I have a 6" adjustable beryllium-copper alloy wrench. These are non-sparking, non-magnetic and expensive. Should these be used when working on gas tanks or is that over-kill?
(I really just wanted to show you my wrench!)
Last edited by Wally / Montana; 08/20/20254:30 PM.
33 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
I haven't blown myself up yet working on gas tank stuff with plain ol steel wrenches.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Not even Stovebolt related, but I have a claw hammer made out of the same material. My Dad worked in a defence plant during WWII as a boiler fireman, and I suspect that hammer followed him home from there.
Anywhere that sparks could cause an explosion due to gas or dust particles, every type of tool you can think of was made from that material.
My grandfather in Ohio was a tool and die maker as well as a farmer. He used tools like that in grain elevators due to the highly combustible dust created by the harvested product.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
I worked at a defense plant for ten years machining the stuff, after I was laided off, I was test for beryllium poisoning for years after. Its a known cancer causer, so wear desposable gloves when handling.
33 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.