chris142
Well-known member
went to use my Air tools and I have a hole in my airtank.rust I assume. odd cause I always drain it after I use it.now what do I do? have it plated or throw it away?
hole in my compressor tank
- Thread starter chris142
- Start date
bsaint
Well-known member
Throw it away.
Brian_B_
Well-known member
Throw it away! In fact, if possible cut it apart with a torch before you scrap it. Someone else may try to use is and get hurt bad when it comes apart.
thejudges69
Well-known member
I haul cryogenic tanks and when they have to repair them they put a big patch on them maybe half inch thick but they triple weld all the way around and they're way more pressure then your putting out. BUT, if its rusted in one spot whose to say what the rest is like. I'd inspect and maybe patch but if its to bad I'd scrap it.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Uh-oh...you just opened a HUGE can of worms on here
.....personally, I'd scrap it simply b/c if one part is rusted, the rest may not be far behind.
.....personally, I'd scrap it simply b/c if one part is rusted, the rest may not be far behind.thejudges69
Well-known member
I didn't intend to open up a can of worms, I'm just saying what they do on cryo tanks. personally I'd scrap it due to the fact that its probably thin steel and chances are its rusted beyond repair. If it rusted from the inside out, i'd scrap it. But i was saying if money's tight and and it rusted from the outside in and the inside is clean i'd patch it. really no way of knowing tho.
oh and cryo tanks are like 1 inch thick steel so they can accept a patch if its a small problem where compressor tanks are a fraction of that.
oh and cryo tanks are like 1 inch thick steel so they can accept a patch if its a small problem where compressor tanks are a fraction of that.
It's rusted from the inside out. The drain is not at the lowest point of the tank so I would move it up and down with the drain valve open to help remove the water.
Part of me wants to cut it out and patch it. I know several professional welders so getting a good weld is not the problem. Another idea is to buy the 60 gallon tank on Craigs ($75) and put my pump and motor on that.
Part of me wants to cut it out and patch it. I know several professional welders so getting a good weld is not the problem. Another idea is to buy the 60 gallon tank on Craigs ($75) and put my pump and motor on that.
thejudges69
Well-known member
i'd do the craigs thing if its rusted from the inside out, if could be rusted elsewhere also.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
I did not mean your post, just welding air tanks in general...this has been discussed before, and usually winds up with posts being locked!
Gary S
Well-known member
You can do the sensible thing and throw it away, or you can patch and muck with it and put your life at risk.
RangerDaleXp
Well-known member
Don't fix it. get rid of it but like said earlier, Cut it up or drill some holes in it so no one else can use it....
If it has a National Board number on it by code (each state has their own jurisdictional rules) it must be repaired by a shop with an ASME 'R' stamp (repair certification). It will also require a detailed inspection to find any areas below the minimum required thickness.
All of this technobabble comes into play when the improperly repaired tank blows apart & your widow sues the manufacturer (unsuccessfully).
Get a new one.
CJK
National Board Certified Pressure Vessel Inspector (Pennsylvania)
AWS Certified Welding Inspector
All of this technobabble comes into play when the improperly repaired tank blows apart & your widow sues the manufacturer (unsuccessfully).
Get a new one.
CJK
National Board Certified Pressure Vessel Inspector (Pennsylvania)
AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Brian_B_
Well-known member
Look on Craiglist for one that is burned up. use your good parts on it. 
Watchwatch
Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2012
- Messages
- 21
Outlawmws
Well-known member
This is the ONLY sensible "repair" solution (Other than a certified repair and inspection), but do get a look inside the "new" tank before buying...
rsanter
Well-known member
I like the idea of getting another compressor and making a good working unit out of the two, assuming the other one has a good tank.
