Reusing a Disposable Helium Tank

I had a couple helium tanks leftover from the kids' birthday parties, so I figured I'd take a whack at reusing them. Here's how to attach 1/4" OD tubing to one. From there, you can use it to store compressed gases (e.g. CO2, air).

Materials
Disposable helium tank (the ones I have are Balloon Time)
1/4" OD compression nut with insert
1/4" OD tubing
3/16" drill bit
5/16" drill bit
cutoff wheel
Teflon tape

Disclaimer: Author is not responsible for loss of life, limb or property. Author is not responsible for anything. In fact, author is completely irresponsible. I mean, you should see some of the stuff he gets up to. It's amazing he hasn't burned the house down yet. Don't listen to him. Seriously.

Step 1 Cutting

Remove the nozzle. Cut the connector off as close to the thread as possible. There should be a small plastic nib inside. Remove that.

Comments

[rich60]

I can't really see why you would want to refill this kind of tank anyway.

[Master Beorn]

I think I might have to make a Barbute helmet from one of these... There's an idea for my first instructable!

[kwhit190211]

I would never advise anyone to refill a sheet metal tank with any type of compressed gas. You making a bomb out of it for one thing. Just like some of the people above advised. But, I also did find a use for the tank. On my round as a ball charcoal grill. The charcoal holder finally went. So after cutting the top & the bottom off of the tank, I had the makings for the holder. I just needed some more metal to make up what I needed. And, anymore I don't throw to much away. And, if I do throw anything away it's shot!!

[allen_idaho]

I need to advise against reusing these tanks. They are constructed of thin walled sheetmetal and weren't designed to hold much pressure.

Overcharging one is very easy to do and can result in a catastrophic failure. If you are lucky, it will just crack and shoot off like a torpedo. If you are unlucky, it will explode killing you and whoever else is nearby.

Something similar happened in Florida about a week ago. A guy was taking a poorly manufactured oxygen cylinder to his car to go diving and it exploded, killing him instantly.

I highly recommend using thick walled steel cylinders instead.

[PaintingContractor]

Thanks posting this. These tanks have many uses, just seeing one more, thought I have seen everything, I learn something new every day.

Reminded me what I just recently saw. Was getting new tires on my truck, and new ones did not want to air up, even taking out valve stem, connecting air hose. Feller pulled out a similar tank with a 2" ball valve, air gauge, valve stem, and a 2' pipe coming out of ball valve. He aired up tank to about 100 psi, opened ball valve, shooting a massive amount of air near bead on tire which was on rim. Like a cannon of air, sealing bead to rim, thereby filling tire at the same time.

[Achan20]

if i may. you dont have to drill out the black plastic. take a wood screw and put it into the black plastic stopper and twist it in. (dont push too hard or it will get shoved back and you will have to drill out) then when you have a good grip take a pair of pliers and pull the screw and the plug out! im going to put some rustoleum in mine and swash it around. then dump it out to let it dry to prevent rusting. then put water in it and put it in the shed upside down for washing hands/ parts/ ect. lol. hope i helped. also thought about painting it blue and sticking it in the back of my car to look like nitro. lol.

[rbclima]

man ... i wouldt do it if i were u ... its a freaking BOMB hehehe be carefull or its gonna explode. this walls are very thin

[colorex]

HAHAHA
You should come to Ecuador, see what they do with them here!

They retrofit them with a compressor from an old fridge, and voilá you've got a compressor for spraypainting, filling tires, etc.

They split them in half vertically, add some legs, a grill from a fridge, and turn them into grills.

They split them in half and turn them into flowerpots...

ETC ETC ETC

Good Instructable!

[skincage]

I imagine you can also make a wee tongue drum out of one.

[cchubb]

That was my idea. I'll be taking pictures along the way, mayhaps to turn into an I'ble.

[coppeis]

How do you fill it up(re-fill it)?

[Mmatch]

Looks interesting ... thanks for sharing.

But can you help with a couple questions?

1. Why do you need to "Cut the connector off as close to the thread ..." ?
2. In other words, why isn't the drilling out the aperture enough?
3. What is the point/need for a "Countersink" afterward (1/4-inch deep)?

Maybe any closer (macro) views would explain these basic concerns in advance.

Bob
[e-mail]
Florida

[Mmatch]

Looks interesting ... thanks for sharing.

But can you help with a couple questions?

1. Why do you need to "Cut the connector off as close to the thread ..." ?
2. In other words, why isn't the drilling out the aperture enough?

Maybe any closer (macro) views would explain these basic concerns in advance.

Bob
[e-mail]
Florida

[struckbyanarrow]

My school throws these out after school dances but i never though anything of them, i cant wait for the day after the next dance!

[MadBricoleur]

Interestingly enough, I have the exact same helium tank and luckily brought it home from a party today in hopes that I could use it for something like this. Thanks :D

[bwpatton1]

You can also do this with propane cylinders

[kill-a-watt]

Awesome, another take is always good on those pesky one-way valves.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Air-Can-from-Empty-Refrigerant-Can/

[degroof]

Yeah, that looks like it's nearly identical to the valve on the helium tank. I've got one more sitting around. I might try grinding down the lip on that one, just to see what's inside.

[clemsonguy1125]

how do you put air in the can

[clemsonguy1125]

how do you fill them up what did you use to cut offf the nozzel

[Bad-dawg]

We like to pump 'em up to 150PSi with a compressor and take them shooting.... Hit one of these(from FAR away) with an '06 or 8mm round and watch the FUN!

[funoldman]

One should NEVER re-use a "disposable" cylinder. These cylinders such as "refrigerant" (R-12,R-22, etc) or "helium" are not meant to be refilled. The wall thicknesses are thin, and they are not coated on the inside to prevent rusting. Once the original material are gone, rust can begin. The empty tank should be rendered useless and then recycled as scrap steel or set out with the garbage. Most tanks will say not "re-usable" but might say recyclable. BE SAFE don't explode an old tank and kill someone.

[hanelyp]

Re-pressurizing a tank can fatigue it, especially if the tank isn't designed for reuse. Beware of catastrophic failure. The authors disclaimer is good advice here.

[DeimosOne]

I've got about 10+ empty CO2 tanks at work, Maybe I can make some use out of them now, instead of just throwing them in the storage room.

[GorillazMiko]

Good job. No, great job! This is very smart, but I just like tossing them high in an empty parking lot or something. (Of course, when they have nothing in them. Or do they still have some left?)

[jimmyb0nz]

I turned mine into a smoker/barbecue once. It got rusty from neglect but worked great!

[nanonano58]

nice :)