Gas cylinder rotating in mount

[Rutger Puts]

The clamshell for our gas cylinder was always a little loose. Previous owner added a rubber band from an inner tube around the cylinder but the clamshell would still not hold it tight. This is a problem as the cylinder could be lifted out and stolen (I added a steel wire to make that a bit more difficult). But also taking it on forest roads with lots of washboard made the cylinder spin around and would pull on the gas hose if I didn’t stop every now to rotate it back.
Then I found that there are 3 sets of holes for the clamshell latch. The latch was originally attached using the middle set of holes. I moved it to last set of holes:
View attachment 1757937252029.png
The picture is a closeup looking down on the inside of the opened clamshell where the lock attaches.

Taking out the existing rivets is NOT easy as they are stainless steel. I used a cobalt drill bit to drill it out but when the rivet is half gone it starts spinning and the suckers are still strong enough that they can’t be pulled out. Had to use a fine metal hack saw blade to slowly cut it off. It took a long time for just two rivets!
It was worth the effort though. Now the cylinder is nice and snug, still with the rubber band so there is a little bit of play for expansion and it adds friction so it can’t be pulled out. Haven’t been on a washboard road yet (thank goodness, I hate driving on them) but I’m certain the cylinder won’t move.
Rutger

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Highly useful!
Thats a sturdy and elegant mount but same for me. Now I have a taller and very slightly skinnier but lighter Viking fiberglas 20 gal cylinder and packing stuff inside isn't quite doing the trick so I'll check on mine and do as you did.
I also use a long cable with lock to secure cylinder to frame in outside storage or away from camp in sketchy areas.

It would suck to have no heat or make coffee until going into town to buy a new tank at Home Cheapo or the gas station Rhino swap boxes. So I keep a couple fresh 1 gal cans buried somewhere in TV or CI for just in case.
"One is none, two is one".

 

[Sweeney]

The clamshell for our gas cylinder was always a little loose. Previous owner added a rubber band from an inner tube around the cylinder but the clamshell would still not hold it tight. This is a problem as the cylinder could be lifted out and stolen (I added a steel wire to make that a bit more difficult). But also taking it on forest roads with lots of washboard made the cylinder spin around and would pull on the gas hose if I didn’t stop every now to rotate it back.
Then I found that there are 3 sets of holes for the clamshell latch. The latch was originally attached using the middle set of holes. I moved it to last set of holes:
View attachment 12210
The picture is a closeup looking down on the inside of the opened clamshell where the lock attaches.

Taking out the existing rivets is NOT easy as they are stainless steel. I used a cobalt drill bit to drill it out but when the rivet is half gone it starts spinning and the suckers are still strong enough that they can’t be pulled out. Had to use a fine metal hack saw blade to slowly cut it off. It took a long time for just two rivets!
It was worth the effort though. Now the cylinder is nice and snug, still with the rubber band so there is a little bit of play for expansion and it adds friction so it can’t be pulled out. Haven’t been on a washboard road yet (thank goodness, I hate driving on them) but I’m certain the cylinder won’t move.
Rutger

Funny, I just spent time drilling out stainless rivets just this week They definately are much stronger than aluminum.

Use a cobalt drill bit, with a little cutting fluid and they will come out pretty easily. I'm partial to the stepped point, these center much better.

If you plan an replacing them with rivets again, stainless is the way to go -- they are a LOT more robust. The cheap hand-held won't do it, you'll probably need to invest a little money to get a higher quality gun. The jaws don't grab tight enough, and they will slip.

If you do a lof of them -- a Milwaukee M12 rivet gun is quite the kick! Though these are extremely expensive, and unless you have a commercial need aren't worth the money.