Looking at buying a vintage steel tank on craigslist

[jt83]

And I seriously know nothing about it. The guy says it's from the late 70's (although the stickers clearly say '71 and '73). It is approximately 23" long without the valve and about 7" in diameter. Anybody have any guess at what it is? Will I be able to have it cleaned, vis'd, hydro'd and dive it?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Depends on if it's been stored with air, if it's pitted, and if you want to spend the money to have the services done. Steel tanks last a long time. I have two from 53 and 54 that just passed hydro and I use them for reg servicing. The valve on there looks to be the 1/2 inch pipe thread and yes they are still around and you can service them or replace it with one that has the knob on the side . Though some shops who are ignorant will tell you that the tank is too old. They want to sell you a new one. Offer 50-60 bucks for it as it sits and tell them you want the double hose can that's on it and the backpack. The tank if it was properly stored can conceivably be still in use by your grandkids. The service pressure is likely 2250 and it looks like a 72 if I had to guess. Nice tank, good buoyancy characteristics. Curious though as to why it's on there upside down.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

BTW it's not vintage it's just older if it's from the 70's. I'd say mine from the early 50's are vintage and some might say that even though are on the young side for that designation.

 

[herman]

Several things on that tank.. First off it's steel 72 from the late 50s to early 60s. The tank has a 1/2 tapered pipe threads valve (notice the teflon tape on it). These valves went out of production in the early 60s so the tank will not be newer than that. Since it's a 1/2 taper vavle you can not replace it with a modern valve and there is a good chance that your LDs will not fill it because "it's too old". Pure BS if it passes vis and hydro (odds are it will) but it's their compressor. From a safety stand point, there is no reason not to dive it but getting it filled may be a problem. The exact age and service pressure are easy to determine if you can get your hands on it... there will be an ICC- 3AAXXXX stamped on the neck. ICC stands for Interstate Commerce Commision (new tanks will have a "DOT" there), 3AA means it is a chrome molly steel tank and the XXXX is the service pressure, most likely 2250. Close by will that will be a mark that looks something like #@##. The "@" is the mark of the original hydro facility and can be one of several differnt designs, the numbers on each side are month and year of manufacture. For example, a 3@57 mark indicates the tank was made March of 1957 and hydro inspected at facility @.

A lot of vintage divers use these and it does have some value to us however shipping usually eats most of the value. If you intend to dive it, $20-30 is about it's value. A few comments on the other stuff. The reg is worth $75-125 on ebay and the BP is worth another $10-25 (at $10 I'm interested, I want a Dacor BP) so there is a little value there if the price is right for the entire package.​

 

[jt83]

Will the current valve work with a modern reg?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Should but then again you can replace it.

 

[jt83]

Looks like the guy already sold the reg and the backplate from the Craigslist posting. Wants $35 for the tank which I guess sounds pretty reasonable. I have 3 local shops so the odds are at least one will service/fill it.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

It looks a little too short relative to the diameter to be a steel 72. If the service pressure is 2250 psi it probably is, if the pressure is 1800 psi or 2015 psi it isn't a steel 72 but rather something in the 45-50 cu ft range.

 

[halocline]

LP72 should be around 25" long without valve or boot. Nothing wrong with an older tank like this as long as it's not pitted badly inside, or has an interior plastic coating that's damaged. This one is painted over galvanized, it's really easy to strip off the paint and touch up the galvanizing if necessary.

 

[herman]

Should but then again you can replace it.

Jim I am unaware of anyone currently selling 1/2 pipe thread valves. Am I mistaken?

JT83, sure you can use it with a modern reg, just be sure you understand how the J valve works.