Welding on an air compressor

[NASTYZEN]

LOL!!This thread is still going strong!LOL
So Reznut what did you or going to do about this controversial problem of yours?Inquiring minds need to know.

 

[Professur]

I've known people who've successfully welded on gas tanks 'purged' with exhaust ... welded on propane tanks ... does that mean it's a good idea? They all thought they were right ..... even tho they've all seen how disastrous it can turn out. You can tell everyone that you would do it all you like .... you can successfully do it 100 times ....

Personally .... you're suggesting welding to a weld that has already failed .... what on earth makes you think that the remaining weld tag is still safe to weld to?

Even if the tank was chinese welded by some 12 year old .... it was tested before they slapped a compressor on it and shipped it out .... if only to find pinhole leaks. If you want to weld it up, go for it ..... but only a total idiot would put pressure in an untested tank .....

 

[snorky18]

yes, i have heard from the experts, the guys that think they're experts, the guys that want everybody else to think they're experts, the qualified, the unqualified, the guessers, and the BSers... only problem is i can't tell who's who!

So you know who I am, professional engineer, who welds, and uses owns an air compressor, and works with ASME Pressure Vessels at work (nuclear power plant), and I even change brakes and oil of other people's cars sometimes, despite the "liability".

And I've hurt myself a few times, spent some time and $ in the hospital, attended the school of hard knocks, and figured out the value of my health.


You guys can do what you want.

But at my house

New air tanks are cheap.

My life, anyone's life, or fingers, or hearing, or hospital bills... those are all expensive.

Pass me a new tank please. Or find another way to support that tank. But do not weld on it.

 

[Professur]

Just out of curiosity .... has anyone else ever looked into the cost of hydro testing? The guy who fills my CO2 tank will happily hydro any other tank I bring him for under $20. That includes him shooting some stuff into it afterwards to dry and seal the metal inside. He regularly does tanks of all sizes, so my 20 gallon compressor tank is nothing for him. He keeps failures on display at the front of the shop for anyone who questions whether or not it's worth the price.

 

[MoonRise]

Oh, if it was just welding a leg FOR the air tank, I'd most likely weld that.

But it's not just the leg here. It's where the leg ATTACHES to the tank. Which means if you weld the leg -TO- the tank, you have welded -ON- the tank.

Which means that all the SafetyRules of pressure vessel repair apply.

btw, the OP's original pictures showed up way after I popped my first reply to this thread. By then I think the thread had rolled over to page 2 or so, so I didn't see the pics until way after my original reply. Looking a bit more closely at his pic #2, there looks like rust on the weld zone as well as some pretty grainy filer/bead metal and cracks in at least the paint around the area of the metal failure on the tank itself. Without better pics or examination of the area, that puts the whole 'zone' in the really-really questionable condition type of category. Questionable to almost saying to condemn the whole tank as a pressure vessel.

Time to make a smoker or BBQ maybe?

 

[bdkruger1]

Yup, you're right, I'm wrong, I know NOTHING. Throw it away. BYE.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Yup, you're right, I'm wrong, I know NOTHING. Throw it away. BYE.

There is a God!

 

[Del Swanson]

Really...... this is what makes you take your ball and go home? People in the industry with experience giving their opinions gives you a hissy fit because it's not the same as yours? I didn't read anyone saying it had to be done their way, but I did read people saying that's how THEY would do it. I wonder if you'd have the same opinion if you'd have seen damage first hand or had it happen in your shop. It'll NEVER happen to me, right!? Snorky18 is right, it's cheap insurance.

 

[rwhite692]

This thread is great!!!!

 

[djjsr]

I guess any time you question the knowledge or advice of an "expert", somebody's gonna get pissed. They'll get over it or leave.

So .......... What's the status of the tank? Fixed? Trashed? Exploded?

 

[bdkruger1]

Really...... this is what makes you take your ball and go home? People in the industry with experience giving their opinions gives you a hissy fit because it's not the same as yours? I didn't read anyone saying it had to be done their way, but I did read people saying that's how THEY would do it. I wonder if you'd have the same opinion if you'd have seen damage first hand or had it happen in your shop. It'll NEVER happen to me, right!? Snorky18 is right, it's cheap insurance.

No, that's not why I'm taking my ball and going home. The reason is that I'm done beating my head against the wall. Anyone that thinks that simply welding that leg back to the existing weld on that tank is going to compromise the tank metallurgically and render it unsafe is a ******* *****, period.

As we sit here right now, I am in an ASME "N" stamp shop working as a CWI inspecting vessels. I have showed this thread to other inspectors, and their reaction has been the same as mine.Now, if you "experts" want to continue the argument, feel free. I am, however, taking my ball and going home. Life is too short for retarted arguments like this.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Recent pictures of failed air tank, you ask?

Aftermath was no fatalities (thank God), but all four fingers broken on the one hand as well as a broken tibia AND femur and lacerations and bruises. Others in the garage suffered possible ear/hearing damage (ringing ears).

And this was all on a supposedly 'good' (but not recently hydro-tested) but used air compressor. Reportedly blew at approximately 150 psig, pressure relief valve reported as not sticking (ie, valve vented properly when manually pulled at approx 130 psig). Name brand unit, horizontal tank. The tank blew out the bottom first and peeled itself open 'violently'.

