Vintage Air Compressors

[kevin47]

Gee, I'm glad someone posted a vintage compressor...Sorry, it took me so long to catch-up...! I'll post a photo of a real vintage compressor next time I go out to my shop...Kevin

 

[BajaScout]

Here is a 1929 1930 Model A Gordon Smith Air Compressor for sale on CL:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/tls/3570316826.html

Not mine, but thought it was cool.

 

[hemifalcon]

Not too "vintage"....
But--I just picked up my Kellogg-American 325TV today. It has a Dayton 3hp motor and I paid $300 for it--and everything seems to turn smoothly.. I plan on getting it polished up, tank cleaned, oil changed, electricals tuned--and hooked up in my garage.. Some of the earlier posters have some incredible older units--some very "purty".... I have some learning to do regarding the function of the electric motor and all the safety's on these machines--just want to make this thing safe and hope it's the last compressor I ever need to buy.

 

[PAPA DALE]

I have an old compressor. The pump has a plate on it that says wall . Does anyone know if parts can still be bought for it ? The seal leaks.

 

[Fixnair]

IHMO, you will never see an old tank "explode". You will have leaks for a long time that start being bigger leaks to the point that you stop using the compressor before it explodes. The tank will rot out and begin to leak from the most rotted area a little at a time as the rot gets worse and worse.

NOT! Old tanks do explode! Not trying to be an alarmist here but it's not risking your life on.

 

[PAPA DALE]

Silverplate..........hello i am papa dale...........i'm in the process of rebuilding my old air compressor.........looks like the one you show .i have posted pictures of it ....the pump has a tag that says wall.....any info would be helpful..i bought this compressor hen i as 15 years old i am no w66.............paid 75 dollars for it back then.........it still runs but motor gets tired at about 120p.s.i.........pump has a leak behind fly wheel,but if oil level is low pump doesn't leakand it runs fine any info from any one would be helpful...........hello to everyone i just joined..........you can see pictures at papa dale..........have a great day........

 

[hardstatic]

Hi,

I've had this for nearly two years. Just now getting around to restoring it. Identifying this pump has been a challenge. It seems to be an older Champion. I would say possibly a model RE-10. If you look at the crankcase, the oil filler is in an odd location and not indicative of most Champion pumps. It didn't come with a motor and the tank is, well, it's an old tank made in San Francisco in 1947 with what has got to be 1/4" steel. I'd snap a pic of the brass nameplate (at least I think it's brass, it too is 1/4" thick) but it's currently taped up as I am in the middle of priming.

I really believe it's a Champion pump, I just have not seen any similar pictures online (again, the oil filler is in the strangest place). I have taken the thing apart and there are beautiful shiny pistons inside, in like-new condition. Just trying to confirm the actual model number. I also have a call in with Gardner-Denver/Champion, we'll see if they can help.

 

[Aruba1]

I really believe it's a Champion pump, I just have not seen any similar pictures online (again, the oil filler is in the strangest place). I have taken the thing apart and there are beautiful shiny pistons inside, in like-new condition. Just trying to confirm the actual model number. I also have a call in with Gardner-Denver/Champion, we'll see if they can help.

It looks just like mine, a SpeedAire 3Z181 but a lot of people knows it as a Champion R15 pump.

 

[Jammer0369]

I inherited an old mid 50's craftsman compressor with a single stage Kellogg 211 pump. I am rebuilding the head with all new valve parts that I have purchased. The issue is that I would like to put new rings in as we'll but it seems like the ring kit is no longer available. Are rings sort of like bearings where I could take the cylinder off the base and take the cylinder and a set of the old rings somewhere that they could measure and find a compatible set?

Thanks,
Troy

 

[hatcrop]

sir,
I have one of these down in my basement. It is green body with red cap. It sits on base with the original motor. Could you tell me more about the compressor. This one still runs . On a need to know bases. It has the original motor with it. The model # is 283-1842.
please help me if you can.
thanks,
hatcrop

 

[Monkey Radio]

Picked this up last year. Have yet to run it needs a little work. Anyone know what kinda CFM this will produce. It's a 1952 DeVilbiss model 330.

So I finally got this up and running. I don't know how long it is supposed to take to pump up. But it took almost 10 minutes to reach 140 PSI.The pump is rated to 800RPM at 150PSI .

The electric motor is 3/4 HP 1725 RPM. I also have a 5hp 3450rpm motor that came with it to. My question is will that 5hp motor help pump up faster or will it over spin the pump?

 

[arkansawer]

Hi, great forum. I just finished cleaning out an old pole shed and received an old compressor for payment. It (i believe) is a Quincy two stage model 308-18. The tank is 40 gal.

