Yeah, this looks safe...

[Jason280]

I'm a sucker for quality air compressors, and came across a deal for an older Sanborn unit at a local pawn shop. These were made in Milwaukee, and are supposed to be solid pumps.

Most of these pumps aren't very loud, so I thought it would be a good addition. Tank seemed solid, couldn't find any "soft" spots tapping with a wrench. Shop made me a good deal, and I was getting ready to wheel it out to the truck....

....until I checked the drain. Reached under to open the drain, just to see how much water was in the tank. Instead of a drain valve, I found this:

I have no idea how long it's been like this, and it's likely it's been run like this for a while, but I'm not touching it. I almost plugged it up to see how long it took to build pressure, glad I didn't.

I made an offer to buy it as parts, and suggested they not sell it complete. Not sure if they will take my offer, but I can't imagine having it in the shop with 150psi of pressure.

 

[LXCam]

But it's only a pinhole leak

 

[crane operator]

Just think of it as a pressure relief.....

 

[Jason280]

I actually have an extra 22gal Craftsman tank, I'm thinking of moving the pump assembly to it.

 

[ocloc24]

Oh god I just saw this in the Facebook marketplace. Was it in archbold OH?

 

[ocloc24]

Wait nvm.. It's a slightly different model. They look very similar

 

[Snakebyt]

ahhh, with a screw and JB weld, all you need is a bit of duct tape on there and you will be good to go

 

[mbshop]

Ha ! Bubble gum still works the best.

 

[redwrench60]

It'll be purrrfect for your PVC air line system.

 

[hogdaddy]

That looks scary as hell.

 

[nelstomlinson]

So, are replacement tanks available? Could we use a propane tank? Used propane tanks are available free, if you keep your eyes open, and new ones (never had propane in them) are affordable.

 

[APEowner]

Yikes!

 

[rharman]

That is a quality repair tight there!

 

[American Locomotive]

How does the pressure control work on that compressor? It looks like the cord goes right into the motor?

 

[mv213]

How does the pressure control work on that compressor? It looks like the cord goes right into the motor?

It’s self limiting. The motor runs until the pressure builds up high enough that the motor stalls.

 

[johnyg]

put the silver tape back and good to go!!!

 

[Richard Cranium]

run, run away very fast.

 

[GarageGuy89]

Looks like your standard relief valve with a coarser thread, hey at least it is removable for service.

 

[bonneyman]

run, run away very fast.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. With a fix like that, who knows what other "repairs" are in places you can't see?

 

[Snap_cap]

It looks as though they broke the petcock valve and JB welded that nail into the bleed valve core.

If the original brass petcock body is intact underneath the crappy "repair" it is an easily replaced part. I had to replace mine on my Sanborn tank years ago when it broke, cost less than $20 for the replacement valve.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I don't see any remnants of the petcock in those pics, it quite possible could have been busted off or rusted out if they never drained it. Once they put the screw + JB weld in place then it definitely wasn't drained...

What is up with the foil tape too on the bottom? More little pinhole leaks?