Air Compressors - How old is too old?

nh_yota · Mar 10, 2015

I recently acquired an air compressor from a local guy on Craigslist for a good price. It's a 12 gallon 2 hp horizontal DeVilbiss Pro Air II belt drive oil lubricated unit that was manufactured in 1989 according to the data plate on the tank. DeVilbisss manufactured compressors for Sears back in the day so it's almost identical to the 12 gallon 2 hp Craftsman compressors of the same vintage. It's not top-of-the line but it was made back in the days when you could get decent homeowner grade products still made in the USA.

I picked up the compressor because I need one for my small house and I don't have the money to spend $500+ right now on a quality compressor that's not made in China. I'll probably use the thing a dozen times a year to air up tires and nail up some trim. I bought my father a new Ingersoll Rand compressor years ago and I go to his house whenever I need to work on my truck, so this one will only be used for small projects here at my house.

Anyway, the DeVilbiss compressor I picked up is in good shape for its age and runs just fine. The motor, compressor, pressure switch, pressure gauge, safety valve and regulator all work just fine. The compressor seems to have been taken care of and shows a reasonable amount of wear and tear for its age. There's few if any real rust spots on the tank, and when I tapped it with a ball peen hammer it sounds okay, although I'm no expert.

The question is - can I trust the integrity of the tank? I've heard of rare instances of old air tanks exploding due to corrosion, but I heard that most tanks will start to leak when they rust out. This tank appears to be in decent shape for being 26 years old.

kd3pc · Mar 10, 2015

My craftsman was bought new in 1975, still as solid as the day it was bought and still used regularly. It was overbuilt then and I test the over pressure switch for operation.

I am not sure what you expect a tank to do, simply by getting old?

Do I need to throw this one out? I guess they will throw me out, because I leak or may blow when I hit 50?

waiting to see what the masses say.

CNGsaves · Mar 10, 2015

Welcome to GJ.

Good to be careful & examine older compressor tanks like that . . . . especially the horizontal style.

Run up pressure to 75 or 80 psi and drain bottom of tank and see what you get. If concerned with tank condition, then good idea to take out bung plug and examine inside of tank with boroscope.

Keep habit of draining tank every day you use compressor.

Let's SEE that '89 compressor . . . . it's likely better than what you can buy today !!

:needpics:

nh_yota · Mar 10, 2015

Here are some pics.

nh_yota · Mar 10, 2015

The only thing that I need to fix is the broken gauge on the regulator but that's a piece of cake. I already changed the compressor oil.

CNGsaves · Mar 10, 2015

Heck you scored on that one . . . it looks pristine !!

Put that compressor to use. Nice find !! :thumbup:

Wizzard · Mar 10, 2015

I have a 18 year old Craftsman 30 gal 5hp horizontal oil-less. When I opened the top ~2 inch plug port the tank has some rust on the bottom from standing water. I'm debating replacing it but it is a solid performing unit (USA made). So I am risking using it still, if I get lucky it will develop a pinhole at the bottom before anything catastrophic happens

nh_yota · Mar 10, 2015

I'm impressed with this thing - it goes from zero to full (100 PSI) in just over a minute.

404 · Mar 10, 2015

ASME tanks are designed to leak before break. No name no design tanks who knows. Your tank should have a welded on tag or stamp saying ASME.

dutchgray · Mar 10, 2015

I was looking at one at the weekend that had just came out of industrial use with 1959 on the tank tag.

Bobf · Mar 10, 2015

I bought a Sears 1HP small horizontal tank new back in 1972, actually painted several cars/trucks with it. I have it in a small shed out back with the mowers etc. Every once in a while I fire it up to pump up a tire or blow out a weed wacker or chain saw. Still runs good, no leaks in the tank. I have a IR 5/60 in the shop.

niget2002 · Mar 10, 2015

We don't know how old my compressor is. My grandfather bought it used to give to my dad before I was born. I'm 35 now.

jgorm · Mar 10, 2015

My 5hp craftsman 30gal oilless is shot after about 7 years. The pump leaks **** loads of air out the intake, and the motor has some kind of internal short that pops a 20a breaker, but then works when I flip the breaker and kick it.

stage20 · Mar 10, 2015

I wouldn't worry. The older the better as long as its in sound shape. I've got. 1994 kellogg 331 and my dad hass a hampion r15 I think from the 70s

justanengineer · Mar 10, 2015

If it makes you feel any better, my early 50's Quincy is sitting on a 60 gallon Westinghouse receiver that near as I can figure is of the same vintage. Its clean inside tho and isnt stamped sheetmetal like the modern ones, rolled plate ~1/8" thick. Taken care of, quality items last forever.

nh_yota · Mar 10, 2015

I don't think it's an ASME rated tank because I don't see the usual ASME stamp on it. I'm not surprised though, because smaller tanks don't tend to be ASME rated. Usually you can only get ASME rated tanks in 25 gallons and larger.

If I can get at least a few years out of it, well then it's more than worth the $40 I paid for it.

Tod74 · Nov 5, 2025

nh_yota said:
I recently acquired an air compressor from a local guy on Craigslist for a good price. It's a 12 gallon 2 hp horizontal DeVilbiss Pro Air II belt drive oil lubricated unit that was manufactured in 1989 according to the data plate on the tank. DeVilbisss manufactured compressors for Sears back in the day so it's almost identical to the 12 gallon 2 hp Craftsman compressors of the same vintage. It's not top-of-the line but it was made back in the days when you could get decent homeowner grade products still made in the USA.

I picked up the compressor because I need one for my small house and I don't have the money to spend $500+ right now on a quality compressor that's not made in China. I'll probably use the thing a dozen times a year to air up tires and nail up some trim. I bought my father a new Ingersoll Rand compressor years ago and I go to his house whenever I need to work on my truck, so this one will only be used for small projects here at my house.

Anyway, the DeVilbiss compressor I picked up is in good shape for its age and runs just fine. The motor, compressor, pressure switch, pressure gauge, safety valve and regulator all work just fine. The compressor seems to have been taken care of and shows a reasonable amount of wear and tear for its age. There's few if any real rust spots on the tank, and when I tapped it with a ball peen hammer it sounds okay, although I'm no expert.

The question is - can I trust the integrity of the tank? I've heard of rare instances of old air tanks exploding due to corrosion, but I heard that most tanks will start to leak when they rust out. This tank appears to be in decent shape for being 26 years old.

This is obviously a decade old thread and I’m only replying in case someone blunders on yo this post in a search. Don’t assume they will leak before exploding. In 1989 my father’s air compressor exploded like a bomb. It was very old devilbis but after the boom you couldn’t bend the tank shrapnel with pliers. Still seemed very solid. It turned inside out like a biscuit can. Blew the end out of his garage concrete block and all. Hit the ceiling and shrapnel hit him and he had to be life lined to the hospital. Never knew for sure what caused it. The pop off valve obviously didn’t do its job. Respect an air compressor and keep it healthy .

Air Compressors - How old is too old?

nh_yota

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