Bartered for a 20 gal compressor.Could use some advice

[Koy E]

Hello fellow G.J. members I'm hoping some of you seasoned folk can give me some well appreciated advice on a compressor I just acquired. I'm not a total newb when it comes to compressors. I've used them before and I own a small 3 gal craftsman model but this is my first time owning a small/mid size compressor and I'd like to hear some setup/upgrade suggestions or opinions.

So here is the back story to how I got the compressor

A while back of I bought the Hausfeld 5 piece nailer kit that posted on the Hot deals thread. Soon after I bought the Craftsman 3 gallon compressor. Thinking it might work for the time being for the smaller finish/pin nailers I bought it on impulse because I needed to clean up some laminate flooring and base boards details on the home I had just moved into. I knew i'd have to buy a bigger compressor to accommodate the framing nailer and my pneumatic tools eventually but I just didn't have the funds to do so I held off for a bit. Well the other day I was at my uncles house I when I noticed he had a 20 gal Campbell Hausfeld in his back yard near his shed that looked like it had not been used in a while. I worked out a barter with my cousin where I would swap him some car audio stuff and install it for him and in turn he would work out price for the compressor with his dad a pay him for it. It worked out pretty well for all 3 of us.I got rid of some car audio stuff that was taking space in the garage, my cousin got a really good deal and my uncle got some cash.

So here are some of my questions. The compressor's been sitting for a while.What if any tune up can I give it? I did turn it one once just make sure it held pressure and that it cut off at the right psi setting which it did. One of the gauge's glass cover is broken and the one of the wheels needs to be replaced.Can anyone recommend an accurate gauge brand? I already bought a Good year 50 ft air hose from Amazone. I should probably get an air separator since I plan on getting a spray gun sometime soon that way I can help avoid fish eyes when painting. I also wanna get an inline oiler to help lube my tools . Any inexpensive effective brand recommendations for these accessories? The wheels I can most likely get from H.f. lastly, I'm missing the intake air filter. Before I get one should I get a filter/muffler combo or should I mode something up ?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciate

 

[airdale]

Maintenance list:
- Check/change oil at the bottom of the pump. Either a sight glass or fill to the bottom of the drain pipe.
- Check/clean intake filter.
- Check/adjust belt tension.
- Check cord and plug for cracks, missing or loose prongs.
- Fill tank then listen for unloader valve to open (air hissing for a few seconds when the tank finishes filling and motor shuts off.
- Test overpressure valve by pulling the ring to make sure it is not frozen i.e. air escapes when you pull the valve open.
- Spray soapy water around fittings to check for leaks.
- Open tank drain valve to drain water from tank. Look for excessive rust.

Not sure how critical air drying is for your application, air dryers work much better than separators but are expensive. Separators are only marginally effective at removing moisture when mounted near the tank because the air heats up during compression giving the air more moisture holding capacity. Humid air goes through the separator then condenses in your hose and sprayer, giving you water droplets. Possibly also water droplets forming as the air expands exiting the nozzle. You could build a water cooled heat exchanger by running pipe or tubing through a cold running water bath.

I wouldn't worry about a silencer unless you are working in a small space and it bothers you. If the pump has a threaded intake hole it is easy to fit an aftermarket unit though. If the original is just a recess in the head for a pad filter then probably not worth modifying.

 

[gungatim]

airdale covered the basics, only thing I would add is to maybe put on one of those automatic drains from HF so it drains water off every time it kicks on or off.

also see if you can rewire the motor for 220v (assuming you have it available). I had an older version of that with the grey tank, great compressor but on 120v would pop the breaker on a regular basis, especially when cold and/or kicking on when nearly full. I switched mine over to 220v (a couple wires under the motor plate) and used it for 20 years until the tank rusted out (which is why I now use the HF auto drain...).

 

[larry_g]

I should probably get an air separator since I plan on getting a spray gun sometime soon that way I can help avoid fish eyes when painting. I also wanna get an inline oiler to help lube my tools . Any inexpensive effective brand recommendations for these accessories?

These in my opinion are incompatible wishes. If using tools that need oil then oil at the point of use, like a couple of drops in the inlet of the tool before use. If painting then you have to go a couple of steps up on drying and cleaning the air.

Oil can migrate up an airline so even changing the the hose or having a connection for painting before the oiler you can have problems. Be real careful in your decision to put an oiler in the system. They add a whole 'nuther level of complexity and problems to an air system.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Major Ramifications]

You can get the parts you need from you local CH Service Center or from CHpower.com