compressor blew up - lost leg

[Steve L.]

Locally, 3 guys were restoring a car this wknd when the compressor exploded. One lost his leg at the knee, other had head injury, third was in hospital for observation. Appears that the tank was rusted.

thought I'd pass this along for anyone with an old compressor to think about.

[Mike M.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

an ncrs member and good friend lost a brother when the head blew off a large industrial compressor. my shop compressor developed a leak on its tanks bottom last year. it was paper thin where water had laid. i replaced the whole tank with a new on. mike

[Steven B.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

I junked an old one three months ago because of a "soft" tank. 'Something we take for granted all too often. Steve

[Scott S.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

Steve, I live in Toronto, anyone that I might know? scott1956@rogers.com
I am a friend of Wendy Hall and Steve Bell

[Steve L.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

Scott,
Paper didn't give a name. But he was from Chelse in Que just 20 minutes north of Ottawa. Mike Ward said that on the 6pm news, the guy died. I know Wendy from CCC.
Tomorrows paper will most likely have a name.

[Bob H.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

got me to thinking how long since I drained moisture from mine so I just did

[John D.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

Sorry to hear the bad news.
This past summer I took my 1998 Sears compressor outside and drained the tank. Rusty water came out for a very long time. Made a mess of the driveway.
Maybe it's time to buy a new one. I use the compressor 6 days a week.

[Mike M.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

i believe compressor tanks should be drained quarterly, especially in moist environments. mike

[Joe R.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

i believe compressor tanks should be drained quarterly, especially in moist environments. mike

Mike,

I believe you should drain them every day that you use them. I have an automatic drain on mine, it's called a Posi-Drain. It's on a variable timer, runs maybe every 15 minutes the way I have it set.

Joe

[Gary C.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

Wilkerson X51-02-000 Autodrain works good

http://www.wilkersoncorp.com/installation/83-699-000_R4_0506.pdf

[Duke W.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

Mike,

I believe you should drain them every day that you use them. I have an automatic drain on mine, it's called a Posi-Drain. It's on a variable timer, runs maybe every 15 minutes the way I have it set.

Joe

Agree. Back in the sixties when I opened up a gas station in the morning, draining the compressor tank was SOP before starting it up.

I use my compressor infrequently, so I open the drain valve when I'm done with it and leave it open until the next time I use it.

Duke

[Tom R.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

i believe compressor tanks should be drained quarterly, especially in moist environments. mike

After heavy usage and when I know it will sit for months with little use, I'll open the drain valve and leave it open. I extended the drain valve with some plumbers pipe so I can get to it easier making it convenient to do. As stated above, first time I did it, water came out and in a brown/red/rust color. Concrete is still stained.

[Wayne W.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

I guess my old 1929 Curtis might be due for a change.

[Michael J.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

I understand from the Shelby TDB that the man with the head injury has died. Very sad situation, keep your maintenance schedule up to date.

[Mike M.]

Re: compressor blew up - lost leg

Mike,

I believe you should drain them every day that you use them. I have an automatic drain on mine, it's called a Posi-Drain. It's on a variable timer, runs maybe every 15 minutes the way I have it set.

Joe

j joe with the posi-drain, do you have to bleed all pressure from the tank before the posi-drain kicks in? mike