33 year old Air Compressor - keep or toss???

[toolsRme]

I have a Speedaire 20 gallon 2HP air compressor that is 33 years old and I am the original owner. It does not leak, it runs perfectly and always has at least a few pints of water in it when I remember to drain it every few months or so - yes I do know I should do it on a more frequent basis but I am being honest here. I also use this compressor on a daily basis and it is always on so it has air in it 100% of the time.

My question is should I NOT push my luck in having an explosion and just toss and replace it, or should I continue to use it since it exhibits no problems so far.


Thanks in advance!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Just buy a new one money is cheap. probably so cheap your new one will not make it 30 years.

 

[toolsRme]

From what I have seen so far on line it does not pay to replace just the tank. It's just slightly less than buying a brand new compressor. Unless of course if someone here can let me know where to buy descent quality tanks at a reasonable price.

 

[vandalthree]

An oil-lubed compressor comparable to the one you have now is going to cost $500-$600. Don't get an oil-less one. Please. I also urge you to correct your draining intervals. I drain my tank at the end of every day and I would recommend everyone else do the same. There are even bolt one automatic drain option available.

An ASME coded tank is designed with 'leak-before-burst' criteria in mind so it is less of a safety issue than you may think. You should not, however, attempt to repair a tank in any way once a leak presents itself. I have only seen or heard of one documented case of a catastrophic compressor tank explosion. The video is on youtube I believe. I also believe this one example was an extreme case with a deeper explanation than just rust. Every single weld seam on the tank separated - the end caps were blown off and the rolled midsection was totally unwrapped. A failure like that is an absolute worst case scenario is most likely due to other defects.

I have seen multiple compressor tanks 20-30 years old with only pinhole leaks rather than catastrophic failures. I've even cut one open and collected at least a pound of rust flakes. Parts of the tank were so thin I could puncture it with a chipping hammer yet it only leaked in one small spot.

I have three of the DeVilbiss manufactured pumps of that time period sitting in my garage. Those pumps were used on many brands like Speedaire and Sears. They're good pumps and they deliver good air. I needed a tank to get one of them mounted and finish out a working compressor and I was actually able to score one on Craigslist. They seem to be a rare find but if you wait it out you may get lucky.

 

[toolsRme]

The Speedaire tank replacements (as sold by Zoro and McMaster-Carr) will run me over $425 delivered and so I was thinking of just ordering a new Campbell Hausfeld 3.2 HP 26 gallon compressor which delivered would run me about $630.For the extra $200 bucks I will get 6 gallons more capacity and will double the CFM's from 5.2 to 10.3.

Like I stated above, I have been way too l lax with my drain intervals over the last 33 years and even though there are no leaks at all, I do believe that the metal tank has to be compromised somewhere inside. I am not thrilled about spending $630 on a new compressor right now being that mine still runs fine, but I would rather spend the money than have an explosion. When I do get the new one (if I go that route) I will install a drain extension kit and be much better about doing so. Thanks !

 

[johninct]

I have a Craftsman one that didn't get drained for years. It finally blew a hole in the bottom. There was so much **** in the tank that it self sealed and would hold 150 psi.

 

[53chevy5]

i'll probably get burned at the stake for this but I wouldn't worry about it. Any compressor tank that I've seen rust out is just a small pin hole, not a explosion. Maybe others have had compressor tanks blow, then I'm wrong. Usually the blown up tank stories are " I know a guy who knows a guy, and his neighbor had this happen "

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Throw $10.00 a week into a jar and in a little over a year you can buy the new one. I'll bet the one you have now won't blow in that interval. In the meantime put on a self-draining valve.

