I highly recommend you hydro-statically test that tank. It's an easy DIY if you have a pressure washer, but I'd never put an unknown tank that's known to have significant rust inside at head height.
I’ll probably build an addition and move it to its own exterior room but this tank is like 1/4 inch thick. It’s not a thin wall cheap one like the new ones that explode. The likely thing that would happen is the tank would start leaking air, it also doesn’t ramp up to 150+ psi like the new ones do either. I’ve seen the videos of air compressor’s exploding and I feel the likely hood of that is slim to none. However, I will probably be moving it to the addition I build to use this space a little differently in the future, and maybe because of all of the concern over this tank, I will build it with ballistic material that can withstand an 80 gallon grenade.👍
@beesprojects2692 or you could simply test it and eliminate the concern. I don't know, but that sounds easier. I'm going to test mine this summer. I live where it significantly freezes, so putting it outside isn't a real option.
Have had the Harbor Freight auto drain valve on my 60 gal tank for 10 yrs. Just started leaking a few days ago. I disassembled it, cleaned out the gunk, and greased the o-rings and reinstalled. That seemed to have eliminated the leak.
My valve is all gummed up, I’ve removed & taken it apart/cleaned it out like 4 times & it still doesn’t open when the compressor cycles off like it should, I don’t get it, maybe I put it together wrong?
it worked like it was supposed to at first, but it had a small leak, which is why I took it apart to begin with, ever since then it’s never opened when it should, after it cycles off
@RegulerShowTV I unknowingly dropped a small part when I disassembled mine - pushed out by the spring. I couldn't figure out how the valve could have ever worked until I noticed the missing part on the floor.
It would sure seem that way. Might be worth picking up a few. I went to my local Harbor Freight and they had 4 in the clearance section so I bought all of them at $6.28 each.
Hey great video. I am getting ready to make an enclosure for my air compressor and I am not sure what sort of hose is best to use for these drain valves. Everyone seems to make stainless braided hose kits but i'm not sure why the standard air hose or even nylon hose isn't suitable for this. Also I was wondering if I could use an air hose quick connet coupler to extend my drain hose so that I could quickly disconnect it from the box whenever I wanted to take it somewhere.
I think you’ll be fine with standard nylon hose as long as it will hold up to the heat. That’s the problem I had so I used copper tubing coming directly off of the main line to my pressure switch to help dissipate the heat before teeing in to it with the nylon. That worked very well and I haven’t had an issue with it. I’m sure you could also use a quick connect in it also without much trouble.👍
Not to sound like your typical armchair commando but with a rusty pressure vessel you should really have it professionally tested or just buy a new tank because if they explode it could be all over for YOU and especially your dwelling or nearby projects will be severely damaged by the fallout of such an explosion!
When I’ve seen tanks explode it’s generally from over pressure from relief valves failing. Most tanks that rust out just end up leaking with 100 psi in them and this is extremely solid. I’m not worried about it at all. It is an industrial tank. Trust me when I say I put a lot of thought in to whether or not to use it.
@@beesprojects2692 There's a well known UA-cam tank explosion ((aftermath)) I recall that busted a block garage off of its foundation, blew out all of the windows, and knocked the garage door off its track. Tank was opened up like a tin can that someone had to open with a survival knife. Probably only a 20-25 gallon tank too at best!
@@Guillotines_For_Globalists I’ve seen a few tank videos where they exploded too. I appreciate your kind advice and I’ll consider having it pressure tested. I should give it a good peak inside and see what it looks like after 4 years. Might make a good video too. That being said I’m still confident in the tank’s structural integrity but it couldn’t hurt to take a peak.👍
@@beesprojects2692 It wouldn't hurt to have it inspected. I'm not sure looking inside with a borescope will tell you much at all about it's true integrity. I never thought much about tank explosions until I saw that video. 120 PSI doesn't seem like a whole lot, but it is (I run my regulator at about 120 PSI so that when I'm using my impact at full throttle, air pressure still remains around 90 PSI.)
so if you never see water and can drain manually whats going on? neighbor says their drain tube always has water and they put a blue towel under this to see if its getting wet and nope,, no dirt getting into it, just never works
Good question. I don’t have a good answer for you on that. You should hear it purge when the air compressor turns off. On mine the compressor will turn off and a second or so after I hear it purge. If you can’t hear it working then possibly it’s defective or there is something with the compressor or installation that needs addressed.
@@beesprojects2692 I meant the whole compressor. I put my compressor in a concrete lined (for sound) "dog house" behind my garage to save garage space & move the noise outside. Now I can talk on the phone while by my toolbox with the compressor on. My current drain is a 1/4" PEX tube routed inside the garage (with the 5/8" air supply & 120v power out) so I can drain it without going outside, but I watched this because I'm thinking of eliminating that.
Gotcha, I was originally thinking about building a room off of the back to put the compressor in but after I heard it run for the first time I decided it wasn’t necessary. It’s actually not very loud as it doesn’t turn the rpm’s like the newer ones do so you can talk over it pretty easily. I also have an insulated office space that I can go in to if I need to talk on the phone. I was a little skeptical of these auto drains when I started looking in to them but After 4 years I can say that this works well and was worth it.
