How to make a 58-1/2 gallon oil drum (learn from my mistakes)

[MP&C]

For those who haven't read about my recent stay at the Burn Unit of Washington Hospital Center, (and the Medivac ride to get there) here is how not to cut the top off an oil drum. My mother was in need of a new burn barrel, so I had asked a local school bus fleet owner if he had any spares. With all the oil changes he does, he buys all of it by the drum. He was fresh out of empty barrels, but had another source. when he did drop off what looked like a brand new oil drum, I mentioned I'd have to get out the hammer and chisel. (someone once told me your first answer is normally the right one) He said he uses a cutting torch on his, and left shortly afterward. My next thought was to go ahead and use the plasma cutter and get it done much quicker, what with all the work I have backlogged. I loaded up the truck and drove down to a friends house to use my plasma cutter. (he had borrowed it to make a rock crawler out of a Suzuki Samauri) We got everything situated, I positioned the torch, and once the purge had completed and as soon as the torch lit, it had already happened. I have never seen motor oil act in this manner, and have had a few people since tell me as well, that it couldn't have been strictly motor oil in the drum. Here is the drum in it's expanded capacity form, and also the extent of how much cutting got done:











Regardless of how the oil should or shouldn't have acted, I can tell you I won't be cutting off any oil drum ends like that again. Getting a barrel third hand, you don't know what could be in there (regardless of label) so don't trust anyone's word on the residue contents, treat it as a worst case scenario and wash it out, purge the vapors, etc, and then fill with water before cutting. Lest you wind up looking like this (or worse)





I'd hate to see this happen to anyone, much less myself, so the least I can do with this time on the mend is to bring some safety awareness to everyone who may find themselves in a similar situation. One of my saving graces was that I was wearing safety glasses and leather gloves, so no finger burns and only singed eyebrows. Please be careful out there.

[awsum55]

Holy $...! That really looks like it hurts especially under your arm, it's such a sensitive spot.

I'm guessing it acted like a blow torch when it lit up. How did you put the flames out? Was there anyone with you?

Feel better buddy.

[MP&C]

John, I had the two bungs removed, and the larger of the two was right in front of me. The barrel went about two feet off the gound, the flash burned through a t shirt and undershirt. When the barrel landed, the fire was out, it was just a flash. My buddy was there, and got me a clean shirt to put on to keep the burned area clean. I drove home (about 3 miles), and asked my wife to look at it. After some stuttering and stammering on her part, I told her to call the ambulance.

[ETriggs]

Wow.... Glad to see the burns are more painful than deep. I would be far more worried if the burns didn't hurt. That is when you know you have serious damage. Were both of the openings open when you did this? The bulging is amazing! Motor oil is pretty weird though.

[Bihili]

Welcome Home!

[Shua57]

Welcome back Robert. I guess the saying "Safety first" really is important. Glad it wasn't any worse than it is. It could have ruptured like a grenade. Take care fo yourself.
Josh

[carls 56]

glad your on the mend and home robert. i am sure you know how lucky you are and i will say a prayer for a speedy recovery. good of you to tell of this bad experience. you might have saved a life

[Chevynut]

Robert, glad to see you're back home and healing up. That looks REALLY painful, but as Eldon said it's better in the long run if it DOES hurt now.....no nerve damage that way. It's easy to say after the fact, but it could have been a lot worse.

Get healed up quickly!

[auggie56]

Thank God it wasn't worse. Glad your on the mend.

I'm really surprised that the oil reacted like this. Maybe an air chisel was in order here.

[jeffs55]

I'm glad to see you back online, even with the nature of the post.
(yikes!)
I hope you're resting comfortably and healing up quick.
We were all worried about you there for a while. Good to see you in good spirits.
I usually use my air hammer with a panel cutter bit to open up a barrel. Could still cause a spark, I guess, but so can a hammer and chisel.
Hindsight, huh?
Take it easy, man and get well soon!