Compression - Show Off Your Compressor

[6-Speed]

Is that an IR filter and regulator? How are they mounted, any problems with them?

The filter and regulator are made by Wilkerson; the filter is an F12 series and the regulator is an R12. Both are mounted to an oak board and secured to an Aluminum angle which is then mounted to existing holes on the compressor shelf. The entire set-up is connected together and mounted to the board with a combination of Wilkerson joiner sets, T-brackets and end-blocks. Wilkerson makes good products; I have had no issues with them.

 

[KCarGuy]

I Have had the 1954 Kellogg American for the past 28-30 years.
I had the Ingersol Rand and gave it to a good friend for 2 Old Pop Machines.
And I have the Campbell Hausfeld.

I rebuilt the Kellogg American back in 2008 and thinking (Wife is telling me) about selling it because I dont need both compressors.

The Campbell Hausfeld is a tad smaller and runs great. It sat in a Rack, in our Warehouse at work for a few years. Until my Boss was tired of looking at it...so he called me and asked me if I wanted it. (Picked it up that night).

 

[ersatzs2]

After waiting a month to borrow a friend's media cabinet, I finally resolved to get a good compressor. My sturdy little Emglo is fine for light air tool use but nothing else. I've wanted a rotary because I'm in a crowded area where neighbors are easily dismayed at the sound of hammering and sawing. (leaf blowers at 730 am sunday seem exempt from local scorn but that's another story)
Impulsively, I jumped at a 7.5hp IR rotary on craigslist last sunday, integrated dryer and a friend could pick it up tues. As soon as I saw it in the truck I knew I had over-reached. 700lbs, 5'x5'x29" Well it's not going back so now I have to get a bead cabinet just to justify. It was a trick getting off the truck since the only bay with a rolling vehicle in it was the one with the lift; luckily we were able to back the truck unto the lift, chain hoist the compressor clear, then lower it through the frame of the lift onto a dolly. Then last night I hoisted it off the dolly and onto a sheet of plywood with some broom handle rollers, rolled it into position. REading the manual, does it really require a 50amp breaker?!? I really did it this time, never going to hear the end of this from spouse.

 

[romafern]

Who cares! Just kidding brother. Buy the wife some 2 dozen roses and a nice dinner. That should take care of it. Nice unit. Looks like you are set for life

 

[930dreamer]

Very nice find. Post a video when it's operational.

 

[BlackdogGS]

Belair 5 hp, 80 gal, 2 stage. I bought it new last month. I don't have the specs in front of me. Now I need an air dryer/filter and hard air lines, everything for my 1,400 sq ft garage. Where do I start?

 

[Steevo]

My first really good quality, high pressure/high CFM compressor is this Ingersoll Rand T-30 unit, that I acquired with no engine (was originally gas-powered) and converted to electric operation:

I put a Baldor industrial 5HP 230v 1-Phase motor on it, and the necessary pressure switch, unloader, etc. to convert to electric operation.

It is currently sitting in a corner, plumbed into my shop air system, but will soon get mounted up above on a pallet rack to get it off the floor and move the sound up above ear level.

 

[LutzTD]

friday this popped up on Craigs. from a home/hobbiest shop. 220 single phase. very clean and was quiet and smooth. It has found a new home in my pump house.

 

[Tarnished]

I have a separate post on bringing this Quincy home, but thought I would add here as well.
Quincy 325-13 followed me home from CL. Needs a little cleanup, but ran sweet! Should last me a lifetime! Will document piping install as it is accomplished. Trying to figure how to get 800# compressor into top of old barn...

 

[Stainless169]

My new addition to the family. Not completely plumbed the way I want it yet but I had to get it hooked up because I already sold it's predecessor.

 

[ersatzs2]

Got this into place, wired up with a temporary air outlet. Man it sure turbo-charges those air tools.

Not sure when I'll be able to do the plumbing

 

[a3tripod]

Ok - I've looked through every page of this thread and these compressor are both awesome and perplexing. My perplexedness (ya, not a word) comes from the piping everyone is doing. I can't figure out what is right, wrong, overkill, or what?! I'm a hobby wood worker and grease monkey and probably only use my compressor a couple times a month. I plan to dump my pressurized air into a nearby reel w/50' hose - but want to make sure i have taken into consideration all of the minimum requirements in terms of driers/regulators/traps/etc. Thanks!

