Air Compressor Tank Drain

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After reading a thread that showed the results of corroded air tanks I realized I haven't drained my tank in some time and while gathering up tools to finish up a pool house roof wind damage repair (not Ike) this afternoon, stopped by and opened the drain and nothing.  No water, no air, no nothing.  So after finishing up the roof I unhooked the 60 gallon vertical, 13.3cfm@90psi Kobalt and walked it outside on its feet before pulling the drain assembly (photo 1) after draining off the air to 10psi through the tank outlet isolation valve.What I found is shown in photo 2 - a wad of debris and sediment packed into the drain inlet.  After a trip to TSC for a 6" galvinized 1/4" pipe nipples and street ell and using the last of that piece of angle used for my neighbors' generator running gear axle brackets, I fit a support for the new drain pipe to run thru and to be secured to the two outer feet of the tank.  Wind was blowing pretty good so I had to wait for a calm period to pull the trigger.  I didn't get carried away with welding it in and only placed about a 3/4" long bead at each end on top and a 1/2" tack on the underside of the vertical leg on each side.  Last shot is of the unit all done and back in place with a plug valve installed that I had in one of my tool boxes.  Sure beats trying to reach under with both hands on my knees to open the old one.  Should have done this over a year ago when it first went in. Attached ImagesMM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Good idea,Duane. I should do the same to my 3 1/2 HP portable. It's kind of a bi-ch to reach under and open the drain valve,tho I guess I've done it often enough as it never has plugged.                               MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Good idea. You know that tank is supposed to be bolted down though, right?Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Duane:Excellent idea, simple execution. And you don't have to stick your hand under the bottom into an unseen SPIDER'S nest. ick, ick, ick, ick, ick............................... And you didn't weld on a pressure vessel. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I really like it.I know I'm probably running my compressor on a shortened life span because I don't drain it enough...  but dam it sucks trying to get at that thing.I'd be happy with just a handle on it to make it easier to get ahold of and turn it open.
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverDuane:Excellent idea, simple execution. And you don't have to stick your hand under the bottom into an unseen SPIDER'S nest. ick, ick, ick, ick, ick............................... And you didn't weld on a pressure vessel.
Reply:Originally Posted by Joker11Good idea. You know that tank is supposed to be bolted down though, right?
Reply:Originally Posted by Joker11Good idea. You know that tank is supposed to be bolted down though, right?
Reply:Good fix Duane.  Mine gets drained when it reaches 150psi, and I only get 20sec. of airWTH don't they put a valve under the damn things like on truck tanks.  Pull the cord, and it drains."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Nice idea.  BTW, I'd rather have a snake around anyday than a spider.  We have a bunch of big fat black widows around outside the shop, they like to hang out in my steel pile.  I aways watch where I put my hands after seeing so many of them.  They give the the freakin williesDewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Beats the daylights out of Brown Recluse's (Fiddlebacks), or scorpions (especially the clear ones that are hard to see)Good reason to invest in some gloves."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammBeats the daylights out of Brown Recluse's (Fiddlebacks), or scorpions (especially the clear ones that are hard to see)Good reason to invest in some gloves.
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverI need a new .45 ACP.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55I just bought one - looks alot like a Syncrowave 180!
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverLMAO!!  So, they anodize 'em in Blue??
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Ya outta see the holster.  Tough to conceal too!
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverYeah, I suppose the wheels would be a 'dead' give-away.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55They just look like big cans of dip - it's the argon bottle that tips people off.
Reply:Originally Posted by Joker11Good idea. You know that tank is supposed to be bolted down though, right?
Reply:Originally Posted by ace4059I had mine bolted down to the concret floor. I was told to unbolt it and put some rubber pads under it (mud flaps from a truck cut in smaller squares work good) to help with the vibrations. It is is bolted straight to the floor, the running motor and cause cracks over a long time in the welds and tank from the viberations. Also you could leave it bolted to the pallet.
Reply:i was going to add that you DO NOT want to bolt it down, but was already beat to it.   If it gets bolted down with out some good pads under it, you will split the tank from the vibration.  Mine sits on a mobile base so I can pull it out and service or clean or whatever.   Really the best thing to do with a larger compressor is to leave it bolted to the pallet.  I also use an automatic drain so it gets drained frequently.   Here is a pic of the compressor, it is kinda hard to see the mobile base, but it works very nice.I did the exact same thing with the purple quincy shown in the pic, I extended the drain out so I can just reach down and flip it open.  Brew
Reply:Lots of discussion here.   I like the job, but.................Just go to NAPA and get a cable operated truck air tank drain ($5.00)and screw it in the bottom.  Done.Yank the cable once a day.  Simple like me.No welding, not as much fun, but it works great.Not trying to take away from your job, duaneb55  its a good one.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I just bought a nice used compressor for my shop and the drain is seized solid so am gonna do the exact same thing but just gonna drill a hole in the foot instead of weldin the flatbar on. when I was rollin it into my shop I could hear and feel prolly 2 or 3 gallons sloshin around lol.
Reply:Originally Posted by kneedeepI just bought a nice used compressor for my shop and the drain is seized solid so am gonna do the exact same thing but just gonna drill a hole in the foot instead of weldin the flatbar on. when I was rollin it into my shop I could hear and feel prolly 2 or 3 gallons sloshin around lol.