Craftsman Professional Air Compressor 919.16533

[searman]

I got this Craftsman Pro air compressor from my dad. He got it new as a Christmas present when it was manufactured in 1997. He mainly used it to fill car tires and occasionally to blow away dust. After each use, he would release the unused air and drain the water. The tank doesn't appear to be leaking, but I bought a cheap bore scope and plan to check out the innards soon. Assuming I don't see any serious problems, is there any reason I shouldn't partially disassemble and clean this unit? I'd really like to at least wash the tank and cowling with warm water and Dawn and then apply a coat of automotive wax to the tank. I hope to get many years of service out of it. Comments? Suggestions?

 

[The Cobbler]

apply a coat of automotive wax to the tank.

that is a first . I would wash it down, but a coat of wax ? nah

 

[GeoBruin]

Go to town on the cowling and tank if that's what floats your boat. You're not going to hurt anything with dawn. Wax seems excessive but it's really about where you want to spend your time/energy.

 

[micromind]

Professional model.....wonder what the amateur one is like.......lol.

As noted above, no harm at all with washing it down.

 

[finn]

You have too much time on your hands.

Plug it in and run it.

 

[searman]

that is a first . I would wash it down, but a coat of wax ? nah

Thanks, all. Yeah, I can be a little "extra" with some things. It's how I'm wired.

Also, I may eventually tie it in to one of those overhead retractable reels. That way I don't have to move the tank around or trip over the long hose.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Thanks, all. Yeah, I can be a little "extra" with some things. It's how I'm wired.

I'm the same way. The wax may be a bit much, but it used to belong to your Dad, it's in excellent condition, and you just want to put a shine on it as a finishing touch. I get it.

Also, I may eventually tie it in to one of those overhead retractable reels. That way I don't have to move the tank around or trip over the long hose.

Excellent idea, and a worthy investment. My centrally located reel has a 75ft hose and it allows me to reach all of my parking locations inside or outside the garage.

 

[Rinspeed]

Those are actually only about 2 HP but they are decent compressors even if they are loud as hell. I wish I hadn't sold mine after buying a 60 gal. but I just didn't have the extra room. You might want to buy a rebuild kit for it just to have on the shelf, they are cheap.

 

[Hohn]

I got this Craftsman Pro air compressor from my dad. He got it new as a Christmas present when it was manufactured in 1997. He mainly used it to fill car tires and occasionally to blow away dust. After each use, he would release the unused air and drain the water. The tank doesn't appear to be leaking, but I bought a cheap bore scope and plan to check out the innards soon. Assuming I don't see any serious problems, is there any reason I shouldn't partially disassemble and clean this unit? I'd really like to at least wash the tank and cowling with warm water and Dawn and then apply a coat of automotive wax to the tank. I hope to get many years of service out of it. Comments? Suggestions?

EAR PROTECTION.

 

[rpcraft]

So just a thought in regards to personal safety. Are you aware of how well it was drained and maintained when not in use? Is your intent to use it? Being from 1997 if he had it plugged in and never really drained it you might have some rust issues in the tank that could be a problem for you. I'm sure we've all seen the various youtube videos...

 

[Rinspeed]

So just a thought in regards to personal safety. Are you aware of how well it was drained and maintained when not in use?

Asked and answered.

 

[searman]

EAR PROTECTION.

Believe it! I've got a simple set of 3M Banded Earplugs to use when filling or draining the tank.

 

[searman]

Those are actually only about 2 HP but they are decent compressors even if they are loud as hell. I wish I hadn't sold mine after buying a 60 gal. but I just didn't have the extra room. You might want to buy a rebuild kit for it just to have on the shelf, they are cheap.

Thanks! I'll definitely look into a rebuild kit once I've bore scoped it. Is that kit something I can grab off searspartsdirect or is there a better source?

 

[searman]

I'm the same way. The wax may be a bit much, but it used to belong to your Dad, it's in excellent condition, and you just want to put a shine on it as a finishing touch. I get it.


Excellent idea, and a worthy investment. My centrally located reel has a 75ft hose and it allows me to reach all of my parking locations inside or outside the garage.

Not only do you have a nice overhead reel system, you have a KILLER retro trash bin in the background!

 

[The Cobbler]

Is that kit something I can grab off searspartsdirect or is there a better source?

some parts, depending on model # may be discontinued. I'm especially thinking the counter balance , I'm thinking it's not available . the other parts like ring & cylinder will likely be available all over the net at various prices

 

[The Cobbler]

the counterweight is discontinued, but it's not the one I was thinking. some were split with a bolt to tighten them & they often cracked. yours doesn't appear to be that type . rings , pistons and cylinders are readily available

 

[Rinspeed]

Thanks! I'll definitely look into a rebuild kit once I've bore scoped it. Is that kit something I can grab off searspartsdirect or is there a better source?

As Cobbler said they might be discontinued and that's why I suggest picking one up. Even if they are you can still most likely buy a kit made in China. If the Sears parts website says discontinued just put that part number in Amazon and you find several. I can't remember if the kit I bought was made in China or not but the quality was pretty good. I doubt your compressor even needs rebuilt, my 30 gal had many, many hours on it before needing it. Having a rebuild kit on the shelf is a great idea though.

 

[engineer2]

I had a red version of that years ago. I liked it even though it was noisy. Had it for 20 years. The motor eventually burned out and I sold it as is. Someone actually drove from an hour away in a snowstorm to buy it.

 

[Pontiac787]

I had a red version of that years ago. I liked it even though it was noisy.

Same here. I still have one tucked away that I bought around 1995. I drained it after every use and wouldn’t think twice about firing it up.