Looking for suggestions on a project

[Rams]

First, you need to know that my spouse (bless her heart) loves wind chimes.
Second, I made a mistake, I showed her a video of a set of wind chimes made from old Oxygen and Acetylene bottles.  (They do sound pretty cool.)

So now, guess what I'm trying to build.............

I've located some different gas cylinders, but I can't tell if they are full or empty, the valves are frozen.  These bottles are no longer in use and pretty old.
In order to build this set of windchimes, the bottles must have the bottom of the cylinders cut off.   I have access to a horizontal band saw but, I'm not willing to just put a bottle on it and start cutting.

Looking for suggestions on how to ensure these bottles are empty prior to doing anything.

Scroll down a ways, you can hear the things 1/2 mile away.
https://www.pirate4x4.com/t...nk-question.1429770/

https://www.pirate4x4.com/threads/oxygen-tank-question.1429770/

It has been suggested that I just shoot the valves off, I'm not that good of a shot from a distance now and I'm sure as hell not doing it from up close.   It's also been suggested I simply drill a hole in the brass valve body.   This also doesn't seem like a good idea.   Maybe drill the oxygen bottle but that acetylene bottle may not appreciate my efforts.   Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rams

[..]

You can hear the things 1/2 mile away.

I hope your nearest neighbor is 3/4 of a mile away.

[Valkorado]

No suggestions, but I am curious why your recent projects have the potential to blow your dang fool head off?

<Disclaimer: Kidding about the dang fool part, it was not intended or meant to be construed as a personal attack.>

[Rams]

You can hear the things 1/2 mile away.

I hope your nearest neighbor is 3/4 of a mile away.

Not quite that far away but, I'll check to ensure anyone within hearing distance is upset by the chimes.   All of my neighbors that have commented on my wife's chimes have had complimentary comments.   If'n, they don't like it, they can always be taken down.

Rams

[John Schmidt]

I once heard of a guy that got tired of his wife's chimes hanging near the kitchen window, but could be heard all hours of the night throughout the house. One day out of frustration he opened the window and blasted it with his 12ga shotgun. The chimes were never replaced! At our house, after reading about that I simply told my wife that I don't have a shotgun. When the support strings finally broke, they were never replaced.  

[old2soon]

      The O2 cylinder should have a heat sensitive thingy right there on the valve. It's supposed to release the tank pressure in a fire or some such to prevent that O2 cylinder from blowing up and creating shrapnel. Under the valve handle Should be a square drive brass shaft. Put some gentle torque both ways open and close. DO NOT Under ANY Circumstances use WD40 or penetrating oil or ANY hydrcarbons on the O2 valve EVER. Pure Oxygen and ANY hydrocarbons have REALLY BAD interactions when placed together!   Far as the acetelene tank goes I've got NADA But there is a liquid in that tank that has an affinity for the acet gas. Good Luck with yer project. Let us here know the when of the work startin and I'll look up the compass direction from here to there and look for the small mushroom cloud!   Just funnin ya a bit!   RIDE SAFE.

[carolinarider09]

I think I was told once that acetylene tank had a spongy interior to hold the gas.  Cutting that tank's bottom off would allow that stuff to "fall" out which may or may not be a chemical hazard. 

Just a thought. 

[Rams]

No suggestions, but I am curious why your recent projects have the potential to blow your dang fool head off?

<Disclaimer: Kidding about the dang fool part, it was not intended or meant to be construed as a personal attack.>

As I mentioned in another thread, when it's my turn, folks should be aware in advance so they can take cover.   Going out in a blaze of glory is the only way to go.  Although, there is a possibility the COVID vaccination is responsible, I am blaming it on my recent addiction to Orange ya know.

 BTW, no offense taken, all of these projects have been to please my wife.   What I find interesting is with every project, she increases my life insurance.   She already knows I won't go up on the roof, heights are not my favorite place to be.   Hmm, surely it's just coincidental.  Ya think..................

[Rams]

     The O2 cylinder should have a heat sensitive thingy right there on the valve. It's supposed to release the tank pressure in a fire or some such to prevent that O2 cylinder from blowing up and creating shrapnel. Under the valve handle Should be a square drive brass shaft. Put some gentle torque both ways open and close. DO NOT Under ANY Circumstances use WD40 or penetrating oil or ANY hydrcarbons on the O2 valve EVER. Pure Oxygen and ANY hydrocarbons have REALLY BAD interactions when placed together!   Far as the acetelene tank goes I've got NADA But there is a liquid in that tank that has an affinity for the acet gas. Good Luck with yer project. Let us here know the when of the work startin and I'll look up the compass direction from here to there and look for the small mushroom cloud!   Just funnin ya a bit!   RIDE SAFE.

