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6:32 pm
April 18, 2011
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Another couple of weeks and we should have our new off the grid shop up and running. Compressor and welders run off diesel generator. Power hammer use is one thing,but Idon't want to be burning diesel all the time just so I can run air tools intermitently. Thinking about buying used 500 gal. propane tank and piping along with 80 gal compressor tank for larger storage capacity. The 500 gal used tank is obviously empty, but still am nervous about welding drain plug on bottom. Should I fill with water, should I pump in some argon, I've heard of people using car exhaust pumped into gas tanks before welding. Any thoughts?
6:38 pm
May 13, 2010
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I would think filling with CO2 or Nitrogen would be cheaper than Argon.
7:03 pm
NWBA Member
July 9, 2010
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It may still have enough combustibles to burn. We used to hold a torch at the tail pipe on my son's Morris Minor to ignite the exhaust. Looks impressive in the dark!
My son is the Blacksmith
7:16 pm
January 18, 2011
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I would think the co2 would work.......I built a compressor tank once and the air that was used out of it had the ''gas smell''.......the odorant used in the gas doesn't go away for a very long time.......bm
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
— Dr. Seuss
9:35 pm
November 8, 2010
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How about drilling or is there already a hole that needs to be closed up?
I've always been told to use water, but I've never had the guts to try it.
Be safe!
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10:44 pm
NWBA Member
August 1, 2010
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remember that storage tanks mostly fill in surges. so fill a tank to 100psig. Your air tool will run well down to 85psi. So 15% of the way down it starts to choke.
might make more sense to have a good sized compressor driven directly by a smallish diesel. when running hard uses a fair amount of diesel. when barely working the engine would idle.
12:23 am
NWBA Member
July 9, 2010
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please consider the following.
1. Make really sure that tank is certified for the service pressure and has not degraded. Propane tanks once put in service are usually inspected but not periodically pressure tested. A tank the size you are discussing will make one hellacious mess if it fails.
2. Used tanks will have an unknown amount of mercaptan in them. It is the "oderant" added to the propane to make it smell. I've been told it is added at the rate of ~1 qt. per tanker load. It leaves an oily fluid in the tank that is very difficult to remove. You are likely going to have some really bad smelling air coming out of that tank for a long time.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
My son is the Blacksmith
1:31 am
August 23, 2010
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Did you look at the bottom of your 500 gal tank? Most I have seen have a fitting to run a liquid hose off if needed, You may already have your drain fitting installed.
1:16 pm
January 18, 2011
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One thing I've pondered but haven't had the will to try was to use a large storage tank like yours or bigger to store air and fit it with a small 110v pump, or 12v DC air pump. Utilizing air or solar power for the power source......It wouldn't nearly enough to keep up with normal use but it would be ''trickling'' air into the system for nothing...... Just a thought....bm
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
— Dr. Seuss
2:04 pm
April 18, 2011
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There is such a price difference between an old tank and something new I sure would like to give it a try, but do I want to smell the stinky air forever? Maybe fab pressure washer wand with a "90" on it and pump hot water with detergent mix thru one of top ports? Maybe weld a swivel on each end throw in some sand with soapy water, suspend from gantry and spin/slosh around and follow with a pressure wash? A little voice in the back of my mind is telling me to maybe spring for a new tank. A new propane tank would still be a lot cheaper than the new air tanks I've seen from Graingers or MSC. In my quest for air I already learned the hard way that my 20KW Kubota wouldn't spin my 7 1/2 horse compressor motor without cooking it in just a few seconds. Bought and need to install new 5 horse, got a smaller pulley hoping that will help on startup too. Wife just now informed me that she will not work in propane stinky shop unless I supply here with air sickness bags!! I guess a new tank it is.
6:34 pm
April 18, 2011
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Bruce, your post reminded me that somewhere, mother earth news?, I read about a shop where all the air for their die grinders was generated from an old Aeromotor windwill that mechanically ran their air compressor. Given the capricious nature of wind I bet they had some big storage tanks. Makes me want to track down the article. In our shop the generator will run all the 220 volt side of the shop and we have 30 solar panels to run the 110 outlets.Bob.
8:53 pm
January 18, 2011
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Can't have the OL lady hurling around the smithy..:(...No bueno The stuff (ethanethiol) probably gets into the pores of the steel or something......A friend of mine had a little can of it and when he opened the lid it was beyond belief. .......I've also pondered getting heavy pipe and capping the ends for air storage........Salvage air tanks are a possibility. I've paid the price buying used tanks at the junk yard though, and came to the conclusion that they wound up there for a good reason. I'm careful to look inside the tank now and look for pinholes first.
Looks like you are a dedicated to a good cause.......hope it works out........bm
According to the 2000 edition of the Guinness Book Of World Records, ethanethiol is the "smelliest substance" in existence.
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
— Dr. Seuss
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