I would hate to throw the old tank away, seems to me that it could be repurposed...
like cut the bad end off and use it as a soaking tank or a bottom collection sump for a sand blaster
bob
I would hate to throw the old tank away, seems to me that it could be repurposed...
like cut the bad end off and use it as a soaking tank or a bottom collection sump for a sand blaster
bob
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Bummer cause I just "tuned" it up with a new belt, filters, oil etc. I hate to throw out the motor and cast iron pump
All you need is the tank. Cut the whole assembly off the old tank and mount it somewhere out of the way and get a new tank and mount it somewhere out of the way. They do not have to be one unit.
FunkyfullWidth
Well-known member
I'm a cheap *******.... But I wouldn't attempt a repair on an air tank.... They're very easy and cheap to find. Save the pump and the motor, and get a new tank. Like it's been said, If there's rust in one spot, who knows where else it is. It's time for a new one dude, it's not worth the risk, or the cost to repair it compared to a new/used tank.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Everyone talks about how ones life is in danger if it is repaired but has anyone ever actually saw one that exploded. My cousin fixed one, I welded a patch on one, and I have known a couple of others that have been repaired.
The OP's tank just started leaking when it went bad and had thin metal. What's going to cause it to explode all of a sudden when it didn't explode before. Usually when they go, they leak.
I'd like to see some pics of exploding air compressors that are designed for home use with a 175 PSI max pressure.
The OP's tank just started leaking when it went bad and had thin metal. What's going to cause it to explode all of a sudden when it didn't explode before. Usually when they go, they leak.
I'd like to see some pics of exploding air compressors that are designed for home use with a 175 PSI max pressure.
according to the poster, this one blew at 150 in his garage
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?p=455570#post455570
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metaldad
Well-known member
As said, cut up the tank, and scrap it.
And instead of buying a used one to save money, which may already have inside rot, buy a NEW one.
And instead of buying a used one to save money, which may already have inside rot, buy a NEW one.
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Finally! Someone with a GOOD suggestion.
OP, don't patch it,don't weld it, don't reuse it for anything under pressure. If you still want it, go pay a professional. Otherwise, you're risking a big problem. A great explosion may or may not happen. But I have seen when they do happen - it's a real hazard.
Scrap it and be thankful that you found the hole before it found you! I have a friend who had his father's old compressor from the 60's in the corner of the garage, he went in the house for lunch one day after working in the garage, it cycled on and burst, it went right through a 2x4 leg of a workbench and sent that 10' into side mirror & window of his wife's car. Needless to say he's glad that his leg was not anywhere near that.
metaldad
Well-known member
the new tank store!
anywhere, really. Sears, HF, McMaster Carr, the box stores, internetz, etc.
bsaint
Well-known member
Yea I would just buy another tank thats a Manchester brand or what not. The big thing is when you invest in a new tank, you want to make sure you drain it all the time. The outside maybe painted but most likely the inside is raw steel or light primer at best.
bsaint
Well-known member
Yea I've seen them blow up. The rust, fracture and the rest is history. Think about a sea world glass tank with a pin hole leak...
On another note, I've seen drawn high pressure tanks rupture too.
When you go looking for a tank look for a 200psi rated tank. alot of the new models from the box stores are 160psi or less rated tanks and they rust alot faster. I have tanks from the 40's and 50's that are in perfect condition and thinner ones from the 90's and up that are rusted out. That probally has something to do with the quality of today's steel too.
I haven't priced them, but I've priced replacement compressors and motors. Judging by the price of them, you could probably order a replacement tank from the manufacturer for cheaper than you think.
Another place to check is HD/Lowes or any local store that sells compressors. Every once and a while someone will return one that the compressor is bad on, and you may be able to pick it up cheap. A friend got a steal on one of these and just re-sleeved the compressor. Just a thought.
Another place to check is HD/Lowes or any local store that sells compressors. Every once and a while someone will return one that the compressor is bad on, and you may be able to pick it up cheap. A friend got a steal on one of these and just re-sleeved the compressor. Just a thought.
