Portable Air Tanks

timb · Aug 19, 2004

I can see it would be very helpful to have compressed air sooner rather than later out in the tractor shed (it will be a more proper shop eventually) - quick air for tires, clean-off with a blow gun, that sort of thing. Not planning to run any air tools there for now.

I've got a medium-sized compressor (125psi max) at another location but that has to stay there for now - and father-in-law is not too far off but not quite close enough with his 5 horse/80 gallon unit that is good for 175 psi.

So - I'd like to find a good 'portable' tank that could be left in the shed (no power out there for now) and relatively easily trotted off and refilled as needed.

There's a lot of 10 gallon, 125 psi tanks out there that are pretty cheap. Is there a pick of the litter? I did see a 15 gallon / 125 psi at Harbor Freight, but that's about it so far. Anyone have anything bigger and/or rated for higher pressure? The more I can stuff in the longer it will last between chargings.

Bird · Aug 19, 2004

Personally, Tim, I'd just buy the best price for about a 10 gallon tank. The one I used on the farm was only 7 gallons and I got it at Wal-mart.

timb · Aug 19, 2004

Yeah, I know the 10-gallon units are everywhere and almost a throw-away at the price. Probably will just grab one of them. I just wondered if anyone had spotted anything else out there worth tracking down. Haven't seen anything too exciting in the usual catalogs so far.

SPIKER · Aug 19, 2004

yep thye 10's are cheap to get, and you can get more than ONE /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif if you know what I mean!

otherwise check with auctions, lots of times old compressors with bad motors or such come up for a few bucks. the tanks usually make good portables, adn many have wheels already attached so no carrying...

Mark M

DiskDoctr · Aug 20, 2004

Tim,

I'd suggest one that has a shut off (maybe all do?) and add a quick connect coupler to it for a hose. Then you can use a longer hose if needed and use different tools at the end. Tire nozzle, airgun/blower, etc. No, not impact wrench or anything... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

-JC

Bird · Aug 20, 2004

( suggest one that has a shut off (maybe all do?) and add a quick connect coupler to it for a hose )

I agree. Even the cheap tank I got on sale at WalMart had a shut off and of course, personally, I have quick couplers on all my air and water hoses and attachments.

timb · Aug 20, 2004

Definitely. Actually, I figured eventually I wanted to rig it with a shutoff, tank pressure gauge, regulator (and gauge), and quick connects. Northern Tool (among others) lists a "Coleman" branded "Powermate" 10-gallon tank that is supposed to come with all that and another air chuck (only one gauge though) for $40 - but the actual photo looks like all the rest. Harbor Freight has one 10-gallon they list with a 200 psi max, and a 15 gallon (vertical, on wheels) 125psi unit that might be a little different from all the 9/10 gallon clones.

BigEddy · Aug 20, 2004

How long y'all keep those Air pigs for? I've had mine for years, but I noticed the other day it is stamped "don't use after 1994" /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I suppose they're like propane tanks - hydrotested for 10 years or something.

What about the compressor tank? Should it have a best before date too? Never noticed one on it.

Bird · Aug 20, 2004

The only ones I've had, or looked at, came with the shut off, gauge, and a short hose with air chuck. I just added the quick couplers. I don't think I've ever seen one of the small portable tanks with a regulator, and never figured I needed one for the amount of air they hold. And while they're pretty light, remember that everything you add to it adds weight to carry around. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bird · Aug 20, 2004

Eddy, the portable tanks I've had or seen have no drain valve on the bottom like compressor tanks have. I think the manuals that come with them do say something about turning them upside down periodically to drain any condensation out. I think the other major difference in the portable tank vs. the compressor tank is that the portable is made of much thinner, lighter metal so it probably wouldn't last as long as the compressor tank. Some compressor tanks may have an expiration date on them, but I don't recall ever seeing one.

timb · Aug 20, 2004

Actually, one of these days I'd like to get my main smaller compressor tank retested/recertified. It's always had an auto-drain installed, but it is now pretty old (mid 70's?) and I've debated about simply replacing the tank since the motor and compressor and the rest of the hardware keep on ticking. I think it was originally rated at 135 psi but I've got my shutoff set at 110-115 these days. But the way things usually work, I'll bet I can get a whole new compressor for not much more than a 20-30 gallon heavy duty tank.

I don't want to make this 'portable' too heavy - but I'm not planning on shlepping it all over the yard - just want it as a holding tank near the tractor and equipment where I've got no ac power yet. We're only at the property on the weekends, so the more weekends I can get out of a charge using it for clean-off 'dusting' before I have to take it home to recharge it, the better.

