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Aluminum Air Tank

kcm.MN

kcm.MN

Well-known Member
Location
NW Minnesota
Looking to get a portable air tank. Have been considering aluminum, but don't know if worth the extra $$. No air drier on my compressor, but also have yet to have a steel tank rust through.

Are the aluminum tanks over-rated? Over-priced? Any brands to avoid (aluminum OR steel)?
 
Sorry, should have made clear - this will be a portable tank. Probably 5 gal. or so.

Not set up real well this winter for checking tires, so will be hauling a small tank around a lot rather than running extension cords & air hoses. Gets cold on the hands when below zero.

Plow truck (non-licensed) has a slow leak on one wheel around the bead and just haven't gotten it fixed yet. Anyway, have more tires to keep aired up this year than in past years.

Was considering buying a small compressor, but already have one that's REALLY slow!! Other compressor is somewhat portable, but too awkward to lug around in the snow. Then there's the 12v with no tank, but has to be unpacked, stretch out the power cord and air hose, then pack it all away.

...Just gonna get a portable tank. Should be much easier, I think.
 
I have two B 17 bomber stainless steel oxygen bottles that
I use for portable tanks. Tanks look like one in photo and I a gauge and shut off valve with about 5 foot of hose. I blow them up to 120 lbs. pressure but they are rated at 800 lbs..
cvphoto3089.jpg
 
Depends on how young you are. I'm to the
point in life where I hate lugging around
the steel air tank. Didn't know they made
aluminum ones till now. I will be buying
one.
 

I would look into used fire service cylinders. They are built extremely strong and there are many 4500 cu ft. bottles that are out of their service life, yet would still have many years of reliable safe life left in them.
 
I just bought a new 'california air tools' compressor with an aluminum tank. it cost a little extra but not much!
 
I have a couple of them, they are nice tanks, but kind of small for a portable air tank. I have screwed
one right into the top of a shallow well pump for a temporary pressure tank, works great!
 
(quoted from post at 08:56:18 11/19/18) I have two B 17 bomber stainless steel oxygen bottles that
I use for portable tanks. Tanks look like one in photo and I a gauge and shut off valve with about 5 foot of hose. I blow them up to 120 lbs. pressure but they are rated at 800 lbs..
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto3089.jpg">
Click to expand...

I have the identical tank, I have been using it as a portable air tank for over 30 years I always thought mine was aluminum as it is quite light.

Just have a female coupler on it, I use 2 male fittings coupled together to fill it, only takes seconds this way.
I have a short hose with an air chuck on the end that stays with it.

When doing renovations in the house that tank will keep a brad nailer going for hours.
 

Aluminum DOES corrode and deteriorate. Also, a 5 gallon portable air tank will just barely be able to inflate ONE pickup truck tire.
 
(quoted from post at 11:14:50 11/19/18)
(quoted from post at 08:56:18 11/19/18) I have two B 17 bomber stainless steel oxygen bottles that
I use for portable tanks. Tanks look like one in photo and I a gauge and shut off valve with about 5 foot of hose. I blow them up to 120 lbs. pressure but they are rated at 800 lbs..
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto3089.jpg">
Click to expand...

I have the identical tank, I have been using it as a portable air tank for over 30 years I always thought mine was aluminum as it is quite light.

Just have a female coupler on it, I use 2 male fittings coupled together to fill it, only takes seconds this way.
I have a short hose with an air chuck on the end that stays with it.

When doing renovations in the house that tank will keep a brad nailer going for hours.
Click to expand...
ave two of those also. Been using since '50's. I thought they were aluminum, too?
 

Not much weight savings with the aluminum tanks because they are made with thicker material to handle the pressure.
A simple easy to carry air tank is a propane bottle with a air conversion kit.
Keep in mind a good 2 stage compressor will pump 150-175 psi, most of the portable air tanks are rated for 120 psi.
 
The carry tank made in Sanborn, MN is very popular around here. I T mine into a portable compressor, put both in the Ranger, and it makes a very portable pumping station. I also use a double end fitting to fill from the 80 gal shop compressor.
 
(quoted from post at 08:22:41 11/19/18)
Aluminum DOES corrode and deteriorate. Also, a 5 gallon portable air tank will just barely be able to inflate ONE pickup truck tire.
Click to expand...
...Which means I can come in to warm up while refilling. *lol*
 
I owned a tire shop for 22+ years. By the end of the 10th year every air tank/tl tire inflator tank we had
was aluminum. A whole lot lighter and the hired help liked them a whole lot better.
 
i'm using an air tank off of a 1956 semi, it's aluminum and still going. not quit big enough but it gets me by.
 
Mine is a cheap steel one and it works ok. Gauge is a little flaky. I added a quick coupler to the hose so I can fill it quicker with a pair of male plugs threaded together. Cut the recharge time from several minutes to about 30 seconds.

If you can find a good price on an aluminum one and anticipate heavy use in the warm January weather then it would probably be worth a try in my opinion.

Carl
 
HEY!! I have one of those! I bought it on a farm sale probably 25 years ago and use it a lot. It needs a better hose on it, but works. Had no clue that it had a former life. I'll have to take better care of it. Chris
 
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