air tank

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Aug 6, 2003 | 07:55 AM

f350xlt460

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Joined: Feb 2003

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From: Virginia

air tank

Has anyone made an air tank before? Im looking to make air tanks for my truck, but am not sure as to how thick the steel should be. I would guess that 3/16" is ok, but want other opinions. Tank wont hold more then 175 psi and i am a talented welder.

Aug 6, 2003 | 12:31 PM

Arbo

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Central PA

air tank

Talented or not, there are many more issues that you need to worry about besides wall thickness. I have been welding for years, and I would not even consider repairing an air tank, let alone building one. If you pressurize a vessel at 175psi, and it fails, anybody in the near vicinity could be maimed or killed. Just my 2 cents worth.

Aug 6, 2003 | 04:31 PM

Torque1st

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Joined: Sep 2001

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air tank

Check with a tank shop and see if their certified welders will build you one or if they have a tank that will work. An air tank has to be built to specific codes and pressure tested. Only a certified tank shop would be able to do that.

Aug 6, 2003 | 07:17 PM

PbFoot

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Joined: Jun 2003

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air tank

These guys are absolutely correct! Just go to a certified tank builder and have them build it for you. I used to work with pressure testing of tanks, piping etc. and 175psi of air is alot of pressure. Not sure what you need that much air for, but it is a very lethal amount, so it's best to be safe.

Just my thoughts,
PbFoot

Aug 7, 2003 | 06:35 PM

montster

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: ontario

air tank

just get an older scuba tank.there cheap and if you protect the valve alot safer than home made!
my 1 & 1/2 cents(Canadian) worth anyway

Aug 7, 2003 | 08:05 PM

eehoepp

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Joined: Feb 2003

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From: Tottenham Ontario Canada

air tank

FWIW, the standard method of pressure testing a vessel is to completely fill it with water. Then pressurize it (slowly, with air) to one-and-a-half times the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP). In your case that would be 262.5psi. Since water is considered incompressible, the only explosive force if the tank lets go is the small amount of air at the top. If it were completely filled with air & let go, you would briefly be wondering where your body went - then you'd be dead.

I would also suggest finding a tank shop. Building your own isn't worth the hassle.

A buddy of mine got a real deal on a tank that was not quite 80 gal. A tank shop had a damaged shell (ding on the end or some such thing). They couldn't build & sell it as an 80 gal tank, but they trimmed off the bad end back to straight & sound material, welded on the heads & he got a brand new 73+/- gal tank.

Worth a try.

Good luck & be safe.

Cheers,
Eric