Vintage Air Compressors

[c1504]

That is so cool!

 

[MDchanic]

Damn, that's the bee's knees, Don. Even with no body work at all.

- Eric

 

[larry4406]

Thanks Dan
I rolled up on it one morning on my way to a swap meet. It had popped off the ball of the truck that was towing it to the swap meet. It was laying on its side still attached by the safety chain. After about a 1/2 hour of fighting it we managed to get it back up on her tires the guy started it up for me and we made a deal right there on the street. He brought it over after the meet . it pumps 200 lbs of constant pressure and runs like a clock.
I'll be doing the body work and putting a paint job on it this summer

Don - Based on your past restoration work, this thing will be a museum piece! Nice score!

 

[d_mayer]

Great articles!

 

[Raineman]

Friend of mine gave me this the other day. He bought it new forever ago and used it up until he gave it to me.

 

[crguy]

This ones still sitting in my old shop in Ohio. Vintage,means I'm afraid to plug
it in...




The gas station I worked in as a kid still had the original
1938 vintage air compressor.A very rythmic low rpm chug sound not irratating
at all. We pulled the valves and cleaned them about once a year.It finally
died about ten years ago. The replacement died about a month after the
warranty ran out...

Looks more like a refrigeration compressor than an air compressor to me. I wouldn't plug it in either.

 

[Haywoodja]

I grew up with this compressor in 70-80s at my fathers gas station. When he sold the business around 2000, I didn't know what happened to it. I learned last month that my BIL had it stored for years and not being used. He was kind enough to let me have it:

How it looked:




Tank build is 1957.

I took the homemade belt gaurd off, inspected the cylinders & valves, made a repair to the centrifigul unloader, hydrotested the tank & painted:




The motor is a 5hp which is more than the 3hp that Curtis recomended.
The calculated speed of the compressor is 500 rpm, which explains why this thing ran so much for so many years and still isn't wore out. It also helps to keep noise down... it is so much quieter than the Quincy QT 5hp 60 gallon compressor I had before.
It may be a bit lower cfm than other 5hp compressors... but that is a trade off that is more than worth the long years and quiet operation this configuration has given!

I have the same c90 I got it with no motor on it for $100.
it had no motor on it.
trying to run a skat blaster with it.
what pulley size and belt type and size are you using?

 

[Haywoodja]

Thanks for any help

 

[wrenchguy]

Flat belt Model N Champion, years made unknown. I believe it's all original with a few electrical cover plates missing. I plan on checking everything out, refurbishing and having a tank built for it. I'll open up the riveted tank where it won't show and put the new tank in and plumb it. It'll only show the riveted tank. Anyone here date model N Champions? Thanks for any help.

 

[don long]

That is one S W E E T set up Wrench guy.
I have the same pump mounted on a trolly with a gas motor for power. I like the belt tightener set up a bunch
Good luck with your plans on getting her to run again. Mine is only for show

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

That is one S W E E T set up Wrench guy.
I have the same pump mounted on a trolly with a gas motor for power. I like the belt tightener set up a bunch
Good luck with your plans on getting her to run again. Mine is only for show

Love it

 

[RTM]

Champion Pneumatic was still in business a few years back, celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2019. Bought by Gardner in 1998. Now based in Princeton Illinois.

Reciprocating & Rotary Screw Compressors | Champion

With the reciprocating, rotary vane, rotary screw and rotary scroll are you choosing the right product for your application.

www.championpneumatic.com

 

[PghJKB]

Flat belt Model N Champion, years made unknown. I believe it's all original with a few electrical cover plates missing. I plan on checking everything out, refurbishing and having a tank built for it. I'll open up the riveted tank where it won't show and put the new tank in and plumb it. It'll only show the riveted tank. Anyone here date model N Champions? Thanks for any help.

Rather than having a tank built, have you given any thought to using a custom made rubber bladder? Sorta like a tire inner tube?

 

[wrenchguy]

I didn't know of a bladder option. My first efforts are getting the Century to my motor guy for evaluation and checking compressor for output. My first thoughts about having a tank made was using it to sleeve the end caps back in place. The joints would be outa sight under the tank straps.

