Frank ! Hey man use an old Pipefitter trick ! Take some adding machine/cash register paper, and make a wrap completely all the way around. Overlap it on top, make a straight cut across the paper. Now you have the exact circumference reference, fold it in half, and half again ! Make a small cut on each corner, then unfold. You now have quarter reference points on the wrap paper !

@SmokerBuilder

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks bro! That's a great idea!

@davidrios8872

3 жыл бұрын

@@SmokerBuilder yeup thats what many welders to when taking a branch test. if no pamphlets are available

thanks for sharing your knowledge

Brilliant video thank you 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Good video on how to get a pretty straight guide to gut on. I'm planning on splitting one completely in half and making a fire pit with cooking grate

Great vid

beautiful cut

,, watching and learning thank you

Thanks for the info!

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

No problem buddy!👊

Good job Frank.

@SmokerBuilder

6 ай бұрын

Thanks man!

Today! Just did this to a 500 gallon propane tank...making that initial cut was high pucker factor! Great tips, thanks for the video. Frank is one of those guys you wish you had as a neighbor, you can just tell he is good people for sure...wait a minute, KZread actually makes us neighbors :-) Great content, keep it coming!

@SmokerBuilder

2 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks bro!!

Good video

I'm just starting my first propane smoker build, and stumbled upon this amazing, very informative video. I truly was at a loss at how to begin, especially with the first cut on a newly bled 500 gallon propane tank. You guys are amazing thanks so much!!!

@SmokerBuilder

6 ай бұрын

Thanks brother! Really glad the video helped you 👍

@rodneycollins7130

6 ай бұрын

If you don't mind me asking, what size firebox should i put on it?

@SmokerBuilder

6 ай бұрын

@@rodneycollins7130 There’s a little more to it than just the firebox size. Here’s a couple things that can help you get everything right. Our free calculator at bbqpitcalculator.com We also have lots of plans for 500 gallon smokers at smokerplans.net

Thanks that is helpful

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped buddy!😊

As someone who is just starting there journey in building a pit. Your videos are the most informative and educational. Thanks for putting this content up for us to learn from. Regards from down in Australia.

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

We absolutely love making these videos to help others with their builds! Thank you for the feedback buddy!

Laser line level would do you wonders my friend. Love your channel. I've learned a lot.

@twestgard2

3 жыл бұрын

My thought also. Of course you have to put more effort into leveling the tank. But yeah, probably easier overall.

@SmokerBuilder

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!! It really does make a huge difference!

Making smokers at the trailer park with the bois ! Man I loved your video, thanks for sharing the tips !

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

No problem buddy! 🥩😃🍻

I'm in a hurry to cut a hole in the tank. I'm just going to use a oxyacetylene torch quick , so I'm going to skip the water part. 💥☠️ Bad idea😂. Do it right or not at all. Good video & thanks for sharing some safety ideas.

I like how happy you were when you said she was wrong 😄

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah buddy! 😂 😂 😂

Calculator on phones come very useful. Now I want to cut the old propane tank laying around and turn it into a barbeque grill with caster wheels.

Great video! I watched several of your videos now and learn something new every time! I was really hoping you were gonna cut with the plasma cutter. I don’t have a Metabo, but I do have a plasma. Do I need to be concerned about water getting on my torch head?

@SmokerBuilder

4 жыл бұрын

hey buddy! Ya need to be careful for sure but really no worries other than making sure all your grounds are good, staying out of the water puddle, and quicker wear on your consumables. When I do this I start at the bottom and work up vertically to prevent water from running down on the tip.

While I appreciate all the hard work with the torpedo level it would save you so much time to use a laser line after finding center on top and on side... I pan on building one and as I watched your video I couldn't help but think the laser would help so much!

With your skillset and availability of tanks and fabrication tools have you considered building a biomass gasifier?

Also I plan on using my pneumatic air powered cut off wheel

Frank can you revisit this and make another video that shows cutting the end off with the plasma cutter? I'm building a 250 gallon tank smoker soon and am trying to get a plan of attack.

@SmokerBuilder

2 жыл бұрын

Adding it to the list bro!!

So I have a very old 1000 gal tank an want to cut off ends for fire pit how do I cut them off? Fill up with water then cut with water in them?

At about the 8:14 mark what size tank is that behind you. The larger one with the paint stripped off.

Starting at the bottom does water leaks out before you are done cutting? Since you have such a large cut pressure is not longer a issue?

So on my 250 gallon tank I need to cut the end in the middle since I am not going to have a baffle in it. ??

I like to make a starting cut with a cutoff wheel and the use a sawzall with a good quality metal blade to cut the rest. I have had a few wheels blow up on me and I hate changing my pants after.

@SmokerBuilder

6 ай бұрын

Got to watch that. Run out of pants after while lol. Thanks buddy

I've been following these videos building my own smoker. Had a 500g layin around. Do you burn out the tanks after you do this cut for the firebox? Or is it generally safe after that?

@SmokerBuilder

Жыл бұрын

Once you get a hole in it you’ll be safe to do the whole build!

So if you were just cutting the wedge out for a regular firebox, once you get the cut made and the water drains out then your pretty well in the clear for safety right.

