Portable Air Tanks

[timb]

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]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 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 )</font>

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]

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]

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]

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]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 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) ?)</font>

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.