25-2008 #8
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Thanks for the great tips!
03-25-2008 #9
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This thread reminded me of a video clip a friend emailed me. Not too pretty. Hope he's OK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlT9eSJZCCURick
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" Better to Be Lucky than Good "
03-26-2008 #10
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What A Dumb Ass!!
03-30-2008 #11
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You should also purge the tank with any inert gas(argon,C25).You can't start a fire without oxygen.
03-30-2008 #12
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Personal opinion....remove the tank.
Fire! Fire!
"Champagne taste on a beer pocket book."
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