How to open Methanol Drum?

[OsbornFamily]

Hi everyone! I've just taken the leap and have purchased as 55-gallon drum of methanol to start mixing bigger batches of biodiesel. I have a seemingly simple question to ask - how do you open it? It's a metal drum, with two "Bungs" (I think that's what they are) on top. I can't figure out how it's supposed to open..... Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!!

[Fire Rooster]

Bung wrench. Righty tighty lefty loosey

[94_turbo]

and--drain it off into smaller sealable containers--why?? because meth is a dry alcohol--it wants to absorb moisture--and will ruin it--esp in summer with humidity--so the less each container is opened--- the better--and for crying out loud--stay the h away from the fumes--we dont need to be going to your funeral--

[chadjones99]

i dont think that it will kill you that easyly.. but it can't be good for you .
also what did you pay for the 55 gal of methanol.
thanks
chad

[94_turbo]

dont "THINK" it will--go ask a chemist--its poisonous--and highly explosive

[willbd]

94_turbo is right.....
It might not kill you... but the fumes can make you blind. It burns with no visible flame.

Keep it away from kids and pets.

[chadjones99]

dont need to ask a chemist.. I HAVE A MSDS ! blind is not on it

[Fire Rooster]

lets clear some things up. Sniffing it is bad, duh, drinking it is worse, duh, it is absorbed through the skin, duh. Basically try not to sniff it,drink it and use gloves,mask,gown,goggles when handling, don't smoke near it, and, for god's sake man don't swim in it either. Drinking it will cause blindness, if you do have an expousure through skin, or fumes drink a beer, yes it will neutralize the methanol ( No joke). Be safe use common sense and good luck.

[Dave Barbieri]

Originally Posted by Fire Rooster

Drinking it will cause blindness, if you do have an expousure through skin, or fumes drink a beer, yes it will neutralize the methanol ( No joke). Be safe use common sense and good luck.

Just to be safe, I better drink several beers before handling the methanol. (Preventive medicine) Ya know, this homebrew biodiesel thing is looking better all the time!!

[Fire Rooster]

When I first read that same info I thought it was a joke but yes it is true. So I am with you drink a few extra for profalactic treatment!!!!!

[Dave Barbieri]

Pretty doggone funny! Like Mr. Osborn, I'm buying my methanol by the drum. there's a guy in town that runs methanol in his circle track car, and also supplies other racers with the fuel. $115/drum, you provide a clean drum, or pay a $30 dollar drum deposit. The cost per barrel and the drum deposit seem pretty reasonable. Since OI go thru about 100 gallons of fuel each month, I figure a barrel oughta last 2 - 3 months.

[Fire Rooster]

That is a pretty good cost on the Methanol I pay 145.00 for 55 gallons in my barrel. Good cost and yeah it should last for about 440 galons of BD

[chadjones99]

i paid 157 $ for 50 gal in phx arizona, but how about the cost of the beer/

which beer is better to drink while doing this ?

[Fire Rooster]

I prefer killians red, but will settle for corona and or Bud Light

[OsbornFamily]

Thanks guys!!
If I remember right, the Methanol was $147 for the drum.
My buddy made a bung wrench, it's now his nickname.......
So far so good. I just made a small test batch and am looking up ways to test it.
THANKS!!