Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 01, 2003 06:53am | #1

   You're probably going to get some diametrically opposed answers to this one.  There was a thread about a year ago along the same lines, and most of the guys (predictably, dare I say?) were in the "don't worry about it, rust - schmust" camp.  However...there were a couple of reports of exploding compressor tanks that certainly got my attention, one of which was in FWW -- took most of the guy's shop wall out.

   How long has it been since the last time you opened that valve?  Ever?  What kind of tank is it?  A great big one, maybe made to better standards than the little pancake compressor I have?  I'd think chances are the tank is ok, but IMHO it's a good idea to drain the water at then end of any day that you use it.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   tufenhundel | Jul 01, 2003 09:52am | #2

   Hey thanks Forestgirl.  That seals it for me.  If nobody can agree on what to do, then I must be ok :)

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 01, 2003 10:52am | #3

   You must be on the west coast, no? -- just looking at the time.  Have a question of curiosity -- Does "tufenhundel" translate to "tough hound?"  If not, what?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   tufenhundel | Jul 02, 2003 04:37am | #7

   Hey there Forestgoil:

   No I am not on the West coast, though I wish I were.  My late night perusal of this site is the result of a newborn and a screwed up internal clock.

   So you have some German blood in ya, do ya?  Good guess.  Tufenhundel is actually a bastardized version of tuefel hund, or devil dog.  The Germans gave this moniker to the Marines after losing to them in a famous WWII battle.  I didn't know it the time, but when a drill instructor wants to convey this fact to a recruit, he wasn't going to worry about correct pronunciation, just that it's delivered LOUD.

   I just kept it bastardized for the hilarity of it all....

2. 
   Jeff | Jul 01, 2003 03:28pm | #4

   I had a large 30 year old compressor.

   It always had rust in the drain water, and no amount of airing or draining could stop it.

   Newer tanks might have a coating inside, but I doubt it.

   I always drained it after use.

   About 2 years ago, I fired it up after the winter to do some work.

   I heard a hissing sound from the side of the tank and found a small

   pinhole leaking air.

   Needless to say, I drained the tank and discarded it.

   Fortunitly, I have a second compressor.

   jeff

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 01, 2003 08:12pm | #5

   And, fortunately you have good hearing and the sense to pay attention!  Wow.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   Steinmetz | Jul 01, 2003 08:38pm | #6

   Theres a product that you add to your furnace water to counteract rusting.

   .I've used it occasionaly and the boiler's (Not the hot water boiler)  water shows no rust at draining time.

   If you have in line filters, the stuff shoulden't affect paint spraying

   My old compressor ran for nearly 40 years, and the drain water, (Tho oilly), was not rusty.  Alas I had to give it away when I moved. Stein

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/1/2003 1:43:15 PM ET by steinmetz

1. 
   tufenhundel | Jul 02, 2003 06:37am | #8

   Stein:  Any idea what this product is called?

2. 
   Jeff | Jul 03, 2003 02:12am | #11

   A friend of mine who knows compressors said that it was a bad idea to

   use anything in the tank.

   Bad for tools and spray finishes.

   I never followed it further.

   Jeff

4. 
   Len | Jul 02, 2003 07:49am | #9

   I asked our plant maintenance guy this question today. He took me to the big compressors out back and pointed to the bucket of rust colored water. He said that the tanks are drained everyday automatically. He did mention the compressor had been down fro a few weeks and was back up on it's regular maintenance schedule. Normally the water would be clear with oil residue.

   After that he said if I hadn't been draining my tank on a regular basis then start. The rust should reduce down to a small amount if not completely disappear. He also suggested leaving the drain open when I wasn't going to use it for awhile.

   FWIW.

   Len

1. 
   tufenhundel | Jul 02, 2003 08:06pm | #10

   Thanks for your effort, Len.  Greatly appreciated.