My New Compressor Project

[rwhite692]

I figured I would post a couple of photos of my latest "side project" which is keeping me distracted from other projects that I SHOULD be working on...you all probably know how that goes...

Anyway, In my new shop I plan to have an abrasive blast cabinet, and I know that my existing compressor (Which is a Craftsman Pro "6.5 HP" Oil-less 60 gallon upright) would not be able to keep up with the demand. It puts out around 10 CFM @90 PSI. It has been performing well, but I have never gotten used to the really loud and annoying racket it makes.

I remembered that at our plant (semiconductor fab) we have a back room filled to the rafters with all kinds of plant equipment. I got to talking with our facilities manager, and he remembered that they had a compressor pump with not much time on it which had been removed from service when one of the wafer fab areas was shut down. (That's a nice way of saying, wafer fabrication was outsourced, to China).

He scrounged around for a while, and came up with this:







It's a Curtis D96A, Two-Stage, 190 pounds of American-made, cast-iron goodness.

According to Curtis literature, it puts out 18.2 CFM at 175 PSI when run at a nice, slow 755 RPM, with a (True) 5HP motor. It has a centrifugal unloader, and is pressure-lubricated, as well.

I parked a beer in the pics for scale

A call to a friend of a friend, then netted me a really nice 120 gallon vertical tank, for $100:





The tank is a compressor tank, has cert plate, etc, but never has been used for that purpose; It's never had a pump mounted on it. It was used as a storage/surge tank.

I already have a near-new Dayton 5HP 1725 RPM 220V single phase motor that I will use to drive it. I need to find a mag starter, I'm not too keen on the full 32 Amp draw being switched by the pressure switch alone.

I will have to fabricate a belt guard for it...I have some expanded metal screening around...somewhere...

All I have done to the pump thusfar is to give it a bath with some gunk engine cleaner. I will definately change the oil.

I will post some more pics here as things move along and I start putting it all together! -Rob

Oh and my wife asked me, "So, what color are you going to paint this thing when it's all done?"

Any ideas?

[A_Pmech]

Looks like the makings of a very nice compressor. Should last your lifetime, at least.

I'm kinda partial to gray. Though, several people are setting trends with brightly colored Monarch 10EE's, so maybe bright neon green?

[wrigh003]

That will be a hoss when you get it done.

[Mr_fixit]

I'm working on a Frankenpressor myself. 7.5 hp eaton pump, Baldor 5hp motor. Mounted on a scrap yard dental compressor tank. I've got most of my parts that I couldn't find used on e-bay. I got a square d starter & check valve from these guys....
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Universa...4?_nkw=starter

My old one won't keep up to the sandblast cabinet and snow making ..


A true 5 hp motor wouldn't draw 32 amps, more like high 20's...

[rwhite692]

Originally Posted by Mr_fixit

.....A true 5 hp motor wouldn't draw 32 amps, more like high 20's...

You are correct, dyslexia on my part, motor plate says 23 peak, not 32.

[79firebird]

Nice score. Should give you plenty of air if you need more could allways plumb both compressors to each other

[hypnotoad]

Looks like a fun project.

[krooser]

Great start to a very nice set-up.

This post shows you that you don't need to go to a big box store and whip out the plastic to get what you need. You just need to be inventive and patient and you can get more for less... IMHO.

Keep us posted...

[rwhite692]

Mr.Fixit thanks for the link to the ebay guy with the mag starters. If I can't scrounge one up, I will probably get one from him, pricing looks good.

Krooser I just checked out the link to the Symco shakedown in your sig, great photos!

[rwhite692]

I have the compressor mostly together now, I was able to scrounge a perforated metal door panel for $10...originally used on a piece of network server rack mount equipment..I just cut it in half and with some angle stock I had laying around made a belt guard out of it:

[rwhite692]

The rest of the stuff cleaned up pretty good. I gave the tank a quick once-over with the orbital sander and a quick coat of red to match my lift.

[307WYLD]

Damn...that looks good.

Originally Posted by rwhite692

The rest of the stuff cleaned up pretty good. I gave the tank a quick once-over with the orbital sander and a quick coat of red to match my lift.

[rwhite692]

I bolted a set of heavy duty casters onto the feet on the base, eventually when the garage is done maybe I will bolt it down...Actually maybe not...it loafs along at 750RPM and it certainly doesn't move when it's running. The motor was a $50 Craigslist find and seems to be in real good shape.

[307WYLD]

Where did you get those casters? I haven't ever found any with that large of a stem, or that wide of a wheel....

Originally Posted by rwhite692

I bolted a set of heavy duty casters onto the feet on the base, eventually when the garage is done maybe I will bolt it down...Actually maybe not...it loafs along at 750RPM and it certainly doesn't move when it's running. The motor was a $50 Craigslist find and seems to be in real good shape.

[rwhite692]

Next I have to buy / install a mag starter and install the pressure switch, then she will be all done...The only things I have bought new for it so far are some spray paint, compressor oil, air filter element, a pair of v-belts, a few nuts and bolts, and the Parker 3/4" ID hose to connect it to up my black pipe air lines. I had a local hose shop make it up for me since they have the machine that "bands" the ends.

[rwhite692]

And here is a link to a short video of it running...Obviously this is just a test run, with the tank open...still have to install the pressure switch, mag starter, and safety pop-off valve.



DSCF2340.AVI

[rwhite692]

307, I actually stole those casters from a car body dolly I have (made by Autotwirler)...I am planning to just give them a call and order up another four of them when I get around to it...they are very nice people. Also, you can just barely see it in the pic but they have thumbscrews on the side so that they can be "locked".

[tatra]

nice...........and quiet........

[irisservice]

very nice job...

[larryv]

Damn! That came out nice.