 

[JHuston]

I'm in the middle of swapping my 1939s Hobart Bros. Compressor for my new 1945 Devilbiss 60 gallon vertical tank. I hydro-tested both before putting them into service, and both passed with flying colors. My experience ( and I've repaired a lot of compressors in twenty years of being a power tool tech) is that older tanks were often so overbuilt that the inevitable pitting rarely causes a failure; it's generally the newer ( 60's and later) high carbon tanks that rust out.
- James Huston

 

[Cypherian]

I'm in the middle of swapping my 1939s Hobart Bros. Compressor for my new 1945 Devilbiss 60 gallon vertical tank. I hydro-tested both before putting them into service, and both passed with flying colors. My experience ( and I've repaired a lot of compressors in twenty years of being a power tool tech) is that older tanks were often so overbuilt that the inevitable pitting rarely causes a failure; it's generally the newer ( 60's and later) high carbon tanks that rust out.
- James Huston

Hey,
I am wondering what model pump that is I am working on a 1942 Devilbiss Model 330-4-1 the tank was shot so I swapped it out for another tank and in the process of cleaning, refurb where needed and painting. I am sure you already looked and found the tech spec's I have them for mine but was unable to find a full on manual.

Cypherian

 

[wrenchguy]

I tested my Champion 3/16" riveted & brazed tank a week ago to 250lbs. Looks like i'll be using it with new 125 pop offs. I think the original pressure switch may be working too.

 

[JHuston]

Cypherian, it's a 130 pump.
- James Huston

 

[wrenchguy]

JHuston, wondering how you dated the Hobart? I have 1, going to tear into it after the Champion.

 

[John Timmins]

Here's a photo of my Fero

Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app

DOGBONE, I am very interested in your FERO Air Pump. You say you have some sales literature ? Mine is a 1936. I have a new 1800 RPM 3 HP motor and the compressor turns 360 rpm. If your valves are bad it should be pushing some air out of the intake. It should build up pressure faster than that. I replaced my check valve that enters the tank and that is what I recommend that you do.

 

[wrenchguy]

Anyone know how to figure leather flat belt length with this setup? Maybe go with shortest workable length as the the belt will stretch?

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

If the the pulley to the right of the drive pulley is a tensioner idler, then get a common seamstress tape and and use that to measure around the drive and driven pulleys and the idler, but with the idler mechanism pulled fully back as far as it will go. Have the belt made for that length, I doubt if it will stretch much.

 

[JHuston]

JHuston, wondering how you dated the Hobart? I have 1, going to tear into it after the Champion.

The tank should have a date of manufacture on it; I think mine was about 1934 or so.
-James Huston

 

[Grizz47]

Mine is getting closer to going back into my 30's garage. I'm waiting on the small pulley to get back from the chrome shop and I'll be mounting casters on the runners to make moving it around easier.

2021-03-18 13.21.35 by Ann Long, on Flickr

2021-03-18 13.21.23 by Ann Long, on Flickr

And the motor up close

2021-03-18 13.21.19 by Ann Long, on Flickr

Is there a Pebble Beach Vintage Compressor show? This would win 1first prize.

 

[wrenchguy]

Found a mid 1920's Flat belt United States Air Compressor Co. H3 "Giant Deluxe". Shipping wt. 700 lbs., 1hp motor, compressor turns 400 rpm. Serial # 10728. Cast legs and top. Later Baldor motor. NO tank drain! How can this be?? edit, its sheared off flush and filled with crud.

 

[don long]

That's a nice find wrenchguy. What are your plans for it? I restored one last year

 

[wrenchguy]

Not sure Don, I got old timey motor for it but don't know if I want to do another compressor. I just finished the Champion the same day as picking it up.
Latest video,

 

[wrenchguy]

Here's a flat belter pending after an a hour on MP. What is it?

