for anybody with a air compressor

If it is that old, I would sell it for what you can get. It’s not just the tank that may be rusted, but the pump itself and that can cost more than the tank to replace. They are not designed to last forever. 30 years is a good life.

you could take a moment and call their technical service rep
and address your concerns with them directly.

Campbell Hausfeld
100 Production Drive
Harrison, Ohio 45030

800-543-6400
Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

I had an Ingersoll Rand 80 gal/24cfm that I bought new 30 years ago
and it was kept in a shed and drained every 6 months or so.
it was still in like-new condition when I sold it 2 years ago.
replace the compressor oil and that will give you a slight idea of past use and condition.

.

-- there is no educational alternative to having a front row seat in the School of Hard Knocks. --

Recommend Quincy Air Compressor, made right here in Quincy, Illinois. As the shipping / receiving manager for a local Albuquerque retail / wholesale outlet, we sold numerous Quincy Compressors, with absolutely no warranty problems.

-- When I was a kid I wanted to be older . . . . . this CRAP is not what I expected ! RIP 09/08/2018

There’s nothing to be afraid of. For starters, it’s not likely rusted any where near through the metal. Even if it is, the rust will be down near the drain, so that any failure would happen as a leak, not an explosion. Finally there’s a reason the tank is shaped the way it is. We studied it in my strength of materials class in engineering school and it’s too complicated to explain fully here, but the failure mode for a cylinder with round ends is much less catastrophic than a sphere.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

Since a relative just gave this to you there may be some expectation that you use it instead of just sell it.
Make sure there will be no bad blood if you flip it.
It’s just not worth having anyone get hurt feelings over.
You can get a California Air compressor through Amazon for under $100 right now that will operate a brad nailer or stapler.
The next model up is under $200 if you question the capacity of the little one.
Both of these are supposed to be very quiet.

-- Regards, Charlie in Rowlett, TX --------I talk to myself, because sometimes I need expert advice.---------

FWIW: For what you say you need a compressor for, the unit you now have is way oversized which is not a bad thing. It is good to have more reserve than needed to run your tools. Most tools that run on 220 run far more energy efficient and tend to also last longer. Adding a 220 outlet is not difficult nor too expensive unless your breaker box is already maxed out. Many units that run on 220 also did not usually have to endure temperature fluctuations that cause condensation buildup in the tank as they are not portable and are most common in temperature controlled environments. Bottom line, use what you have as it will last longer, run less often and cost far less to run when needed.

Condensation is caused by the pressure. Just as water will boil at room temperature in a near-vacuum, it will condense out of the air at room temperature in a pressurized environment. Of course, the amount of moisture in the air makes a difference in the amount of condensation. You’ll have to drain a compressor in Florida far more often than one in Arizona.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

So I have seen a 10 gallon compressor tank explode. No one got hurt, but dam. It took us days to clean everything. brown rusty water everywhere.
I am using a 30 gallon compressor that I bought new 15 years ago. I too have got to where I don’t need such a large compressor. I am going to sell it and down size for sure. Just have not found the right one yet. While a pancake style will work for me, I think just a bit larger.

-- John

Big John ~ the exploding air tank you referenced, did the tank itself rupture ?
or, did the valve in the bottom blow out due to rusted out threads ?
there are videos of compressor tanks exploding on YouTube and it looks HORRENDOUS !!!
(I have a much renewed respect for old air tanks).

.

-- there is no educational alternative to having a front row seat in the School of Hard Knocks. --

I kind of doubt that it’s rusted thro. Before I’d consider selling I’d at least make sure the family member won’t mind. Mayb call them up and say “you know I really appreciate the compressor but after getting it home I realized it’s way over kill plus it’s 220v and I don’t hav that installed. Would u want it back? If not would you mind if I sold it and put that money towards one that I could use?”
I’d personally try to use it. Over kill is fine cause that means you won’t cycle it as much and you won’t run out of air. You can drain the tank and let it set and fulling drain a few days. Compressors should b drained now and then regardless. If u want u could spray some rust killer or vinegar up in it and let that do it’s work for a few hours too.
As far as needing 220 how close are u to 220 or a breaker box? If you hav it 100ft away in your house it might not be worth it especially if u need permits like in the city. What u could do tho is use the tank. Just hook a small little compressor up to the big one and let it fill the tank and use it like that. You’ll have the benefit of having a LOT more air and still likely won’t run out.
Price for selling it will depend on where your market is but I’d say $200 is way up there for that compressor and that brand. I’d say ur looking at around to $100 (in my area) and anyone that wants it will want to see it run which requires 220 and u say u don’t have that so they’ll b buying it on “faith” so the price will have to b adjusted for that.
To me it would b better to hook a small compressor up to it

-- Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might

Big John ~ the exploding air tank you referenced, did the tank itself rupture ?
or, did the valve in the bottom blow out due to rusted out threads ?
there are videos of compressor tanks exploding on YouTube and it looks HORRENDOUS !!!
just wondering.

- John Smith

Hi John, it was a small compressor, maybe around 10 gallon tank. Had no drain in it, and was on top of a walk in cooler at a hotel I was working at back in the mid 1990s. As it turns out, it had been hooked up and forgot about. Never got a bit of maintenance. I was not in the room when it blew, but it looked a lot like the blue tank in the photos you posted. The walk in cooler was a beer keg room that serviced a couple of the bars upstairs. The exposed room was where we kept all the bottled booze. A co worker was in there filling a bar order. Soaked him in brown rust water. And scared a few years off him. Lol. It seems like every inch of that room was rusty brown. Took days to clean it all.

-- John

I took a page out of the common practice in automotive repair shops. The compressor is not inside the shop. Sits in a lean to that has 4 ft concrete block walls and a vent fan that comes on when temp reaches 85F. This way if it goes nobody gets hurt. In theory anyway.

-- Live to tell the stories, they sound better that way.

thanks for all the responses I have a lot to think about. I leaning towards getting a new one and selling this one. I have a co worker that says he will give me $200 for it so he can make a bbq grill out of the tank,

You say you’ll never have a need for something that large, but I wouldn’t be so sure. Years ago I bought a pancake compressor because all I’d ever need it for, so I thought, was for nail guns & such. Years later, I wish I had one with enough cfm to spray paint.

My dad bought a compressor at an estate sale years ago – I’m sure older than yours – and it’s still going strong today. I don’t know that I’d worry about the age.

One thought – would you be able to use some sort of fiber optic camera to go in through the drain hole & inspect the interior?

Again, lj’s has caused me to go out and spend money. My wife is constantly on me about my 20 year old very noisy pancake kicking on at all hours of the night when I forget to turn it off. Now I can use the excuse that it’s a safety hazard! Amazon, same day for $95!

-- Andy - Seattle USA