Good info, thanks.   If I get that far, I'll let you know or, if you see that flash of light in the distance, you'll know.

I think I was told once that acetylene tank had a spongy interior to hold the gas.  Cutting that tank's bottom off would allow that stuff to "fall" out which may or may not be a chemical hazard. 

Just a thought. 

Hmm, that might be good to know also.   As I said to O2S, will report back if I get that far in the project.   While I may do some silly things, I try to not be stupid about it. 

Rams

[Jess from VA]

There must be something better than old oxygen and acetylene tanks for wind chimes.

They may sound cool if the wind gets strong enough but they will look like hillbilly crap hanging in the trees (IMHO).

But if you insist, just set the tanks up 40-50 yards out and shoot each with a .30 cal rifle.  Once each... if you are not blind (or a trigger jerker).   As always beware of what is beyond them.  Forget the valves, just go for center mass.  It's not like you will change the tone of the tanks much, if at all, with a hole in them).  Then, over time, the yellow jackets can move into the holes.  Or duct tape the holes, for a nice look.

.223 if you have some M855 steel core penetrators.  (often called green tip)


As an attorney, I must ask, do you have life insurance, and is your wife the beneficiary, and how often does she come up with dangerous projects for you to perform?        I'm just askin'  

EDIT:  (your more recent post was while I was typing this, glad you already thought of it)

[Patrick]

See, I wouldn't think twice about drilling a small hole in either. I'd just keep the drill bit flooded. Maybe thats why I'm all burnt and scarred up. 


They have to be some big-ass chimes !  Almost like something from a Tibetan Monastery.

[Rams]

There must be something better than old oxygen and acetylene tanks for wind chimes.

They may sound cool if the wind gets strong enough but they will look like hillbilly crap hanging in the trees (IMHO).

But if you insist, just set the tanks up 40-50 yards out and shoot each with a .30 cal rifle.  Once each... if you are not blind (or a trigger jerker).   As always beware of what is beyond them.  Forget the valves, just go for center mass.  It's not like you will change the tone of the tanks much, if at all, with a hole in them).  Then, over time, the yellow jackets can move into the holes.  Or duct tape the holes, for a nice look.

.223 if you have some M855 steel core penetrators.  (often called green tip)


As an attorney, I must ask, do you have life insurance, and is your wife the beneficiary, and how often does she come up with dangerous projects for you to perform?        I'm just askin'  

EDIT:  (your more recent post was while I was typing this, glad you already thought of it)

Jess,
First, they will not be visible unless you go looking for them.   There's a powerline easement close to my home that would make a perfect place to hang them.   

Since I don't have any weapons capable of shooting the ammunition you suggested, those were all lost in a boating accident, shooting from a distance won't be happening.  But, if you want to come on down and take a shot it, bring it on. 

I do believe I can get hold of some C4.   If placed appropriately on that brass valve, I guess we could try to blow the valve off.   What do you think?   Got any det cord?   Might need quite a bit of it. 

Rams

[Jess from VA]

If you have no .30 or .223 rifles (or ammo), that's where you should be working and spending Ron.  

Hanging acetylene tanks from power lines sounds like a Benny Hill or Wylie Coyote idea.  

Not interested in driving down to see the hurricane (and shoot your tanks), but thanks for the invite.  

And I would refrain from talking about C4 on any public platform.  

[Rams]

See, I wouldn't think twice about drilling a small hole in either. I'd just keep the drill bit flooded. Maybe thats why I'm all burnt and scarred up.  


They have to be some big-ass chimes !  Almost like something from a Tibetan Monastery.

Don't tell me you would use WD40...............     Just going off O2S recommendation.   I personally wouldn't know.

Yes, they will be fairly large and that's why they would be hung out away from the house where you can't see them unless you go looking for where that "chime" is coming from.  

Rams

[cookiedough]

neighbors spent big bucks on like 8 ft tall windchimes hung in big oak tree in backyard.  VERY annoying dinging all the time.  I think after a few weeks they even got sick of the noise at night trying to sleep they took the lower part of each tall chime down so NO more knocking back and forth.    I say if the neighbors can hear them 75 or so yards away clearly it could be an annoyance thing. 

