[Shop-talk] a question on portable air tanks

[Randall]

> Looking at the underside the 
> other day I noticed  " Discard after Mar 2007" stamped in the 
> metal. Are the manufacturers covering themselves against 
> abuse and neglect or do these things have a measurable 
> lifespan?

I believe they do have a lifespan, but it's not accurately measured in
months.  So the manufacturer is mostly CYA, by estimating the shortest
possible lifespan.

I still use a tank that is over 30 years old, kept under pressure and only
drained when I can feel it slosh.  Likely it's a risk, but then so is
walking out my front door every day, so ...

Randall