For those of you looking to mix methoxide in volumes larger than 4 gallons, here is cheap solution I built a while back. Uses air power, bottom drains, and does not require much fabrication.

Parts list totaled just over $120.
1. 18 gallon hdpe tank from US Plastic
2. Angle grinder from Harbor Freight
3. Paint stirrer from Harbor Freight
4. 2 14mmx21mm bearings
5. 1 brass bushing
6. 4 flat 1/2" washers



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Tank has a slanted bottom with 1/2" drain. It has steel nuts molded into the bottom so it can be bolted down. The slanted bottom helps push all the liquid to the drain.
Cost: $80



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Tank cap has a built in vacuum release valve. Punch this out and it gives you a nice bearing mounting service to work with.

I picked up the 2 14mm bearings and a brass bushing at a local supplier, they fit snug over the 14mm shaft and the brass bushing pressed into the cap where the relief valve previously resided. Welded a washer on the shaft to keep it from moving up. Then welded the nut from the shaft to the nut on the grinder. Used some 1/2" washers to take up fill up the gap and all done...

Bearing and Bushing Cost: $14



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The shaft and grinder both from Harbor Freight. Shaft length requires a methanol volume of 3 gallons or more to work. Also a decent air supply is required to run the grinder, or you have to start and stop the mixing process to let the compressor catch up. Zip tie used to hold trigger open.

Angle Grinder Cost: $16
Stirrer Rod Cost: $12



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Not shown above, I did install a 1/4" vent tube in the top of the tank and ran it outside the shop.

I also have scaled this design up to a 55 gallon plastic drum methoxide mixer using a larger air grinder. Will post some pix of that one later.

-Ken

Nice! I have almost the same setup, but used a heavy duty rubbermaid trashcan and bulkhead fittings for a bottom side drain and a sight tube. Instead of running a vapor line to atmosphere, I have it exchanging air with the 1/2" bung on the meth barrel.

Don't forget to utilize some sort of static grounding.