[old2soon]

       Ron I just entered in the search bar nomenclature of an O2 valve and the same for the acetylene valve and tank. The filler in the acet tank is asbestos according to what I just read. The thingy on the O2 valve is called a pressure relief. So Should you mess with the asbestos read up on How to dispose of PROPERLY Please. They know NOW that asbestos is nasty but if I heard right long time ago Coors beer was filtered thru asbestos. Web do gotz lotsa info on "stuff"!  RIDE SAFE.

[da prez]

  In the past , I have taken a cylinder to a welding supply and talked to management about removing the valve. If they are truly outdated , it will be no ownership issue. Tell them its for the wife.  They have a power wrench that will get them apart. 
              Good luck. GETERDONE

                                                      da prez

[Rams]

neighbors spent big bucks on like 8 ft tall windchimes hung in big oak tree in backyard.  VERY annoying dinging all the time.  I think after a few weeks they even got sick of the noise at night trying to sleep they took the lower part of each tall chime down so NO more knocking back and forth.    I say if the neighbors can hear them 75 or so yards away clearly it could be an annoyance thing.  

They obviously hung those chimes too close to the house.   If I thought this was the case, I wouldn't even be considering it.   I have what I believe to be an appropriate location.  If I happen to be wrong, I'll either move them or take them down.   This assumes I even move forward with this project.

The other thing I was considering was a home built airplane but that is much more expensive.    Ya gotta keep moving forward cause standing still doesn't get you anywhere. 

      Ron I just entered in the search bar nomenclature of an O2 valve and the same for the acetylene valve and tank. The filler in the acet tank is asbestos according to what I just read. The thingy on the O2 valve is called a pressure relief. So Should you mess with the asbestos read up on How to dispose of PROPERLY Please. They know NOW that asbestos is nasty but if I heard right long time ago Coors beer was filtered thru asbestos. Web do gotz lotsa info on "stuff"!   RIDE SAFE.

Well, thanks for that information.   I guess we'll be limiting our project to O2 cylinders only.  

 In the past , I have taken a cylinder to a welding supply and talked to management about removing the valve. If they are truly outdated , it will be no ownership issue. Tell them its for the wife.  They have a power wrench that will get them apart.  
              Good luck. GETERDONE

                                                      da prez

Thought about that, we'll see if they are agreeable.  

Rams

[old2soon]

        I use 2 different sizes in my home O2 needs-medical. Mine are made of aluminum. Maybe some medical supply house might have some old ones on hand they are going to git rid of or recycle? Just an F Y I!. RIDE SAFE.

[RP#62]

Be careful.  Even if the acetylene bottle is empty, i.e. no pressure, its most likely still full of acetone. 

-RP

[Rams]

        I use 2 different sizes in my home O2 needs-medical. Mine are made of aluminum. Maybe some medical supply house might have some old ones on hand they are going to git rid of or recycle? Just an F Y I!. RIDE SAFE.

Hmm, gonna have to ask that question.   Not sure the aluminum version will have the same "ring" to it.

Hmm   

Be careful.  Even if the acetylene bottle is empty, i.e. no pressure, its most likely still full of acetone. 

-RP

Pretty sure if that if I do this, it'll only be the O2 cylinders.  But, thanks for the advice.

Rams

[Moonshot_1]

Take the bottles to your neighbor's house.

Call FBI (with an untraceable phone) and tell them your neighbor is smuggling cocaine in empty O2 and acetylene bottles.

They'll crack them open for you.

[Rams]

Take the bottles to your neighbor's house.

Call FBI (with an untraceable phone) and tell them your neighbor is smuggling cocaine in empty O2 and acetylene bottles.

They'll crack them open for you.

That's a wonderful idea, she's called the sheriff on me twice so, I have no issue with that.  BTW, both times, the sheriff told her she was full of stuff.   The rules of the road keep me from posting what he really said. 

Rams

[RP#62]

I don't know how far into this you want to get but I built some once and it involved a lot more math than I was counting on.  Mine were 5-note chimes, so first I had to figure what 5 notes I wanted.  There are some standard combinations and some more fancy ones.  Once you know the notes you have to find what frequency they are, then find out what length of tube is needed to create that frequency.  Then you have to decide where the tube is going to be supported.  It you don't support it at a node of the frequency, it will dull the sound and you'll lose a lot of volume.  The nodes are usually given as a percentage of the length of the tube.  Different materials also make a difference, as does wall thickness.  Just about any metal tube will ring, but brass is the best as far as volume.  I spent a whole day ciphering before I was able to cut any tubing.