 

[don long]

That's a very nice different old compressor. I can visualize that all shinned up and sitting in the party garage

 

[eoistememe]

I just purchased a two-stage Devilbiss that has a tank tag that is dated 1945. The other tags have not been any help in identifying the model of the compressor. I just powered the compressor up after changing the oil and lubricating the bearing on the vintage 3hp motor. I am using a VFD and slowly gave it power and it seems to be building up pressure fine, but it releases the pressure from the front cone-shaped part of the casting (not sure what this is) after the power is turned off. I could use help IDing the model and to locate a parts diagram.

 

[Modern Garage]

"front cone-shaped part" should be the centrifugallly operated pressure release for the compressor head so the motor doesn't have to start up against full pressure on the pistons. it releases pressure from the compressor but there should be a check valve to prevent emptying the pressure tank.

Joe

 

[yarrum]

Anyone have a clue what this is. No name. Has 27-43 cast into the heads. Its an old very well built V4 that has not seen much use. The internals are immaculate. Its small 8 x 6 foot print but extremely heavy 35 -40 lbs. Its quite and builds pressure to 140 lbs. Never seen an intake system like this. It almost reminds me of a refrigeration compressor with all this bolts.. anyway I like it and I got it with a three phase motor on a stout steel frame for $10.

 

[yarrum]

Here it is on a 20gal tank with a 1.5HP commercial single phase motor. Still fussing but eventually a complete disassembly, sandblast and paint

 

[Modern Garage]

Yup, it's a refrigeration compressor. You can tell because the intake goes into the crankcase. (For those who don't know, reefer systems circulate oil with the refrigerant so the the intake is often through the crankcase to lube the crank and rods on the way by.) The Freon service ports on the intake fitting are a giveaway too. Sucking dry air through the crankcase will eventually destroy it, but having said that, they last a surprisingly long time anyway because they're pretty strongly built. Depends on how much you use it...

 

[yarrum]

I guess your saying that the oil in the crankcase that I changed is not adequate lube via splash? One thing I do know is with no "load" on the compressor, it pushes oil past the rings with the heads off and running. Not a lot but once it is under pressure the rings seal much better with no noticeable blow by in the output line.

What you say explains why this is so pristine inside. No carbon, no scraping on the cylinder walls, pistons look new, valves required no cleaning at all.. I plan on using it in the corner of the shop for "clean, delicate work' like firearms, antique clock mechanisms act. My other one is noisy and a PITA dragging hose past four vehicle tires, etc.

Thanks for your reply !

 

[Modern Garage]

Yeah, it's supposed to circulate some oil throughout the refrigeration system, but if you're not using it for paint it prolly won't be enough to spoil freshly cleaned parts. Just check the oil level once in a while and consider it 'total loss oiling'.
I know what you mean about noisy compressors. I use a low speed old compressor for most stuff (pretty much everything except the plasma cutter) and can't stand the sound of the neighbor's oil-less compressor.
Joe

 

[WMichelsen]

I recently acquired an old 1920(ish) Usaco air compressor. It's not totally complete, but there's enough here to make it interesting.

I believe the pump and Century motor are original. The pressure switch and gauge are period correct, and maybe original (?). I think the tank is not. It's missing the cast iron mounting base, legs, and manifold. But, I have seen this wood cradle setup before, so maybe it was a configuration at the time (?)

Anyway, I'd like to hear from anyone with an old Usaco setup. I intend to revive this one. I have some questions about the unloader valve setup (missing). And, if there's a mounting base abandoned somewhere, I'd love to get one.

 

[don long]

Thanks for sharing. I love those old compressors, I have 2 of them restored and in my party garage. Every one that stops by enjoys looking at them

 

[WMichelsen]

Hi Don,
Yes, I think I saw your restoration pics a couple pages back. It's fantastic.
I won't come close to that, especially the graphics. But, I'll do my best.

 

[bbbarracuda]

I picked this up last spring, didn’t need it, but thought it was cool

It was made by the Ritter dental co. about 1930 or so
My grandfather was a dentist, it spoke to me.
It has 1/8hp motor and is very quiet, cause it’s made to be in an office.
I keep it on my bench to blow off dust and dirt.