Any idea what this tank or base plate came from?

[ebinmaine 67,277]

I picked up a free compressor off of CL two or three years ago.

I knew it didn't work when I got it. I was hoping that it was physically larger than it turned out to be.

I forgot to take a picture of it while it was still assembled but basically the tank was pinched in 2 yoke assemblies. On top of that was the base in the picture. On top of all of that was a small 2 head compressor. The compressor is nearly seized up so that just went in the scrap pile.

I have no idea what to do with the base but it is pretty cool so I'll throw it on a shelf for future useage.

The base plate is probably around 8 by 16 inches.

The tank measures about 9" across and is a total of 17 or 18 long.

Accounting for the recess at one end I figure the volume to be about 3.25 gallons, give or take.

Both the tank and the base plate are magnetic. The tank appears to be galvanized?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[oliver2-44 9,687]

is the tank galvanized?

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

The plate looks like it might be cast iron. 

Thats a cool name plate!

[ebinmaine 67,277]

24 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

is the tank galvanized?

I assume so, judging by the color tone.

 

Is there a way to test that theory?

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

very steampunkish

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

Check for rough surface and some 

pitting. It looks like it was forged. 

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

2 minutes ago, jabelman said:

very steampunkish

?? Steampunkish?  Explain?

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,032]

Gerard Compressor Company, a third-generation family-owned business, was established in 1903 and has been a distributor of air compressor products since 1915. In fact, we are the oldest master distributor of COMPAIR products. Located in Woburn, MA, we provide repair and installation service throughout the Northeast.

 

http://gerardaircompressors.com/

 

Garry

 

[JAinVA 4,619]

Tool Crib,

Are you asking about the term steam punk or why someone might think it looks steam punk?

[JAinVA 4,619]

Eric,

That's cool looking.Definitely galvanized!

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

26 minutes ago, JAinVA said:

Tool Crib,

Are you asking about the term steam punk or why someone might think it looks steam punk?

Im not familiar with that . I feel stupid but 

what is steam punk?

[JAinVA 4,619]

Best thing to do is a Google search.It will do a better job of explaining than I could ever do.

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

[857 horse 2,581]

2 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

is the tank galvanized?

my thoughts exactly

 

 

[oliver2-44 9,687]

So enlarging the picture it looks like the seams of that tank were welded and riveted. I’ve worked with late 1930/early 1940ish vintage equipment that had riveted seams and the drawings called for “caulk welding” the seams. Remember, electric welding was in its infancy before WWII. 

So with the tank galvanized I’m going to speculate it was for water. Possible  some type of air over water injection  system where a charge of water was needed at a higher pressure than the rest of the system. 

[ebinmaine 67,277]

10 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

So with the tank galvanized I’m going to speculate it was for water.

That makes sense knowing that the inside has a good thick coating of rust as well.

 

So here's what I'm thinking of using it for...

 

Ya know that large rear wheel C series I've been thinking on...

20+ inch tires front. 27"+ tires rear.

8 speed. Maybe a 23hp Kohler twin.

 

I was postulating mounting this tank to the upper front of the tractor sort of in honor of some of the farm tractors.

I'd put a slide out pin in where the lower hinge would be and just lift the hood straight up when I needed to remove it.

 

 That'd be a bit Steampunk... Wouldn't it....

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

That makes sense knowing that the inside has a good thick coating of rust as well.

 

So here's what I'm thinking of using it for...

 

Ya know that large rear wheel C series I've been thinking on...

20+ inch tires front. 27"+ tires rear.

8 speed. Maybe a 23hp Kohler twin.

 

I was postulating mounting this tank to the upper front of the tractor sort of in honor of some of the farm tractors.

I'd put a slide out pin in where the lower hinge would be and just lift the hood straight up when I needed to remove it.

 

 That'd be a bit Steampunk... Wouldn't it....

 

only if you wear the goggles!

[ebinmaine 67,277]

8 minutes ago, jabelman said:

only if you wear the goggles!

Don't push me man..... I'd get one o' those leather hats too!!!!

[oliver2-44 9,687]

Those flyboys wore the leather hats and goggles  Were talking engine/ Oiler room steam here.  More like an engineers ball cap with the white and gray stripes.

[ebinmaine 67,277]

3 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Those flyboys wore the leather hats and goggles  Were talking engine/ Oiler room steam here.  More like an engineers ball cap with the white and gray stripes.

I'd be into that too

[ebinmaine 67,277]

20 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

So enlarging the picture it looks like the seams of that tank were welded and riveted. I’ve worked with late 1930/early 1940ish vintage equipment that had riveted seams and the drawings called for “caulk welding” the seams. Remember, electric welding was in its infancy before WWII. 

So with the tank galvanized I’m going to speculate it was for water. Possible  some type of air over water injection  system where a charge of water was needed at a higher pressure than the rest of the system. 

Interesting development. I was just out there fiddling around with it. There's. You know. Stuff. Inside of it. I thought it was rust. But it turns out it's a whole bunch of ...???

...balls of some kind of asphalt substance.

[oliver2-44 9,687]

Is it bossiness old rubber verses asphalt?  The tank could have had a rubber bladder between the air and water.

[ebinmaine 67,277]

17 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Is it bossiness old rubber verses asphalt?  The tank could have had a rubber bladder between the air and water.

I don't think so. The balls are almost as if they are mixed with sand. They crumble for the most part when you squeeze them.

They vary in size from an 1/8" or so up to about 3/4". Mostly around 1/4".

[Stepney 2,325]

Eric, we have some family in the Boston/Arlington area. I've been meaning to grab this unit out of the basement of one of the buildings for years..
Funny 'nuff, it's a Gerard Electric, built in Boston. Gerard is still in business making compressors, however they operate out of Woburn, MA now. 
Not quite the same as yours, and your tank sounds .. interesting to say the least. But who knows what time has done to it. This one pictured dates to 1927. I'd be more then willing to bet yours was once a similar unit that time was not so nice to. 

Edited August 12, 2019 by Stepney

[ebinmaine 67,277]

12 minutes ago, Stepney said:

Eric, we have some family in the Boston/Arlington area. I've been meaning to grab this unit out of the basement of one of the buildings for years..
Funny 'nuff, it's a Gerard Electric, built in Boston. Gerard is still in business making compressors, however they operate out of Woburn, MA now. 
Not quite the same as yours, and your tank sounds .. interesting to say the least. But who knows what time has done to it. This one pictured dates to 1927. I'd be more then willing to bet yours was once a similar unit that time was not so nice to. 

The good news on mine is that the tank seems to be Very solid.

As I get time I'll try to clean it out and see just what condition it is really in.