# What Not To Do **URL:** http://forum.driveonwood.com/c/what-not-to-do/15.md [Latest](http://forum.driveonwood.com/latest.md) · [Categories](http://forum.driveonwood.com/categories.md) · [Tags](http://forum.driveonwood.com/tags.md) --- ## [About the What Not To Do category](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/about-the-what-not-to-do-category/38)
**Author:** [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/about-the-what-not-to-do-category/38 "2015-02-17T23:33:47Z")
Learn from these mistakes, or you’re doomed to repeat them! Tell us your woodgas foul-ups, right here. --- ## [Picked up a new hobby, (FEMA Gasifier), and started welding](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/picked-up-a-new-hobby-fema-gasifier-and-started-welding/7111)
**Author:** [@Gassy\_Generator](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Gassy_Generator)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2023, 5:51am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/picked-up-a-new-hobby-fema-gasifier-and-started-welding/7111 "2023-01-30T05:51:11Z")
Hello, I’m new here… and I want to share my condolences to all of you who found them selves in the same spot I have done. FEMA emergency gasifier plans are so stunnigly simple and comprehendable, no way there’s any iss… --- ## [Hello I am new to the community](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/hello-i-am-new-to-the-community/6739)
**Author:** [@Mthornton34](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Mthornton34)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2022, 12:41pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/hello-i-am-new-to-the-community/6739 "2022-06-19T12:41:59Z")
Hey everyone I am just getting started in the community don’t know where to start but I know I must start. Any tips --- ## [Don’t leave your mixing valve open](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/don-t-leave-your-mixing-valve-open/288)
**Author:** [@terboo50](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/terboo50)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/don-t-leave-your-mixing-valve-open/288 "2018-11-14T20:15:25Z")
I’ve got one for ya… When visiting someone, don’t leave your mixing valve open. When you are asked to demonstrate a flare and spark is put to gas, there is a nice stoic mix right at the blowers!! (and they do a fabulou… --- ## [Hay filter warning](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/hay-filter-warning/1068)
**Author:** [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2018, 5:17am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/hay-filter-warning/1068 "2018-11-14T05:17:32Z")
Here are some pictures of my hay filter. You can see the issue… --- ## [Making woodgas go BOOM!](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/making-woodgas-go-boom/3981)
**Author:** [@mart85](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/mart85)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/making-woodgas-go-boom/3981 "2018-07-18T13:27:31Z")
--- ## [Stuck a Valve?](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/stuck-a-valve/1142)
**Author:** [@Matt](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Matt)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/stuck-a-valve/1142 "2018-06-14T21:55:58Z")
OK Ill admit it I stuck some valves. I ran out of chipped fuel and ran a batch of pellets in one of our big machines. All was fine at first but when the machine transitioned over to the pellets things changed real quick.… --- ## [Be safe everyone](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/be-safe-everyone/1099)
**Author:** [@bew](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/bew)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2017, 6:54am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/be-safe-everyone/1099 "2017-01-03T06:54:28Z")
When is free scrap metal not free? When you cut yourself on it and it requires stitches. I wanted my first post to be about me finally starting my gasification project. I just wish it would have been under better circ… --- ## [Is that barrel safe?](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/is-that-barrel-safe/2660)
**Author:** [@pepe2000](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/pepe2000)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/is-that-barrel-safe/2660 "2016-08-05T16:42:09Z")
Hi All, I have made sure to wash all barrels and containers to remove toxic/explosive materials, let them dry and weld/cut them feeling safe. Then I ran across this video. This will blow your mind. Well, hopefully not! … --- ## [Prime your fuel lines!](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/prime-your-fuel-lines/1851)
**Author:** [@sabbadess](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/sabbadess)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/prime-your-fuel-lines/1851 "2015-07-17T19:56:12Z")
Hi Wood Gassers, Most of you know that I recently threw my back out badly. Here is what I should have done to avoid the problem: Priming the fuel delivery hose is especially critical for sm… --- ## [Radiator hoses and you](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/radiator-hoses-and-you/1543)
**Author:** [@josephhauler](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/josephhauler)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2015, 3:47am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/radiator-hoses-and-you/1543 "2015-06-24T03:47:33Z")
After you do any type on major engine work that involves removing radiator hoses, always remember to put the hose clamps back on the hoses! I was on my way to work and seen my temp gauge jump, no heat coming out of the h… --- ## [Thin Drum warning](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/thin-drum-warning/1620)
**Author:** [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2015, 2:58pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/thin-drum-warning/1620 "2015-05-17T14:58:27Z")
Continuing the discussion from Hay filter warning: The saga continues… I’ve almost completely removed the thin steel pieces from the truck, as over the years every bit of it has failed dramatically. The one place remai… --- ## [Tall Cyclones for Filtering and Cooling](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/tall-cyclones-for-filtering-and-cooling/1612)
**Author:** [@sabbadess](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/sabbadess)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/tall-cyclones-for-filtering-and-cooling/1612 "2015-05-01T23:25:12Z")
Hi Wood Gassers, Lately I have been posting about the wonderful heat transfer you can get off a cyclone. I bet someone is going to come up with the brilliant idea to make a REALLY tall cyclone to cool and filter the ga… --- ## [Plastic and gasification](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/plastic-and-gasification/807)
**Author:** [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2015, 4:04am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/plastic-and-gasification/807 "2015-03-12T04:04:58Z")
You may think I’m talking about putting plastic in a gasifier. That’s not so great either, but in small quantity it can be done. No, I’m talking about plastic on the hot areas of the gasifier, specifically close to the … --- ## [Lower drum ash tank/dump](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/lower-drum-ash-tank-dump/1411)
