Sorry about the off topic post but I thought other newbies could use the info. I bought a Craftsman air compressor for my garage and have a couple of questions. 1st do you empty the air tank at the end of the day? The manual says too so the tank doesn't rust. Is this right? 20 degrees in the winter here. 100 in the summer. Secondly do you run a filter on the air line when running air tools? Lastly the manual says to take it in once a year to have the valves checked. Is this right? Seems a bit extreme for a compressor but then I don't know anything about them. I've bookmarked the powertool thread. It's already helping me with air tool purchases.

Thanks for your time
Bret

yea you should empty it out everyday because it accumulates moister (water) and will eventually rust the inside of your tank.

I dont run a filter but as mentioned above, water will get in your lines and into your power tools if you dont use a filter.

I dont check the valves and dont really know anyone who does. Mine's worked fine for years, I do service mine on occasion though.

I suppose it would be best to empty after every use, I've never some that with mine, its got 15 years of use on it. I did install a drain valve on the bottom, periodically, I'll pull it open and let it blow out any water. Mine is getting a little rust in the tank, I had to weld up some pinhole leaks a few years ago. Not so sure it was rusting through or just poor factory welds. I figure once it does give up the ghost, I'll pop for a vertical tank, twin stage compressor.

I added a water separator on the outlet, it has an automatic drain valve on it, when the pressure drops to a certain point, it opens and lets the trapped water drain out.

Never had my compressor checked, just add oil as needed and its good to go.

I put an easy to open drain valve on mine and when I'm finished with the compressor after a project, I cut the power off and let it drain..

Basicly if there's any humidity outside, it's going to get water in the tank... When it's cold and dry, no problem...

When I replaced a sticking check valve, I looked inside the tank and it was pretty crappy looking inside..

as 4Crawler said, when it rusts through, I'll replace it with a better unit.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I dont drain every day, BUT, when I know I am not gonna use it for a while, I drain it..

And I do toatlly agree with a filter....

Chase

Draining the water out of the system is not only good for the tank, but it also is important for your air tools. Equally important is putting a few drops of pneumatic oil in your tools each time you use them. I actually use the oil at the beginning and end of each session.

By the way, this topic is not at all off-topic. This is exactly why we created this forum.

There is no need to drain the entire contents of the tank every time it's used. The water will settle to the bottom (hopefully where the drain is). Just crack the drain now and then and let it run until it blows just air with no water. If it's a large tank, take the time to replace the junky screw type petcock that they use for the drain, with a nice ball valve and maybe several inches of pipe to get it out where you don't have to crawl under the compressor to get to it. If you can't get to it, you won't drain it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Here's what I use to dry the air in my air compressor. It's a 5x5x3/8" square tube about 60" long. It's installed after the pump and before the main tank. YOu should see how much water I pull out of it after using the air compressor for an evening shop session.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/showthread.php?t=6253

Thanks,

Al