My air compressor has developed and leak in a section of the tank where the seam is.Has anyone used some type of sealer-JB weld didn't hold. Any thoughts. Thanks

Grind where it's leaking to clean it up,and weld it.simple

-Kid

I have only seen one compressed air tank explode and that was enough (actually, just the aftermath...wasn't there in person). I don't want to sound alarmist, but those tanks should be welded to a moderately strict ASME boiler and pressure vessel code. You may be able to grind and weld that spot, but there is a reason it is leaking in the first place...corrosion, faulty weld, over pressured? Personally, If the tank isn't too old I would advise the mfr. Ideally, they would be interested in the failure and offer to replace your tank for free. If the thing is old as dirt, I would consider a replacement just for the grounds of personal safety. Either way,
JB weld is definitely NOT the stuff to use here.

Good Luck - Stay safe!

Corey872 is just afraid to loose a member over something stupid. I would have to say that there is a 7hp 2stage calling you. But on the other hand if you do decide to weld it and try it can I have first dibs on your car?

RB
Ok then if you don't trust your own welding then take the tank to a competent weldor and have him grind and tig the hole and run a mig pass over it.then have it X-rayed.Boilermakers do it all the time.And I have for 5 yrs.
If the tank is two old your weldor will give his opinion before the repair, and you can make you own conclusion weather or not to buy a new one.

-Kid


By all means Stay safe!

THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!!!! Do not take it lightly. When working with pressure vessels, always consult someone that is certified to do the repair. The damage that an exploding vessel can cause is extraordinary! It WILL take out your whole shop!! Don't be cheap!

Highrider71

Thanks for the replys!!!

I was hoping for some type of sealer that would hold.
Would tiger hair hold it??

A sealer may stop the leak, but let's look at it another way....

Just going to guess that the tank is about 16" in diameter...that means 8 inch radius, square it(=64), times pi (3.1415) so the area of the end cap is about 192 square inches. And guessing that the old girl pumps up to about 125 psi (yes that is pounds on every square inch...(192 sq inches x 125lbs per sq inch) = you now have 24,000 pounds...12 tons of force trying to rip your tank apart! and for some reason a weld has started to leak air. :eek: :eek: Dunno about you but I would not want to see a piece of metal with 12 tons of force behind it come flying across the room in my direction.

Just to say one more time...leaking pressure vessels + sealers = no good.

Just remember I have first dibs on the car graemlins/clonk.gif