Shelf Life of a Compressor

[Bolster]

Purchased a new Rigid 6-gal pancake compressor last month. Didn't notice until today it has a printed shelf life on it: "Remove Tank from Service in 2032." I bought a disposable compressor? What do you make of this?

 

[u3b3rg33k]

they assume it'll rust out, and probably assume most owners will rarely drain the tank.

 

[The Cobbler]

it's a consumable item. I like the idea of a date.

 

[American Locomotive]

Technically any pressure vessel should be regularly inspected and hydro-tested. But no one ever does.

Basically they're "guaranteeing" that whatever corrosion protection (if any) that they've applied to the tank should allow it to hold together for at least 10 years. If it blows up after that date, they're waving their hands of responsibility.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Maybe a liability issue who knows now a days. With today’s throw it out someone down the road hopefully rescues it from a scraper when the expiry date arrives.
I had about a 25 year old horizontal Craftman compressor. Because of GJ I realized it was rebuildable. Some reeds, piston and a few other parts got it running again. Except for the fan that I had mounted poorly and exploded on the test run. Cobbler if I forgot I appreciated the offer of you possibly having a replacement. Managed to order a replacement. Filled the tank then took it to the lakes. Since I never needed it at the lake it is still sitting with that first fill. I am using my stationary unit and have a smaller portable so really haven’t needed it since the repair.

 

[KnurledNut]

This seems to be prompted by a recall IR had back in 2002.
(Dewalt is also putting expiration date stickers on their tanks.
IMO, they should stamp the compressor somewhere instead of using a sticker.)

“Air Tank: On February 26, 2002, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission published Release # 02-108 concerning air compressor tank safety:
Air compressor receiver tanks do not have an infinite life. Tank life is dependent upon several factors, some of which include operating conditions, ambient conditions, proper installations, field modifications, and the level of maintenance. The exact effect of these factors on air receiver life is difficult to predict. If proper maintenance procedures are not followed, internal corrosion to the inner wall of the air receiver tank can cause the air tank to unexpectedly rupture allowing pressurized air to sud- denly and forcefully escape, posing risk of injury to consumers. Your compressor air tank must be removed from service by the end of the year shown on your tank warning label.
The following conditions could lead to a weakening of the air tank, and result in a violent air tank explosion:
• Excessive vibration can weaken the air tank and cause rupture or explosion. Excessive vibration will occur if the compressor is not properly mounted or
if engine operates above recommended RPM.
• Do not remove the stiffener bar connecting the compressor pump to the engine, except to adjust belt tension. Then securely tighten the stiffener bar bolts. This bar controls unit vibration.”

I personally feel all this is being exploited so that inferior materials can be used, made cheaper, and put more money in the tool companies pocket. Planned obsolescence.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I personally feel all this is being exploited so that inferior materials can be used, made cheaper, and put more money in the tool companies pocket. Planned obsolescence.

I definitely agree.... but is is a chicken or egg sort of thing? They've been making tanks out of sketchier materials for a long time.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

Maybe a liability issue who knows now a days. With today’s throw it out someone down the road hopefully rescues it from a scraper when the expiry date arrives.
I had about a 25 year old horizontal Craftman compressor. Because of GJ I realized it was rebuildable. Some reeds, piston and a few other parts got it running again. Except for the fan that I had mounted poorly and exploded on the test run. Cobbler if I forgot I appreciated the offer of you possibly having a replacement. Managed to order a replacement. Filled the tank then took it to the lakes. Since I never needed it at the lake it is still sitting with that first fill. I am using my stationary unit and have a smaller portable so really haven’t needed it since the repair.

It's worth putting a scope (they're dirt cheap now) inside to check out the seams on unknowns. I dunno when compressor tanks went from "good" to "mildly sketchy". My 2008 Craftsman 30g upright import (total consumer grade, definitely mildly sketchy) oiless compressor left me a nice rusty soup the one time I didn't drain it after use. I used it for 12 years, then just let it go when we moved from OH to IN. I'd replaced loads of parts on it over the years, but it was getting more and more needy (parts were getting harder to find, too). Then a couple videos of exploded compressors sealed the deal. In retrospect, I probably didn't have room for it in any of the U-Haul trips.