 

[cashishift]

The filter and regulator are made by Wilkerson; the filter is an F12 series and the regulator is an R12. Both are mounted to an oak board and secured to an Aluminum angle which is then mounted to existing holes on the compressor shelf. The entire set-up is connected together and mounted to the board with a combination of Wilkerson joiner sets, T-brackets and end-blocks. Wilkerson makes good products; I have had no issues with them.

Thoughts on your air compressor?

I have been considering this model.. just wish it was 120/240v and 26 gallons

What tools do you run with it?

 

[KMinAF]

I found what I thought was a screamin' deal at the local pawn shop. The owner said the person who had brought it in had gone through it and even replaced the motor. He even plugged it in to show me that it worked. Sold! I gave the man $100 and loaded it onto my trailer. I was excited to try it out so as soon as I arrived home I plugged it in and after running for 15 min with nothing more than 30lbs I knew there was something not quite right. I figured no big deal probably just a broken reed valve so I pulled the cylinder head and found only ONE piston instead of two.
This is where my class in compressors 101 started. HF was having a sale on compressor pumps so I bought their twin 5 hp unit only to find that the motor on the tank was only rated at 1 hp. I bought a new 5 hp motor and that's when I learned about wiring, pressure relief valves and safety switches since the original set up had none and consisted of only a simple on/off switch. After basically building a new compressor, I still only have about $400 total invested and in runs great, powering air tools and sandblaster with no problem.
Many thanks go to the patient guys at Maddox compressors in Ogden UT for helping sort it all out.

 

[bsaint]

Wow that's the deal of a century.

 

[chrommagman]

Here is my compressor,

A 20 gal Speedaire. 2 hp 120 or 220. I have 120 in my shop
I just installed the Auto drain valve from HF.
It kinda works. all it dose is make a puff of air come out when the compressor starts and stops. Idk if it should have a long burst of air or not.

A photo of the T on the unloader valve going to the drain valve.

here is a pic of the auto valve

 

[mdbeck1]

Here is my compressor,

here is a pic of the auto valve

I picked up the same auto valve a while back. I never could get it to quit leaking. Did you do anything special?

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I found what I thought was a screamin' deal at the local pawn shop. The owner said the person who had brought it in had gone through it and even replaced the motor. He even plugged it in to show me that it worked. Sold! I gave the man $100 and loaded it onto my trailer. I was excited to try it out so as soon as I arrived home I plugged it in and after running for 15 min with nothing more than 30lbs I knew there was something not quite right. I figured no big deal probably just a broken reed valve so I pulled the cylinder head and found only ONE piston instead of two.
This is where my class in compressors 101 started. HF was having a sale on compressor pumps so I bought their twin 5 hp unit only to find that the motor on the tank was only rated at 1 hp. I bought a new 5 hp motor and that's when I learned about wiring, pressure relief valves and safety switches since the original set up had none and consisted of only a simple on/off switch. After basically building a new compressor, I still only have about $400 total invested and in runs great, powering air tools and sandblaster with no problem.
Many thanks go to the patient guys at Maddox compressors in Ogden UT for helping sort it all out.

Did you toss the original Devilbiss pump? If not what model was it? I'm looking for a solid old pump (and I love the Devilbiss products) to strip to the bare bones and overhaul. Let me know.

Jim

 

[IamDave0887]

Hello folks,

Sorry about the overly large pictures.


Here's a few pictures of my shop compressor in it's current state.

According to the tag it says "American Brake Shoe Company Kellogg Division" Model A320A. It's an antique to say the least. I'm guessing the 1940s?

This unit was traded to me in return for mechanic work on a friends truck, so i had nothing but the cost of oil into it for about 3 years.



Still running the original 1 1/2 HP single phase Delco induction motor.

The compressor that is supposed to be on there, The A320, is apart for a rebuild and due to the connecting rod bearings being a poured babbitt bearing i had to bring the crank and connecting rods to a machinist that pours said bearings. Not an easy thing to find now a days. The front seal was also leaking badly, etc etc. Whoever owned this unit before me was not very kind to it.

