I posted about this a few years ago. I figure it's worth a revisit. If you have an old air compressor, you may want to consider inspecting the tank. If you never drain the compressor, you are in mortal danger every time it gets pressurized. I learned this a few years ago after my 30 gallon oilless melted down on me. I decided to use the tank to hold scrap metal in the shop. When I cut it apart, I could not believe the rust inside and how pitted the bottom of the tank was. I neglected to drain the tank daily, since the petcock was hard to reach and a hassle to use. I was lucky. I installed an auto bleed on my new compressor. It will open every 45 minutes for a few seconds to bleed any water that has accumulated. It was $50 at lowes and a lot cheaper than a hospital stay, a blown up building or a funeral. For the money, I highly recommend it. It could save your life. If you have an old tank, I recommend pulling off the compressor and inspecting the inside of the tank. If you see pitting, get rid of it. It's not worth it. Below are some examples of what can happen.

Maybe we need to ban these or at least start registering them.

The tank in the second clip appears to have had the tank welded on, looks like a fitting was welded on for the drain for some reason.

I agree. However, it doesn't look like it blew there. It could have weakened, although it looks like rust is the culprit.

You also need to keep an eye on those auto drains if you install one. They are prone to plugging up and not draining. (At least the few that I'm familiar with)

True, but you can't miss mine. A loud hiss of air outside every 45 minutes when it's on. I would think that if your auto valve is clogging, you may want to pull the compressor and check the tank for rust. That's about the only thing that's going to clog an auto valve, since the air the compressor draws is filtered.

wont hurt to check the pop-off too

I drain mine every time after use. I don't have a large compressor but open the (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) pit and release air everytime.

Finster , I remember your post from a while ago.
The compressor where I work is old. Real old.

Manafactuered in 1945
But it is built differently than most I've seen. It has two ends welded in the middle as opposed to a tube with two end caps welded on. No center seam as well. Very thick steel.

I am a bit concerned with it but things were built better years ago. Trying to convince the boss to buy a new one is the problem. I showed him the video you posted a while back but no luck.

Wow good info thanks for sharing. Never crossed my mind that they could explode. I've got an old one thats going to go.

I wouldn't get anywhere near that until it was checked out. Hopefully it's tucked away someplace not near anyone.

I had a older Campbell compressor. Every time I used it the tank seemed to be leaking air. I looked underneath it and saw a pin hole. I took it to a friend who is a welder. He tried to weld it and said the whole bottom was paper thin and it couldn't be welded.

After seeing this, I will be taking precautionary measures with my new compressor. Thanks for posting this.

YIKES! You're a very lucky man.

Dang fully auto Air Compressors can kill.

Luckily it is tucked away a bit. Also it is set to run to about 100psi which is under its capacity. We don't use a lot of air here. It has had the motor changed a few times and the compressor pump rebuilt a few times too. Many coats of paint as well.
Rumor has it the boss bought it used at an auction years ago , it used to belong to a railroad.

Years ago I worked at a factory and they had one go off that took out the whole end of the building, was a miracle no one was killed or even badly injured, had my ears ringing for several days, sounded like a bomb went off even shook us where we were in a building across the parking lot from where it all happened