Tiger2o69

iTrader: (16)

I have seen people say both ? Which is more dangerous ?

thanks

MeentSS02

iTrader: (11)

If you insist on leaving the tank in place to cut the trap door (and I'm not going to bag on you for it since that is what I did), I'd seriously recommend using a hand-held nibbler to cut. You just have to drill a small hole, insert the nibbler, and start going to town. The sheet metal is thin enough that it won't take much effort at all to do it this way, plus you don't have to worry about a Dremel tool slipping and cutting into something you shouldn't.

Since I did it this way, I didn't care how much fuel was in there. No sparks = no worries for me.

jaysan

iTrader: (8)

I would guess empty

DropTopBird

iTrader: (17)

I would think the less fuel the better. Make sure you purge the pressure incase you do clip a line. That way you wont have fuel spraying everywhere.

MeentSS02

iTrader: (11)

And if you are wondering what a hand nibbler looks like, click this:

http://www.toolking.com/eclipse_900-215.aspx

AFASTYZFR1

iTrader: (55)

Fumes are explosive.....so the less gas in the tank, the more fumes there are


But just cut carefully and don't worry about how much gas is in there

Modern_Muscle

iTrader: (11)

I used my high speed air cutter (disc type), and made the first cut at the corner to see how far away the fuel tank was, then moved my guard to hold me at the proper cutting depth.
I laid my leather welding apron where the T-Tops go to catch my sparks.

I had a full tank.

Cutting is fine, no matter the level. Now welding on the other hand is a no-no.

Tiger2o69

iTrader: (16)

Im thinking im probably going to buy an air nibbler.. I have an almost empty tank.. I have dropped the tank 2 times before.. and plan to add 2 pumps latter.. So Im just wanting the door..

Never heard anyone getting blown up.. but with my luck.. Yeah.. It would happen..



BTW.. does the air nibbler make a straight line? Clean cut?

MeentSS02

iTrader: (11)

I didn't use an air-powered nibbler - mine was like the one in the link above that uses human power. Should work the same though...and yes, it was a nice, clean cut, and I was able to make the cuts as straight as my hand would guide it.

The sheet metal was surprisingly easy to nibble through, even by hand. Plus I didn't have to worry about nicking any of the fuel/evap lines or wires that are around that area - took me about 15 minutes total to cut the door, and that's at my usual slow, ****-retentive pace.

ss1

iTrader: (32)

I have one of those nibblers and never even thought about using it, what a great idea! I was planning on dropping my tank due to my fear of sparks & fuel, but I think I might use the nibbler anyway for future access.

Tiger2o69

iTrader: (16)

Awesome.. I Just bought one at harbor frieght.. There only $25... My cuts with my air cut off wheel wouldnt have been that straight anyway..

As far as putting it back together.. Im probably going to use a larger piece of metal and screens.. and cover the gaps with some type of tape or silicon thats easy to remove?

MeentSS02

iTrader: (11)

Yeah...I sealed mine up by ordering a pre-cut piece of 1/8" thick aluminum that was bigger than the hole (I think if you Google "Online Metals", you'll find the company I used). I didn't have any scrap metal lying around, so that worked best for me. 4 short sheet metal screws into countersunk holes and some weather stripping was all it took to seal it back up pretty nicely.

dochall22

iTrader: (6)

Guess who is getting ready to make a trap door??


Answer : ME

crf538

iTrader: (3)

i just took the piece i cut out and a piece of piano henge and made a trap door, works great.

Ryan33187

iTrader: (16)

I made a trap door using nibblers also. Worked out great .