-RP

[Rams]

I spent a whole day ciphering before I was able to cut any tubing.

-RP

You know, you may have just talked me into building an airplane.   Not nearly as complicated.   Well, maybe somewhat but, I know something about that kind of thing.  
My musical talent and ciphering are limited to less than chop sticks. 

Rams

[Serk]

The first rule of being a good DIY'er is when to know it's better to just pay someone else to do something...

These guys do the Ren Faire circuit. Their big ones aren't cheap. But they are well built and sound beautiful. And go up to a 5" diameter, although you could get a used Valk for what they cost:

https://www.musicofspheres.com/windchimes/

[henry 008]

Ron, the tanks should have a tare weight stamped on the neck just below the valves. get a good scale and see what they weigh, if it matches the stamped weight their empty. also don't open the acetylene tanks, they will "self ignite" once they reach 15psi, and you'll find pieces of them miles away. 

[Rams]

Ron, the tanks should have a tare weight stamped on the neck just below the valves. get a good scale and see what they weigh, if it matches the stamped weight their empty. also don't open the acetylene tanks, they will "self ignite" once they reach 15psi, and you'll find pieces of them miles away. 

Gotcha, don't mess with the acetylene tanks.   
Spoke to another friend this morning, he thought I was going to hang these chimes from a powerline.  Told him, I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier but, I'm not that dim either.     

Rams 

[Bigwolf]

Ron,

An acetylene tank is going to be a mess to work with!  And trying to cut into it could be extremely dangerous. 

First, acetylene is a very unstable gas and without any other gas involved it will often blow up if compressed to 2 atmospheres of pressure or greater.

Second, in order to keep that from happening the gas is dissolved in acetone under high pressure.

Third, the acetone with the acetylene dissolved in it is then put in the tank which is filled with a porous material such as fire brick or asbestos.

Fourth, if you discharge an acetylene tank too quickly, it will build heat and likely explode.

You know me and you know that there is very little that I will not set out to do and complete.  I will not be opening an acetylene tank except for the valve when using it with my torch!  And I never open the valve more than 1/4 turn so I limit any possibility of heat build up.

[Rams]

Ron,

An acetylene tank is going to be a mess to work with!  And trying to cut into it could be extremely dangerous. 

First, acetylene is a very unstable gas and without any other gas involved it will often blow up if compressed to 2 atmospheres of pressure or greater.

Second, in order to keep that from happening the gas is dissolved in acetone under high pressure.

Third, the acetone with the acetylene dissolved in it is then put in the tank which is filled with a porous material such as fire brick or asbestos.

Fourth, if you discharge an acetylene tank too quickly, it will build heat and likely explode.

You know me and you know that there is very little that I will not set out to do and complete.  I will not be opening an acetylene tank except for the valve when using it with my torch!  And I never open the valve more than 1/4 turn so I limit any possibility of heat build up.

Jerry,
Was advised of your points early on in this thread and eliminated the acetylene option just as soon as I learned of the issues.   But, I do appreciate your insight.    Won't say who I was considering asking to assist with this project, you may know him. 

Rams

[crow]

Don't think acetylene bottles would make a good chime.  Kinda like the idea of taking it to the weld supply house. There ARE  melt out plugs on the bottom of acetylene bottles. Personally Ide start cutting the bottom of the o2 one with a portaband, slowly.  I've made many chimes from CO2 fire extinguishers, aluminum air tanks, heavy steel and aluminum test gas bottles.( Used to calibrate confined space monitors.)   Size "D". Machine alignment shims make good wind catchers.  I could send ya some

[Rams]

crow,
Appreciate the offer, this project was as much about the journey (adventure) as it was about the end result.  If I can get down to your area, I'd like to see your chimes (tanks) and discuss with you for possible future chimes of my own.   Doing so would eliminate some mistakes I'm sure I would make.

Rams

[Skinhead]

Why not just use sections of steel pipe?

[crow]

The fire extinguishers are forged.  Therefore have a nice fine grain.  The o2 cylinders have a quantity of manganese, making them hard. Rail road track has 12-14 % manganese, and is actually self hardening as it wears.  Pipe would be ok I guess, as long as it was DOM (seamless) and not seamed (welded).  Licence plates also make nice wind catchers.  The hard balls from bungee tye downs make good ringers for smaller chimes and already have a hole in them.