Weld a Compressor Tank?
- Thread starter redmed
- Start date
stratman977
Well-known member
Legal and safety concerns aside, yes they can be welded but if you have to ask you probably don't know how to do it properly.
If youre welding a rust pin hole skip it because welding up the hole isn't solving the problem that your tank is getting thin.
Why do you want to weld it anyway? My guess is that if you have to come here and ask this question you already know its a bad idea so follow your instincts and find a better tank to put your pump on.
If youre welding a rust pin hole skip it because welding up the hole isn't solving the problem that your tank is getting thin.
Why do you want to weld it anyway? My guess is that if you have to come here and ask this question you already know its a bad idea so follow your instincts and find a better tank to put your pump on.
Lx460
Well-known member
Lx460
Well-known member
The real problem is it's not just a hole in the tank. The tank is likely rusted from the inside and if there's a small hole visible, the inside is probably very bad. From a safety and financial standpoint it's not worth it. To do it properly would be expensive but to do it cheap would be dangerous.
Givl Reggin
Banned
Epoxy and a piece of metal to patch the area would be my way of doing it - if you can get the patch inside the tank all the better. but, like others have already said; it probably time for a new tank.
It's one of those things, if you have to ask...... Think of it this way, how did the tank get manufactured in the first place?
is this some king of joke or? epoxy or jb weld on a pressurized unit is far from safe
metaldad
Well-known member
no.
unless you're certified.
a tank that you 'practiced' velding on lets loose and causes damage,,,, i think you just let the insurance company off the hook
unless you're certified.
a tank that you 'practiced' velding on lets loose and causes damage,,,, i think you just let the insurance company off the hook
metaldad
Well-known member
should not practice weld on a pressure bearing vessel certified by someone else, unless you are weld certified and have the insurance to back it up.
period.
unless you do not care about liability
period.
unless you do not care about liability
Lx460
Well-known member
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
bore the pinhole to a 1" diameter.... put a candle in the hole and seal with wax....
lite the candle and enjoy the flicker..... much brighter idea than attempting to weld.... HaHAhA but I am serious
lite the candle and enjoy the flicker..... much brighter idea than attempting to weld.... HaHAhA but I am serious
Rock knocker
Well-known member
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Scsmith42
Well-known member
I have welded bungs into small tanks with TIG - steel rod and also furnace brazing rod. Have welded bungs into larger tanks with 7018.
You need to know how to make a good weld if you plan on doing it.
Scott
You need to know how to make a good weld if you plan on doing it.
Scott
Ackattack
Member
Or an R stamp.....been there done that. I had one pressure vessel crack after a weld repair; luckily all it did was shut down the plant for a few days and not kill anyone.
Rock knocker
Well-known member
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We actually just threw away the tanks for 15hp and less compressors. Our ASME paperwork, Hartford Steam Boiler and WaDept of Labor and Industries cost was more than a new tank cost at Graingers, much less labor.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
^ ^ Duck is right . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . What EXACTLY is the OP proposing to do ??? WHY ????
Lastly . . . PICS or It DOES NOT EXIST !!!. . .
It doesn't matter; unless you are certified for welding pressure vessels, Don't....
Plenty of questions have been asked; the OP is silent. I smell troll. [/thread]
AmickRacing
Well-known member
My vote is weld it up, that won't hurt a thing. Just don't put it back into service as a pressure vessel. Make a BBQ or forget out if it.
Tronyadorable
Banned
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I used to build them
Stay away.
If you can find an ironworker(union--structural) with current certification, let him do it.
Most idiot mechanics have no business owning a welder.
Ed ke6bnl
Well-known member
I had a small air comp. about 20 gallon and it dragged on the ground when you wheeled from place to place and did not realize it till it was leaking. I silver soldered it and used it for about 5 years and sold it the same way never an issue. saying that not saying to do it, worked for me.
sberry
Banned
When did Ironworkers start welding on pressure vessels?
bsaint
Well-known member
Since we don't know the OP's talent as a welder, we all say no. But any one of us that has been a commercial welder probably has enough skill to weld in a repair plate. That is don't weld up the hole, but weld cut out around the hole until you get solid metal and weld up a oversized patch panel. Since I run 90-120 psi in my shop, I would be fine putting it back into service. Critical pressure steam vessel - that's another story.
Heavymetalmechanic
Well-known member
You provide very little information from which to form a response.
Unless you are a welder certified for pressure vessels you should not weld on the TANK. Welding to the brackets is fine so long as it does not affect the TANK.
Don't ask a question, provide no context, then get snarky.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Yep, getting "someone" to weld it will be tough, (whatever it is that needs welding) Getting a certified pressure vessel welder should be easy. He will also insist on it being pressure tested.
And ditto what Heavymetalmechanic said...
I'm not being snarky ... Sorry if I come across that way. I asked a question if it was possible to weld a leaking tank. Most of the answers said it was not a good idea and to buy a new tank. I wanted to know what most of the guys here thought of that idea before I loaded the compressor in my truck and drove around to find someone to do it. Now I know what most of the welders would say. I avoided wasting my time and a bunch of snickers and sneers and yes snarky responses. I was hesitant to have it done but thought that maybe I was limiting myself. Now I know my instincts where correct.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
So why don't you explain what the issue is IN DETAIL, and maybe post pics? if is a small homeowners tank, I can tell you it won't be worth messing with. if its an industrial tank, maybe.
Panic Panic Panic
if you haven't done it and am certified for 85 years you can't do it and never will be able to do it. Cut the tank up into pieces 1/2" or smaller and scatter it to the wind.
Yes it serious and yes it can go bad but you know your skills and whether you can do it or not. Rusted tanks can be a waste of time but maybe you're just adding a foot or something simple. Just be smart.
if you haven't done it and am certified for 85 years you can't do it and never will be able to do it. Cut the tank up into pieces 1/2" or smaller and scatter it to the wind.
Yes it serious and yes it can go bad but you know your skills and whether you can do it or not. Rusted tanks can be a waste of time but maybe you're just adding a foot or something simple. Just be smart.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
I am glad Your question was answered to enable a final decision on that tank;;;without regrets... Reading your initial post,, No leak was mentioned, but based on most of the questions concerning welding on an air tank involve a rusted out bottom on the tank.. I believed most of us assumed that was the case with your tank... When your tank was built, it was all new steel that was welded under engineered design and specs.. , then it was tested.. To return your rusted tank to it's prior safe condition would be unfeasible costwise for a majority of the smaller tanks..... I believe this is what most of us agree on.
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Strouty
Well-known member
I second the fact that no leak was ever mentioned. When you post a question try and be more clear, you will get much better responses. Of course we take pride in telling people not to do things that can get someone killed.
OK My bad. I guess I should have specified that my tank was starting to leak. I assumed (as did most of the respondents) that the reason I would have the tank welded was to repair a leak. It would quite foolish to weld a pressure vessel for any other reason. The only thing I can think of that someone would weld a tank is to:
Weld their name on the tank
Weld a shelf or bracket on the tank
I had my answer and just wanted this string to stop but if you guys must continue so be it.
Weld their name on the tank
Weld a shelf or bracket on the tank
I had my answer and just wanted this string to stop but if you guys must continue so be it.
Strouty
Well-known member
This will go on forever............