-Ryan

 

[Maui]

It's worth putting a scope (they're dirt cheap now) inside to check out the seams on unknowns. I dunno when compressor tanks went from "good" to "mildly sketchy". My 2008 Craftsman 30g upright import (total consumer grade, definitely mildly sketchy) oiless compressor left me a nice rusty soup the one time I didn't drain it after use. I used it for 12 years, then just let it go when we moved from OH to IN. I'd replaced loads of parts on it over the years, but it was getting more and more needy (parts were getting harder to find, too). Then a couple videos of exploded compressors sealed the deal. In retrospect, I probably didn't have room for it in any of the U-Haul trips.

-Ryan

Can you elaborate on what brand of scope is dirt cheap today and where I could buy one? I’ve been wanting one of these for a very long time for this very purpose but have no idea what type/brand is considered a good value.

 

[MarkH]

Is the expiration date the same for all types of tanks or does it increase with better tanks. We have big tanks that are decades old. We have a maintenance schedule for them. Still I so see a few of the small ones being real cheap and due to how they are used are more likely to be abused. Also a few of the small ones had a few year old date of production on them when we got them. I wish they could have used even though it is hard to track, time of first use.

 

[FMB4]

ASME tanks definitely last longer. That said, comp manufacturers have been adding "Remove Tank from Service in (the yr) XXXX for some time now.

 

[zendriver]

Just keep using it after the 10 years.

Might be fine, might not. Got to get one's money's worth out of a $100 compressor.

 

[MarkH]

It looks like it may vary and did not start right away or certain classes were exempt. It was finally a day to clean up the workspace at home so I looked at what I had. Two large tanks. Year of build on the tank tag was 2003 and 2010. Neither had an expiration date on the tank tag or the compressor spec tag. I had a small pancake one that I need to drop of at another place. With the way it has been working it will be lucky to live to 5 years. That is why it is going to a less critical job. The portable my grandfather bought in 19 forgotten is going back to work.

 

[KnurledNut]

Pretty good look inside an old compressor:

 

[Higgins]

I find this amusing ..... Have an old Monkey Wards compressor from the 50's and it still runs!! However, I have no idea
what the condition is of the inside of the tank.

AL

 

[kelpaso1]

I find this amusing ..... Have an old Monkey Wards compressor from the 50's and it still runs!! However, I have no idea
what the condition is of the inside of the tank.

AL

Why would you find this amusing? Like you said you have no idea of the rust condition inside the tank. That's a time bomb waiting to blow up. I would be getting rid of that old tank and get a new one. Just look up compressor tank explosion and see the deadly results that can happen. Will be a bad day when it happens.

 

[Badgerstate]

I dont know that Id be all that worried about it. Do you really think your pancake compressor will still be working in 10 years?

 

[Bolster]

I dont know that Id be all that worried about it. Do you really think your pancake compressor will still be working in 10 years?

My previous compressor is 27 years old and still going strong, so...yes, unless I abuse the thing. I have many 110V tools that have lasted several decades. BUT, perhaps the crappification of new products has proceeded apace, so we'll see.

The real question is whether or not *I* will still be working in 10 years. Heck, I might need a new tank by then, myself. LOL

Love your sig line BTW.

 

[FMB4]

Air compressors only explode due to two issues: a pressure control valve failure and, at the very same time, a pressure relief safety valve failure. This combination of issues is extremely rare, that is, unless you fall for every horrific UTub/etc video that catches your attention. That said, a tank rust-through issue would only result in a loss of pressure that would not be 'explosive'.

Btw, the term 'shelf life' applies to consumer products that have never been used. The proper term here is 'service life'.

 

[p00p]

if for anything else, a consumer can feel confident in having a date with something at some point in the future... that's assuming they intend to keep it around that long.

 

[nadogail]

I agree that it s probably a "Risk Avoidance" issue, too many Ambulance Chasers.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Can you elaborate on what brand of scope is dirt cheap today and where I could buy one? I’ve been wanting one of these for a very long time for this very purpose but have no idea what type/brand is considered a good value.

