On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 15:24:51 -0500, Bob Engelhardt
wrote:

Tim Killian wrote:

The only thing dumber than using an odd-ball tank ...

Propane tanks are not "odd ball". They *are* compressed gas tanks, with
DOT specs. Working pressure 240 psi, test pressure 480 psi, design
burst pressure 960 psi. Depending upon the ambient temperature, propane
in a tank is 110 - 130 psi, sort of. Single stage, home-use compressed
air is generally not more than 100 psi.


That's exactly my thoughts as well. On top of that I've cut into more
than one commercially built "air tank" and been surprised and
concerned on how thin they are. A fact that can be confirmed by just
weighing a similar sized air tank compared to a empty propane tank. My
commercially made and sold 10 gallon tire inflator tank doesn't weigh
as much as even my newest small propane tank (and older tanks are
often much heavier). On top of that my portable air tank doesn't have
any way of draining moisture either so why the concern about propane
tanks in this application. Now as a compressor tank something needs to
be done but as has been stated many times in the past mounting it
upside down with appropriate drain fittings attached will cure that
problem (though it might make for slightly wetter air coming out than
a normal tank).

Now one tank I will not use for a portable air tank is old freon
tanks. I used them back when I didn't know any better but after
cutting into one of them I'm almost scared to even carry them with
freon in them.
Wayne Cook
Shamrock, TX
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook