Please do not try this at home, unless you're a trained vessel welder. If your air tank has a hole, chances are the inside of the tank is much worse than it appears on the outside. Failure to periodically drain an air tank causes deep rusting and loss of section or thickness. If the patch isn't large enough to cover the hole and the area of lost section, the tank could fail, and possibly catastrophically, which could result in bodily injury or death. I have seen metal screws with rubber grommets used to repair small holes in a tank, only to have the screw shoot across the shop like a bullet because the surrounding tank was too thin to support the threads.
The problem is that you have no idea how large the rusted area, on the inside of the tank, was before it finally rusted through to the outside. You might have a pinhole on the outside and the inside could be the size of a quarter or larger.
The reason this is failing is two fold. There is rust from the inside mixing with the weld pool causing it to be porous and also the air inside is heating up causing slight pressure which is emerging through the weld pool. The pressure is also pushing more moisture and rust into the weld. This is one of the hardest welding scenarios you'll encounter. You might could purge it with nitrogen then introduce some CO2 into the tank. Also cut the bottom out further and get away from the scale that's on the inside where you are welding. In the end, I'd be afraid to be around it, especially like it is. Probably nothing will ever happen but that one percent chance could be a life changing event for you. I used to work in a place where I seen some bad stuff happen and we had some stringent safety protocols. Something to think about.
If you have a decent mig you can turn it on low and move ur tip far back set ur wire speed high you will build material i have filled up to half inch hole in compressor tanks without a single leak with this method
I just saw a couple of videos of how bad it is when these things explode... its like a bomb went off! If you are still using this thing please replace it for the sake of yourself and anyone else that walks into your workshop. I love fixing stuff but this is one thing its not worth messing with... I'd feel safer next to a box of fireworks next to an open flame.
Believe me i tryed for hours and a ton of welding wire and gas,,,,I found the only thing that works is brazing it,,,,because the esteem heat just keeps cracking the tank and even causing hair line cracks in the weld itself,,,,but brazing is a slow even heat up and will work,,, I drove myself nuts and 10 different attempts and finally ground it smooth and grazed it sealed,,,,but I know another hole will probably come ....
I just dried the same thing you did and failed lol, but I will try the brazing next. the hole I tried to fix was made by me I welded a handle on the frame of the air compressor went to grind the weld down and ground a hole in the tank grrrrr lol.thank you for the brazing tip.
NEVER weld a tank. Google air compressor explosions. Welding creates uneven stresses in the metal. Especially unsafe with an old rusty tank. Showing people stuff like this makes them think it's ok to do this on their own time bomb. 🤬 Do not do this!
I did something similar and my welding skills are slightly better than this guy (I use gloves). I did not use epoxy. It still leaks. The metal inside the tank rusts due to condensation inside the tank and this is very difficult to repair. I have a very nice compressor but due to the microholes in the tank, I need a new tank and unfortunately my compressor is discontinued so I may need to buy a new one. Maybe with a MiG or Tig welder the results would be better I do not know because I only own a flux core welder. I don't think the epoxy will hold. And definetely do not weld while tank has some pressure in it. Overall it helps make the leak smaller but it does not completely disappear. I agree with CP Topher this is a how not to video not only because of the no gloves and this guy not knowing how to weld, but beause you can not see the metal on the inside which is compromised and full of microholes due to rust and it will continue to rust. I don't think there will be any flying pieces of metal when this fails.
After many attempt with mig with gas shield and a ton of wire and gas,,,I decided to braze it,,,works well,,,because it's a slow heat up,,,mug arc will cause tank and even weld to keep hair line cracking, where acedilene won't,,,but your right if it's rusted through in on place, chances are more are coming.
And just fill with braze and no patch,,,especially with 2 different thickness metals like this guy did,,,you can't effectively mig weld 2 different thickness metals ..
When an air compressor tank is so rusted internally it is sprouting holes, it is time to get rid of it, not try to repair it. That tank is a time bomb waiting to let go. When it ruptues, will you be standing beside it, or one of your kids? They have taken down walls when they rupture. People who have some sense get rid of compressor tanks when they start rusting through. Stup_d people try to weld or braze or epoxy them.
The best way to fix a hole in a tank is bubble gum ......duck tape and a zip tie no what works and I have done is drill the hole out make clean round hole use a faucet washer and a machine bolt and thread it in the hole and leak is fixed and a little J B weld never hurts
I think someone should call AT....you created a ticking timebomb. Think of who stands next to it at any given time....child, partner, sibling, friend, pet etc.
WARNING DO NOT DO WHAT THIS PERSON IS DOING. THIS IS A HUGE MISTAKE. USE YOUR BRAIN… BENEFITS VS. RISK. IF YOU LOVE LIFE AND YOUR FAMILY BUY A NEW TANK!!
Your neighbor must be wanting new neighbors if he gave you that knowing you would fix it.
this is a good "how Not to" video
Please do not try this at home, unless you're a trained vessel welder. If your air tank has a hole, chances are the inside of the tank is much worse than it appears on the outside. Failure to periodically drain an air tank causes deep rusting and loss of section or thickness. If the patch isn't large enough to cover the hole and the area of lost section, the tank could fail, and possibly catastrophically, which could result in bodily injury or death. I have seen metal screws with rubber grommets used to repair small holes in a tank, only to have the screw shoot across the shop like a bullet because the surrounding tank was too thin to support the threads.
What if the hole is small can you just weld it?
The problem is that you have no idea how large the rusted area, on the inside of the tank, was before it finally rusted through to the outside. You might have a pinhole on the outside and the inside could be the size of a quarter or larger.
