This old compressor

[Mudrig150 298]

So we were going through one of our storage buses trying to find our elevator chute, and I found this, among other stuff. My pap said that he used this compressor for years, and he got it from an old buddy. It's old, really old. I think mid 60s. Hell, it's when Sears was still Sears Roebuck, even before craftsman. It's missing 2 bolts on the compressor head, so it leaks oil, but it at least still has oil and is free. The valves in the compressor head sound like they're stuck, so I'll pull the head and see what's going on in there. Only problem is... It's set up for 220 volts. It's a mobile compressor with only a 4-5 foot cord that's set up for 230 volts. Most outlets? They're set up for 120 volts.

So... we'll see what happens. We did find another compressor head, I'll have to dig it out to see if it's good.

 

Might end up restoring it. We'll see...

Edited November 12, 2019 by Mudrig150

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,304]

A lot of times the motor is multi-tap, meaning it can be made to run on 230 or 120 volts by swapping a wire or two in the connection box on the motor. Swapping to 120v will double the amperage draw as you probably know. 

[Racinbob 11,044]

I'm betting that it can be rewired to run on 120v. Check the tag on the motor. 

[Racinbob 11,044]

Yea, what Sparky said. 

[Mudrig150 298]

I don't think it can. It's already pulling 15 amps and there's a cutout for anything higher in the box. Kind of like a circuit breaker for anything higher than 20 amps.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

do yourself a favor a just junk it or scrap it.  I wouldn't use an old one like that.  who knows the condition of the tank.  ka boom!

Edited November 12, 2019 by jabelman

[Mudrig150 298]

15 minutes ago, jabelman said:

do yourself a favor a just junk it or scrap it.  I wouldn't use an old one like that.  who knows the condition of the tank.  ka boom!

Well, if the worst case scenario ever appears, it probably won't blow up, the relief valve is so wore it kicks out at half working pressure, and the compressor head leaks bad so it can't even get close to working pressure. We have a bigger compressor that holds more pressure and it , so this might just be a tire inflator, with maybe at max 50 psi in it. The tank isn't dented or anything, or rusted, just filthy and covered in crap from sitting in the bus. I'll have to do a leak test, and if it's not good, just put a lower pressure relief valve in.

I would trust this thing before our mouse piss filled other compressor, which was rated for 250 PSI, but now probably only 75 because we've had mice in it for years. This thing seems pretty structurally sound.

All the necessary precautions will be taken for this one, I want it even just as a cool collector's item.

Edited November 12, 2019 by Mudrig150

[tom2p 2,394]

have an old speed speedaire  compressor - similar to that compressor  (similar to pic below)

 

I think mine has 30 gallon tank 

 

have not used it for years - but still at my parents house 

ran a number of air tools with it - primarily body tools and a spray gun

 

the compressor could also be wired for 110 or 220 - but it too often tripped circuit breaker when wired for 110 - so my dad installed a 220 line and changed the compressor (can't recall what he did)

 

never an issue after that 

 

( he preferred 220 regardless )  

 

 

 

[roadapples 6,983]

59 minutes ago, tom2p said:

have an old speed speedaire  compressor - similar to that compressor  (similar to pic below)

 

I think mine has 30 gallon tank 

 

have not used it for years - but still at my parents house 

ran a number of air tools with it - primarily body tools and a spray gun

 

the compressor could also be wired for 110 or 220 - but it too often tripped circuit breaker when wired for 110 - so my dad installed a 220 line and changed the compressor (can't recall what he did)

 

never an issue after that 

 

( he preferred 220 regardless )  

 

 

 

Looks like my Sears compressor from the 70's

[bc.gold 3,403]

Most compressors use reed valves, they wear on the mating surface but often you can flip the reed for a fresh surface. Then quit often the reeds crack or break into small pieces.

 

Your economy compressor would have used  a reed cut in a manor similar to a harmonica reed where it is pinned to the base then secured in place by the cylinder head. Acting both as valve and giving it the spring needed to return to the flat position.

 

More expensive compressors will have reeds cut as disks backed with an additional spring to seat the valve.

 

It has been rumored some people have cut news disks from an old handsaw blade which are made from a type of spring steel of decent quality.

 

IMO your compressor is nothing special and I would not waste time or resources restoring it other than giving it a nice paint job for display purposes.

[Mudrig150 298]

17 hours ago, bcgold said:

IMO your compressor is nothing special and I would not waste time or resources restoring it other than giving it a nice paint job for display purposes.

Well, I wasn't planning a full teardown and rebuild, just some sprucing up for light work, like pumping up garden tractor tires, because god knows we apparently never stop pumping up tires.

Might put a longer cord on it for putting tires on at our basement workbench tire changer, where the 230 volt outlet, compressor, and hose are across the room and you have to make a dangerous trek across all the crap in the basement without putting a hole in the hose on the compressor. Fun stuff.

[tom2p 2,394]

I went the longer hose route 

 

for me it was just easier to keep the compressor near the outlet - and get a longer length of air hose 

 

found a good deal on hose that kept the cost down 

( again - this was years ago )
 

if I get another compressor I would probably look at an upright model 

 

and maybe also run some fixed solid lines I could attach hose to (similar to a service garage, body shop, etc.)