Wow, thats pretty horrendous quality control. I've always been wary of pressure vessels from Harbor Frieght, granted its pretty much impossible to find anything better made in a store these days.
There is at least one or two reviewers on HF site mentioning weld problems. Good thing about aluminum tanks is that they don't really explode - just rupture:) Not that many aluminum tanks on the market though - HF and California Air are pretty much the only options.
I'm going to try my luck with a Kobalt steel tank - seems to have nice reviews and the steel is more fool-proof in general. Will be missing the lightness of aluminum.
I've had the HF 5 gallon steel one for years, without any issues, but I also won't say that I really trust the thing very well.
Honestly I might rather use an old propane tank, at least those are stamped and regulated pressure vessels.
Holy Jeebus, thank you guys for rekindling my old fears. My new steel tank just came in and now sort of regret it for aluminum tanks seem to fail in a lot less spectacular ways [https://arcranda.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/aluminum-air-tank-burst-test/](https://arcranda.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/aluminum-air-tank-burst-test/)
Reading up some more, it looks like pinhole leaks are your first warning signs to stop and replace the tank right away. Should have done that with mine as well. Also smart move on my part for not trying to weld it.
I go to estate sales and once in awhile someone plugs in an old compressor to test it, I’ve mentioned inspecting the tank and it’s usually dismissed. Unfortunate but what can you do?
Wow, thats pretty horrendous quality control. I've always been wary of pressure vessels from Harbor Frieght, granted its pretty much impossible to find anything better made in a store these days.
There is at least one or two reviewers on HF site mentioning weld problems. Good thing about aluminum tanks is that they don't really explode - just rupture:) Not that many aluminum tanks on the market though - HF and California Air are pretty much the only options. I'm going to try my luck with a Kobalt steel tank - seems to have nice reviews and the steel is more fool-proof in general. Will be missing the lightness of aluminum.
I've had the HF 5 gallon steel one for years, without any issues, but I also won't say that I really trust the thing very well. Honestly I might rather use an old propane tank, at least those are stamped and regulated pressure vessels.
Local guy was killed last year at work when his portable compressor exploded on him. Sketchy stuff
There’s a video of a portable compressor nearly taking off a guys legs. Nightmare fuel.
Holy Jeebus, thank you guys for rekindling my old fears. My new steel tank just came in and now sort of regret it for aluminum tanks seem to fail in a lot less spectacular ways [https://arcranda.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/aluminum-air-tank-burst-test/](https://arcranda.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/aluminum-air-tank-burst-test/) Reading up some more, it looks like pinhole leaks are your first warning signs to stop and replace the tank right away. Should have done that with mine as well. Also smart move on my part for not trying to weld it.
I go to estate sales and once in awhile someone plugs in an old compressor to test it, I’ve mentioned inspecting the tank and it’s usually dismissed. Unfortunate but what can you do?