The pistons were seized and I freed them up with some PB blast. I have decided to rebuild it but noticed today the crank pulley has about a 1/8 inch wobble. Will that be a problem?

While thinking about rebuilding the pump I found a single phase 220 3-hp Baldor industrial motor and a 80 gallon tank to go along with pump. I would of liked a 5 hp. motor but the price was right and from what I have read here it should be doable.

My thought was to mount the pump and motor on the smaller tank then mount that on the larger tank . Anyone seeing any problems?

The minute the pistons were freed up and I put the head back on, turned the crankcase pulley and heard that braying sound i was hooked. it even has an old oil bath air breather. i had to reverse the direction of an old single phase i temporarily mounted to see if it would pump. it pumped up to 50lbs in about 5 minutes so it needs some work inside.

any suggestions and part sources welcomed and looking forward to all your ideas. again great site. thanks

 

[Grounded Ken]

Jammer, I can get valve parts for the Kellogge 211, you are right about the rings.
I have suggested in the past to look into the tractor restoration guys, they come up with all kinda parts to keep them running.
Arkansawer, Call Air-Flo 1-800-845-0125 Monday they can get ya a kit.

 

[arkansawer]

ken, thanks on your source. do you feel the wobble in the crankshaft flywheel is a major problem? how about mounting a 40 gal tank on top of the 80 gal. tank? thanks

 

[marinusdees]

Probly reed valves. Easy fix if you can get them. I think you could probly make them out of sheet stainless but have never tried so may be wrong. Don't be afraid to take it apart. You can make most pieces (gaskets) you need if you can't buy them. Some parts (rings, etc.) are common to some small engines and require ingenuity. What have you got to lose???

 

[marinusdees]

I agree. Tanks are not explosive bombs. They will split a seam or rust through and leak but are NOT filled with explosives. They may scare you but will not kill you.

 

[Grounded Ken]

Would you believe the valve parts are made out of special stainless steel, heat treated and ground to precise dimension's! They are usually stamped with expensive dies also.
Try as you may to make your own, it won't be worth the time or effort.

A beached tank is a bomb, it is not an urban legend, with 30+ years of experience I've seen pics. of missing walls, missing ceilings, and general destruction. Those who weld their own tanks and are not an ASME certified and have the means to have the tank recertified, well, I like to the that natural selection is alive and well in the universe.
Unless you know the history of the tank, used tank are no better.

The wobble on the crankshaft is probably worn main roller bearings, standard Timken stuff. But if the main rollers are wobbly then you will have an issue with the conn. rod bearings and possible the wrist pin. I don't remember if the 308 has conn. rod bearings, but I think it does. Tear it down and see what you have. This unit rebuilt will out perform any of the big box compressors.

 

[arkansawer]

Ken, what do you mean by "a beached tank"? I had planned to set the upper tank to the larger tank with the feet on the upper bolted to the platform of the lower.

Took it (308) apart and the main roller bearings seem all right, rod pins are fine only concern is the machined part on the crank where the bearings ride. I think I hit it with the rod bolt and put a little dent in it while taking the other cap off.

I'm taking the parts to an old mechanic down the road tomorrow to have him take a look in case I missed anything-god willing and the creek goes down. literally. Was going to borrow his puller today to get the flywheel off but the creek was over the road.

Any suggestions of cleaners to use for specific parts? I plan on matching quincy blue for the tank and pump and gold or silver for the motor. Been awhile since I pulled the trigger on the Binks 7. Anyone know of a good self etching primer? thanks

 

[Grounded Ken]

Miss type, I meant breached tank. If there is a hole from rust, or maybe where the vibration of the machine has cracked the tank at the leg weld. Someplace where the air can get thru the tank. Kinda like when you poke a needle into a balloon, this is what happens only on a larger and more destructive scale. What makes it worse, a lot of people will run the compressor at the max. of the machine even knowing they have a problem.

 

[arkansawer]

Ken, thanks for the help. Pulled the flywheel today. No apparent groove in the c-shaft. No oil seal( I haven't had time to take a look at what you e-mailed me today. will do that after typing this). Valves, after a good soak came apart just like you said they would. A lot more cleaning and I'll be ready for the soft kit.
thanks again, j

 

[arkansawer]

My Quincy 308-18 rebuild is coming along well. Does anyone know how much play there should be in the crankshaft(how tight)? I just used enough shims in the back to create some drag then removed the thinnest one and it spins pretty good.

I have lots of pictures put haven't figured out why they won't download. Ken mentioned an oil seal on the front of the crankshaft and mine doesn't have one. All that is there is a housing that holds the bearing race and some grooves to drain the oil back into the crankcase I suppose.

