Is scrapping a 6 gallon air compressor safe?

Hello, just curious.. before I get hit with possible shrapnel, is it safe to scrap a portable 6-gallon, oil free, porter cable air compressor? Does anyone have any suggestions for a safe scrap before I begin? Thanks!

First, take off the quick connector. Once that is gone, there is a hole straight into the tank. Nothing to hold any pressure in the tank. If pressure is what you are worried about. If you are worried about hitting your thumb with a hammer, resist the temptation to hit your thumb with a hammer. If you are worried there might be a rabid and furious raccoon contained within the 6 gallon tank, I would rate the danger as "unlikely."

If it is an air compressor, nothing to worry about. If you are talking about a refrigerator compressor or an AC compressor, you had better know what you are doing.

Dammmm.....

I only find gold bars in the compressor tanks I scrap. I wannna find a rabid raccoon in one now!!

A little more seriously, you might want to drain the oil from the compressor itself, too. There should be a little of every kind of metal in the compressor pump and motor--copper, brass, aluminum, steel....

Jon.

Thank you T00nces2; your replies were just what I was looking for. I tackle this demo tomorrow.. and add scraps to the scrap pile. Also, thanks sawmilleng.. I'll be on the lookout for oil.. but this one says oil-free on the factory label, so hopefully that liquid I hear in the air tank is just that, and no oil and not liquid hydrogen gas (who really knows).. last thing I need is an explosion of a liquified gas as it expands, changing phase to room temperature... boom! I'll be in line for skin graphs and shrapnel removal. T00ncess2, do you know what that liquid is that I am hearing in the air chamber? I definetly hear a liquid; maybe 2 cups worth of something. I assume it would not be water, because that would rust the air chamber. Right? any ideas? LOL.. Is that liquid going to blow up on me when I open it?

Okay, sorry for my novice and inexperienced take on scrapping and air compressor.. I just don't want to get injured here.

Originally Posted by FLScrapperGuy1

Thank you T00nces2; your replies were just what I was looking for. I tackle this demo tomorrow.. and add scraps to the scrap pile. Also, thanks sawmilleng.. I'll be on the lookout for oil.. but this one says oil-free on the factory label, so hopefully that liquid I hear in the air tank is just that, and no oil and not liquid hydrogen gas (who really knows).. last thing I need is an explosion of a liquified gas as it expands, changing phase to room temperature... boom! I'll be in line for skin graphs and shrapnel removal. T00ncess2, do you know what that liquid is that I am hearing in the air chamber? I definetly hear a liquid; maybe 2 cups worth of something. I assume it would not be water, because that would rust the air chamber. Right? any ideas? LOL.. Is that liquid going to blow up on me when I open it?

Okay, sorry for my novice and inexperienced take on scrapping and air compressor.. I just don't want to get injured here.

The liquid will be dirty, rusty, nasty water. It is the reason the pitcock is put on the bottom of the compressor tank. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER!

An "oil free" compressor just means that the compressor (usually) is a diaphram type which separates the lubricating oil in the crankcase from the air that is being compressed. There is oil in the crankcase, but probably it is a pretty small amount, being a small compressor.

Have fun!

Jon.

Originally Posted by FLScrapperGuy1

Thank you T00nces2; your replies were just what I was looking for. I tackle this demo tomorrow.. and add scraps to the scrap pile. Also, thanks sawmilleng.. I'll be on the lookout for oil.. but this one says oil-free on the factory label, so hopefully that liquid I hear in the air tank is just that, and no oil and not liquid hydrogen gas (who really knows).. last thing I need is an explosion of a liquified gas as it expands, changing phase to room temperature... boom! I'll be in line for skin graphs and shrapnel removal. T00ncess2, do you know what that liquid is that I am hearing in the air chamber? I definetly hear a liquid; maybe 2 cups worth of something. I assume it would not be water, because that would rust the air chamber. Right? any ideas? LOL.. Is that liquid going to blow up on me when I open it?

Okay, sorry for my novice and inexperienced take on scrapping and air compressor.. I just don't want to get injured here.

Wait...what?!

Air compressors do exactly that, intake air from its surroundings and compress it. There is no "gas" involved. For being in a high desert area, I am amazed how much moisture my compressor pulls. As mentioned by another, that's what the drain is for.

And yes, it can eventually rust out the tank , therefore the explosion that maims or kills a person.

Is the compressor actually dead? If you're going to be in the scrap business a compressor is handy to have.

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

Is the compressor actually dead? If you're going to be in the scrap business a compressor is handy to have.

Amen to that, brother. Even if the compressor is dead, the tank can be used to add volume to an existing air pressure system... Assuming the exterior of the tank is in good shape.

Originally Posted by FLScrapperGuy1

Thank you; I guess. 50% of your reply was insulting, but I suppose I can be safe now, which is why I posted, so thanks. Sorry I don't spend my life scrapping. But I guess you dont either.. averaging more than one post online per day all year long. Sorry I am new to this, so have a nice day. I'll let you know if I find any rabid raccoons, and most importantly: I'll be sure to call 911 if I hit my thumb with a hammer.

Critters show up in the darnedest places. A skunk nesting under a scrap pick up that refused to vacate, a marmot once hitched a ride to my yard in a junker I had brought home then a rattle snake catching the last of the afternoon sun under a pile of burnt rims that scare the heck out of ya.

I even had a deer that was using an empty engine compartment to sleep in once and plenty of pack rats with their peculiar smell that have filled a car or truck with twigs and other bits and pieces of treasure they have packed into an old vehicle..

Raccoons prefer buildings but yellow jackets will build s nest almost anywhere.

When your scrapping be prepared for the unexpected.

Actually, the oilless compressors have no oil or crankcase, just electric motor with aluminum connecting rod and offset bearing connected directly to the motor. the "piston" is just a flat alum. disc with Teflon "ring" and a Teflon coated "cylinder"...lots of aluminum on the compressor part, motors are hard to use for anything as the output shaft is really short so I scrap those. the tank can be easily drained of any pressure via the petcock on the bottom, or the safety valve on the switch...but I doubt it is pressurized, if it was, someone wouldn't be junking it...I usually save the pressure switches, can get $5 or so for them for people replaceing them.

Originally Posted by alloy2

When your scrapping be prepared for the unexpected.

That cannot be more true. I bought a truck, opened the door and instantly seen tons of black widow eggs. Wound up calling my car guy and had him just send his wrecker for it. I wasn't even going to try getting it to him myself with that many eggs. Then a few weeks later was removing some tin for a guy, had a run in with a moccasin. Just going to add to this thread always wear long pants and gloves when working in areas where snakes are likely to be. Thankfully I haven't been bit, but I've had too many close calls. As for the yellow jackets, no where is safe from them forming a nest.