resto-mod vintage Sears air compressor

radrush · Dec 26, 2015

resto-mod vintage Sears air compressor

Decided to restore/modify/upgrade my old Sears air compressor.

model: 106.153783
20 gallon tank meets ASME code
twin cylinder - VT series pump with long life needle bearings
2-horsepower
230V - requires 15-amp service

capacity per sticker on unit......= 7.8 SCFM @ 40PSI and 6.3 SCFM @ 90PSI - 150PSI MAX
capacity per catalog................= 7.6 SCFM @ 40PSI - 150PSI MAX

Shown in the 1973 catalog for $349.95.

The unit was purchased by the original owner on March 8, 1973.

Made in USA by Campbell Hausfeld.

radrush · Dec 26, 2015

Green = not good
Red = good

Wire brushed for rust removal.
Wet sanded with a P1000 pad.
One coat Rustoleum primer topped with Rustoleum Sunrise Red.

radrush · Dec 26, 2015

Got one of these Samson Air Hose Reels 3/8" X 50'.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LARM7R6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I got it off ebay. No one bid on it except me so I got it for:

bid + shipping = delivered
$1 + $47 = $48

Probably connect the restored compressor to the hose reel with some 3/4-inch copper.

Seems like over-kill for occasional residential use but for $48 I thought it was a good deal.

theoldwizard1 · Dec 26, 2015

I sold quite a few of those "back in the day" !

As long as the original owner kept oil in the pump crankcase and did not leave water in the takl to make rust, it will last another 50 years.

GETRIDAONE · Dec 27, 2015

I had one of those and used it for 15 - 20 years. It was still running when I gave it to one of the guys at work. The spray gun had a threaded plastic ring on the cup that finally broke and started leaking. I replaced it with an import from Northern Tool when they first opened.

radrush · Dec 27, 2015

The existing power cord (line cord or mains cable) appears to have suffered a fair amount of abuse during its 43 years of service and is...uh...not attractive.

In short, it's got to go.

Stopped by the friendly neighborhood GreybaR in Cartersville, GA and picked up some new wire.

The old, existing power cord consisted of 16/3 type SO and a short piece of 14/2 type S 600V between the motor and the pressure switch.

The new power cord will be all 3/C 14 AWG type SOOW 600V.

radrush · Dec 27, 2015

While at GreybaR picked up a new plug for the new power cord.

It's a made in USA 2-pole 3-wire grounding Hubbell HBL5666CA INSULGRIP angle plug rated at 15-amps/250-volts.

radrush · Dec 27, 2015

Installed the new angled plug on the new power cord.

It's hard to get excited about a power cord and plug but that way kewl angled plug on the flexible heavy duty power cord is super nice.

Ponchoguy · Dec 27, 2015

radrush said:
resto-mod vintage Sears air compressor

Decided to restore/modify/upgrade my old Sears air compressor.

model: 106.153783
20 gallon
150PSI
twin cylinder
2-horsepower
230V
7.8 SCFM @ 40PSI
6.3 SCFM @ 90PSI

featured in the 1973 catalog

These were solid pieces, and I'm supposed to have one coming from a friend that has it in his garage in Westchester. I have to make room for it though.

Campbell Hausfeld made these for Sears. Up until a few years ago, you could even get copies of the manuals from them from their archive files. I'm not sure if they still have them.

Rileysan · Dec 27, 2015

radrush said:
resto-mod vintage Sears air compressor

Decided to restore/modify/upgrade my old Sears air compressor.

model: 106.153783
20 gallon
150PSI
twin cylinder
2-horsepower
230V
7.8 SCFM @ 40PSI
6.3 SCFM @ 90PSI

featured in the 1973 catalog

Nice work so far on the restoration! I'm a little shocked, to be honest, about the cost of this compressor in 1973 - $349. That's about what I paid for my DeVilbiss "5hp" in 1997, and it's nowhere near as nice a unit as this one. Nice find!

Ponchoguy · Dec 27, 2015

radrush said:
resto-mod vintage Sears air compressor

Decided to restore/modify/upgrade my old Sears air compressor.

model: 106.153783
20 gallon tank meets ASME code
150PSI MAX
twin cylinder - VT series pump with long life needle bearings)
2-horsepower
230V

capacity per sticker on unit......= 7.8 SCFM @ 40PSI and 6.3 SCFM @ 90PSI
capacity per catalog................= 7.6 SCFM @ 40PSI

featured in the 1973 catalog

Made in USA by Campbell Hausfeld.

It actually looked to be in very nice shape from the start. What year is stamped on the tank? I believe it will say something like "Melben Products" on the vessel part of it where it has the certs.

radrush · Dec 27, 2015

Ponchoguy said:
What year is stamped on the tank? I believe it will say something like "Melben Products" on the vessel part of it where it has the certs.

The unit was apparenly garage kept by the original owner for about 41 years. The OO placed little labels on the unit for things like oil change dates, pressure switch replacement date, and whatnot.

The unit was purchased by the original owner on March 8, 1973. In March 2016 the unit will be 43 years old.

Upon the OO's passing, the widow traded the unit to a local painter for some work.

