compressor tank thickness

[396foxRN]

Hey all! I have a question about tank thicknesses for air compressors, since modern/recent ones seem to be way thinner than some of the older ones. Case in point, a 200 gallon tank I got as part of a package auction deal, see pic below.



While I don't really require a 200 gallon tank, I am considering using it anyway (home hobby shop) because 1, I have it already, 2, I gave practically nothing for it, 3, it is seriously industrial duty, 4, I could run damn near anything with that capacity, and 5, I plan to put whatever tank I use outside on a pad next to the backside of my garage for safety and room reasons (with the motor and 5120 quincy pump inside the garage.

.2187 and .199 thicknesses, looks like 1968 build date. typical scale in bottom, no water, has an automatic electric drain on it that probably negates some of the age/rust issues.

What do you guys think on those thicknesses?

I'd prefer to have a 120 gallon tank if I were to be buying new, and few people are interested in buying a 200 gallon tank, so it'd be hard to sell and probably get little for it anyway.

 

[cvairwerks]

Tee it in with a block valve and press on. Keep it blocked off when you don't need the capacity and open the valve when you do.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Personally, I'd keep and be happy with the 200 gal. My QR 325 sits on a 120 gal vert with a 240 gal reserve receiver next to it. I believe the 5120 and 200 gal receiver are a good match.
My 120 gal (2004) has .227 shell & .186 heads. The 240 gal (2006) has .165 shell and .166 heads (strange, I admit) but that whats on the info tag.

 

[396foxRN]

Tool Tyrant, how long does it take your 325 to fill the 120 gallon? The physical size of the 200 gallon doesnt bother me, as it will just occupy the 30" space between the back of my garage and the neighbors property line, so I will rarely even see it. I am just wondering how long it will take even a 5120 to get a 200 gallon tank to 150psi, when a compressor isnt something I use daily. I'm having a new garage built and am a fan of overkill, as it gives me growing room later if I need it.

my BIL bought a 1954 gardner denver 60 or 80 gallon from UofL years ago, it has .250 thick tank. He still hasnt bothered to fix the compressor and run it, but its one hell of a heavy and thick tank. Tanks definitely have gotten thinner over the years, probably just another example of planned obsolescence.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Tool Tyrant, how long does it take your 325 to fill the 120 gallon?

I use the full 360 gallon combination as we use quite a bit of air and I would rather have the compressor running for longer duration than cycling constantly.
I'm guessing here as I've never timed it, but to fill the 360 gallons from 125 psi to 175 psi takes about 3 to 4 minutes?
The 325 makes 18.64 CFM @ 175 psi & max. rpm while the 5120 makes 94.97, you would be able to do the same in less than 1 minute!!

Correction: Okay, I just timed my 325 and it took 6:10 to take 360 gallons from 125psi to 175psi. That being said, it should take 2:3 to take 120 gal. from 125 to 175.

 

[redmondjp]

Some of those old air tanks are, well, built like tanks!

I was at my friend's place this last weekend (where we got the Snapon 7HP 2-stage compressor up and running that I gave him in part exchange for major engine work on my car), and I lifted up the handle on his ancient Champion "Porta-Champ" 30 gallon 2HP compressor.

I was positive that he had 25 gallons of water in the tank, it was so heavy. He cracked the drain petcock and just a few drops came out. The tank on the thing (sorry, I didn't get any data from the nameplate) is far heavier than the Craftsman compressors of similar size made in that same era.

 

[dkmc]

I plan to put whatever tank I use outside on a pad next to the backside of my garage for safety and room reasons

.2187 and .199 thicknesses, looks like 1968 build date. typical scale in bottom, no water, has an automatic electric drain on it that probably negates some of the age/rust issues.

What do you guys think on those thicknesses?

Not sure what you mean by 'put it outside for safety reasons'.
Who's safety? If the thing blows up, it could easily take out the back wall of your garage, neighbors garage, or someones house depending on location and proximity.

The tank thicknesses are typical, but if it's 1968, with scale in the bottom, then it's not as thick as it was new anymore. Although I have read someplace, that those numbers represent minimum thicknesses, and a new tank can be thicker. Not sure if that's true.

 

[dutchgray]

I know of one still in use with a 1950's tank that was built with 1/4 boiler plate with 5/16 concave bottom.

 

[bob15]

Here is the plate off my 1944 compressor tank