Tool Talk

Classic Power Tools => Classic Power Tools => Topic started by: Twilight Fenrir on May 16, 2018, 06:15:43 PM

Title: Air compressor made of O2 tank from WWII Flying Fortress!
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on May 16, 2018, 06:15:43 PM
So, I was over at a guy who I occasionally buy tools and scrap iron from, when I saw this really weird air compressor sitting in the yard, I asked him about it, and he told me it was available... I really didn't need ANOTHER project, but it was so weird, I threw $20 at him, and it came home with me...

I've since done some digging, (I.E. found someone who knew better) and it turns out, it's made out of an Oxygen tank from a WWII Flying Fortress! Either a B-17 or a B-27. So, I figured I'd share it!

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the thing...

(https://vgy.me/RflkFd.jpg)

(https://vgy.me/EDOomr.jpg)

(https://vgy.me/unwNDn.jpg)
Title: Re: Air compressor made of O2 tank from WWII Flying Fortress!
Post by: Bill Houghton on May 16, 2018, 06:20:39 PM
I wonder if you could find anyone to certify that tank?
Title: Re: Air compressor made of O2 tank from WWII Flying Fortress!
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on May 16, 2018, 06:42:03 PM
Quote from: Bill Houghton on May 16, 2018, 06:20:39 PM
I wonder if you could find anyone to certify that tank?
Supposedly, they were rated for 400+ PSI originally. It's either stainless, or aluminum, I can't really tell for sure which, I won't know until I do some cleaning up on it, but it's non-magnetic. So internal rust through shouldn't be an issue...
Title: Re: Air compressor made of O2 tank from WWII Flying Fortress!
Post by: Yadda on May 16, 2018, 07:08:20 PM
Sweet find!
Title: Re: Air compressor made of O2 tank from WWII Flying Fortress!
Post by: geneg on May 16, 2018, 07:54:40 PM
They"re aluminum.  I've been using a couple of them for portable air tanks for a few years. 
Title: Re: Air compressor made of O2 tank from WWII Flying Fortress!
Post by: turnnut on May 16, 2018, 09:41:25 PM
 you should bring it back to life, it's cool.

 running and painted, it will be a good show piece.
Title: Re: Air compressor made of O2 tank from WWII Flying Fortress!
Post by: john k on May 16, 2018, 11:00:45 PM
Back when there was one at every gas station as an air bubble.   I heard they of spun stainless with that wrap around them,  lots of surplus available then.   
Title: Re: Air compressor made of O2 tank from WWII Flying Fortress!
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on May 17, 2018, 07:09:05 AM
Quote from: turnnut on May 16, 2018, 09:41:25 PM
you should bring it back to life, it's cool.

 running and painted, it will be a good show piece.
I might do that, won't be hard... A new motor, pulley, and V belt and it should just work. I don't know about painting it, though... It might be cooler if I removed the paint entirely from the tank, or maybe painted the tank and left the ribbing bare, would be very retro :3


Quote from: john k on May 16, 2018, 11:00:45 PM
Back when there was one at every gas station as an air bubble.   I heard they of spun stainless with that wrap around them,  lots of surplus available then.
There are tons of them on eBay, all of them over $100, so, I guess I didn't do too bad...