The last week has been hectic. Lots of hay to cut, rake , bale and put up before the rains come again.

I managed to get everything primed and cleaned. The intake valves were in pretty bad shape and I had to start with 180 wet/dry to level the seats then progressed to 1200 grit using a 1/4 in piece of glass to work on.

Next step is honing the cylinders 1 7/8 and 3 1/2 any suggestions as to what oil to use. No honing oil to be had around here.

Last saturday on cl Tulsa a guy had a 325 or bigger quincy, 5 hp, 220 80 gal tank for 200 bucks. He said it works great and He was a motivated seller he had to move the next day. I'm 3 hours away so I told him if he didn't sell it to call. i'm still holding my breath. Got another lead on a big old, old red pump- no tank or motor. Any ideas on the maker?

 

[Grounded Ken]

The old, old Quincy's has a labrynth seal, not a conventional lip seal. The 308 should have an end play of .0015-.003. You can get parts and rebuild manuals from Quincy for free, the only thing you're going to get from them free! Go to their website and on the top is brochures and manuals. On the search, here is the trick, on recip. machines, start the search with QR, in your case "QR 308" or "QR rebuild" the parts manual and the rebuild manuals are there for the picking.

 

[jonathan75]

Next step is honing the cylinders 1 7/8 and 3 1/2 any suggestions as to what oil to use. No honing oil to be had around here.

Might take a few days to get it but you can try this one.

http://www.goodson.com/Diamond_Honing_Oil

 

[roscoe1958]

I just acquired an old Devilbiss DVP-5006 # 10156 (Devilbiss canada tag).

It has a motor Model # 432 Ser # 297387. It has a 5HP a/c motor type KNX-C213 RPM 1730? Class A,

The tank is stamped CRN#C1746-58473161209,
CSF SR # 20-525,
A212GRBTS70000,
MWP 200 TEMP 650
T.SH.163T.HD..141
UW 12C 1962

Any info is appreciated. It does work, it came from a garage and connections, wires are missing.

Ross

roscoe1958 on garage journal (new member)

thanks

 

[roscoe1958]

I will post some pics tonight.

 

[roscoe1958]

I am having trouble uploading pics.

 

[Bruiser3]

Hi.
I have this old Gardner Denver compressor motor.
Can anyone please indentify it for me? What model, year, application, and if parts are still available for this motor.

Thanks

Bruce

 

[Bruiser3]

Guys,

Sorry I had a few little probs uploading pics.
Here is another pic of the Compressor motor that I want to identify. So that I can restore it.

Thanks

Bruce

 

[happy seal]

Hi guys,
I am a newb on the site so thanks for letting me be here. I am a Field service technician for an Ingersoll Rand distributor dealing in industrial, commercial, and some residential applications. All electric driven, no portables.

My father is cleaning out a house and gave me this compressor but I can't find any information on it. I have checked and searched and asked with no luck. I can't read the sticker or paint. I have not looked for a tag, gonna try this weekend. Anybody know what this?

 

[happy seal]

Guys, slow down please! I can't process all this info so fast. Holy crow guys, I've seen more action in a autistic convalescence home!

 

[jonnythunder]

Here's my contribution:

Craigslist find....$50

 

[DHS]

Hi guys,
I am a newb on the site so thanks for letting me be here. I am a Field service technician for an Ingersoll Rand distributor dealing in industrial, commercial, and some residential applications. All electric driven, no portables.

My father is cleaning out a house and gave me this compressor but I can't find any information on it. I have checked and searched and asked with no luck. I can't read the sticker or paint. I have not looked for a tag, gonna try this weekend. Anybody know what this?

HS cool old compressor you got. I have no info on it, sorry. Once you get it up and going post up some more pics or a video would be better.

 

[metal4130]

Wow, that looks like some wild clutch apparatus on the pump! I've never seen another like it. I would love to see a video of it up and running again.

 

[Ssmario1]

I got this tank from my work .my name is mario and iam tring to put a pump on this tank.but I think iam going to hydro test first . It going to be for my project at house. I have a little compressor 2 GL so I need more air.if u guy could help me get something going that would be cool. In the house that live we only have 110. I don't own my house I rent so maybe go gasoline with a good oldie pump

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[Ssmario1]

 

[Ssmario1]

 

[Ssmario1]

I guess just open my photobucket the first picture and u could see the tag on the tank.how much should I hydro test to maybe 225 or 250 psi

 

[Ssmario1]

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[macattak]

Here's a pic of my baby compressor. I've been told that it's a Craftsman of late 60's-early 70' vintage. I picked it up for $20 from a friend a while back.

I love the pics of the old compressors. you guys have given me a severe case of compressor envy!

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Guess I need to subscribe to this thread now