The rod bearing on the LP rod shows evidence of the compressor seizing up at one point. Since the bearings can't spin due to being poured in, it just chewed itself up.

The compressor has new rings on the steel pistons(both pistons were missing the oil control rings and as such it was an oil pumper) and will be getting new rod bearings and all new gaskets and seals.



The compressor assembly on there is actually a Kellogg American 325TV that i picked up today from a swap meet for $175. A little cleaning and fresh oil was all it needed. Unfortunately the old Delco motor might be a bit too small for the 325TV compressor as the original motor was a 3 hp 3 phase, and i don't have 3 phase so i didn't buy it at the swap meet as well.

There is also a Wilkerson Refrigerated Air Dryer(still uses R12) in use that was another swap meet find for ~$20.

It's not the most professional setup in the world, but it does get the job done. I'm planning on re-do all the plumbing, just deciding on what diameter i want to use(tank output is 1/2 NPT) and if i'm going to use copper tubing or not. I know PVC pipe will work, but from what i've heard there's a downside to using it.

What are these units supposed to shut down at? Mine cuts out at 150 psi, but that seems a little low for a compressor of it's size. Shouldn't it be 175?


Thanks everyone,

- Dave

 

[chrommagman]

Dave,


If you can find the plate on the tank it should have a W.P. rating and the compressor should be 15 psi lower then that as safety

 

[chrommagman]

I picked up the same auto valve a while back. I never could get it to quit leaking. Did you do anything special?

I put Teflon tape on one side but and tighten it so it's quite tight on the side w/ the line running in to it. But I am going to have to do the same w/ the other side of the valve because it has a slow leak

 

[IamDave0887]

Dave,


If you can find the plate on the tank it should have a W.P. rating and the compressor should be 15 psi lower then that as safety

There is no plate on the tank. The only plate is right behind where the compressor sits that has the model number and serial number of the compressor on it.

Nothing about pressures, but i did find this awhile back before i joined.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1341421&postcount=1

I haven't touched the pressure because i don't know what the tank is rated at but i'd say it's a safe bet that it's rated at 200 psi and was set to cut in at 145 and out at 175 like the above post shows.

 

[chrommagman]

Do you know what the blow off valve is rated?

 

[IamDave0887]

Do you know what the blow off valve is rated?

Not off the top of my head. I'm guessing it would be stamped on the valve somewheres?

I"ll have to remove it and look tomorrow morning.

 

[chrommagman]

Not off the top of my head. I'm guessing it would be stamped on the valve somewheres?

I"ll have to remove it and look tomorrow morning.

The pressure that is opens is stamped in to the valve it's self.
I know I shouldn't do what I am doing but I have mine tuned so it cuts off at 140psi wile that valve is rated for 145psi. I think the W.P. (working pressure) of my tank is 150 so I am cutting it kinda close.

I hopes this helps

 

[Superlifted06FX4]

Here's my 18 gallon setup.

 

[chrommagman]

Superlifted06FX4,

How long does it take to fill that?? Any leaks? I have been thinking about doing the same with my unit so I would have 40 gal.

 

[6-Speed]

Thoughts on your air compressor?

I have been considering this model.. just wish it was 120/240v and 26 gallons

What tools do you run with it?

I am very happy with the IR Garage Mate compressor for my wrenching applications. The only tools I've run with it so far are my IR 2135TiQMax 1/2" impact wrench, my Milton tire inflator and a blow gun.

IR does offer a 30 gallon model but the tank is horizontal, but it still runs on 120V.

FYI - Puma offers a 20 Gallon model very similar to the IR Garage Mate that runs on 115V/230V ... and is cheaper.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200455339_200455339

 

[PittsS1]

Here's my recent score- picked up as part of an entire shop that I purchased.

The pump is an old Curtis twin cylinder. The motor is obviously a lot newer, and the tank has a date of 1962 on it. I wish the tank was a bit larger, but am planning to add an extra tank for storage capacity should I need it. It has an auto drain on it, and I really love the old Devilbiss regulator!

I had to load this up a ramp and into a big moving truck- this sucker was incredibly heavy! The pump alone looks to be pretty darn solid.

