Can these be cut up safely?

I've got a couple of 275 gallon fuel oil tanks in the basement and am wondering if I can cut them with angle grinder without them exploding. What do these usually weigh?

Here is a post talking about the weight and some other uses for them
http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/day-l...oil-tanks.html

I was always told anything that contains or contained a fuel or combustible should be drained and filled with water or other noncombustible while cutting to avoid spark. For smaller capacity items sand works as well. I have used it on items like vehicle gas tanks. Since they are getting cut up a little extra dirt wont hurt anything anyways.

I would suggest a plasma or stick welder if you use sand to prevent premature wear on any blades.

I would personally see a tank like this having better repurposing / resale value than scrap personally. People have used them in the past to make rocket stoves or barrel stoves since most are heavier metal. I have also heard of them being modified into furnaces for melting scrap for casting.

The few that I have encountered are around 1/4 inch thick which would make it very ineffective and time consuming to try to use a cut off wheel on a angle grinder.

I've used a grinder to cut several of them in two. I've had them smoke but never catch fire although I suppose they could. If they did, they'd just burn out the fuel oil. Depending on how much it might take awhile. If you're wanting to keep have something on hand to suppress a fire don't use water.

I drain all the oil I can, Then use Milwaukee Torch SawZall blades to cut in half.
Old towels / rags to clean out the sledge

If this is a conversion from Oil to Gas
Be sure to remove the fill tube from the wall, Both inside and outside BEFORE cutting and removing the tank as
Every year someone gets 200 plus gallons of heating oil delivered to their Basement / Cellar floor

A lot of towns have permits that have to be pulled so the work can be inspected and they are sure the tanks were disposed of properly

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...233534701.html << From 2013

http://nypost.com/2012/12/27/brookly...messy-mistake/ << From 2012

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/lo...101417664.html << From 2010

There are Many MANY more
But you get the jest of it

I have cut a couple with receprocating saws just fine. I saved one from my last haul that i am building a bbq out of it. I would say you would be fine just be careful

I guess it wouldn't be like cutting a gas tank. Fuel oil doesn't explode like gas does,(if anyone read my post on my mistake of cutting gas tanks). I have used a torch before, but be sure to rinse out the tank good. Saw saw will work good too. I wouldn't recomend using a grinder, too much time and wear wheel out too easily.

I have only cut two, but found a circular saw with the right blade much faster.

Fill it with water & detergent and cut them full.

What happens is, when you use grinder you add heat to the metal. Any oil on it will evaporate fulling the tank with flamable fumes.
That's when they explode.

Oil gets caught in seams and welds.

A few days ago there was a thread from someone who got really badly hurt opening a fuel tank.

I had a car sitting on its belly. No wheels.
I cut thru the fuel tank straps with a grinder. Nicked the tank.

BOOM

Blew the tanks cap off and into a hedge 7 foot off the ground.
The tank expanded 6 inches and lifted the whole car upwards.

I got before and after photos.