Hole in air tank question

Re: Hole in air tank question

walta

The tank is now garbage in my opinion.

Any repair by a welder certified to work on pressure vessels will cost more than a new compressor.

If you have one hole rusted thru you have a 100 almost thru.

The steel is no longer structurally sound and an air tank stores an enormous amount of potential energy if released suddenly.

Walta

Re: Hole in air tank question

Chuck

Spring for a new tank, the risk isn't worth the effort as previously stated.

I've used screw and rubber washer.......

kneale brownson

.....until I had an opportunity to put the compressor on a different tank. Despite efforts to drain tanks after each use, corrosion seems to continue. I've had a couple rust through.

Re: Hole in air tank question

Keith Newton

For a temporary repair on Rolair twin tank that developed a tiny hole, I drilled it out a little larger to get a clean round hole that I inverted a toothpick into and cut very close. I then Slowly soaked that with thin / fast cyanoacrylate. It held fine until I replaced the tanks.

I tried the screw route without success on another one long before that.

Re: Hole in air tank question

Barry Irby

Turns out I have a spare compressor. My tightwad frugal gene was twitching but Walta's picture sold me.

Now just to decide if I should scrounge up a new tank or let it go. Or save it for spare parts.

Re: Hole in air tank question

walta

To be clear I did not take the photo.

I found it on the net a few years ago during a similar discussion and saved in case it came up again.

Walta

You sure that wasn't a failed pressure switch?

Dick Coers

I've welded a pin hole leak, vented the tank before welding, and didn't die. Venting is the key. Doesn't tale 15 seconds to put a mig spot on it.

I've had a failed switch...

John in NM

Stuck on after reaching pressure about 30% of the time. There is an additional pop off valve that lets go well before the tank could fail. It's loud and exciting, but not like the tank splitting I bet!

Come to think of it, saw the same effect with a two stage compressor that had a bad head gasket - second stage pressure leaked into the first stage circuit and popped the first stage pop off. That was even louder

Consider a Speedaire....

John in NM

I've worked with three, tanks were all lined so there was no rust when you drained them. Other brands might do the same, but that is the one with which I have direct experience.

Re: Hole in air tank question

Jerry Nicholson

Several decades back my FIL put a self tapping screw in his air tank to plug a rust hole. He wasn't close by when it subsequently exploded so he wasn't hurt. The self tapping screw will just increase stress around the rust spot.

Re: Hole in air tank question

Barry Irby

I thought I had the same condition John was talking about, a failed pressure switch. the little "unloader" valve that bleeds off the pressure indie the compressor so it won't have to try to start against a head of pressure. You can hear them go Psst as the unit stops, unless they fail and then they go PPPPSSSSSSS.....

The failed tank has a pin hole, I felt it leaking. It lives in a outdoor closet behind the shop, so if it failed it would be interesting and possibly exciting, but probably not dangerous.

I am torn between just letting it go and having a friend fix it and save it as a spare.

I have a new Dewalt unit that sits on top of a 30 gallon tank that I bought at an auction. Doesn't look as sturdy as the old one but may last me the rest of my life.

Better Call Nall

Joe shelton

He has a dilution for any predilection.

Now that reminds me...

John in NM

There are a scene or two, somewhere in Better Call Saul, filmed in a bar in downtown Albuquerque (standing in for Philly or where ever) where Jesse, Merle, and I used to meet for lunch now and then.

Weirdest thing watching a show and seeing an interior that is really familiar but still takes a couple days to figure out why

I only mention all this here since it amused me and it will probably amuse Jess too

guaranteed....

David Weaver

..that if buck was a plumber, that would be a memorable jingle that would bring in the calls.

....go to sleep next to a drip and hear another one, too? Better call nall.

....clogged sewer line, but like to chew your nails? Better call nall.

....problems in the sumps, got you in the dumps? Better call nall.

....problems in your vanity keeping you from focusing on your vanity? Better call nall.