Teikas Dad
Well-known member
I've got a 25 or 30 year old Sears two cylinder 12 gallon air compressor that someone gave me for free. There's a pinhole in the bottom of the tank where it rusted through. The motor runs great and builds pressure quickly. All the piping is solid and the electric motor has no issues.
Compared to the oilless compressor that I have in my shop now the two cylinder compressor is almost silent when it's running so I'd really like to get it working properly again. I have to wear earmuffs or plugs in the shop whenever I turn on the oilless compressor.
I was going to weld the rusted spot figuring that would save the tank. But, I've been doing some research on the net and I quickly learned that it's a big No-No to weld a rusted compressor tank as they will usually go BOOM on you.
I've had no luck trying to track down a replacement tank. I saw a lot of posts on various websites where people were recommending unused propane tanks (once they're empty) as a replacement compressor tank. I've got two 20 gallon propane tanks sitting around unused that are in really good shape. Would it work connecting the two tank valves together with a hard plumbed T, then running the compressor line into the T.
Would that work? From what I could find out propane tanks can hold much higher pressures than air compressor tanks.
The other option I'm thinking about is to buy one of the portable 11 gallon air tanks that Harbor Freight sells.
Then cut off the mounting plate/bracket from the Sears compressor and weld it on the HF tank. The other thing I'd need to do is weld in a fitting on the top of the tank to connect the compressor tubing to.
Figured before I blow up my shop or myself I'd check with you guys. There's a wealth of info on this forum and I don't think I'm the first one who's been trying to come up with a workable solution.
Compared to the oilless compressor that I have in my shop now the two cylinder compressor is almost silent when it's running so I'd really like to get it working properly again. I have to wear earmuffs or plugs in the shop whenever I turn on the oilless compressor.
I was going to weld the rusted spot figuring that would save the tank. But, I've been doing some research on the net and I quickly learned that it's a big No-No to weld a rusted compressor tank as they will usually go BOOM on you.
I've had no luck trying to track down a replacement tank. I saw a lot of posts on various websites where people were recommending unused propane tanks (once they're empty) as a replacement compressor tank. I've got two 20 gallon propane tanks sitting around unused that are in really good shape. Would it work connecting the two tank valves together with a hard plumbed T, then running the compressor line into the T.
Would that work? From what I could find out propane tanks can hold much higher pressures than air compressor tanks.
The other option I'm thinking about is to buy one of the portable 11 gallon air tanks that Harbor Freight sells.
Then cut off the mounting plate/bracket from the Sears compressor and weld it on the HF tank. The other thing I'd need to do is weld in a fitting on the top of the tank to connect the compressor tubing to.
Figured before I blow up my shop or myself I'd check with you guys. There's a wealth of info on this forum and I don't think I'm the first one who's been trying to come up with a workable solution.
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