The reason this is failing is two fold. There is rust from the inside mixing with the weld pool causing it to be porous and also the air inside is heating up causing slight pressure which is emerging through the weld pool. The pressure is also pushing more moisture and rust into the weld. This is one of the hardest welding scenarios you'll encounter. You might could purge it with nitrogen then introduce some CO2 into the tank. Also cut the bottom out further and get away from the scale that's on the inside where you are welding. In the end, I'd be afraid to be around it, especially like it is. Probably nothing will ever happen but that one percent chance could be a life changing event for you. I used to work in a place where I seen some bad stuff happen and we had some stringent safety protocols. Something to think about.
Just brought my 4 gallon compressor tank to be welded today. Pencil point size hole. Let it cure. Brought it home. Works like new
If you have a decent mig you can turn it on low and move ur tip far back set ur wire speed high you will build material i have filled up to half inch hole in compressor tanks without a single leak with this method
Well, good. I guess the epoxy will fail before a catastrophic event. I wouldn't stand next to it when pressurized tho.
Everyone keeps saying these explode if u weld them. This guy hold my 🍺
I just saw a couple of videos of how bad it is when these things explode... its like a bomb went off! If you are still using this thing please replace it for the sake of yourself and anyone else that walks into your workshop. I love fixing stuff but this is one thing its not worth messing with... I'd feel safer next to a box of fireworks next to an open flame.
Believe me i tryed for hours and a ton of welding wire and gas,,,,I found the only thing that works is brazing it,,,,because the esteem heat just keeps cracking the tank and even causing hair line cracks in the weld itself,,,,but brazing is a slow even heat up and will work,,, I drove myself nuts and 10 different attempts and finally ground it smooth and grazed it sealed,,,,but I know another hole will probably come ....
I just dried the same thing you did and failed lol, but I will try the brazing next. the hole I tried to fix was made by me I welded a handle on the frame of the air compressor went to grind the weld down and ground a hole in the tank grrrrr lol.thank you for the brazing tip.
@@terry269 your welcome,,,goodluck,,just heat it up slow,,,and let it cool down on its own...
@@georgespangler1517 what sort of brazing rod did you use?
@@moisty254 flux coated bronze works well on steel.
Google exploding compressor tanks for God sake. Do not do this.
So! 2 years later. Hows the compressor holding up? I Have a compressor with a pin hole leak and thinking to weld a patch too..
NEVER weld a tank.
Google air compressor explosions. Welding creates uneven stresses in the metal.
Especially unsafe with an old rusty tank. Showing people stuff like this makes them think it's ok to do this on their own time bomb. 🤬
Do not do this!
@@randywl8925 shut up
I did something similar and my welding skills are slightly better than this guy (I use gloves). I did not use epoxy. It still leaks. The metal inside the tank rusts due to condensation inside the tank and this is very difficult to repair. I have a very nice compressor but due to the microholes in the tank, I need a new tank and unfortunately my compressor is discontinued so I may need to buy a new one. Maybe with a MiG or Tig welder the results would be better I do not know because I only own a flux core welder. I don't think the epoxy will hold. And definetely do not weld while tank has some pressure in it. Overall it helps make the leak smaller but it does not completely disappear. I agree with CP Topher this is a how not to video not only because of the no gloves and this guy not knowing how to weld, but beause you can not see the metal on the inside which is compromised and full of microholes due to rust and it will continue to rust. I don't think there will be any flying pieces of metal when this fails.
After many attempt with mig with gas shield and a ton of wire and gas,,,I decided to braze it,,,works well,,,because it's a slow heat up,,,mug arc will cause tank and even weld to keep hair line cracking, where acedilene won't,,,but your right if it's rusted through in on place, chances are more are coming.
And just fill with braze and no patch,,,especially with 2 different thickness metals like this guy did,,,you can't effectively mig weld 2 different thickness metals ..
If the hole is small enough can you just weld it?
When an air compressor tank is so rusted internally it is sprouting holes, it is time to get rid of it, not try to repair it. That tank is a time bomb waiting to let go. When it ruptues, will you be standing beside it, or one of your kids? They have taken down walls when they rupture. People who have some sense get rid of compressor tanks when they start rusting through. Stup_d people try to weld or braze or epoxy them.
Safety LAST! 😳
Turn your wire speed up, should sound like a constant sizzling bacon
Thanks
This is crazy. Like welding a live land mine. Noooooooo. Buy a new one for pennies, well a lot less than the medical cost of an explosion 💥
You meant funeral cost.
The best way to fix a hole in a tank is bubble gum ......duck tape and a zip tie no what works and I have done is drill the hole out make clean round hole use a faucet washer and a machine bolt and thread it in the hole and leak is fixed and a little J B weld never hurts
Looked to me as though he did a crappy job of cleaning around the hole.
I think someone should call AT....you created a ticking timebomb. Think of who stands next to it at any given time....child, partner, sibling, friend, pet etc.
Go cry in the corner
Safety 1st buy a new 1 it’s cheaper to buy n save ur life n others
WARNING DO NOT DO WHAT THIS PERSON IS DOING. THIS IS A HUGE MISTAKE. USE YOUR BRAIN… BENEFITS VS. RISK. IF YOU LOVE LIFE AND YOUR FAMILY BUY A NEW TANK!!
I’ll just put some epoxy over it LOL
Looks like a bullet entered and exited that tank-- one bullet, two holes. Not rusted through.
hardly used compressor for sale, always babied, like new condition, always drained and properly maintained - OfferUp (lol)
Not! Totally!
What a dumb (BOOM!) idea.
Could’ve done worse. At least you didn’t use flux core or arc welding. I would’ve used TiG/GTAW but in a pinch I suppose MiG works.
great video.
You are so cute and sooo handy 😍😍😍😘