Kinda off topic question but does anyone know generally how thick the metal is on an air compressor? Is there an easy way to tell? Google says generally 3/16" but I get hits with other ranges. I suspect the older the higher the chance. Full disclosure looking at picking one up to build a smoker in 80 - 100 gallon range but I want something at least 1/4" thick. Didn't know if anyone had any info on them, thanks in advance!
I've cut up a few tanks and none have been thicker than 3/16". Not conclusive at all, just when I've seen in half a dozen tanks but they topped out at 60gal. Maybe when you get up to the larger tanks they get thicker? Good luck it sounds like a great project!
i guess you are talking about the tank wall thickness. As i have never blown one or cut one apart can't answer that particular question. i can say that the main reason a tank is pulled from service is internal rust. There are Rules on pressure vessels per OSHA, generally a service lifetime of x amount. exceeding that in service gets to be an insurance issue should something happen.
I've been around a few. I don't think any of them are 1/4" anymore, though they used to be long ago (50s for sure). The pressure rating of the vessel should be a tell on wall thickness....a 125psi tank doesn't need to be as thick as a 250psi tank. Could you get a thin one and cut a metal drum in half to add thickness via welding the drum halves in where needed? Just a redneck thought. Other thought that comes to mind is to buy identical tanks, cut one up and use as a 'layer'.
I did exactly what you want to do. I gave it to my nephew but I'll walk down and measure it for you. If I recall the ends were thicker than the tube.
Great info, thank you! I see some on FB and CL that are older 50's and 60's. Hec I saw one that was from the 30's , not sure I'd want to use that for a smoker could be a ton of rust and sediment in the bottom but surly very thick steel. That is a hec of an idea! However I am a complete and utter novice of a welder, hell you can't even call me a welder. The thought of making my own smoker is daunting enough with my limited knowledge and even less experience so not sure I could pull something like that off. Right now am working on adding a new stack and lowering it on my current smoker. I've been practicing in the garage, lol! It might not be pretty but it will stick . I'll see how this goes and perhaps pursue a smoker build. Lots of great simple straightforward video's on you tube that inspire probably to a fault, lol.
Ok...ends not thicker. I was thinking about the double area where the ends are welded on. Millimeters and inches.
1/4" wall would be on something rated for a little more pressure than a standard air compressor...not sure how thick LP tanks are, but I feel like I've heard they are thicker...you could use a 100# bottle, or a 100 gallon tank if you want a bigger one...
Thinking something like this might work! Great price too! Just wish I knew it was 1/4" but I think going to be impossible to know for sure on any tank I look at.
On this tank are the open fittings on top fillet welded from the outside? If they are it might be possible to shine a light in and see the tank wall.
Not really sure I pulled that listing from facebook, I suppose I could ask and see if they could find out.
Exactly! Unfortunately the listing was taken down. I need to just settle on 3/16" many smokers are built on that thickness and are great. But I have my tunnel vision of 1/4" as the gold standard.
Yeah it's funny to see or hear how people descride stuff sometimes. Big, thick, cold, tall ect... are all relative terms to what's "normal" for that person. No reason to compromise what you want before you even get started. You'll always be wondering what that 1/4" would've been like.
My BIL just got done making a smoker out of a 250 gallon LP tank. I think the bell ends are 1/4" but the center section may have been 3/16. Either way it works great. I can put some calipers on the lid tomorrow iffn you really want to know.
