After reading Armands post I'm wondering if I should not go ahead and order up a new 30 gallon tank for this thing?! I had no intention of welding on the tank until Frank suggested it. I know about the dangers, but figured since it was surrounded by an enclosre of 1X4" staggered boards and a roof that they would break most of the energy should it let loose. It's also out in the driveway away from an area where people hang out. Not near any work or play areas.
So, what I did was flip the tank over, took me a good 5 minutes to find the hole it was so small. Took a dental pick, yes a real fine dental pick, and stuck it in the hole and pushed as hard as I could. I could not force the hole to enlarge at all. Next I took a 1/16" drill bit and drilled the hole out. The metal surrounding the hole was at least 1/16" thick and shiny with a slight layer of rust on the inside. I sanded off the paint, no grinding. I put a slight countersink in it to remove the burrs from drilling. Next I took a piece of mild steel I have that looks about the same thickness as the tank, Drilled a hole in it and prepped it the same as the tank. I test welded it and checked for penetration. looked good, I welded the hole in the tank, Ended up with small hump weld with a slight dish at the center. Exactly the same as the test weld. I did not grind or otherwise try to dissguise the weld. Tank is originally red, so I painted the weld satin black.
Anyone want to tell me what the chances are that I did enough welding on the tank that it will actually explode? I know leaking again is only a matter of time. 18 years old is a lot of time on a tank. I did no plating or anything of that matter. I would bet the welder was on the tank for 5 seconds.
Thoughts, comments? No flaming please. I'm just trying to figure out what to do, if anything, with this.
Mark Price
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2006 21:50:51 -0500 Subject: Re: Tank Hole
What's a matter, don't trust my weld?
Don't worry It's surrounded by an enclosure, the weld is pointed towards New
York, Shouldn't travel that far if it blows!
Wait , what's that sound? Oh, it's a piece of weld flying towards New York,
Quick, under the desk, Look out!!!! :]
Mark Price
markprice242ATadelphia.net
Morgantown, WV