Should I replace my 30-year old campbell hausfeld air compressor?

[motorcyclist]

Hi all, I have a 25-gallon campbell hausfeld (made in USA, belt drive, oil-type) that's 30+ years old:
- I used it probably at most once a month to air up car tires and occasionally running air tools at home (impact wrench and ratchet.) I drained the tank after every use and the drained water did not show any rust. I always changed the compressor oil per recommendation.

It's still working great and the drained water did not show any rust. Is it still safe? am I supposed to throw it away and get a new one just in case? What's the life expectancy of an air compressor?

Thank you for any inputs.
mike-

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have at least a 25 gallon, 35 year old Craftsman oilless compressor. I did a rebuild from the knowledge on his site. Works great again.
id keep it working and do your maintenance as usual.

 

[motorcyclist]

I have at least a 25 gallon, 35 year old Craftsman oilless compressor. I did a rebuild from the knowledge on his site. Works great again.
id keep it working and do your maintenance as usual.

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it. My compressor still works great. The only thing that stopped working long ago was the manual ON/OFF switch so I turn it on/off on the power strip.

I was just afraid that the tank would suddenly explode. Did that ever happen anywhere?

 

[Jon h]

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it. My compressor still works great. The only thing that stopped working long ago was the manual ON/OFF switch so I turn it on/off on the power strip.

I was just afraid that the tank would suddenly explode. Did that ever happen anywhere?

Yep, some guy in Quebec 11 years ago had a tank fail and he was critically injured along with two other guys. It could have been worse. Air compressor failure. But who knows what condition the tank was in, how many times he repaired it etc…….You can buy a new tank and put your compressing parts on if your worried. Or keep it in a safe enclosed location separate from the shops open area that will contain the shrapnel.

Regards,
Jon h.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It sounds like you've taken good care of it, so I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[3rdgendslmech]

My dad bought a 60 gallon C-H compressor probably when I was 10 years old, so 32 years ago. Fast forward 5 years ago, dad had a stroke and hasnt made it down to the garage since then. A month ago i went by the house to get the mowers going for my mom and what not and I had to air up a tire on the riding mower. I knew the damn thing hadn't been run in 5 years.....so I closed the drain valves, turned on the breaker and hit the switch and it worked just like the day it was installed. If you're draining it regularly and maintaining it, it's good to go. No point in buying another one unless you NEED to upgrade.
When I built my barn 5 years ago I got a 2 stage Kobalt 60 gallon and the only difference between the 2 is that its quieter since its 2 stage.

 

[The Cobbler]

I also have a 30 plus yr old Campbell Hausfeld . replaced the pressure switch when it was quite new , it was under warranty . a year or so the motor starter switch needed a clean (points)
other than that it's been a champ.
I wouln't hurry to get rid of yours, espceially since you've maintained it well .

 

[finn]

My belt driven Cradtsman compressor is going on 45 years old now. It lives in the weathertite lean to addition now. There’s a concrete floor, etc. it’s still strong enough to run an air impact and air up tires when I’m working there. As long as tha tank doesn’t develop pinholes, I have no qualms about using it. Probable about time to change the oil and look at the air filter again.

I think my 5hp 80 gallon IR is about a couple years older, and my 80 gallon Champion is from around 1965, if I recall.

I suspect the exploding tanks on the internet.had been welded, or the pressure relief valve was non functional or non existent. I do have one ~26 gallon 240v compressor I rescued from the scrap pile for some unknown reason. I verified that it builds pressure but won’t use it until I give it a close look. That will probably never happen though. (I actually dragged it home for the wheels, truth be known).

 

[PoorUB]

I have a 40+ year old Campbell Hausfeld compressor. No clue how old it is and it was old when I got it 40 years ago!

I wouldn't worry about the tank exploding, it will most likely start leaking first. The tank on mine started leaking a few years ago and I was able to dig up a good used tank and swapped over the motor and pump. As long as it runs good, keep using it and replace it if something major happens.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Its fine.

 

[BillK]

I bought my Craftsman 2 1/2 hp 20 gallon compressor right after I got married in 1973. No plans to replace it any time soon

 

[txvwnut]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

 

[Wrench97]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

I'll second that, I tossed a tank made in 1931 a few years ago because it started to have pin hole leaks on the bottom.

 

[CraigStu]

I replaced a similar age craftsman 2 years ago. Worried about the tank. I looked into buying a tank first. Like so many things, it was so many $ for a tank I replaced the compressor. Still have the old one but don't use it. I thought maybe, if I ever needed more air, I'd run them both but now I don't see that happening

 

[Nessism]

Those are good, solid compressors. I had a 20 gallon jobby that I used, hard, for 20 years.

As long as the high pressure shutoff works, you should be good for many more years.

 

[motorcyclist]

Thank you so much everyone, now I feel better

Yes, everything works great except the manual on/off switch. It stuck on ON so I turn it on/off from the power strip.

The pressure shut off switch works. The pressure release valve works. The pump runs great. They really made things to last in the good old days

I'm in Southern California so it never saw freezing weather either.

Thank you again everyone. I appreciate all your inputs and comments.

Mike

 

[driftpin]

I have a C-H 30 gallon 2-stage 240V portable horizontal tank I bought from a friend. He bought it new, when he moved back-to Canada, I bought it from him. It's probably close-to 40 years old. I replaced a few minor pieces on it, one time or another, and it's still working fine. I have an 80 gal. Saylor-Beall vertical tank 240V I bought a few years ago, so the C-H sits.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The key is you're diligent about draining water, and you haven't noticed any rust in it. A lot of home compressors don't get nearly as much care, and they're the ones to be suspicious about.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I agree run it till it dies, usually the tank gets a little porous and will start to leak. Once that happens it's time for a nice upgrade.

 

[walta]

Hydro testing my compressor tank is on my summer to do list, it had been 8 years since I tested the tank when I put the compressor together.

99% of tank failures will resent as a pin hole leak. The pin hole leak should be taken as notice to replace the tank or the compressor any repair attempt would be ill advised.

Walta