I read a letter in Fine Woodworking from a woodworker whose compressor exploded. It was recommended to him that he should buy an ASME certified compressor next time. I was recently given a Craftsman Brad Nailer /Compressor combo. Craftsman customer service initially told me that it was certified, but after I searched for the Certification stamp, I asked again. They then admitted that it was not ASME certified. I am wondering how important the certification is, and what brand and models are certified by ASME. I used the Craftsman once and I am hooked on the use of the compressor, but I don’t feel comfortable with the Craftsman now. Can anyone give me a recommendation?
Edited 8/10/2002 10:48:35 PM ET by BILLEMBERS
Edited 8/11/2002 8:24:52 AM ET by BILLEMBERS
Replies
Oh Boy Bill, you've gone and done it now! (Insert laughter here). Some time ago I posted a thread about that compressor-explosion story, and you wouldn't believe how much flack started flyin' around!
If your Craftsman brad nailer/compressor combo is in the same general class as the Porter-Cable/Coleman/Accuset types, then it's a relatively small outfit, right? I'd be surprised if any of the compressors in that "class" are certified, although tomorrow I'll take a look at my PorterCable and see if it is.
Probably not much to worry about -- the main moral of the story, as far as I'm concerned, is that it's a really, really good idea to drain your compressor after you're done with it. Based on the responses I got to my post, and another thread that came up just a few weeks ago, I'd say the majority of compressor owner don't drain them, but I'd rather take 30 or 40 seconds at the end of the work session and do it.
If you were running a shop with employees, you might be required to have a certified compressor, but then again it would probably be a much, much bigger compressor too.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 8/11/2002 12:42:50 AM ET by forest_girl
Hey thanks for taking the time to reply to my message. My Craftsman is a 2HP 6 gal pancake type compressor. Craftsman's original response was that all compressor tanks are certified. I think you are probably right that explosions occur because the owners don't drain the tank. I'm still a little uneasy particularly because this one was made in Taiwan and I don't know what kind of quality control they have. I saw a Porter Cable that looked just like mine that was also made in Taiwan (probably the same manufacturer) so maybe I am just being paranoid. On the other hand, I did a reno on a garage some years ago where a pressurized tank (not a compressor tank) exploded. Shrapnel went through the walls, the roof, and the child of the owner (he survived - don't know how). It wasn't pretty and I don't want that happening in my home.
Bill... I've been using an industrial size compressor in a large shop for 35 years. The unit itself is 53 years old. It's on its third motor, but the original compressor unit. The only thing I do is drain THE WATER from the tank once a month. For the small compressor I use 'on the road', I drain the water once a week, more often in the summer when the humidity is high. You do not have to drain all the air although some people do. This small unit is carried in the back of a van and is used on a daily basis. Hope this helps. SawdustSteve
In one of the earlier threads discussing compressors, explosions and other fun things, one of the posters emphasized the importance of releasing the air from the tank when transporting via auto, and he was roundly seconded if memory serves me. Just another tidbit I've filed away, LOL.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
What can I say??? I eat lunch from the 'poison truck' that comes to the job-site, I rip the 'DO NOT REMOVE ' labels from my mattress and I don't drain the air from the compressor. I LOVE living dangerously.
SawdustSteve
Here's a little trick that I heard or read somewhere. And though I've never tried it, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. Someone suggested that when you purchase a new compressor, before you run it , that you could remove the hose that leads to the tank, and get a spray can of rustoleum or similar spray paint type rust proofing and spray it in the tank. Obviously you'd want to take into consideration your drain valve before spraying and remove it, or otherwise prevent it from getting gummed up.
Sounds like just the cure for rusty high-pressure explosion proofing your new tank.
KH
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