Removing a galvanised water tank from the attic

josip · 21-01-2014 11:53pm #1

The problem is that the tank is too big for the hatch and I don't want to start cutting the hatch.
Nor do I want to use an angle grinder in such an enclosed tinder dry space.
I thought to use some acid (muriatic/HCl?) to cut it in half length-wise by repeatedly applying a weak solution along it.
I have lots of time and don't mind if it takes years and multiple applications

Am I mad?

Cerco · 21-01-2014 11:58pm

Buy a reciprocating saw, on sale in Lidl this week. They come with a blade for cutting metal. Buy a pair of goggles and heavy gloves. Good luck!

DublinDilbert · 22-01-2014 12:00am

Acid? someone was watching breaking bad over Christmas!

Just get a reciprocating saw with a decent blade and it will cut it no problem. Gloves are a must as it will be razor sharp. If you haven't got a reciprocating saw lidl/aldi sell them for nothing. Or even a Jig saw with a steel blade will do it. I've cut up 3 or 4 of these in the last few years with my aldi saw, not a bother to it.

It will be very dusty/noisy, so mask/gloves/goggles etc.. but should only take a minute or two.

CBYR1983 · 22-01-2014 9:09am

Would the cutting disk on an angle grinder do it? Is there a risk of fire though? I had the same issue, massive disused metal tank in attic, just left it in the end. I have since acquired an angle grinder though

phelixoflaherty · 22-01-2014 9:15am

Push it over into a corner and leave it there.

Turn it on its side as storage.

It's not like you are going to see it every day.

Fugget about it

Sir Arthur Daley · 22-01-2014 9:27am

The safest way now to cut up that tank is to get a portable compressor and an air hacksaw, it will do just to cut down the 4 corners and fold it in on its self and it should fit diagonally down the trap.

josip · 22-01-2014 11:01am

CBYR1983 wrote: »

Would the cutting disk on an angle grinder do it? Is there a risk of fire though? I had the same issue, massive disused metal tank in attic, just left it in the end. I have since acquired an angle grinder though

Anyone I've asked who should know these things say "under no circumstances go at it with an angle grinder"

Sir Arthur Daley · 22-01-2014 11:09am

josip wrote: »

Anyone I've asked who should know these things say "under no circumstances go at it with an angle grinder"

That old water tank has not much strength in it, a large metal work shears would cut it i imagine too, its like a giant scissors.

Guest0000 · 22-01-2014 8:27pm

A decent jigsaw, with a good metal blade or two, would be by far the safest way to cut it down..goggles and gloves a must.

jpb14 · 24-01-2014 12:48am

josip wrote: »

The problem is that the tank is too big for the hatch and I don't want to start cutting the hatch.
Nor do I want to use an angle grinder in such an enclosed tinder dry space.
I thought to use some acid (muriatic/HCl?) to cut it in half length-wise by repeatedly applying a weak solution along it.
I have lots of time and don't mind if it takes years and multiple applications

Am I mad?

Any way at all thatyou can get it out in 1 piece.These are worth a few quid on done deal and buy and sell as they make for nice garden features and for making small wildlife ponds.Youd sell it for 40 euro no problem.If you have to cut it then a sabre saw or jigsaw and a metal blade will be easiest and safest way to remove.

dodzy · 24-01-2014 1:02am

jpb14 wrote: »

Any way at all thatyou can get it out in 1 piece.These are worth a few quid on done deal and buy and sell as they make for nice garden features and for making small wildlife ponds.Youd sell it for 40 euro no problem.If you have to cut it then a sabre saw or jigsaw and a metal blade will be easiest and safest way to remove.

OP Already says its not possible to take down through opening in one piece.

And I'm still laughing at the acid and shears suggestions

Sir Arthur Daley · 24-01-2014 1:06am

dodzy wrote: »

OP Already says its not possible to take down through opening in one piece.

And I'm still laughing at the acid and shears suggestions

Care to tell us what's so funny about the shears suggestion?

jpb14 · 24-01-2014 1:18am

dodzy wrote: »

OP Already says its not possible to take down through opening in one piece.

And I'm still laughing at the acid and shears suggestions

Well if there is absolutely no way that the OP cannot get it out in one piece then my 2nd suggestion is the easiest and safest way then.Cut with sabre saw or jig saw and metal blade.
We got our old galvied water tank out of the attic via the velux window and then sold it for 45 quid on donedeal.

dodzy · 24-01-2014 9:20am

WikiHow wrote: »

Care to tell us what's so funny about the shears suggestion?

