Introduction: Waterproof Container From Little Propane Cylinder in 10 Minutes
I recently thought of this reuse idea after discarding numerous spent propane cylinders. I recycle a lot of metals instead of throwing in the landfill but the recycling plant will not take these for obvious reasons.
The containers are quick and easy to make and offer lots of different uses such as camp stoves, speaker enclosures, storing items, one more thing to put LED's in, etc.......
Disclaimer!
Make extremely sure propane bottle is completely empty before cutting! Once bottle is empty it still has enough residual to cause a potential explosion hazard. Make sure bottle is at room temp, depress valve to ensure there is no pressure. Then puncture a hole and place bottle as if you were draining liquid out, the residual will drain because propane is heavier then air.
Step 1: Gather Tools and Materals You Will Need
First thing is first, you will need these few items:
Small LP bottle with plastic base
File
Abrasive pad
Awl or sharp punch
Hammer
Hacksaw
Step 2: Remove Plastic Base
Since the plastic base is used as the top, remove this first so its not damaged when you are working with the bottle. The base is glued on with a dab of glue in the center. Lightly heat up the glue with a lighter if you cant remove it with your hands.
Step 3: Make the Bottle Safe
Make sure bottle is empty. A frozen bottle with small amount of LP will seem empty until thawed so make sure of that. Depress valve with awl to assure no pressure, If no pressure exists then go ahead and punch the hole. position bottle so hole is at lowest point and let sit for a few minuets.
Step 4: Cut Bottle in Half
To get a very straight rim simply follow the seam of the bottle with your hacksaw. Cut lightly to avoid distorting the shape of the bottle
Step 5: Clean Up Edges and Wash Out Inside and Your Done!
Take the file and gently clean up edge. use abrasive pad to dull the lip. Wash the inside with some dish soap and abrasive pad to get rid of rust and LP odor. Put your lid on and your done.
17 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
This sounds cool, but has anyone made them safe, and then used them to make a concrete wall, laying them up like bricks, with the pointy end ti the exterior, so that wood or fabric , or insulation could be attached easily? could make a small meditation hut, dog shelter, or... do y'all think this would work?
9 years ago on Introduction
has anyone ever tried to just pressurize them with air- possibly to be used with a repurpose fridge compressor to store air under constant pressure at around 60-120 p.s.i.???
9 years ago on Introduction
Fill adapter
http://www.harborfreight.com/propane-bottle-refill-kit-45989.html
12 years ago on Introduction
You can buy an adapter to refill these. You can refill them a few times before the valve gaskets / o rings begin to leak. That way, you can get a few extra uses out of these before trashing them or re-purposing them.
You fill them from a 20# or larger tank. I'm sure there will be warnings about safety concerns, but when refilling in this capacity, your larger tank won't refill these to the same pressurization as the original 1 lb tank held, so you are probably only going to encounter a leaky valve after filling as the worst case. If you leave the tank screwed onto an appliance with a valve, you can shut off the leak.
12 years ago on Introduction
I believe there is a schrader valve in the top where the propane comes out. You should be able to remove it with a valve core tool.
you know when you fill your bike tire with to much air, and you press that little metal piece under the cap. that is a schrader valve. and yes as Vadim said, a common way of making sure all the gas is out is by filling the container with water, otherwise big boom could be big ouch.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Please explain the safe procedure you use to fill the propane container with water. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to know. Thanks!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
well with one of these propane tanks, you would remove the schrader valve with a schrader valve tool and then just adding water through where you removed the valve.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! Off to get a shrader valve tool.
12 years ago on Introduction
maybe more water resistent than waterproof ( I wouldnt want to drop it in the pool with my camera inside) but a nice container
12 years ago on Introduction
Another.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Wow, thanks for all the awesome comments guys!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I used a free image editor, did "paste as new image", then "+gamma factor" three times until the result was satisfying, and then "save as". It is so easy and so useful!
12 years ago on Introduction
If you correct the gamma factor (+), you can see more details in that dark image.
12 years ago on Introduction
Cool, but... what is that you're using as a lid?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
It's the plastic base - see step 2.
12 years ago on Introduction
It's common practice to fill the bottle with water to garenty there is no gas left.
But nice.
12 years ago on Introduction
Very well done!