Haha, mine's not new (~20 years old) but still loud as hell! The issue is there is no crankcase and the bottom side of the piston is open. The higher rpm may have some influence on the noise, but the sump-less design is most of it. I modified mine to use a mower muffler (with a motorcycle air filter ;) ) for the intake, which I located near the crankshaft, but that wasn't enough. I'm already half-deaf & I'd like to preserve the remaining half.
*no crankcase = no oil to change = sealed bearings = "permanently lubricated" = permanently is a joke, because nothing lasts forever, it should say "will work as long as the warranty applies, then [the company] will happily sell you another" That's what I have…
@@beesprojects2692 I've seen plenty of air tank explosion videos to still be freaked out even with a brand new tank. They are a ticking time bomb in my eyes.
No it didn’t. When I found it the compressor was actually not running. It didn’t break in a way to make a full 1/4 inch air leak. It was more of a loud hiss. The compressor itself is an 80 gallon industrial Gardener Denver so it has a good high volume pump that should be able to handle a 1/4 inch leak.👍
The thing I hate most about my harbor freight air compressor (the quiet one) - the drain valve is welded on at a 15 degree angle from the bottom 🤔 so you need to tip the entire unit to drain water, and this device wouldn’t work except for keeping it below 1in of water in the bottom…
Just mount it crooked to put the drain on the bottom. I spaced mine up at the handle end when I cut the wheels off at the other to make it fit in a concrete lined dog house. That made the drain be the low point of the tank. This worked without issue for a "permanently lubricated" compressor (it could mount upside down, but I have no reason to do that). If it's oil filled it will probly work, but you'll need to figure that out on your own.
I highly recommend you hydro-statically test that tank. It's an easy DIY if you have a pressure washer, but I'd never put an unknown tank that's known to have significant rust inside at head height.
I’ll probably build an addition and move it to its own exterior room but this tank is like 1/4 inch thick. It’s not a thin wall cheap one like the new ones that explode. The likely thing that would happen is the tank would start leaking air, it also doesn’t ramp up to 150+ psi like the new ones do either. I’ve seen the videos of air compressor’s exploding and I feel the likely hood of that is slim to none. However, I will probably be moving it to the addition I build to use this space a little differently in the future, and maybe because of all of the concern over this tank, I will build it with ballistic material that can withstand an 80 gallon grenade.👍
@beesprojects2692 or you could simply test it and eliminate the concern. I don't know, but that sounds easier. I'm going to test mine this summer. I live where it significantly freezes, so putting it outside isn't a real option.
Have had the Harbor Freight auto drain valve on my 60 gal tank for 10 yrs. Just started leaking a few days ago. I disassembled it, cleaned out the gunk, and greased the o-rings and reinstalled. That seemed to have eliminated the leak.
My valve is all gummed up, I’ve removed & taken it apart/cleaned it out like 4 times & it still doesn’t open when the compressor cycles off like it should, I don’t get it, maybe I put it together wrong?
it worked like it was supposed to at first, but it had a small leak, which is why I took it apart to begin with, ever since then it’s never opened when it should, after it cycles off
@RegulerShowTV I unknowingly dropped a small part when I disassembled mine - pushed out by the spring. I couldn't figure out how the valve could have ever worked until I noticed the missing part on the floor.
Didn't even know such a thing existed. Says clearance on their website, I wonder if they're going to stop carrying them.
It would sure seem that way. Might be worth picking up a few. I went to my local Harbor Freight and they had 4 in the clearance section so I bought all of them at $6.28 each.
As of 4-16-2024, I can't fine this on their website. I think they have stopped carrying it.
@@fitch8363 That's too bad, I guess all a person can do is call their local HF and see if they happen to have any left.
Hey great video. I am getting ready to make an enclosure for my air compressor and I am not sure what sort of hose is best to use for these drain valves. Everyone seems to make stainless braided hose kits but i'm not sure why the standard air hose or even nylon hose isn't suitable for this. Also I was wondering if I could use an air hose quick connet coupler to extend my drain hose so that I could quickly disconnect it from the box whenever I wanted to take it somewhere.
I think you’ll be fine with standard nylon hose as long as it will hold up to the heat. That’s the problem I had so I used copper tubing coming directly off of the main line to my pressure switch to help dissipate the heat before teeing in to it with the nylon. That worked very well and I haven’t had an issue with it. I’m sure you could also use a quick connect in it also without much trouble.👍
Does anyone know where to buy one of these? Harbor Freight don't have em anymore.
Not to sound like your typical armchair commando but with a rusty pressure vessel you should really have it professionally tested or just buy a new tank because if they explode it could be all over for YOU and especially your dwelling or nearby projects will be severely damaged by the fallout of such an explosion!
When I’ve seen tanks explode it’s generally from over pressure from relief valves failing. Most tanks that rust out just end up leaking with 100 psi in them and this is extremely solid. I’m not worried about it at all. It is an industrial tank. Trust me when I say I put a lot of thought in to whether or not to use it.
