Attention all pigsters

[toolaholic]

Please help with pros and cons on the choice of propane tank Vs. freon.

Does the freon make a better looking Hog? Tanks Tool

[Bill C2]

Tool,

To prep the Freon tank all you need to do is drill out the four spot welds that hold the handle on and cut off the valve. Propane tank has the top and bottom ring mig welded on and will take a lot more work to remove. Also cleaning out the propane tank will take much more time.

Bill

[toolaholic]

Tanks Bill.All I have to do is walk down the hill from My shop. A huge recycling center is right next door. I love the copper wings. Can You share ,how You crafted them ?

[mnt]

freon

I have only done a couple, but I completely agree with BillC2. The freon tank is so easy to prep. I would be nervous cutting into and welding on a propane tank. I know it can be cleaned out, but I would be bummed if it wasn't cleaned out enough. So I'll just avoid it for now.

Good Luck

[Bill C2]

Tool,

The wings are cut from scrap and all paint removed. The feathers are weld beads. Power wire brush until as clean as you can get them. After this do not handle w/o rubber gloves.
I then clean with acetone to remove any oil I may have transferred before putting on the gloves. Dip in Easy Plate for about 3 seconds, remove and rinse with clean water. Dry with heat gun. This is the copper wash (very thin copper coating) and will rust unless dried.
Use Easy Torch to get the bluish color.

Easy Plate and Easy Torch from www.metallicfinishes.com

Bill

[toolaholic]

Thanks Bill, are the wings copper or patina ??

[Bill C2]

Tool,

Very thin copper coating on steel.

Bill

[usmcpop]

Now, who is going to be the first one to put in a little propane/butane flame thrower so a flying pig breathes fire through its nostrils? It's time to take these to the next level

[metalmeltr]

Are the valves on propane tanks right or left hand threaded, the thread where the valve screws into the tank?

[mnt]

don't know

I am not sure, I have only made a couple pigs and after I couldn't get the first one to budge, I took a slicing disk to it. 5 seconds of work and call it done. That is my suggestion, unless you need a cleaner look or want to keep the valve for something. I put the nose over where the valve was, so it doesn't have to be too nice.

[metalmeltr]

Here is the delima, it is a propane tank notfreon so I can't use n abrasive disk or a torch, I am soaking it in WD-40 but I need to get some better penatrant, any sugestions, I am thinking I will get a can of liquid wrench and pb blaster.

[migwelder05]

Are the valves on propane tanks right or left hand threaded, the thread where the valve screws into the tank?

right handed threads. just turn them counter clock wise

[valenciapoultry]

Right handed threads. I've taken off a few, what works best for me is to put 1" pipe about 3' long through the holes on the top shroud, this will keep the tank from trying to turn. Then use a pipe wrench to remove the valve. You will probably need a cheater bar. I use dish soap and a few rolls down the hill to wash it out.

[metalmeltr]

Right handed threads. I've taken off a few, what works best for me is to put 1" pipe about 3' long through the holes on the top shroud, this will keep the tank from trying to turn. Then use a pipe wrench to remove the valve. You will probably need a cheater bar. I use dish soap and a few rolls down the hill to wash it out.

It work I finally got it lose with vise grips and a cheeter bar. Now I am washing it out to get out the propane fumes.

[usmcpop]

If you are looking to get rid of the ethyl mercaptan odorant smell, a rinse with some diluted Chlorox is said to work. Of course be sure to vent it well anyway, or fill entirely with water when rinsing.

If it is to be used for a pressure tank, some do another rinse with vitamin C and finally deionized water to remove any residual hypochlorite that may cause rusting.