@SmokerBuilder

4 жыл бұрын

I do recommend back purging until the whole wedge is cut out. On this tank I did not back purge since it was a brand new unused tank pretty much. Like we always say it’s better to get tanks that the valves are already removed on, but on tanks where they’re freshly decommissioned I recommend back purging with CO2 as you cut. Until the wedge is completely out. Then it’s safe to do whatever with them

@travischiasson4800

3 жыл бұрын

@@SmokerBuilder If you buy a decomissioned tank with valves already removed, would you still fill with water before cutting? I just picked up a 250 gallon decomissioned with valves pulled. I plan on putting it in some furniture dollies with wheels up so I can freely turn the tank, wasn't sure if the valve opening to the ground would be enough

@kansascitysmoked6263

3 жыл бұрын

That’s what I was going to ask. I picked up 3 150 gallon tanks that have been sitting at a tank supplier in their salvage side of the yard. All valves have been removed. I’ve filled it up 2x with soapy water to be sure. First time I dumped it out there was a little gas in the water. Second time good to go.

Where can I get a tank like that

Hello i am building a smoker from a old air tank. When cutting the top of the door, the metal is crimped inward along its entire length, but especially in the middle of the door at the top. How can i correct that in any way?

@marcanthony9963

3 жыл бұрын

Check out Allens Welding... Hes got a good technique

Can you do a video on cutting it open with a plasma cutter I would like to see one

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

We will plan to do one in the future.

@joelmcewen248

3 жыл бұрын

I’m interested in that too. Wondering about the water factor when using the plasma cutter?

I've seen other videos and they add a gallon of dish soap . What do you think about adding it ? Good or not needed ?

@twestgard2

3 жыл бұрын

The dish soap reduces the surface tension of the water, which allows it to soak into small spaces where plain water would leave a bubble of oil or gas. The result of that will be to drive more flammable material up to the top of the tank where it can flow out before you cut. A little goes a long way with dish soap, especially if you dribble it in so it’s mixed well, so a gallon seems like overkill to me, but for a buck or two you can mix in a bottle of dish liquid and get more gunk out. Seems like a bargain to me.

@elir9711

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the info. I've never cut a tank and I want to do it the right way. ✅

How long did it take to fill that tank full of water?

@SmokerBuilder

4 жыл бұрын

30 minutes or less

@SDSBBQs

4 жыл бұрын

@@SmokerBuilder Thanks

How do you attach a round propane tank fire box to the a propane tank?

@SmokerBuilder

2 жыл бұрын

Be watching! I’ll be doing that video on the next Build! 1000 Gallon coming up next

@TOMVUTHEPIMP

Жыл бұрын

Make a scribe.

you need try center finder with built in level an center punch lol

@SmokerBuilder

2 жыл бұрын

For sure!

Hey Frank, can I get the model # of your Metabo?

What kind of level is that?

What is the name of the angular measurement tool?

@SmokerBuilder

4 жыл бұрын

it is a center Head square.

Or we could just drop them off for you to cut for us😂. Somethings are better left to professionals.

I have seen were a shop vac was used to force extra air into the tank to push out any extra fumes and disrupt the air while u cut open the tank have u seen or tried this method any thoughts

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

I do not recommend using air to purge with since it is lighter than propane. the best thing to use is CO2

How much is a 750gallon offset smoker?

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

Give us a call or send us a PM and we can get all of that information to you!

Have you ever built or seen a ball shaped propane tank / smoker ?

Is it safe for me to fill the gas tank with water for a few days and drain the water out of it and then make my cuts?

@SmokerBuilder

11 ай бұрын

It’s not, unless you back purge with CO2. The propane in the tank is not the only concern. The ethyl mercaptan is also very flammable. It will also explode if it is vaporized and sits in the bottom in liquid form. When you empty the water from the tank air goes in to replace it. Once air enters you risk having the correct oxygen/fuel mixture which is what causes the explosion

@salbrown5990

11 ай бұрын

I thank you sir for your reply. I will make sure I keep the water in it while I am making my cuts. Again sir, I sincerely thank you.

You save money and safer if you levelled it off the tank instead of the legs. Why its moving on you and breaking disks on you by pinching.

After you fill the tank with water why do you believe there is any danger????? Could you not just fill, drain and cut the empty tank?

@shanebrown7412

9 ай бұрын

Nope! The oils and odorants in the tank are very flammable as well! Been there done that!!! 😂😂😂

can i buy a tank cut already and where you are located i am in Michigan

@SmokerBuilder

3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately we do not sell tanks.

He: tries to calculate quarters of the circumference in imperial... Me: learning chinese must be easier... Anyway, thnx for the vid and ideas...

Is there a way to do the math without all the numbers?

There called Cuttoff wheels not slicer wheel

@JeepITguy

6 ай бұрын

It's called "They're", not "there"

I’m about to make a pit out of a 120gallom water tank from a concrete mixer.

Plasma all day everyday.

i cut one last week with a battery saw saw. NEVER AGAIN. just saying.

Just be better to buy a tank that's never had butane in it ...if it's possible......