The painter didn't use the unit so he listed it on CL where I found it.

The manufacturer's certification plate reads:

MELBEN PRODUCTS CO., INC.
HARRISON, OHIO
1973

The certification plate also has a faint "1" in the lower right corner. Possibility the QC person's identification stamp???

radrush · Dec 27, 2015

Interesting compressor info:

>>>>>>>>>In 1961 Campbell Hausfeld acquired Melben Products Co., a supplier of sheet-metal fabrications including air receivers, paint tanks and belt guards. The company continued to grow and moved to a larger plant in November 1965, developing 39 new items to become Sears' sole supplier of paint spray equipment by 1966. In 1968 Campbell Hausfeld’s sales totaled $10 million, and the company temporarily reopened its old plant to meet the demand.

In 1971 The Scott Fetzer Co. acquired the business, whose sales had reached more than $20 million, and Campbell Hausfeld became a brand name. Today the company employs 1,200 people nationwide and has earned the reputation reflected in its advertising slogan: “built to last.”<<<<<<<<<

The modern version of my resto/mod-project is pictured below:

Campbell Hausfeld 2-HP 20-Gallon (Belt Drive) Dual-Voltage Cast-Iron Air Compressor VT6290

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Dec 27, 2015

Very nice work. Though I have to admit, I'm partial to the original green.

I have a Dayton compressor that's virtually identical to yours.

radrush · Dec 27, 2015

Found what is purported to be a parts diagram for my compressor model # 106.153783 (1973 model) and a very similar compressor model # 106.153781 (1971 model).

I have not been able to locate a complete owners manual for my unit.

If you have one let me know! THANKS!

radrush · Dec 28, 2015

Decided to replace the old grungy cheap-o plastic wheels with steel wheels that were used on this unit previous to 1971.

pop pop · Dec 28, 2015

Only weakness on these is the small screws holding the reed valves to the valve plate. They work loose and you have loose metal flying around. I have a similar model in the garage awaiting valve plate repair at present. I bought it in the late 60's. Good luck with yours.

Exeter · Dec 28, 2015

Amazing job on the resto! Nice floor in your garage too.

radrush · Dec 28, 2015

pop pop said:
Only weakness on these is the small screws holding the reed valves to the valve plate. They work loose and you have loose metal flying around. I have a similar model in the garage awaiting valve plate repair at present. I bought it in the late 60's. Good luck with yours.

If you have a vintage Campbell Hausfeld air compressor you may want to check out ebay.
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Off-Street Parking · Dec 28, 2015

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv said:
Very nice work. Though I have to admit, I'm partial to the original green.

x2 on both. :thumbup:

CNGsaves · Dec 28, 2015

Given the red and black color theme of OP's garage . . . I can understand the red.

Re-Furb of that Sears air compressor is looking AWESOME !!! :thumbup:

That's the hands down bargain performer of any compressor you can buy on CL.

radrush · Dec 28, 2015

CNGsaves said:
That's the hands down bargain performer of any compressor you can buy on CL.

I'll relay that info to the wife; she remains unimpressed since the electrician charged her $225 to run a new 240V-15AMP circuit for which this project would be ... uh ... functionless without.

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radrush · Jan 1, 2016

De-rusted and repainted and reinstalled the handle.

I used Dupli-Color stainless steel rattle-can on the handle. I think it turned out pretty good.

Reinstallation was a good excuse the get out the 3/8"-drive 8-point 1/4" socket for the square head bolt.

bagged89s10 · Jan 1, 2016

Sweet restoration so far!

I have a similar model in gold which I need to restore. I'm just worried about the tank being too rusted. I might use the tank from my oil less compressor.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1451684294.396936.jpg

bagged89s10 · Jan 1, 2016

radrush said:
Green = not good
Red = good

Wire brushed for rust removal.
Wet sanded with a P1000 pad.
One coat Rustoleum primer topped with Rustoleum Sunrise Red.

So did you have the red tank before you bought the green compressor?

ambenz · Jan 1, 2016

Looking good, I am watching.
I am the type who can afford new but usually to rebuilt just for the fun of it!
It's a fun challenge!

radrush · Jan 1, 2016

bagged89s10 said:
So did you have the red tank before you bought the green compressor?

The red tank is the green compressor.

bagged89s10 · Jan 1, 2016

radrush said:
The red tank is the green compressor.

Ok that makes sense. For some reason I didn't realize I was looking at before and after pictures.

radrush · Jan 1, 2016

dkroth said:
Radrush,

I have the same, or very similar, unit.

Does yours have the serpentine style belt or traditional v-belt? If so, did you find specs or a part number in your research? My serpentine belt is mostly shot and I'd like to replace it.

Also, Does yours have an on/off switch? Mine doesn't. Of course the pressure switch turns it off, but if I need to make sure it's not going to restart I have to unplug it.

Serpentine belt ... I wouldn't call it a V-belt; it's flat and multi-rib. No, I have not yet found a part number; but the one that came on it looks new. Exact replacement belts (new) are available on ebay.