Still think it's OK to just go and weld on an air compressor tank or other pressure vessel? No WPS, no hydro-test? When -ALL- the real experts (ASME primarily) say No-NO-No? I sure don't, and never did.

I'd still pay $10 to see/hear that...

 

[Professur]

no, that's not why i'm taking my ball and going home. The reason is that i'm done beating my head against the wall. Anyone that thinks that simply welding that leg back to the existing weld on that tank is going to compromise the tank metallurgically and render it unsafe is a ******* *****, period.

As we sit here right now, i am in an asme "n" stamp shop working as a cwi inspecting vessels. I have showed this thread to other inspectors, and their reaction has been the same as mine.now, if you "experts" want to continue the argument, feel free. I am, however, taking my ball and going home. Life is too short for retarted arguments like this.

rofl.

 

[djjsr]

I think we need a poll. Somebody know how to do it?

 

[Shocker]

Wow, this has been a fun thread. Love all the opinions and facts.

Personally, not worth the risk. I am only an engineer and average welder of metal. I see what BDkruger is saying, but I wouldn't do it myself. I would have it done by a BDKruger type guy.

 

[pgreen]

Now if he welded this tank, and plumbed his shop with PVC, which would explode first?

This really is pathetic. BDKruger, I agree.

 

[e-tek]

I think we need a poll. Somebody know how to do it?

Yup.....But I think we have to start a new thread - watch for it!!!

 

[c39er]

I had a sears 12 gallon tank that was rusted out at the bottom-about 2" . So I found a old hot water tank and cut a piece from the bottom of it and gas welded it on my old tank. I filled it up to 175lbs and heard it pop loud! Scared me a lot!. So I got a bigger patch piece off the old Hot water tank again and hammered on it so it would fit and cover up the 1st weld patch that I gas welded on with a Airco #1 tip. Tip might have been too small-Do you think my tip is big enough? -I used a # 2 second time -Oxy@24lbs and Actelene @ 14lbs. Anyway I welded the 2nd patch on over the 1st repair patch. I have pressure tested it to same unregulated 175lbs. I don't have a pressure switch because I cannot afford one. The new patch did bulge out about a 1/4" but held and I am really feeling good about my weld job. I'm so happy as now I can use the tank again! Best of all I did it all myself and saved some money in this awful economy!!!

 

[waltmcq]

I'd weld it! But I do one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.

 

[nismomans13]

i'm so happy this thread exists...

 

[nissan_crawler]

Recent pictures of failed air tank, you ask?

Aftermath was no fatalities (thank God), but all four fingers broken on the one hand as well as a broken tibia AND femur and lacerations and bruises. Others in the garage suffered possible ear/hearing damage (ringing ears).

And this was all on a supposedly 'good' (but not recently hydro-tested) but used air compressor. Reportedly blew at approximately 150 psig, pressure relief valve reported as not sticking (ie, valve vented properly when manually pulled at approx 130 psig). Name brand unit, horizontal tank. The tank blew out the bottom first and peeled itself open 'violently'.

Still think it's OK to just go and weld on an air compressor tank or other pressure vessel? No WPS, no hydro-test? When -ALL- the real experts (ASME primarily) say No-NO-No? I sure don't, and never did.

A. That looks like a rusty pile of ****. Any ***** should have figured that one out.

B. Did anybody weld on the tank, or did it just fail because it's a rusty pile of ****? I'm guessing the latter.

I would weld it in a heartbeat. Than again, I guess I'm a ***** according to this thread, because I've welded legs, brackets, and bungs into my compressors. Oh well.

 

[nismomans13]

A. That looks like a rusty pile of ****. Any ***** should have figured that one out.

B. Did anybody weld on the tank, or did it just fail because it's a rusty pile of ****? I'm guessing the latter.

I would weld it in a heartbeat. Than again, I guess I'm a ***** according to this thread, because I've welded legs, brackets, and bungs into my compressors. Oh well.

omg but you're not certified....lol


i'm not a certified plumber but I installed a shower, toilet and sink.

I'm not a certified electricial but i installed outlets in my garage

I'm not a certified mechanic but I built motors.

You guys are so foolish with these certifications.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I had a sears 12 gallon tank that was rusted out at the bottom-about 2" . So I found a old hot water tank and cut a piece from the bottom of it and gas welded it on my old tank. I filled it up to 175lbs and heard it pop loud! Scared me a lot!. So I got a bigger patch piece off the old Hot water tank again and hammered on it so it would fit and cover up the 1st weld patch that I gas welded on with a Airco #1 tip. Tip might have been too small-Do you think my tip is big enough? -I used a # 2 second time -Oxy@24lbs and Actelene @ 14lbs. Anyway I welded the 2nd patch on over the 1st repair patch. I have pressure tested it to same unregulated 175lbs. I don't have a pressure switch because I cannot afford one. The new patch did bulge out about a 1/4" but held and I am really feeling good about my weld job. I'm so happy as now I can use the tank again! Best of all I did it all myself and saved some money in this aweful economy!!!

 

[NASTYZEN]

Hmmmm.What would Jack Olsen do?And would he paint it green when he was done?

 

[MDchanic]

Arise! ARISE! Arise from your cold, damp grave!!!

I resurrect this ten year old thread to say this:

Why not just braze the leg on?

- Eric