air compressor help
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 38
air compressor help
I know this is off topic, but I am the owner of a 76 F350, 460 and have been monitoring this board for quite awhile. There is a tremendous breadth of mechanical knowledge amongst the posters, and I'm hoping someone of you will have a suggestion that will help me repair my air compressor. It's a 10 yr. old Sears (mfc. is DeVilbiss) with 30 gal. horizontal tank. I have a couple of small pin holes along the bottom surface of the tank. Neither Sears nor DeVilbiss have a replacement tank. I've tried JB weld with no success. I suspect the tank is too thin to braze, particularly in the area of the holes. Would it be possible to build up with tig/mig, or maybe weld on a patch? The 5HP motor and compressor are in excellent condition--hate to get rid of it, if it's fixable.
Thanks in advance for suggestions, apologies for being off topic,
vettman
Thanks in advance for suggestions, apologies for being off topic,
vettman
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 3
air compressor help
I would not recomend trying to patch a rusty air tank. Several places sell replacement tanks.
www.grainger.com
http://www.silvanind.com/Stock%20Air%20Receivers.htm
http://www.hansontank.com/airreceivers.html
www.grainger.com
http://www.silvanind.com/Stock%20Air%20Receivers.htm
http://www.hansontank.com/airreceivers.html
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
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From: Gainesville, FL
air compressor help
Vett,
Do not repair your tank. The energy stored in a compressed gas can be deadly. Imagine the time and energy needed to store the compressed gas. Now, consider the way we use that energy and the time allowed to dissapate that energy. Now consider releasing that energy all at once. By patching your tank, your only postponing a catastrophic failure. If you have mutiple pinholes then the overall wall is compromised due to corrosion. Many other pinholes are to follow or one large hole.
KingFisher
Do not repair your tank. The energy stored in a compressed gas can be deadly. Imagine the time and energy needed to store the compressed gas. Now, consider the way we use that energy and the time allowed to dissapate that energy. Now consider releasing that energy all at once. By patching your tank, your only postponing a catastrophic failure. If you have mutiple pinholes then the overall wall is compromised due to corrosion. Many other pinholes are to follow or one large hole.
KingFisher
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
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From: Virginia
air compressor help
Yes, don't try to repair it. You will find a metal tag on the air tank that certifies it for a certain pressure. These are nothing to fool around with. The factory I work at has to get their tanks inspected every year. Buy a new one, and maybe you can afford a bigger one while you are at it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
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From: Brea CA
air compressor help
I know this was off-topic but it’s was too dangerous to get lost in the shuffle. Don’t have a source for the tank but DO NOT try and repair it. I have a Sears/DeVilbiss compressor and it’s even older. Have you been draining the moisture out of it every now and then?
Barry
Barry
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 38
air compressor help
Thanks for all the responses; I will check out the sources listed for replacement tank--no repair planned because of safety issues. I did drain the moisture out of the tank, but obviously not often enough.
