Plastic 55 gal. drum?

[Gizzy]

My neighbor gave me one of those blue plastic 55 gal. drums.It had windshield washer fluid in it so it's safe to use.I think I'm going to use it for a trash can.I'd be interested to see what some of you have come up with,trash can or any other projects.Show me what you got.

 

[Cemoto]

I cut the top off one and use it to store my kindling wood for the Jotul

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have this one as a trash can.



Another as an oil barrel, which is full right now and a 30 gallon.

 

[930dreamer]

X2 on the oil barrel.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Up north they cut a door in the lid, turn it on its side, and make a weatherproor insect proof dog house.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Up north they cut a door in the lid, turn it on its side, and make a weatherproor insect proof dog house.

They do that around here and also for their fighting roosters.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Good for removing rust by electrolisis.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolytic-Rust-Removal-aka-Magic/

 

[OccupantRJ]

I made a septic tank out of one for my previous shop. It has been in use for 30 years.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I made a septic tank out of one for my previous shop. It has been in use for 30 years.

Have you pumped it out ?

 

[zkling]

I use one of the white ones for my electrolysis tank. Cut the top off with a jig saw, just inside the rim to keep structural support. Drilled holes along the top to hang my electrodes and on the outside attache the wires to the electrodes. Looks real professional.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Have you pumped it out ?

Not mine since 2004, my buddy owns it now, and has never pumped it either. It probably has had very little solid waste through it, but it has worked quite well for taking a leak.

 

[owenst7]

Bear bait station

 

[LWW]

I have two that we use to collect rainwater and use it to water the garden. One on each side of the back of the house being fed by opposite downspouts and used for watering flower beds from one side and vegetable garden on the other.

 

[rharman]

I have two for storing water - earthquake country here....

 

[BearCuda]

I've obtained multiple 33 gallon barrels from our BG differential oil containers. When we run out, I take the barrels and clean them out for trash cans. I have three and I've given away about ten of em.

 

[Hawk]

Made two into filters for my Koi pond when I still raised them.

 

[caper150]

I had one too, I used it as a burn barrel, for some odd reason it didn't work out as planned...................

 

[Fueler]

Rain Barrels here.

 

[dittle fart around]

The shop I used to work in went through a barrel of soap a month cleaning transformers.
They all went to the little league for trash barrels. They were happier than snot.

 

[DAVE VAN]

I have about 12 white 55gal drums to give away. They have no lids and a few small holes drilled near the top. Clean as they held car wash soap. Local pickup only. Located in Gastonia, NC. Send me a PM if interested.

 

[Bib Overalls]

I use half barrels to hold engine and transmission parts during disassemble. Everything goes into the barrel. During the rebuild parts are removed from the barrel; cleaned, inspected, repaired, rebuilt, or replaced as necessary, and installed on the block or case.

 

[6768rogues]

I used to get dozens of them in blue and black, occasionally white, from work. I used them for used oil (donated to a friend with a waste oil burner), small pieces of wood for the fire, I cut some off at 6" and use them for safety covers for deck holes (keeps rain out of the hole, too), etc. At my farm, the ground is sandy so I buried some that are drilled full of holes and surrounded by #1 stone for seepage pits for waste water and gutter drains. I might make a floating dock from some next summer. I used to take my trailer and bring home 12 to 15 at a time.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Have a blue one I use for electrolysis. Bolted 30 eye bolts around the perimeter, wired together, slide appropriate sized rebar through eye bolts. I keep it on a 4 wheel pallet-made dolly as It is alway full, I have a hose spigot mounted in the bottom about 4" up to drain when need be.
Another one As a trash can, liners from sams are great.

Both have kids with locking rings. Seal up the electro tank when not in use.

 

[Responder]

I have two 55 gallon ones on there side. Linked together for water storage in my garage. Had a tougher time than expected finding the "buttress" type fitting for the one bung to be able to connect them together. Gotta love the net for research!

 

[Donald Cook]

55 gal was too big for me , got a 35 gal for trash, use the 55's for rain water collection.

 

[brownbagg]

my air compressor outside, i got one cut in half long and covers the motor to keep dry

 

[NHBandit]

cut in half lenghtwise, drill drain holes, fill with dirt & grow stuff. Use only food grade barrels. I get mine from a guy who works for Pepsi.

 

[chicken89]

I am liking a lot of these ideas. I have a metal 55g drum, had some kind of wood treatment chemicals in it. Told that the chemicals were flammable. How would I go about removing the chemicals residue and using it?

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Several years ago, our city used to hold a river raft race in conjunction with the spring festival. I obtained a dozen 55 gallon plastic syrup barrells from the local Pepsi Cola bottling plant, and used them for flotation for a really big raft. Afterwards, I gave away several and kept a few. I use them to store empty aluminum cans for recylcling as well as for trash cans.

 

[mechx]

I cut the bottom off , about 4" and use it as a drain pan / catch pan.
under the engine stand or assemble a trans.

 

[usmc_noma]

my air compressor outside, i got one cut in half long and covers the motor to keep dry

Now this is a good idea for those with an outside compressor. I wish I had a barrel for rain.

 

[willymakeit]

Cut a partial hole I the top, another in the side. Slid it over the hose bib and hooked my garden hose up. Now I can pull a 100 ft. of hose out without it being in knots. Keeps the dogs from chewing them up to. Originally had peppermint oil in it so everything smells good to.

 

[crewchief888]

i keep longer pieces of scrap steel in a plastic barrel.

 

[danv]

I use them for a flotation device under our docks. We also use them for salt and sand mix on our gravel road hills for winter traction and ice control.

 

[Algoma56]

I was thinking of using one as a sandblast cabinet. Cut it in half lengthwise and hinge them. The plastic will never breakdown from the grit hitting it, like it did in my homemade plywood one I built years back.

 

[wrenchin883]

rain barrels

 

[Responder]

rain barrels

What is the gizmo hooked to the downspout that your fill line comes from?

 

[LDR814]

I've thought about catching the house AC condensate in one (AC drain pumps through attic so it works out)

 

[bczygan]

What is the gizmo hooked to the downspout that your fill line comes from?

Looks like vent and overflow to me.

 

[Doug B]

We have maple trees on our property.I had 2 plastic barrels set up horizontaly in a wooden cradle in the back of the truck for sap.For 15 years,we would tap the trees for sap,and haul it to my friends house.He had a large evaporator and we would cook off for shares.I would get about 60% of the syrup that my sap produced.