**Author:** [@josephhauler](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/josephhauler)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2015, 2:25am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/lower-drum-ash-tank-dump/1411 "2015-02-21T02:25:20Z")
Well I had spent about 4 hours or so making up the bottom half of the lower drum. Everything was going very well until last night when i decided i would weld the ammo cans on in sub zero weather. I guess i should have pr… --- ## [Wood stove](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/wood-stove/1412)
**Author:** [@josephhauler](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/josephhauler)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/wood-stove/1412 "2015-02-20T15:03:00Z")
Another “what not to do”. If you are heating your home or barn or whatever with a wood stove, never poker stick the burned wood to get a nice char bed, and then put fresh wood on top of that and shut the door with the ai… --- ## [Bowl or funnel?](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/bowl-or-funnel/1114)
**Author:** [@wkweasel](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/wkweasel)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2014, 3:27am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/bowl-or-funnel/1114 "2014-07-16T03:27:15Z")
When I was building my burn tube and got to the rose peddle funnel I saw that I had a bladder pressure tank with nice heads. Ya its not a cone but it is a bowl with some pitch but not enough. I suspect that as the wood … --- ## [Lug Nuts](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/lug-nuts/1173)
**Author:** [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2014, 3:04am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/lug-nuts/1173 "2014-07-08T03:04:29Z")
Go check em. Right now… I mean it. Stop reading right now, go outside, and put a wrench on your lug nuts. All 4 wheels, just as tight as you can get them. I’ll wait. Back now? OK… well because I have been less than dili… --- ## [Not a good torch](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/not-a-good-torch/291)
**Author:** [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2014, 5:10am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/not-a-good-torch/291 "2014-06-25T05:10:38Z")
So I needed a push-button self lighting torch, and I wanted one like Wayne’s. Of course being in a rush never helps. I bought the only kind they had, figuring one was as good as another. Mistake! This torch is really ma… --- ## [Hay is flammable!](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/hay-is-flammable/1122)
**Author:** [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/hay-is-flammable/1122 "2014-05-11T17:36:55Z")
So… in the process of making Terry a flare video, I had to light up the truck using the new blowers. First time ever! I learned several things last night, not all of them pleasant. I’m passing all this along for your be… --- ## [Newer Import or Avalanche](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/newer-import-or-avalanche/871)
**Author:** [@pharoanbumps](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/pharoanbumps)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2014, 3:22am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/newer-import-or-avalanche/871 "2014-05-09T03:22:00Z")
What would be the disadvantages or dealbreakers concerning the conversion of a 2000-2014 Tundra or Avalanche? --- ## [Gasifiers spitting back](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/gasifiers-spitting-back/861)
**Author:** [@brianhughes45](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/brianhughes45)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/gasifiers-spitting-back/861 "2013-07-03T19:41:10Z")
The full story is in another thread, but it bears repeating here. Assume that gasifiers can spit back at any time, but the risk is highest at the end of a run, when there’s plenty of volume for gas mixtures to build up,… --- ## [Plumbing broke](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/plumbing-broke/286)
**Author:** [@Chris](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Chris)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/plumbing-broke/286 "2013-04-29T17:27:03Z")
To kick off this section of the site, I have some pictures to share. Backstory: In our rush to get the truck built, I ran plumbing between the leaf springs and the frame, over the back axle. While not an ideal setup, I h… --- ## [MSD multispark ignition - no good for woodgas](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/msd-multispark-ignition-no-good-for-woodgas/715)
**Author:** [@vesaa\_makinen\_1](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/vesaa_makinen_1)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/msd-multispark-ignition-no-good-for-woodgas/715 "2013-03-18T17:20:43Z")
I have made tests with this multi spark and got multiple back fires from engine. Juha has tested also in his El Camina and had same results. It\`s fine with gasoline but for some reason, it makes lots of backfires to inta… --- ## [Charcoal playing dead](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/charcoal-playing-dead/669)
**Author:** [@brianhughes45](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/brianhughes45)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2013, 1:29am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/charcoal-playing-dead/669 "2013-03-17T01:29:16Z")
I’m experimenting with ways to produce charcoal- the latest scheme was to use a sealed retort inside a stove- a partial success on the first attempt, but after letting it cool to the point where I could handle some of th… --- ## [(Not) Starting a forest fire](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/not-starting-a-forest-fire/595)
**Author:** [@Eric\_Cartier](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Eric_Cartier)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2012, 3:58am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/not-starting-a-forest-fire/595 "2012-12-26T03:58:00Z")
So Ive been researching building a gasifier of my own to power a motor vehicle for going on 2 years now. Ive read Vesa Mikkonens book and plan to buy Waynes when its made available. I live in forested southwest (northern… --- ## [Too Much Air Too Small Flare](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/too-much-air-too-small-flare/362)
**Author:** [@waynekbaker](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/waynekbaker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 3:21am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/too-much-air-too-small-flare/362 "2012-12-20T03:21:00Z")
Gasifier on Barn Roof. This happened a few years ago and I thought some of you would like a laugh. Some of you may remember seeing the pics elsewhere. When You are experimenting with a pressure gasifier Don’t make you…