Projects This weeks score - just an old compressor :)

Off to a late start because it's actually the first one of the year.
Pretty nice freebie though. I had to haul off a whooped and rusty old 93 chevy 4x4 truck to get it.
just an old compressor -

 

That looks like an old aircraft oxygen tank. I've got one of those I use just as a portable tank. I wish there was a way to figure out what kind of airplane it came from.

 

That's exactly what it is

 

Damn, I thought that I was lucky on my gasket set and rubber mat.

I like old compressors and that one it****s.

 

You can have the top and head unit if you want it.
I've got plans for the tank though

 

I'm an oxygen tank junkie. I must have 8 of those things stashed away for a rainy day.

 

Is there anyway to date and identify these things? I'd like to believe that mine came out of a B17 Flying Fortress, but I expect that is highly unlikely. It does seem reasonable, however that they came from military surplus, since there are so many of them around.

 

I'll take you up on that, but we have to find a relay unless you plan on coming to visit. LOL

 

A friend and I were trying to determine the material they're made of. I came to the conclusion they're stainless. True?

 

how much pressure do those tanks hold? that is a cool little compressor.

 

The specs are right here.

 

I can't read that. "inch pressure is 29 cubic feet"... ??? WTF is that?

 

Lb/sq inch pressure is 29.0

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Part of the pressure readings on the tank is because you cannot breath high pressure oxygen, you'll get an embolism. I didn't think that through when I posted. Chalk it up to the******* being stricken by the********.

 

What its saying (I think) is if its charged initially to 400 psi then used until the pressure is 50 psi, it will deliver 29 cubic feet of free oxygen.

 

I've seen a couple of them over the years and they were both aluminum.

 

Appears to have been used on B-17 and B-24 WWII bombers, there's a listing on eBay currently showing this tank with a description.
WWII B-17 B-24 Bomber Oxygen Tank Cylinder Hot Rod Rat Air Aircraft Vintage Fuel
eBay item number:
162030620660

 

Nice find, makes a great and practical conversation piece.

 

I have one that my dad set up as an air compressor. Had a truck air brake compressor to serve as the head. Both were gvt surplus. I still use the tank and the compressor is still in the garage back home. I believe the tank I have is stainless painted the same beautiful mustard color.

 

These two books are very thorough photographic tours of the innards of their respective bombers. Both show the racks of big yellow bottles, which certainly look like yours. The books would allow you to count ribs and compare detail to be sure, but I do think they are of bomber origin. Available and cheap on Amazon.