The energy stored in an air tank is significantly higher than with liquid due to the compressibility of the gas. Besause of the higher danger, testing pressures are limited to 1.1 X working pressure for an air test vs 1.5 for a hydro test. Some companies prohibit air tests all together due to the risk.
http://www.chemproindia.com/file.php/pdf/HAZARDS-Pneumatic Test.pdf
This was during an air test. Looks more like a combustible gas explosion:
http://www.tedpelling.com/news/Pneumatic Shanghai LNG Terminal.pdf
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Google is your friend, and there have been quite a few documented or re-documented right here on GJ. This is NOT a thing to start the "prove it" mantra on.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Google is your friend, and there have been quite a few documented or re-documented right here on GJ. This is NOT a thing to start the "prove it" mantra on.
Understandable. I'm all for safety. I'm also for facts. Everyone TALKS about how unsafe it is with no first hand experience. I'd just like to see where a tank exploded from being repaired. If a little research was done, you would find that an air compressor that explodes is not caused by a repair, but is caused by either over pressurizing the tank, or by a buildup of oil vapor inside the tank. Also if a tank does explode, it will not send shrapnel flying, the tank will rip apart. If you alter the tank by going past the recommended pressure, removing the relief valve, then yea, you are asking for trouble. I know more people that have repaired tanks firsthand with no trouble and have went on to use them for years. I have yet to see an exploded tank or even know anyone that has seen an exploded tank. Sure, anyone can say that they know someone who knows someone that was related to someone that heard someone had one explode because someone welded it.
Brian_B_
Well-known member
Agree there. The little petcock valve is a pain in **** under a big compressor to drain every day.
I "borrowed" this idea from members here just today:
Wow it was nice when I left today..just flip the handle on the ball valve and walk away!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Understandable. I'm all for safety. I'm also for facts. Everyone TALKS about how unsafe it is with no first hand experience. I'd just like to see where a tank exploded from being repaired. If a little research was done, you would find that an air compressor that explodes is not caused by a repair, but is caused by either over pressurizing the tank, or by a buildup of oil vapor inside the tank. Also if a tank does explode, it will not send shrapnel flying, the tank will rip apart. If you alter the tank by going past the recommended pressure, removing the relief valve, then yea, you are asking for trouble. I know more people that have repaired tanks firsthand with no trouble and have went on to use them for years. I have yet to see an exploded tank or even know anyone that has seen an exploded tank. Sure, anyone can say that they know someone who knows someone that was related to someone that heard someone had one explode because someone welded it.
Did you even bother reading the link provided in post 23? If an un-repaired tank can blow and rip a man up like that, your saying a repaired tank wont? what planet are you from?
There are lots of documented instances of tanks blowing up and in some cases killing people. I'm all for the facts also; you need to get out of the "it didn't happen to me, and it didn't happen to anyone I personally know, so it must be safe" mode... Air tanks have to be assembled by welders certified for the job for a reason. Tanks are certified and tested for the same reasons. People have died in these accidents, and not because as you say, "The equipment malfunctioned'. Either the tanks were damaged, or had rusted through; yes sometimes they just leak. And sometimes they come apart and then its not a good day...
Your attitude and comments are irresponsible; man up a little...
PCO6
Well-known member
I have the same setup on my large compressor. I recently installed an automatic drain on my small compressor and have been really happy with it.Agree there. The little petcock valve is a pain in **** under a big compressor to drain every day.
I "borrowed" this idea from members here just today:
Wow it was nice when I left today..just flip the handle on the ball valve and walk away!
Automatic drain ...
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8062622/Compressor-Components/Auto/Manual-Air-Tank-Drain
In current condition this tank should be considered junk. However, since it is junk it would not hurt to enlarge the existing hole in order to inspect how bad it is. 100mm circular saw comes to mind.
If inspection reveals the damage is isolated and the tank is otherwise in good condition and made from relatively thick steel I would consider repairing it.
If inspection reveals the damage is isolated and the tank is otherwise in good condition and made from relatively thick steel I would consider repairing it.