Compressor Age

[SmokeySkypilot]

I was given a commercial air compressor (30 gallon tank?) with one date on the compressor and one on the tank. I can't remember which was which, but the dates are 1917 and 1920. I've been told to slowly pressure up the unit to test the tank, to have the tank hydrostatically tested (cost would be more than a new compressor), and the compressor manufacturers and dealers say to buy a new one. A new one is out of the question on our fixed income. Any advice on the best route to go?

 

[Dieselhammer]

Can you borrow a boroscope? pull out a bung on the tank and fish it in to see what the inside looks like. If it looks decent, put the compressor outside far away, run extension chord to power it up remotely and let it run for awhile, periodically stopping it and letting it sit for a while. This method may be frowned upon but it's worked for me on a vintage unit i picked up.

 

[SmokeySkypilot]

I'm not sure what a boroscope is?

 

[Boilerhouse]

Do you have a picture you can share. I don't think I have seen a 100 yo compressor, and I worked in a plant built in 1920, but the compressors were from the 40's.

Anyways, that tank will be riveted if it is from that era, and I would not use it.

 

[FTG-05]

I'm not sure what a boroscope is?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHW7ZTS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Superbec]

did you actually tried to get in hydro tested or you just think the cost is so high?

hydro is just filling it with water and getting it to 1.5x rated pressure(or whatever the book says). any plumber could do that

 

[930dreamer]

We need pics of the compressor tank.

 

[SmokeySkypilot]

Can you borrow a boroscope? pull out a bung on the tank and fish it in to see what the inside looks like. If it looks decent, put the compressor outside far away, run extension chord to power it up remotely and let it run for awhile, periodically stopping it and letting it sit for a while. This method may be frowned upon but it's worked for me on a vintage unit i picked up.

My apologies for the delay in answering all the replies. A death in the family has put me behind on more tasks than I can count.

Maybe I can get my gastroenterologist to loan me an endoscope. Maybe I can find a boroscope from one of our local plumbers. It took an engine hoist to get the compressor I can't see how I'd be able to get the compressor out of the garage corner it is in.

A mechanic who works just down the street suggested your idea of pressuring it bit by bit, but he suggested putting a check valve in the tank inlet line. I'll have to talk to him about the reason for testing with a check valve.

I'm not sure if I should get my hopes up, but a compressor company is interested in my antique compressor.

 

[SmokeySkypilot]

Do you have a picture you can share. I don't think I have seen a 100 yo compressor, and I worked in a plant built in 1920, but the compressors were from the 40's.

Anyways, that tank will be riveted if it is from that era, and I would not use it.

Nearly 10 years after my wife's death, I got remarried 4 years ago. A lot of stuff got moved to the garage and I can barely see the top of the compressor. If the attached photos don't show enough, when it cools enough to work in the garage I'll try to get some better ones.

As I mentioned, the dates are 1917 and 1920. I just can't remember which was on the tank and which on the compressor. I thought the tank was riveted, but from what I can see in the pictures it looks like it isn't. I've had a few welders and mechanics look at it and tell me that, if it passes a good pressure test, it's good to go. I've also had one or two tell me not to even try it at all, but to mount the compressor on a new tank. From the searching I've done, I can get a new compressor for less than a tank. Purging a propane tank (not the little grill size ones) would give me a good usable tank, but it would take some welding to get blow-out tap on the bottom.

 

[SmokeySkypilot]

did you actually tried to get in hydro tested or you just think the cost is so high?

hydro is just filling it with water and getting it to 1.5x rated pressure(or whatever the book says). any plumber could do that

I've talked with a number of plumbers in our area and haven't found any who do hydrostatic testing. Many of them didn't even know what it is. The few that did know said it takes a specialist. The closest I've found is roughly 100 miles away and told me that I could buy a new tank for less than they would have to charge to come out and test the tank.

 

[SmokeySkypilot]

We need pics of the compressor tank.

Posted the best ones I have.

 

[Wrench97]

I had a tank dated 1927 with a newer Quincy head on it I finally had to give in when I noticed it self draining the moisture.........................I thought about drilling and plugging but decided I didn't want to end up in the thread about dong something so stupid you should not be left alone with yourself so I found a good replacement from the 80's After swapping it out I cut it in half to ensure no one would try to reuse. The thickness was probably twice that of a newer tank but the rust pitting in the bottom was very bad all along the bottom(horizontal tank) most of it covered in scale that fell off with a light tap leaving large pits. so I guess the point is I'm not sure how much a bore scope will tell you.