Re: Tank Hole

[<mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've been on the farm a good part of my life (1940's thru early 1960's).  We 
did stuff like this.  Of course we were out in the country and air tanks 
were kind of hard to come by.  Dad did have an acetylene generator he patch 
welded.  It did blow itself up some years later but not at the patch.  Those 
were kind of dangerous devices.

I have solder patched an old compressed air tank that had some rust in it 
and it held. I suppose that is much safer than welding one as you aren't 
disturbing the steel structural strength nearly so much.  I managed to get 
it sealed and it seems to stay fixed from leaking.  I suppose that one could 
use epoxy and a patch or even braze weld with some flux coated bronze rod.

Another thing is that these air tanks were only good for not over 125 pounds 
psi.  The old ones were heavy iron tanks.  Modern ones are much lighter 
gauge steel.  That all makes a difference.   If you wanted you can apply a 
flat patch and put a steel band around it covering the repair.   Then don't 
use it for government jobs.  Can't have g-men working with anything that 
isn't "certified" or up to codes.

As far as your welded air tank blowing you all to smithereens or not.  Nope, 
it won't do that.  If it does blow out and is not tied down it could 
possibly squirt itself across the room and hit you.  But it isn't going to 
just detonate like an IED.    Just tie it down good and make sure the relief 
valve works.  Stay sober and concious, it helps hone good judgement.
______________________________________________________________
Ralph Ausmann  -  Hillsboro, OR - > <ralph.ausmann@xxxxxxxxx>
http://mysite.verizon.net/res79g4m/ ... and "check the links"


---- Original Message ----- 
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 5:48 AM
Subject: Re: Tank Hole


> After reading Armands post I'm wondering if I should not go ahead and 
> order up a new 30 gallon tank for this thing?! I had no intention of 
> welding on the tank until Frank suggested it. I know about the dangers, 
> but figured since it was surrounded by  an enclosre of 1X4" staggered 
> boards and a roof that they would break most of the energy should it let 
> loose. It's also out in the driveway away from an area where people hang 
> out. Not near any work or play areas.
>  So, what I did was flip the tank over, took me a good 5 minutes to find 
> the hole it was so small. Took a dental pick, yes a real fine dental pick, 
> and stuck it in the hole and pushed as hard as I could. I could not force 
> the hole to enlarge at all. Next I took a 1/16" drill bit and drilled the 
> hole out. The metal surrounding the hole was at least 1/16" thick and 
> shiny with a slight layer of rust on the inside. I sanded off the paint, 
> no grinding. I put a slight countersink in it to remove the burrs from 
> drilling. Next I took a piece of mild steel I have that looks about the 
> same thickness as the tank, Drilled a hole in it and prepped it the same 
> as the tank. I test welded it and checked for penetration. looked good, I 
> welded the hole in the tank, Ended up with small hump weld with a slight 
> dish at the center. Exactly the same as the test weld. I did not grind or 
> otherwise try to dissguise the weld. Tank is originally red, so I painted 
> the weld satin black.
>   Anyone want to tell me what the chances are that I did enough welding on 
> the tank that it will actually explode? I know leaking again is only a 
> matter of time. 18 years old is a lot of time on a tank. I did no plating 
> or anything of that matter. I would bet the welder was on the tank for 5 
> seconds.
>   Thoughts, comments? No flaming please. I'm just  trying to figure out 
> what to do, if anything, with this.
> Mark Price
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2006 21:50:51 -0500
> Subject: Re: Tank Hole
>
> What's a matter, don't trust my weld?
> Don't worry It's surrounded by an enclosure, the weld is pointed towards 
> New
> York, Shouldn't  travel that far if it blows!
> Wait , what's that sound? Oh, it's a piece of weld flying towards New 
> York,
> Quick, under the desk, Look out!!!!  :]
> Mark Price
> markprice242ATadelphia.net
> Morgantown, WV