My compressor did not come with a an on/off switch. SPOILER ALERT - an on/off switch is a planned upgrade. So in addition to the new power cord there is a new motor cut-off switch in the works...super-over kill and super-kewl. In addition the super-duty Leviton industrial grade on/off switch and enclosure, I want a warning light that indicates when the switch is in the "ON" position and the warning light hasn't yet been fully contemplated.

nynexit · Jan 1, 2016

Looks great ! I have a similar 106.179880 that needs a tank ( any ideas on a new equivalent ?) also , any special technique on painting under the mounting plate ? Thanks

radrush · Jan 1, 2016

nynexit said:
Looks great ! I have a similar 106.179880 that needs a tank ( any ideas on a new equivalent ?) also , any special technique on painting under the mounting plate ? Thanks

New equivalent...see pic below.

Painting under the mounting plate...I flipped it upside down and gave it a shot. Then I flipped it upright and painted the rest of it. I couldn't get 100% of the bottom of that mounting plate but you can't see it anyway.

theoldwizard1 · Jan 1, 2016

I think Campbell Hausfeld used that pump for many, MANY years on Sears/Craftsman compressors. After the green one, there were the gold ones and the dark copper/brown ones. the gold and dark copper had a built in center regulator,

IIRC, that pump came in 2 sizes. The smaller was used on the 1, 1.5 and 2 hp models. The larger pump was used on the 3 hp, The 2 hp had a 20 gallon tank and the 3 hp had a 30 gallon tank.

radrush · Jan 1, 2016

theoldwizard1 said:
I think Campbell Hausfeld used that pump for many, MANY years on Sears/Craftsman compressors. After the green one, there were the gold ones and the dark copper/brown ones. the gold and dark copper had a built in center regulator,

IIRC, that pump came in 2 sizes. The smaller was used on the 1, 1.5 and 2 hp models. The larger pump was used on the 3 hp, The 2 hp had a 20 gallon tank and the 3 hp had a 30 gallon tank.

IIRC

1, 1.5 and 2-hp models = 2-3/4" BORE
3-hp models = 3" BORE
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Here's a pic of the modern Campbell Hausfeld 2-hp Cast Iron Compressor Pump Model VT4822. about $230 on ebay which is way more than I spent on CL for the vintage unit.

radrush · Jan 1, 2016

dkroth said:
BT-31 6 ribs, 49" long.

Found it on eBay as you said. About $12 shipped. Thanks.

Assuming the compressor is garage kept, I wonder how may hours a belt is good for...

It looks like, except for the tank itself, the entire air compressor can be re-built right off of ebay.

By the time I'm done with this resto-mod I bet I could have just bought one of these...

Old Faithful · Jan 2, 2016

Exeter said:
Amazing job on the resto! Nice floor in your garage too.

I definitely second that and might add that I'm quite jealous... So far I've redone my tank in gloss black and it looks good, just looking forward to electro derust it and coating the inside with epoxy. As I don't have a heated shop for this kind of work the project will have to wait until it gets warm again outside again, which won't be before end of April

Price of living in the Great White North

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Old Faithful · Jan 2, 2016

radrush said:
I'll relay that info to the wife; she remains unimpressed since the electrician charged her $225 to run a new 240V-15AMP circuit for which this project would be ... uh ... functionless without.

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Ouch, how much do electricians charge where you live? I do all my electrical work, and from your great work on the plug see you could probably have done a better job as well.

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Old Faithful · Jan 2, 2016

bagged89s10 said:
So did you have the red tank before you bought the green compressor?

Amazing how well a repainting job he did, isn't it, looks factory new

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Old Faithful · Jan 2, 2016

dkroth said:
Radrush,

I have the same, or very similar, unit.

Does yours have the serpentine style belt or traditional v-belt? If so, did you find specs or a part number in your research? My serpentine belt is mostly shot and I'd like to replace it.

Got mine from Fargo Industrial Supply, was really inexpensive, something like $5 plus shipping. I'll try to find the bill somewhere if you need a ref number, just PM me.

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radrush · Jan 2, 2016

Old Faithful said:
Amazing how well a repainting job he did, isn't it, looks factory new

Taking pictures under florescent lights helps make any paint job look better.

I actually flipped it over and repainted the bottom. After that I repainted the top again.

Now it looks better than ever; however, even after a full week of drying/curing in less than 50% humidity Rustoleum is not that "hard" or tough.

Old Faithful · Jan 2, 2016

radrush said:
Taking pictures under florescent lights helps make any paint job look better.

I actually flipped it over and repainted the bottom. After that I repainted the top again.

Now it looks better than ever; however, even after a full week of drying/curing in less than 50% humidity Rustoleum is not that "hard" or tough.

Great tip - Actually I used a similar type of paint we call Corrostop, and it did a great job, it takes about 16 hours to dry to the touch and one week between coats but results in a very smooth and shiny surface.

I was planning to do a second coat the same way you describe to finish up the bottom but got caught by the cold weather. I only have a shed to do this kind of work as my wife doesn't take kindly to paint odours in the house. So it it will have to wait until next spring when it's warm enough to insure a nice finish with no orange peeling like happened on another job I did right after the tank

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