Converting oiless compressor to belt driven

[BerBer5985]

I've been wondering this for a while. I have, what I think is a really good oiless compressor made by campbell hausfeld. It's one of their contractor extreme grade twin stack 3 hp 4 gallon compressors. It's the yellow one they used to sell. I;ve had it a while, but it's sooooo loud and I'm in a one car garage in a condo. I've been wondering if it would be possible to take that twin stack and bolt on an oil lubed compressor, like something small and then drive it with that electric motor, or even get a 220v motor and and oil lubed compressor and bolt it on and plumb it into to that tank for a high cfm mini-mite type compressor? Is that possible or would the cost not justify the means. I was just thinking I might be able to take the perfectly good tank and regulator and motor and find some plate and weld up a place to mount that motor and the compressor and some fittings and then plumb it into the 4 gallon twin stack tanks. It might run often, but it does right now using any air tools and it's so loud. When I move into a house, I'm going to get a 60-80 gallon upright so that wouldn't be an issue. But If i can find a spare compressor pump that's oil lubed and belt driven, then I make a low cost portable air compressor. Any thoughts, can it be done, has it been done, is it worth it?

 

[sk farmer]

you can do anything you want, but. i would not do it for a couple reasons. a large compressor needs some place to put the air, it would be full before it really even started. i also do not think that i would like a small unshielded belt drive compressor. i would consider that pretty dangerous. one thing to put the shield back on. totally differant to build and install the proper type of shield. more than likely won't happen. i like my fingers. i like my kid's even more.

 

[herbet99]

that's an easy fix.. just cage up the entire compressor.. pet cage or even an upside down grocery cart.

 

[fatfillup]

Keep your eyes open for a small used compressor on CL or an auction. I think you could buy something for what it would cost you to redo your's and with no aggravation. Also, some of the direct drive motors will not take the sideways load a belt drive would put on the end bearing of the motor. Mount it on the wall if floor space is an issue.

 

[sk farmer]

that's an easy fix.. just cage up the entire compressor.. pet cage or even an upside down grocery cart.

nice try, but i highly doubt anyone's idea of an even "remotely" nice, user friendly or portable air compressor involves something with a pet cage or grocery cart on top of it.

 

[BerBer5985]

Are there any good alternatives to buying a compressor pump? Like maybe a fridge or an air conditioner/home or car, or other ideas? I've also wondered about an alternative to powerful electric motors. Any ideas?

 

[krooser]

Watch CL for compressor deals... I see 20 gal ones for 35-75 bucks pretty often.

 

[herbet99]

nice try, but i highly doubt anyone's idea of an even "remotely" nice, user friendly or portable air compressor involves something with a pet cage or grocery cart on top of it.

User friendly? It's a compressor not a Stradivarius.

He's in a condo garage how portable does it have to be?

What happen to protecting your kids fingers?

 

[sk farmer]

a child can still stick his or her fingers or hand through most pet cages or grocery carts. i stand by my assertion that that is not a sutable method of shielding.i would not consider missing fingers user friendly. i am sure it can be done. it probably has been done but i do not think it is worth it. those were his criteria not mine.