I have something similar to this:

Amazon.com

Same brand, but I'd have to check what model. It'll plug into a USB or a smart phone. I'm not 100% happy with it, but it does get the recon I can't see otherwise.

-Ryan

 

[Bolster]

I have something similar to this:

Amazon.com

Same brand, but I'd have to check what model. It'll plug into a USB or a smart phone. I'm not 100% happy with it, but it does get the recon I can't see otherwise.

-Ryan

Thanks for the qualified recommendation. The item you mention has 15K reviews with 4.5 stars, so...can't be TOO bad, right?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Many industrial cylinders must be recertified every 10 years.

 

[boom10ful]

Thanks for the qualified recommendation. The item you mention has 15K reviews with 4.5 stars, so...can't be TOO bad, right?

I can vouch for that brand as I have their corded version. For the little times that I end up using it, I figured that the battery in the cordless version would go bad.

 

[neophyte]

Air compressors only explode due to two issues: a pressure control valve failure and, at the very same time, a pressure relief safety valve failure. This combination of issues is extremely rare, that is, unless you fall for every horrific UTub/etc video that catches your attention. That said, a tank rust-through issue would only result in a loss of pressure that would not be 'explosive'.

Btw, the term 'shelf life' applies to consumer products that have never been used. The proper term here is 'service life'.

There is no set way a tank failure do to rust or other issues would happen.
The failure could be a slow leak, or a sudden failure.

 

[Badgerstate]

My previous compressor is 27 years old and still going strong, so...yes, unless I abuse the thing. I have many 110V tools that have lasted several decades. BUT, perhaps the crappification of new products has proceeded apace, so we'll see.

The real question is whether or not *I* will still be working in 10 years. Heck, I might need a new tank by then, myself. LOL

Love your sig line BTW.

I just mean that with most pancake compressors, they have no real filtration system on it, so the pump will burn up long before the tank rusts and blows out. A lot of them are made a cheaply as possible. Earlier this year I looked at the Craftsman and Metabo pancake compressors and they didnt look like theyd be a tool that Id expect to be working 10 years from now with regular use.

 

[Bolster]

I just mean that with most pancake compressors, they have no real filtration system on it, so the pump will burn up long before the tank rusts and blows out. A lot of them are made a cheaply as possible. Earlier this year I looked at the Craftsman and Metabo pancake compressors and they didnt look like theyd be a tool that Id expect to be working 10 years from now with regular use.

I see. Makes sense. This is my first pancake so I'll just get comfortable with the "use it in a decade" idea. Come to think of it, I didn't see an intake filter...

 

[tarbellb]

If a oilless pancake compressor last 10yrs+ you got your monies worth......

except the hearing loss you now have to get checked out.



ps 99% of tank failures are pin hole leaks that kill exactly 0 people

 

[Jlarson]

Manufacture dates on pressure vessels have been a thing for a long time, the "expiration date" on consumer stuff came about cause they know people aren't going to drain them, or have them inspected/tested, but they will sure a **** turn around a scream lawsuit if the rotten tank goes boom. Yeah a lot of em just develop a pin hole and that's it but some do blow and take off like some sort of great value SpaceX launch and tear stuff up along the way, seen the aftermath there's also several OSHA case studies.

 

[the gypsy]

I have heard that the thickest part of steel is the bulbous ends . I don't remember where I have read it or heard it. But my question is, if these are the strongest part of the compressor would it not make sense that these ends would not rust through or crack as fast as the cylindrical part. Thus being longer lasting and if the purging valve were at the lowest point, the water would evacuate completely. Did anyone notice that the valve is not at the lowest point. I know that my Makita is not at the lowest point and not perfectly vertical and when I purge I have to try rock the compressor forward to try and get all the water out. I hope my explanation is clear for you guys and gals can understand...

I am sorry, for leaving the post without my complete thought. I was being distracted and did not have a chance to surmise my thoughts. So in conclusion , I believe the vertical compressors will probably last much longer than the horizontal ones...

 

[Makoto]

the motor will die before the tank. my 33 gallon craftsman clanker lasted 20 years. tank was rusty but fine otherwise.