Bird · Aug 20, 2004

( the more weekends I can get out of a charge using it for clean-off 'dusting' before I have to take it home to recharge it, the better )

If you get more than one with a 10 gallon tank, you'll be doing something different from what I've ever done. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

SPIKER · Aug 20, 2004

interesting about the best if used by date huh:

while it is true they will rust inside, the thought is that if they are filled and exploded it would be a nice bomb for sure. anyone ever see or been around something filled with air that (blew) ?

about a month or two back I was @ wallyworld and was getting an OIL change, standing there IN the lube shop (railed off section for customers to come & go through the shop.) I was talking to the tech doing the oil change on my GF's t-bird, and someone had brought in a set of tires to be changed over (off the car) one had a nice tear/rip in the tread but was still holding AIR. it was maybe 3' to my right side when it exploded! talk about a boom, nearly made me death as well as almost wet myself! hahah /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif freaked out everyone that was IN the shop as well as anyone back inside wallyworld on the other side of the brick wall! tossed a FULL oil quart (plastic one) up about 20' smashing it into the roof mounted heater! the oil can/jug was setting on top of the sign in desk where the customer had left the tires setting.

I'm glad the rip was pointing UP instead of AT me! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif figured they must have had it way over pressured which was reason for the rip in the first place it broke the belting on the tire a & separated the tread, then the rubber seal finally gave away...

anyhow even earlier probably 10 yrs or so back now, my brother and I were fishing under bridge on Lake Milton, fishing the pillions for small mouth bass in the boat. a semi going Overhead blew a tire, it was nice & loud under there and flung debris all over the water just out from us! interesting experiences for sure.

In either case I would HATE for it to have had chance for METAL SHRAPNAL!!!

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Twanger · Aug 20, 2004

When my grandpas old compressor quit working I took the motor off and put quick connects (females) on each port. This allows me to run my new campbell hausfield (nothin special) into the tank and then a hose coming out to a tool. Used it when I roofed my garage and it worked great. Takes a while to fill it up but onced it is filled you have alot of air to play with.

DiskDoctr · Aug 21, 2004

Tim,

I'd add that it's not just the weight, but the chance of breaking the "shin busters" (anything extending from the tank), and knocking it over and breaking something.

I can't imagine why you'd need a regulator. You can't really use air tools. Maybe a dryer, but again, not really a use... unless you are using it to blow sawdust off a carving or something that had to be very dry...

All the tanks I've seen or had came with a gauge. I think maybe they all are required to in an effort to prevent overfilling/over pressure? Bird can probably tell you for sure about this...

IMHO, save the money for the regulator, you won't ever need it.

-JC

BIGUN · Aug 21, 2004

( interesting about the best if used by date huh:

while it is true they will rust inside, the thought is that if they are filled and exploded it would be a nice bomb for sure. anyone ever see or been around something filled with air that (blew) ?)

I used to have some pictures of one of these small tanks that blew out the rusted bottom while a guy was filling it in the bed of his pickup at a gas station. It ripped the bottom open pretty good and launched itself up into the air. Luckily he was standing beside his truck, not over the tank, so no one was injured.

The thin metal these small tanks are constructed of don’t have much safety margin so a few years of internal rusting can weaken them enough they may rupture when pressured up.

timb · Aug 21, 2004

I like to use a regulator to keep the output pressure within safe range of any tire I'm filling (say 40 lbs on a 32 lb tire). Just a habit I've always had. Plus I do stuff with an air brush occasionally - and you need to throttle back pretty good there. A portable tank won't run much for long, but I figured a small regulator wouldn't hurt.

Youare · Aug 21, 2004

I have a portable air tank that is rated for 175 PSI my dad had when he was alive and owned a small auto repair shop.

After work I would head to the wood lot to pick up a load of fire wood. The old Jeep J-300 had 10 ply tires and rode pretty hard with 60 PSI of air. I would bring the air tank along to top off the tires before leaving for home.

One time I set the air tank on the roof of the truck as I was loading it and I needed to move the truck ahead a few feet. When I stopped the tank rolled towards the front over the windshield and the quick disconnect valve struck the windshield and cracked it.

I was less than pleased with myself with that stunt.

Randy

DiskDoctr · Aug 23, 2004

Tim,

I have never used an airbrush, but have seen it done, and have seen some hobby sized ones (very small).

As I recall, a dryer is an important part, too. Maybe put quick disconnects on your regulator/filter/dryer assembly section so you can remove it for storage and regular usage, then attach it when using airbrush?

That way you could keep your regulator/filter/dryer in your clean area with your airbrush tools. This will reduce the chances of getting contaminates (dirt, grease, solvents, etc) in this assembly from other uses.

I would be really curious how much airbrush time you can get from one of these tanks (?) Can you let us know once you've tried it?

Just a thought...

-JC

varmint · Aug 27, 2004

Not all rusty tanks die with a bang: I had an older compressor tank that rusted out, and simply got pinhole leaks. I welded a plate over the area, and kept using it until I found a replacement tank. Since it was on the bottom, where water would collect, I figured any explosion would be downward. Still, I wouldn't do it again. Anyone who's experienced a semi's tire going off has a proper respect for compressed air.