Compressor Oil

[Wes Tex]

I have a relatively new Craftsman 60 gallon compressor with an oil lubricated pump. The owner's manual calls for synthetic, non-detergent air compressor oil. That is not so easy to find. Sears does not stock it. I have tried Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Northern Equipment, and all of the chain auto supply stores with no luck. Do any of you have any suggestions? Do I really need to run the synthetic oil?

 

[BillK]

Do I really need to run the synthetic oil?

I would, compressors are tough on oil. Can you order some from Sears ? Is there an air compressor repair shop in your city ? A friend of mine was in the shop the other day looking for some of the same oil for a dentists air compressor he was repairing. We found it at a local air compressor place and it was not cheap, but the compressor was around $4000 so the price of the oil was not important.

Not sure where you are located but we found it at

http://www.jimsairtool.com/

Was also available online at a lot of different places.

 

[BMB]

Northern used to keep the IR synthetic at the store, haven't looked lately though.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200334649_200334649

 

[Hades12]

lowes has had it every time I go in. maybe you missed it.

 

[chrommagman]

I use synthetic 10w30 non detergent in my 20 gal speedaire

 

[itlogo]

Why not use Mobil 1? My CH manual says it's a suitable alternative to their own oil.

 

[synergy321]

I've seen synthetic at lowe's, pretty sure it was amsoil too. Between all the places you listed you must have missed it, it's not that uncommon.

 

[Slick111]

Should not use automotive oil it is high detergent use any air cooled type oil hence aircraft/motorcycle will work.

 

[Gary S]

I use Amsoil synthetic compressor oil and nothing else for the last 20 years. If you can't find a local store that has it, call a local Amsoil dealer. If you can't find a local Amsoil dealer, order it direct off www.amsoil.com

It is as easy as that.

 

[sberry]

I use Amsoil synthetic compressor oil and nothing else for the last 20 years. If you can't find a local store that has it, call a local Amsoil dealer. If you can't find a local Amsoil dealer, order it direct off www.amsoil.com

It is as easy as that.

Any real auto parts store has it, some Amsoil, or Royal Purple.

 

[bsaint]

From all my experience on rebuilding compressor pumps, I would use a straight weight non detergent non synthetic and change it regularly

 

[BillK]

Wes,
I know that everyone is entitled to thier opinions, but I dont understand why any of you guys would tell anyone to use something other than the recommended oil He probably wont use 5 quarts of it in 10 years so its not like its that big of a deal to get the right stuff one time and be certain.

 

[SGKent]

we found it at Sears. Lowes was out the day we went but Graingers has compressor oil too.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Northern used to keep the IR synthetic at the store, haven't looked lately though.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200334649_200334649

+2. This is what I use and like it a lot.

-Nigel

 

[RECox286]

Excellent question! Here are my two scents and my stupid answers:

If you can't find the recommended oil anywhere, then I would substitute

as close a match as possible. Oil companies will assist you in your quest

if you take the time to ask them. They are the oil guys. You could also

ask the compressor mfg. for alternate recommendations. After all, it is

their machine.

Uncle Bob