I received a Cornerstone propane tank (pair) kit and think they would better suit my layout if shorter, so I’d like to cut them down. I’m thinking how best to do that. With the tools I’ve got, I’m thinking my bandsaw might give a reasonably square cut to cut out a cylinder, glue back the piece with the head, and try to sand the glued joint so it looks close to the other pseudo-weld lines. I think it would look better about 3/4 the current 9" size, minus one of the sections.
I’d appreciate any advice on what to do / not do to have this come out looking reasonable, after painting and weathering. Perhaps I should have simply bought another smaller kit, bit there’s a challenge here to address.
I’d say think more hobby. In other words get yourself a hobby mitre box and a very fine tooth hobby saw. The band saw is a good thought but do you really have a fine tooth blade for it?
Too fat for my hobby mitre box but maybe my big one with a fine tooth hack saw. The band saw does provide a straight but rough edge cut that needs smoothing. Good idea.
if you are cutting something that is perfectly round you can use an adjustable radiator hose clamp. they come from fractional sizes all the way up to and beyond 4" diameter. just snug up the screw and measure to be sure the clamp is on straight and then you have a steel edged guide for making your cut. this works equally well with pvc pipe or just about any tubular material.
I suspect that the band saw may be too fast and build up heat - melting the plastic. I have used a Micro-Mark variable speed band saw with a cooling system(at a friends house). It does a fine job, but at over $350+ for the rig, I have no plans to buy one anytime soon.
That is a GREAT idea! And for anything round, too. I’ve been trying to figure out how to cut down some plastic bottles for grain storage bins, I’ll have to try this!
Also, make your saw cut 1/32" to 1/16" away from your final surface, then file and sand down to where you want the end to be. Check often that everything is square and true. The better the fit, the less body putty you will need, if any, to reassemble the tank.
I would use the bandsaw but cut a good 1/16" oversize and file/sand to the cut line. I have done this several times but I have a 6" belt sander that I use to get the finished cut straight and smooth. Then use a fine sandpaper to get the finished edge. Just my thoughts.
I used the radiator clamp guide with a fine tooth hobby saw. Then gently sanded the edges square on the bench sander disc and glued it, then gently filed the joints. Here it is, sans decals & weathering. Thanks for the great suggestions. I think I will get a finer tooth bandsaw blade and also put finer paper on the sander.