Haven't fired it up at home yet, but have a dedicated 30A circuit waiting for it.

 

[IamDave0887]

The Devilbiss Regulator is really something.

Really goes to show they don't make them like they used to. Now everything is plastic.

I'm actually going out of my way to build my system with older parts, because they are much better built. That's evident in the almost 60 something years that my Kellogg American A320A compressor has been around. It just had to be torn down for a rebuild this year due to leaking oil badly.

I've got a cheap Craftsman regulator, and i'll never buy one again. I've had to fix it multiple times in the short period i've owned it. And it leaks from the threads in the inlet side, regardless of sealant used.

I had a nice old Wilkerson regulator that i got for free when i answered a Craigslist ad for a small compressor. Turned out to be a small Symington Wayne compressor and it had the 3/8" Wilkerson regulator and a 1/2" water separator, but the compressor got knocked over during transport once and the pipe coming out of the regulator broke off flush inside the regulator. Been a battle trying to get it out, but no progress has ever been made.

 

[Superlifted06FX4]

Superlifted06FX4,

How long does it take to fill that?? Any leaks? I have been thinking about doing the same with my unit so I would have 40 gal.

Couple minutes to fill, and the only leaks are the crappy hose goin from the tank to the down pipe.

 

[ikessky]

I got this for $275. It's been moved a few times, but has never been run or even hooked up to electricity. I ordered a Solberg filter silencer for it and plan to add and aftercooler.

Anyone know if it would be worthwhile to also buy one of the Solberg intake silencer tubes? It is about $80, but if it would further reduce the noise, it might be worth it.

 

[1Garageman]

I got this for $275. It's been moved a few times, but has never been run or even hooked up to electricity. I ordered a Solberg filter silencer for it and plan to add and aftercooler.

Anyone know if it would be worthwhile to also buy one of the Solberg intake silencer tubes? It is about $80, but if it would further reduce the noise, it might be worth it.

That is one hell of a steal for $275!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PittsS1]

The Devilbiss Regulator is really something.

Really goes to show they don't make them like they used to. Now everything is plastic.

Yeah- I was pretty excited to see that regulator! It's built as solidly as you would imagine for something from back in the day. I plan to do some sort of restoration on it, even if it's just to touch up the gauges, etc.

I too have had my problems with cheap regulators- I haven't had much chance to use this one but I have high hopes!

 

[chrommagman]

Couple minutes to fill, and the only leaks are the crappy hose goin from the tank to the down pipe.

Cool cool

 

[flashman]

I am very happy with the IR Garage Mate compressor for my wrenching applications. The only tools I've run with it so far are my IR 2135TiQMax 1/2" impact wrench, my Milton tire inflator and a blow gun.

IR does offer a 30 gallon model but the tank is horizontal, but it still runs on 120V.

FYI - Puma offers a 20 Gallon model very similar to the IR Garage Mate that runs on 115V/230V ... and is cheaper.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200455339_200455339

I have this puma but horizontal like you mentioned. It is a really good compressor for the price. I wish i had a larger tank but for what I use it for it isn't necessary.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[chrommagman]

I have this puma but horizontal like you mentioned. It is a really good compressor for the price. I wish i had a larger tank but for what I use it for it isn't necessary.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Is that puma nice? I always thought that they are one of the better brands.

But I know what you mean. I have a 20 gal too and I can use most of the air quite quickly. I wish I had a 30 gal

 

[flashman]

Is that puma nice? I always thought that they are one of the better brands.

But I know what you mean. I have a 20 gal too and I can use most of the air quite quickly. I wish I had a 30 gal

Yeah I love it. It is my first compressor so I cant compare it to anything else. I will have to do like some have with their compressors and add an extended drain because it is difficult to reach at the bottom. Otherwise for spending $400 on an oil cast iron compressor you cant really beat it. Pics will get posted tonight for all to see.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[giz]

Picked this up last week for $600. Was used previously once a week or so to fill tires... it deserved better!

 

[J Persons]

I will have to do like some have with their compressors and add an extended drain because it is difficult to reach at the bottom.

Campbell Hausfield makes an extended drain kit that will put the valve at the bottom side of the tank. I got mine at Tractor Supply, but they should also be available at Walmart.