Acetylene Tank-Can it be cut open?

[peoplespontiac]

I bought an Acetylene Tank, that had been in a fire and discarded at
scrap metal dealer. Took it home and removed the valve, the tank was
"empty". The neck of the tank had a small wire mesh strainer with the
rest of the tank filled with a "concrete like" susbstance. There is an
odour of what seems to be Acetone. The valve is off and two small bolts
in the bottom of the tank have been removed.

Question: Is there any safe way, that this tank can be cut into two
pieces?

Many Thanks for your advise!!!!

[RJ]

"peoplespontiac" <dave9...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:1161226606.8...@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...

That concrete like substance is balsa wood or something similar, the tank
originally being filled with acetone, the acetylene being dissolved in the
liquid. There should be no broblem in cutting the tank, if you want to be
very safe, use an air chisel. These tanks are quite thin. As always, the
advice you get is worth as much as you you have paid.

[R. Zimmerman]

The small "bolts" on the bottom were likely the fusible pugs that melted out
in the fire.
I'd fill it with water as much as possible then cut it with a cutting
disc on an angle grinder. The water would push any trace amounts of acetone
vapour out and keep oxygen out of the tank. The filler inside the tank
could be Fullers Earth or some other clay like inert material.
The water will dribble out as you make your cut. Position the tank and
your cut to leave the maximum amount of water in as you proceed. I have
used this method with propane tanks.
An ideal method would be to put it on a large shop bandsaw.
I am sure the scrap dealer was happy to see you take that item away.
Randy

"peoplespontiac" <dave9...@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
news:1161226606.8...@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...

[peoplespontiac]

Thanks too both posters your advise was very helpful. The tank was
successfully cut...your suggestions were greatly appreciated.

Dave