Author Topic: Looking for big lye bath tub (Read 4048 times)

Janis Berzins · « **on:** December 30, 2013, 05:51:38 PM »

I have used the standard rubbermaid tubs for a few years, however I would really like to find a bigger tub. I want something at least 19" wide by 25" long. I also want it to be really sturdy. I found a great outdoor container at Rural King, but alas, no cover for it. I may get that and try to rig something to cover it. Any ideas? Thanks

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2013, 06:00:43 PM »

I have been using 20 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck and 32 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck. I am doing the freeze test with them this winter.

As soon as I get upcountry,(it is quite a drive), I will be acquiring a 30 gallon HDPE reclosable (open head) plastic barrel (or two or three...) :)

Janis Berzins · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2013, 06:13:07 PM »

Is the 32 gallon a trash can?

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2013, 06:29:16 PM »

These are the two sizes I currently use:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-Roughneck-32-gal-Black-Trash-Can-1778013/100656030

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-20-gal-Black-Roughneck-Trash-Can-FG289200BLA/100656639

I also use these type Roughneck containers for auxiliary electros as needed.

Jeff Friend · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2013, 09:46:20 PM »

Google "refurbished" or "reconditioned" hdpe drum for your area and you will find the companies that clean drums so they can be reused. I have three drums that were procured for practically nothing and they are much sturdier than the best trash cans Rubbermaid makes.

I think you will need a 35-gallon drum to meet your specification for the diameter. Most 30-gallon drums are about 18 1/2 inches in diameter.

Dwayne Henson · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2013, 08:41:04 AM »

I got my 55 gallon plastic drum from a chemical company in town for free. Very sturdy, it has a removeable lid, and even a metal lid retaining ring.

Keith Rumgay · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2013, 11:15:04 AM »

I have 2 blue 55 gal. plastic drums with the tops cut out. a 1/2" diam. steel rod through holes i cut close to the top. left drum is my Electrolysis Right drum is lye I use wire coat hangers to hang CI left side of drum you can see 4-5 of hangers. It is all outside under a open end shed. have wood lids for both drums
STILL TYING TO LEARN TOO RESIZE PICTURES :'(

Janis Berzins · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2013, 05:35:10 PM »

Quote

I have 2 blue 55 gal. plastic drums with the tops cut out. a 1/2" diam. steel rod through holes i cut close to the top. left drum is my Electrolysis Right drum is lye I use wire coat hangers to hang CI left side of drum you can see 4-5 of hangers. It is all outside under a open end shed. have wood lids for both drums
STILL TYING TO LEARN TOO RESIZE PICTURES :'(

So, did you just call up local companies and ask?

Keith Rumgay · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2013, 07:10:23 PM »

The drums off craigslist $5 ea
Sheet of stainless for elcto found in
the freeway 10-12 years ago
Battery charger Sams Club
the rest i had on hand

Janis Berzins · « **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2014, 08:50:35 AM »

I will check craigslist. I tried a search of hope with little luck.

Bret Terry · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2014, 11:09:29 AM »

I recently bought a couple of the 55 Gallon HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) drums. Found them on Craigslist searching for "water barrel". There were half a dozen outfits selling them, so the prices were all about the same. Most of these drums are food grade containers that are only used once by food processors and then sold off for whatever they can get for them. Bigger, stronger and less expensive than any rubbermaid type containers.

Frank Dimos · « **Reply #11 on:** January 02, 2014, 11:57:17 AM »

Most of the ones I'm seeing have the two pour openings. How are you removing/making lids for them? Wood?

Thanks

Frank Mueller · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2014, 01:08:11 PM »

Keith - that is a very professional looking setup [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Jeff Friend · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2014, 05:53:42 PM »

Quote

Most of the ones I'm seeing have the two pour openings. How are you removing/making lids for them? Wood?

Thanks

Those are tight head drums. Open head drums have the cover that is held in place with the steel band.

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2014, 06:18:17 PM »

My electro barrel was a closed head with 2 bung holes with caps.

Closed (tight head) barrels tend to be narrower at the top and bottom than in the middle.

I used my Milwaulkee Hackzall to chop off the top. These barrels I can obtain locally for $12 ea. (price has probably risen a bit in 2 years though).

Good thing I bought two, because the first one I cut was about 3/4 inch too low, and would not hold it's shape. The top rim was much thicker than the body,,,,, lesson learned the hard way! ::)

Open head, straight sided HDPE barrels which are reclosable as Jeff states above, are more difficult to find in my area. I have located a place that sells them in various sizes, but it is going to be a bit of a trip with the F150 to go get them.... hopefully spring, I'll get my derriere in gear and go get them! :) The new barrels will be my lye baths, so I can stop worrying about cracks and potential leaks......... :P

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2014, 06:22:40 PM »

This is the style I plan on getting... available in 15, 30 and 55 gallon sizes

C. Perry Rapier · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2014, 10:04:30 PM »

Those are nice barrels Cheryl. If anybody can get a barrel something like this, its a lot better than one of the tote containers. But I do have a tote container that I use for a vinegar bath, cause you can seal the top up good. But for a lye bath or a electro setup, Cheryls all over it with them barrels. ;)

Frank Dimos · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2014, 08:04:33 AM »

Quote

These barrels I can obtain locally for $12 ea. (price has probably risen a bit in 2 years though).

I just found an ad asking $8 for 55 gal and I'll bet I can get them for 5 if I buy two. But maybe I'll hold out for the open guys.

Jeff Paden · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2014, 09:18:00 AM »

I have switched to Brute Industrial Grade trash cans with the optional wheel set which locks into the bottom. If you are in an area that hard freezes and your gear is outside you can prevent ice damage by propping a 4x4 upright in the barrel during the winter BTW for my electro barrel i used one of the blue barrels shown above and had my local sheet metal shop cut a sheet of stainless so that i could wrap the inside of the barrel a then took the remainder and inserted it so it formed a "U" down to the bottom giving me 360 degree coverage at far less cost than a stainless barrel.

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2014, 12:38:19 PM »

Jeff P, now there's an idea... (the 4x4's). I have a bunch stacked under the deck........
But....
they are all ground contact pressure treated..
I wonder if the lye will cause arsenic to leach into the Lye Bath.... ?

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Author Topic: Looking for big lye bath tub (Read 4048 times)