It may not be the strongest material on the planet, but there ain't no way you are going to get through it with device you suggested. Not a chance. Sabre saw with appropriate blade as mentioned by others is the easiest way in this situation.

Sir Arthur Daley · 24-01-2014 9:30am

dodzy wrote: »

It may not be the strongest material on the planet, but there ain't no way you are going to get through it with device you suggested. Not a chance. Sabre saw with appropriate blade as mentioned by others is the easiest way in this situation.

What thickness steel do you think a water tank is?

jack of all · 24-01-2014 12:25pm

A regular "tin snips" would struggle with one of those old water tanks, once you'd get 2 or 3" into the cut I think you'd give up! Sabre saw would be the easiest I'd say.

scudo2 · 24-01-2014 11:45pm

WikiHow wrote: »

Care to tell us what's so funny about the shears suggestion?

Acid !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG

rje66 · 25-01-2014 12:42am

josip wrote: »

The problem is that the tank is too big for the hatch and I don't want to start cutting the hatch.
Nor do I want to use an angle grinder in such an enclosed tinder dry space.
I thought to use some acid (muriatic/HCl?) to cut it in half length-wise by repeatedly applying a weak solution along it.
I have lots of time and don't mind if it takes years and multiple applications

Am I mad?

Why make a problem when there isn't one. As one post suggested just leave it there.
Simple.

corkgsxr · 25-01-2014 12:50am

Into the corner and forget. If you need that much space you need to clean out your attic

roy rodgers · 25-01-2014 12:51am

as a plumber i always say "well it been there for the last 40 years so it can say there for another 40 year" as far as im concerned

whizbang · 25-01-2014 2:29am

Its the €40 i'm laughing at.

josip · 25-01-2014 2:04pm

corkgsxr wrote: »

Into the corner and forget. If you need that much space you need to clean out your attic

Not an option unfortunately. There are 5 tanks up there all approaching their end of life and needing replacing. It's an apartment block attic space and there's only room to store 2 of them.

I only suggested acid because a builder firend had said it's always a problem and not to cut them up. He was probably only thinking of an angle grinder.

corkgsxr · 25-01-2014 2:24pm

josip wrote: »

Not an option unfortunately. There are 5 tanks up there all approaching their end of life and needing replacing. It's an apartment block attic space and there's only room to store 2 of them.

I only suggested acid because a builder firend had said it's always a problem and not to cut them up. He was probably only thinking of an angle grinder.

Sabre saw so. Low dust. No sparks

jpb14 · 25-01-2014 2:56pm

whizbang wrote: »

Its the €40 i'm laughing at.

45 euro actually.:D
Ones persons rubbish is another persons gold.

jpb14 · 25-01-2014 2:58pm

josip wrote: »

Not an option unfortunately. There are 5 tanks up there all approaching their end of life and needing replacing. It's an apartment block attic space and there's only room to store 2 of them.

I only suggested acid because a builder firend had said it's always a problem and not to cut them up. He was probably only thinking of an angle grinder.

A sabre saw and metal blade is the way forward so.You will fly through it in no time at all.Dont forget your PPE when using the sabre saw.Happy cutting.

dodzy · 26-01-2014 8:24am

WikiHow wrote: »

What thickness steel do you think a water tank is?

Don't have one to measure. I swapped out one in my fathers house several years back. Left it up there as no sabre saw at the time. Offered to cut it up later but plenty of room there so old man wasnt pushed. And I'm telling you, there is no way on this earth you'd get thru it with a snips.

josip · 26-01-2014 10:50am

dodzy wrote: »

And I'm telling you, there is no way on this earth you'd get thru it with a snips.

But what if you'd corroded a nice line over a few months with 5M Hydrochloric acid?

corkgsxr · 26-01-2014 12:18pm

At a guess there about 1.2mm galvanized.

Much to heavy for a snipps

gctest50 · 26-01-2014 12:47pm

corkgsxr wrote: »

At a guess there about 1.2mm galvanized.

Much to heavy for a snipps

Hire a nibbler ?

http://www.erento.co.uk/hire/tools-equipment/cutting-grinding/router-cutter/1730938757.html

.

corkgsxr · 26-01-2014 1:34pm

gctest50 wrote: »

Hire a nibbler ?

http://www.erento.co.uk/hire/tools-equipment/cutting-grinding/router-cutter/1730938757.html

.

I don't think they can deal with folded edges. Only flat sheet

Carpenter · 26-01-2014 2:56pm

Years ago we used a car jack and blocks of wood to break the corner joints and it worked perfect .

Removing a galvanised water tank from the attic

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