@@beesprojects2692 There's a well known UA-cam tank explosion ((aftermath)) I recall that busted a block garage off of its foundation, blew out all of the windows, and knocked the garage door off its track. Tank was opened up like a tin can that someone had to open with a survival knife. Probably only a 20-25 gallon tank too at best!
@@beesprojects2692 ua-cam.com/video/sm_FJ6Pat4I/v-deo.html
@@Guillotines_For_Globalists I’ve seen a few tank videos where they exploded too. I appreciate your kind advice and I’ll consider having it pressure tested. I should give it a good peak inside and see what it looks like after 4 years. Might make a good video too. That being said I’m still confident in the tank’s structural integrity but it couldn’t hurt to take a peak.👍
@@beesprojects2692 It wouldn't hurt to have it inspected. I'm not sure looking inside with a borescope will tell you much at all about it's true integrity. I never thought much about tank explosions until I saw that video. 120 PSI doesn't seem like a whole lot, but it is (I run my regulator at about 120 PSI so that when I'm using my impact at full throttle, air pressure still remains around 90 PSI.)
I’ve tried to find this part but harbor freight does not carry it. I’ve looked online and called the store. They told me they didn’t not carry it.
Shortly after I made this video they discontinued this item. 🤦♂️
so if you never see water and can drain manually whats going on? neighbor says their drain tube always has water and they put a blue towel under this to see if its getting wet and nope,, no dirt getting into it, just never works
Good question. I don’t have a good answer for you on that. You should hear it purge when the air compressor turns off. On mine the compressor will turn off and a second or so after I hear it purge. If you can’t hear it working then possibly it’s defective or there is something with the compressor or installation that needs addressed.
Why did you mount it inside the garage?
I’m OK with it draining like it does but it does have a 1/4” inch NPT thread so that you could run a hose somewhere else if you’d like
@@beesprojects2692 I meant the whole compressor. I put my compressor in a concrete lined (for sound) "dog house" behind my garage to save garage space & move the noise outside. Now I can talk on the phone while by my toolbox with the compressor on.
My current drain is a 1/4" PEX tube routed inside the garage (with the 5/8" air supply & 120v power out) so I can drain it without going outside, but I watched this because I'm thinking of eliminating that.
Gotcha, I was originally thinking about building a room off of the back to put the compressor in but after I heard it run for the first time I decided it wasn’t necessary. It’s actually not very loud as it doesn’t turn the rpm’s like the newer ones do so you can talk over it pretty easily. I also have an insulated office space that I can go in to if I need to talk on the phone. I was a little skeptical of these auto drains when I started looking in to them but After 4 years I can say that this works well and was worth it.
Haha, mine's not new (~20 years old) but still loud as hell! The issue is there is no crankcase and the bottom side of the piston is open. The higher rpm may have some influence on the noise, but the sump-less design is most of it.
I modified mine to use a mower muffler (with a motorcycle air filter ;) ) for the intake, which I located near the crankshaft, but that wasn't enough. I'm already half-deaf & I'd like to preserve the remaining half.
*no crankcase
= no oil to change
= sealed bearings
= "permanently lubricated"
= permanently is a joke, because nothing lasts forever, it should say "will work as long as the warranty applies, then [the company] will happily sell you another"
That's what I have…
kudos on the project, but man that would that tank freak me out
I’m not freaked out at all. I made sure it has a lot of meat left. It’s still a lot thicker where it had the most rust than a lot new tanks are new.
@@beesprojects2692 I've seen plenty of air tank explosion videos to still be freaked out even with a brand new tank. They are a ticking time bomb in my eyes.
When the drain failed, did the air compressor continue to run?
No it didn’t. When I found it the compressor was actually not running. It didn’t break in a way to make a full 1/4 inch air leak. It was more of a loud hiss. The compressor itself is an 80 gallon industrial Gardener Denver so it has a good high volume pump that should be able to handle a 1/4 inch leak.👍
The thing I hate most about my harbor freight air compressor (the quiet one) - the drain valve is welded on at a 15 degree angle from the bottom 🤔 so you need to tip the entire unit to drain water, and this device wouldn’t work except for keeping it below 1in of water in the bottom…
Yeah that’s a problem for this auto drain. I’ve seen other compressors with the valve on the bottom like that.
Just mount it crooked to put the drain on the bottom. I spaced mine up at the handle end when I cut the wheels off at the other to make it fit in a concrete lined dog house.
That made the drain be the low point of the tank.
This worked without issue for a "permanently lubricated" compressor (it could mount upside down, but I have no reason to do that). If it's oil filled it will probly work, but you'll need to figure that out on your own.
Did he say plastic brake like is it for air brakes because a plastic brake like is not a thing
Yes, it is air brake tubing. Not hydraulic.👍
no longer sold
I appreciate the story n all your explaining...but just get to the point 7min video....and you explain your point in 30 sec....thank you
I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching.
Horrible location, you've gone from a dirty bomb to a clean bomb, get a new tank and get it out of your shop.😮
Thank you for your concern.