"alexy" wrote in message
...
My compressor use is limited to using a carry tank for filling tires
and very small brad-nailing jobs. The tank used to scare me, thinking
of the energy contained in 125 lb of compressed air. And now I see
that my tank has an "expiration date" (already passed) embossed on it.
And I'll get rid of it if it is a danger. But I was thinking--what
does happen if the tank fails? It's not like a bomb, where there is a
near-instantaneous increase in pressure that tears the tank apart. It
seems to me that what is likely to happen is rust will create a thin
spot that will eventually fail, releasing rather unspectacularly all
the air in the tank.

Is there any safety risk in using an "expired" tank?
--
Alex -- Replace "nospam" with "mail" to reply by email. Checked
infrequently.

My compressor, a dual tank Emglo, was purchased in 1987. About 8 years ago
it developed leakage around the bottom supports (the rails that hold it off
the ground). A friend tried to repair it using a MIG welder, to no avail.
Then I posted the problem to some newsgroup or another and someone posted
his fix: use epoxy. I did so and am still using that compressor (though I
think I'm beginning to hear another leakage hiss).