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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    Ningi Qld Australia
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    64

    Default What use for an old Aluminium Scuba tank?

    Hi, I have an old scuba tank which has been out of test for decades and it is still 3/4 full of air, 175Bar or 2550PSI, if my gauge is correct, and wondering what to do with it. I was thinking of selling it for maybe $60? as some one have a use for the compressed air in it, and afterwards they can sell it for the scrap value, or empty it myself and sell it for scrap, it could probably pass a test but the tests are about $60 bucks anyway and then try to sell it but probably too much mucking about for not much gain.

    Alternatively anyone have any suggestions on what to do with a thick walled aluminium tube, any ideas??

    Cheers
    Ed.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    71
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    5,942

    Default

    Whether it's legal to do or not, I don't know, but set it up for pumping up a tyre, and carry it in the boot, for when/if you get a flat tyre. RESTRAINED of course.
    Or use it as a portable compressed air tank, should be good for blowing something off.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ningi Qld Australia
    Posts
    64

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    Whether it's legal to do or not, I don't know, but set it up for pumping up a tyre, and carry it in the boot, for when/if you get a flat tyre. RESTRAINED of course.
    Or use it as a portable compressed air tank, should be good for blowing something off.
    Kryn
    Too heavy and takes up too much room for that, it weighs about 19Kg and I already carry a 12v air compressor in my 4WD.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    168

    Default

    If its a old tank they may not recertify it so it can be filled. Early alloy tanks were made from aluminium with iron added for some reason. Nowadays they dont feel they are same to fill because of risk of internal corosion.
    I had 2 tanks that had to scrap because of this. HSE SAFETY WARNING FOR OLD ALUMINIUM TANKS - DIVE Magazine
    On other hand Google scuba tank garden art..

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    I was going to say... 19KG for a cylinder of 11.3Litres Water capacity... seems about 2x heavier than it should be for Aluminium.
    Equivalent industrial cylinder of that WC good for 200Bar is about 10kg.

    Under-tray air compressor tank for Air lockers or tyre inflation would be the way I'd try sell it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    Ningi Qld Australia
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    64

    Default

    Sparksy, I just placed a big neodymium magnet over it and it didn't stick, if it was or had some steel in it I would have had to yank it off.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wodonga Vic
    Age
    38
    Posts
    633

    Default

    Somebody who shoots big bore PCP air rifle would give you a few dollars for it

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ed.. View Post
    Too heavy and takes up too much room for that, it weighs about 19Kg and I already carry a 12v air compressor in my 4WD.
    I have adapted mine to use as a tyre inflator in an emergency. If I should happen to roll a tyre off the bead a quick inflate at 300 psi pushes it back on...yes I know the trick about butane etc

    Some one at a pistol club might appreciate it for filling their air pistol/rifle

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    168

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ed.. View Post
    Sparksy, I just placed a big neodymium magnet over it and it didn't stick, if it was or had some steel in it I would have had to yank it off.
    Dont worry. They will let you know when you get it recertified. Has to be tested before anyone will fill it.

    Like I said they wouldn't test it because of its age.

    "Manufacturers highlighted by the HSE as having used the HE30/AA6082 and AA6351 alloys in SCUBA tank construction are as follows:
    • Luxfer Gas Cylinders HE30/AA6082 and AA6351 cylinders in the UK / AA6351 cylinders in the USA and Australia
    • Walter Kidde Company in the USA
    • CIG Gas Cylinders in Australia (acquired by Luxfer Gas Cylinders in 1997)
    • Reynolds Tube Company Ltd (later known as TI Hollow Extrusions) in England

    Tank markings indication construction from HE30/AA6082 and AA6351 alloys are:

    • HE30
    • HOAL 1
    • HOAL 2
    • HOAL 3
    • HOAL 4
    • BS5045/3/B
    • BS5045/3/B/S
    • AA6351
    • P****X (as part of the serial number)
    • P****P (as part of the serial number)

    The full HSE report can be found here: HSE Safety Alert - Siemens - Maxum II Edition Gas Chromatograph - Safety Features "

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Bungama SA
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    52
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    960

    Default

    It'd make one hell of a bottle rocket
    ....................................................................

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,436

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    Hi Harry,

    Quote Originally Posted by Harry72 View Post
    It'd make one hell of a bottle rocket
    I've seen an oxygen bottle disappearing down the yard when the delivery guy dropped the new bottle off the lorry side and knocked the valve off ! He was lucky the valve didn't hit him in the nuts, it went between his legs and got caught by the cage behind him.

    Fortunately no one was hurt !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ningi Qld Australia
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    64

    Default

    I have decided to empty it and scrap it as it isn't worth the risk, as I am not sure what the alloy is and as it is an old tank, I don't want the worry of "is it still safe". That way I can sleep at night!

    Cheers

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    168

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ed.. View Post
    I have decided to empty it and scrap it as it isn't worth the risk, as I am not sure what the alloy is and as it is an old tank, I don't want the worry of "is it still safe". That way I can sleep at night!

    Cheers
    before you take it to the scrap dealer you will have to cut a hole in or around the base. they wont normally take them otherwise, problem if the go into crusher outlet end first they tend to explode with the pressure.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ningi Qld Australia
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    64

    Default

    I am going to try and remove the valve if I can, if I can't release the valve then maybe put a drill a hole into it.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    168

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ed.. View Post
    I am going to try and remove the valve if I can, if I can't release the valve then maybe put a drill a hole into it.
    If you take it to a scrap dealer it needs two holes, the original valve hole and a new one at other end (base) . Worth it as they fetch reasonable scrap value.

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