 

[md21722]

In all cases I've heard which is by no means definitive, they only seem to fail after they leak and someone tries to patch up the leak. Generally when I get a used tank I remove fittings and look inside. If it looks bad I scrap it. If it leaks I scrap it. By scrap, I mean I cut a big hole in it and scrap it because there are a lot of people that self admittedly don't know anything about air compressors. In many cases the old tanks hold up better than the newer ones because they make them thinner today. Your old pump and motor are surely Made in the U.S.A. and are of higher quality than some of the stuff Campbell Hausfeld is sending out of China today. I would be nearly certain that you have an old Campbell Hausfeld pump on that Speedaire. If you have the means to hydrostatic test that is one way to validate the integrity of the tank.

 

[toolsRme]

My old Speedaire has a Dayton motor (2HP) and I will have to look for manufacturer marks on the pump as I do not know off-hand who made it. I do know that it was all made 100% in the USA and is all cast iron. I do like the fact that the motor is 1750 rpm and the compressor is pretty darn quiet. The new ones are double the rpm's and quite a bit noisier.

I might also try a tap test with a very small hammer (after draining it) to hear the metal and try and determine if it has any thin spots that sound differently than the top. I would of course assume any thin spots would be at the bottom of the tank.

Thanks guys!

 

[md21722]

The old 2 HP Speedaire that I once had, 20 gallon tank, Campbell Hausfeld pump, 900 RPM was pretty quiet compared to some of the others available today in this price range. It was a shame the tank was bad. It was one of those Craigslist deals that didn't work out so hot. I ended up buying a 60 gallon Husky with a blown pump (these are often available) and set it up that way and sold it off when I needed more air. The motors themselves don't contribute much to the noise. It is more the thinning out of the pumps and spinning them fast.

 

[sberry]

Drive it, mine hasn't even been off since 1972, at one time had 5 gallons of water and still only drain it on occasion when used a lot. Don't mess with it.

 

[timbitca]

If you say it runs fine, has no leaks or problems whatsoever I fail to see why you would even think about changing it?

This one lasted all those years with less than perfect maintenance. I'm guessing the **** they put out today wouldn't last half that long with the same care. Drain it more often and use it 'til it breaks.

I have an old Sears 10-gallon at home, it has a pin leak in the tank so I don't use it enough for the tank to build up a lot of pressure, but it still works better than anything of the same size on the market today. And if I ever come across a tank for it, I'll be set for a while. I can't stand the new loud oil-less compressors.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I'm in the don't fix it, or in this case replace it, if it ain't broke camp. You won't likely get one as good as your old one at all and especially not in a reasonable price range. If you see an incredible deal then that might be a different story.

 

[Bobf]

I have an old Craftsman (light green Speedaire) 1 HP 120/240V I bought new in 1971 for $200 delivered. Painted 2 cars and a truck with it back in 70's/80's and even ran a small Sears sand blaster plastic pot with it. Rarely ever drained it, usually when I did a milky residue and some water oozed out.Still have it in a shed out back and still use it to pump up lawn tractor chipper tires, grand kids toys etc.

 

[toolsRme]

A agree that my 33 year old USA made is far superior in quality to the new "assembled in USA made of Chinese parts" stuff is. The only thing that made me a bit anxious is the fact that its 33 years old and even if I am fastidious from now on about draining the tank, I would bet there is plenty of rust inside. How extensive - - I have no idea. But again, NO leaks or problems. When I drain it the water that comes out is an orange/brown although I have never really seen any chunks or large bits of debris come out. I think the next time I drain it I will tap it gently with a hammer and listen for sound changes at the bpttom.

 

[md21722]

You will get rusty water out of new tanks that are drained daily. Remember they are bare steel and in constant contact with water.

Maybe yours is still breaking in. ;-)

 

[torqueman2002]

Take a look at this video, where a used tank is examined.

<a href="<iframe width=" 560"="" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XfLzFR-TOBc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XfLzFR-TOBc" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

 

[torqueman2002]

Here is another tank mrpete examines, 1 more to follow.

