Compressor?

[Bear]

So what do folks think of this - a bit old but?? Problem is I know next to nothing about compressors - thanks for the help.


http://salem.craigslist.org/tls/1854338889.html

 

[930dreamer]

That's an old one. Champion pump, parts may or may not be available. Tank would be the weak link but not a deal breaker. You could put a newer tank on it. Can you watch it operate and build pressure/ shut down etc.

 

[Skin]

i'd have no problem with it. Old tanks were generally built to go to 200psi and were much thicker than todays stuff. If it was drained regularly its quite probably still very healthy. You can actually open caps on the older ones and look inside with a light.

A lot of people wouldnt be comfortable with it, if you're in that catagory you can either purchase it for the pump and motor, or you can pass on it and wait. Around my area newer [10-20 year old] large air compressors like that, especially 3 phase, are plentiful for the $500 price range and quite often less simply because people just want the space that these behemoths take up back.

In that compressors credit it sure is externally very clean and corrosion free for 55 years old.


As far as parts you shouldnt have a problem, i believe champion is still in business and believe it or not but the pumps often dont change much. Despite all the outsourcing that goes on today most of these companies do maintain a parts stock for old machines simply because they are so reliable and people do rebuild them.

 

[cowboy73]

I'd buy it. Those things are bulletproof. There are alot of those old compressors still kicking. If you have the room for it, it's a great deal. And I doubt if you use it nearly as hard as it had it when it was in the gas station.

 

[Jas.Dou]

For that price,I think it is a great deal. Older compressors are really though and designed for durability. It also looks like it was well taken care of .Champions are still in business and i don't think finding parts would be that difficult should you need some.
As said before, people just want to get it out of the way and often don't realize what is worth.

 

[Deer Run]

I have that very same compressor in my garage... Mine is a 1947 version. I got mine for $200, but I got it in pieces... My plan is to re-assemble it this winter (It's a winter project).

It is ture that Champion is still in business, but for that compressor PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I have done a lot of research, and there is very little info available for them.

The tank alone on that compressor probably weighs 500 lbs. If you buy it.... And I think you should.... make sure you have a truck and a way to load it. I bet all put together it weighs 800 lbs.

Its a great piece of old Iron and I can't wait to get mine together and running. I figure that if my compressor pump is tired, I will get a new pump and use my motor/ tank, and all the rest.

 

[Skin]

no parts? Did they discontinue it fast or something? Often times what i see is very similar pump designs used for 2-3 decades, so parts are indeed available. Some companies even still sell pumps that are very closely related to ones they sold back in the 60s and 70s. Sad if there are no parts available.

However other than the bearings and seals the only real thing i'd have any worry over is the ring wear and the valves could probably use a good cleaning. A resourceful person can probably find replacements for rings and gaskets if anything does indeed fail though.

If i needed all the air and had the space i'd buy it. But then again i dont mind tinkering. For someone who isnt very handy and just wants a reliable compressor i'd say get something else.

 

[Grumpy365]

a 2 HP motor on 220 Volt is going to pull around 10 Amps (if my math is correct), which isn't a big thing, depending on what else is on the circuit you wire it in to. BUT if your garage is like my first house, you will spend your life resetting breakers. (My new house, it isn't a problem)

 

[jclem40c]

Id buy it. I got a 1944 Curtis 95 on a 60 gal tank all original except for
new rings last year. Starts up and sounds like Chitty Chitty bang bang
and makes 150 psi as long as you want it to. Would not trade it for a new
one for nothin! If it runs and makes air you won't be unhappy. They
don't make them like that anymore.

John

 

[jrsulo]

I have a curtis c-90,60 gal that i bought off e-bay 4 years ago.....had a bad motor...replaced instead of rebuild,got it with 3 others for a grand total of $5....you almost cant hear it when its running,and its a 1959.....built like a tank !!!!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

There are one or two companies that supply parts for those old models that the mfg no longer supports.

Go to http://www.ytmag.com/toolt/wwwboard1.html and ask XRogerX for names and addresses of companies that sell parts for out of production compressors. He know all that stuff.

Charles

 

[Bear]

Thanks folks - I think I;ll take a look.

 

[930dreamer]

Please let us know the outcome.

 

[Deer Run]

If you find a vender for parts for that compressor, I would love to hear about it. I would like to replace the valves in mine if I could find them.