Air compressor bung size?

[HotRodHudson]

I am wondering if I can change the steel bung on the compressor tank? Currently the single stage 60 gallon Kobalt has a 3/8" female and I'd like to increase it to 1/2". Is this a good idea or am I just making more work for myself than I need?

 

[pattenp]

The air outlet bung on my kobalt 60 is welded.

 

[malibu101]

Not be be a downer and I've never tried it, but I've heard that often times the bungs can be REAL hard to remove.

 

[Todd.Brock]

You said *********.... Huh huh. Huh...

I tried removing that thing on a compressor once and it just smiled at me and. I would say your fighting a losing battle. But, if you had a long enough pipe wrench , I suspect you could give it a whirl. How much is a bigger *********,

 

[CNGsaves]

You said *********.... Huh huh. Huh...

^ ^ ^ That was pretty funny line from kid in Two And Half Men !

OP, gotta ask WHY would you bother trying to take out bung plug that generally is ONLY taken out for worst case scenario of inspecting inside of tank for rust??

You will get no noticeable benefit from increasing from 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch. Heck lots and lots of entire airline systems are just 1/2 inch for the entire system !!

Show us what you're wanting to change out:

 

[G_P]

Good luck trying to get the bung out without damaging the tank.

 

[Fixnair]

A 3/8 pipe will pass three times the volume your little compressor can make. Why do you want to change it?
If you need extra flow for an instant you could buy an auxiliary air receiver that's equipped with a larger outlet and pipe your Kobalt over to it.

 

[Cyberbear]

If it does not remove easily, there is little difference between 3/8 and 1/2 NPT. Why the increase?? You could try a 3/8 x 1/2 bell reducer and go that way.
You did not mention if the bung was at the tank bottom, side or what. I'm presuming it's at the bottom and it has to do with installing an automatic drain ...if so, a reducer should still get the job done.

 

[SKULLY]

head to your local pipe supply, they'll have your fitting

 

[PT Doc]

I think you are tring to solve a non problem. Do you think that the compressor manufacturer designed the whole compressor but overlooked the correct bung size and that is limiting output? If you need more scfm then you need a bigger compressor. That will come with a bigger bung. My 80g 2 stage has a 3/4" bung.

 

[sberry]

Agreed, the air ends up down a 3/8 hose in the end, a short section of 3/8 valve wont hurt a thing.

 

[HotRodHudson]

*********..... Lol, I forgot about that one!
I appreciate knowing it's not a fight worth taking on and it's good to hear going from 3/8" to 1/2" isn't crucial or really that necessary. I just hate to have to do things twice I've I can avoid it.

Thanks!

 

[bad_idea]

I pulled the plug out of the tank on my compressor, it was fun. Heat w/ torch and use a 36" pipe wrench. That being said, don't bother in this situation.