Closed head Diesel Fuel drums for UDS

[Buck]

What's up guys!

I Just got a couple of 55 Gallon drums I want to make UDSs out of that used to have off-road low sulfur diesel fuel in them ... well ... the problem is that they still have a little fuel left in them. So I I'm wondering how to safely open these bad boys up. I wouldn't have a problem, just dropping a match in in there and letting them burn if the lid was open but as it is now, there is 1 - 1.5" opening on the top and what looks to be some sort of plastic pressure relief valve opposite the filling hole on the top so not a lot of room for air to get in and out of. I'm a little worried that if I start grinding away and some sparks fly in there, I'll have a giant bomb on my hands. I want to grind off and re-use the top for my UDS. I figured I could fill them with water and most of the fuel would float out of them but just curious if anyone had any better Ideas since getting rid of the diesely water is going to be an issue.

THX,
Buck

[Frank_Cox]

dump as much fuel out of the drum as possible then fill it with water and use a grinder to cut the bottom of the bead where it rolls under. then you can dump out the water and be ok, the plastic thing you see is a cover that is removable and there is a 3/4" bung under there. sounds like you are on the right track.

[Buck]

Yeah that's what I was afraid of ... guess I was hoping someone would tell me it was OK to just toss a match in and watch her burn . Maybe I'll drain the water down the gutter when I'm done and re-enact the Cleavland river fire and get my pyro juices going that way.

[The Czar]

Mike The Forester will tell you it's okay but he is a bit nuts....

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[The Czar]

Mike The Forester will tell you it's okay but he is a bit nuts....

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Miketheforester]

Yes I am a bit nuts. Having said that, one thing to note is that diesel is not flashy like gasoline or propane. Dump the fuel, fill the drum with water and wack away.

[smokethis]

mtf is so nuts DC had to say it twice