An Almighty Air Compressor... or, what?!?!?

[hempdiddy]

I have a chance to grab up what I think is a nice deal on an air compressor, but I'd like your advice on it. The nut is: its not running and the seller has no idea why. The seller is a front-desk lady at an auto shop that just can't tell me anything about it (whether the motor is bad, the pump is stuck, etc.)

But here's the deal: It's a 1959 80 gallon Kellogg-American 331 with a 5 HP motor. Sadly its a 3 phase motor and my garage is only single phase, so I'll have to find a substitute. The thing looks pretty rusty (where theres no paint) and it's probably worn pretty hard... but is it worth my negotiated price of........... $80?

 

[AllDodge]

I would walk away from it unless you really like fixing things. You do not want to run even a good 5HP 3PH motor from a 1PH to 3PH converter, just way to expensive. To purchase a 5HP 1PH motor will be through the roof. So unless you have another compressor to use for it and just use it as a storage tank, I would walk

Just my opinion

 

[thewatusi]

50 years old, non-functional, rusty, incompatible with your power source....

 

[CNGsaves]

Too little information . . . . have you turned over the compressor without any belts on motor ??

What is condition of tank??

Where are PICTURES that you need to post up on GJ to get best advice ??



Have you priced overhaul kit from compressor manufacturer??

At 30,000 ft view, it might be great deal as scrap value of 3 PH motor and tank might buy you replacement 5 HP motor (single phase). Then, you'd need to make any repairs to compressor (if needed) and buy used 60 gallon vertical tank (ie Crapsman oil-less that has gone bad).

 

[hempdiddy]

I wouldn't say this thread us WORTHLESS without out pics, like the tank may be worth $80, or the 5HP motor has some scrap value, or the 5HP is worth MORE than $80 if its running and its the pump that's bad.

But surely I'll oblige: PICS HERE

Take a look and let me know what you think!

 

[AllDodge]

If it was me, I would buy it, but I'm a guy who loves to work on old stuff. Being that old you might be able to get some stuff made for it, or find some parts which could work. The tank if not rusted out maybe close. Don't know how the auto shop took care of it with draining water. Be worth it to me to tear it all apart and if it all is lost that's OK, but that's me

It's a **** shoot

 

[davewo]

So why can't they hook it up and demo it for you?

 

[CNGsaves]

Need to determine IF parts are available. You need to see how much a rebuild kit will cost.
Here is parts breakdown on Sears website:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/Kellogg-Air-compressor-Parts/Model-331/0579/0703000.html

Guru on GJ likely will chime in with better parts information / sources.
Here's some general info about your Kellogg 331 compressor:
http://www.aircompeq.com/ka.htm

At minimum, you need to turn over compressor by hand to see if there is catastrophic knock or failure with the compressor. Essentially you are buying a compressor . . . . consider the rest scrap as tank looks badly rusted and minimal value of 3 phase 5 HP from 1959.

If compressor all there (no broken rods, all parts there, appears to compress air), then I'd take the gamble at scrap value between $50 and $80 . . . what better way to learn about your compressor than to rebuild it !!

 

[hempdiddy]

The motor is fried or the pump is locked. They say it doesn't run.

 

[Strouty]

Don't forget the tank could be pretty rusty on the inside too!

 

[Jarhead0408]

I'd get it just for the chance it was rebuildable. Do your homework first though.

 

[TK LP]

Really, for $80, you don't have much to lose. You could probably scrap it, and get your money back. I saved a 332 from the dumpster about a year ago, got a single phase motor for it, then found out I needed to replace the tank. Cost more than I initially thought it would, but I learned a bit about compressors, and now I have one that will probably out live me, and it was still cheaper than something comparable new would be..

 

[E.Marquez]

$80???? if you can haul on your own (no cost) willing to take the time and have a local scrap yard the buy in is a no loose deal... if any of the three components work you'll be $$$ahead,, If you have to scrap all three, you will at least break even (though not if you compensate for your time, which ain't free)

 

[bcradio]

I'd pass for sure... Unless you have a ton of time on your hands AND are completely strapped for cash.

 

[SEV22XS]

Yeah for 80 bucks it is hard go wrong I would pull a plug on the tank see if it is rusty inside and ask if they ran an autodrain. I would take the belts off and check to so if compressor rotates buy hand if not walk away.

You can buy a 5 hp single phase baldor compresor motor off ebay for 350 ish.
Seems a like a possible good way to get a nice compressor for cheap.

Find out if a major rebuild kit is available for it and the price.

I bought a similar deal an ingersoll rand t30 80 gallon vertical 5hp 3phase motor only hitch it had been run out of oil. I paid I think 160 buck for it.

Long story short I replaced the motor ran it for about six months started knocking real bad did a major rebuild found a bad crank bearing now it is nice and quiet.

 

[Major Ramifications]

There was a point in my life when I would have been all over this. That point is long past. Only you can decide what your time is worth and whether you want to mess with this thing.
Did you see the oil slick down the side of the tank below the pump?

 

[Zrexxer]

The CL post has been deleted since yesterday - does that mean that you went and bought it?

 

[Strouty]

You guys that are saying it is worth that in scrap, have you priced scrap lately? Around here they are only paying a little over $100 a ton, even if you take the motor separate, that will only net about 45 cents per pound and a 5 hp, even an old one is not that heavy.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

My advice is to run away from it. I've seen a lot of good 5/HP compressors go for 2-3 hundred. In fact, I recently bought a 5/HP, 60/gal Campbell Hausfeild for 200$. It was plug & play.

Some concerns on the one you're looking at are:
1. Even if it's a minor fix, you still have to replace the motor or buy a phase convertor to run it.
2. I wouldn't trust the tank. It may be rusty and could explode if weak enough.
3. How worn out is the pump?

On the plus side, it would be a project. And those old compressors sound & look great after a good restoration. However, restorations cost $$$. That's the only reason I would buy it.

 

[TK LP]

You guys that are saying it is worth that in scrap, have you priced scrap lately? Around here they are only paying a little over $100 a ton, even if you take the motor separate, that will only net about 45 cents per pound and a 5 hp, even an old one is not that heavy.

It's been almost a year since I went through this, but this was my experience. The information I could find on mine had total weight at about 550 lbs. When I determined the tank was bad, I scrapped the motor and tank for 9.5 cents per pound, and got $39.00. The pump and flywheel were 200 lbs., according to product data I was able to find, so with the pump, it would have scrapped for about $60.00. Current prices are about half that.

Considering the potential of the pump, if it can be determined to be useful, I think the negotiated price makes it a worthwhile project. I went through pretty much the same thing, and while the cost exceeded what I originally expected, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[A_Pmech]

For $80 you can't go wrong if you want a project, which is probably exactly what it is. Do you want a project?

You do not want to run even a good 5HP 3PH motor from a 1PH to 3PH converter, just way to expensive.

I guess I didn't get that memo...

 

[Strouty]

Good summary A_Pmech.

 

[AllDodge]

For $80 you can't go wrong if you want a project, which is probably exactly what it is. Do you want a project?



I guess I didn't get that memo...

I'll see if I can find a copy for you

 

[bsaint]

Cut the belts off and see if the pump turns by hand. They make parts for that pump all day long. I have the same unit.