[TheForge] Re: Compressors (Was: A little OT -- a mini-scale saber...)

[Mike Spencer]

> More storage means more air for longer.
> Be very conservative with air pressure tanks!

My friendly neighborhood Used Stuff dealer had a 425 PSI 3-stage
compressor that was just in his way so I bought for (IIRC) $200.  What
to do for a tank?

A neighbor smith had some Halon tanks that had been swapped out of
some industrial site when they changed the chemicals so I got an 80
gallon tank for free.  I set up the compressor to switch out at 150
PSI and plumbed it with various bits of galvanized pipe and a custom
flexible hydraulic hose between compressor and tank (to avoid
vibration fatigue.)

The tank is rated for 600 PSI (!) so it should give me a 100% safety
margin even if it's lost 50% of its initial rating.  Potential weak
points are my own welds to install weldable threaded couplings, drain
and cover plate in place of the original Halon fittings.  I was real
careful and the welds look good.  Couple or three years now and no
indication of problem.

The whole works, switches, plumbing, wiring, etc., including a used
5HP single phase motor to replace the 10HP 3PH, was about $750.  I
could have had a similar rig, 2-stage, aluminum instead of cast iron,
shipping not included, for $1100 or so.  So far seems like a good deal.


BTW, does anybody have any clues about the compressor?  It's an Atlas
Copco but so old that the company has no record of ever having made
it. [1] It would be nice to have the original specs, exploded parts
diagram, manual and/or whatever. Pic is here:

   http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/temp/atlas-1.jpg

   Model    KT 630 A1    Ser. #   8703207

Probably came off a ship or from a ship repair yard.

- Mike


[1] According to a mole I found on the net who allegedly had access
    and searched the company database for me.

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~. 
                                                           /V\ 
mspencer at tallships.ca                                     /( )\
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^