<a href="<iframe width=" 560"="" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iKs1ZFozRTY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iKs1ZFozRTY" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

 

[torqueman2002]

The most recent video follows.<a href="<iframe width=" 560"="" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OaN8blYYElg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OaN8blYYElg" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

 

[Burgerkong]

If it's an ASME rated tank it won't explode, the metallurgic composition was specced for a leak before burst scenario.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

Sounds like probably a Campbell Hausfeld VT pump. They sold zillions of them from the late 60s to the 80s. They were sold as Sears Best, Montgomery Wards, Speedaire, and a few others that I'm not remembering right now. Awesome pumps that were built to last. If the tank isn't leaking, leave it alone. If you get a pinhole leak, don't repair it. Cut the tank in half and make a BBQ out of it or something. Find a used tank (or a crappy oil free compressor for cheap) on CL and mount up your pump and motor. I've heard that these pumps can be used on up to a 60 gallon tank, but never tried it. I'd adjust the pressure switch to a lower stop pressure for a larger tank to help with duty cycle. It's a single stage pump so it starts to lose effectiveness at around 120 psi, but some models were factory set at 150.

 

[toolsRme]

What I MIGHT wind up doing is Zoro Tool usually has a 30% off & no shipping sale once a year. There exact match tank by Speedaire / Dayton costs about $368 and at 30% off would run me $257 delivered. Since the Compressor is A-OK in all other respects I could go ahead and buy some insurance for $257 bucks.

The CH compressor (VT 6271) i was seriously looking at is a 26 gallon 3.2 HP version that puts out TWICE the CFM that mine does but would be much much noisier because the motor is twice the RPMS. The CH would run me $650 delivered but I truly doubt it is anywhere near the quality my old Speedaire / Dayton is - although it is all cast iron.

I have not found the ASME tag on my old tank yet but it might be on the back where I can not easily get to because it is hard wired and hard plumbed in my Shop and is not easily moved around. The back faces the wall and I will try using a mirror today. Still a bit up in the air as what to do, but it wold be nice to have double the CFM's. Unfortunately, I do not have room for a 60 gallon 2 stage 5 hp which is what I really want unless I figure out how to reconfigure half my Shop.

 

[sberry]

Use what you have, buy another one when you can with more capacity. You now read and heard on the internet and are in a panic. The chances of being killed driving to the store for a new one are multiples of injury from the old unit. Millions,,, millions of these used daily without incident and by people who have not read a dam thing about it. many rarely or never drained.
I been around compressed air all my life, am a career welder and seen a handful of tanks or know of personally that leaked most little home 120v including one of my own where they factory sloppy weld a wheel bracket to it. Its a listed assembly but must not been so touchy they let Joe avg play with a wire welder on the outside of it.
I have worked on tanks, piping and we had a fuel tank recent some jumped to the conclusion that if there was 1 leak there will be more and it wasn't so. Had one spot about 1/4 inch, maybe a bit bigger must had a drop of water attach itself to a micro spot. Rest of it was great.

 

[PhantomEB]

Hmm I got my 80 gallon 2 stage when I was 18 from a buddy who said why keep buying those little junk ones, they never last...... Now I am 42, and still got that beast!

I think the bigger stuff now probably is as good as the little junk back then!

 

[EdT]

Surplus Center has a 20 gallon vertical tank for $150 plus shipping. I have a 50 YO small Craftsman compressor that I still use from time to time and drain irregularly. It still works fine and will hold pressure for months which always amazes me. If it was me, I'd leave it alone and just keep running it.

 

[toolsRme]

I suppose that if I do spend money on a Compressor I SHOULD get more CFM's so i might just wait until I get a great deal on a larger one or figure out how to make room for a 60 gallon model.

Well thanks guys for all the advise and suggestions......... I appreciate it!

 

[toolsRme]

BTW after looking two times I could not find any ASME tag on the tank. Maybe this tank was manufactured before they were required to do so.

 

[skruft]

I suggest, keep using it but drain it better, either by hand or with an automatic valve. I have one from, I think, 1977 that works fine.