Craftsman "Twin-V" 919.166330 compressor reliability?

[MINIz guy]

My local Craigslist has this older Craftsman Twin-V oil-free air compressor for sale at $180. Seller says the model number is 919.16630. Specs are as follows:

• 240V 15 amp power
• 6.5HP motor
• 33 gallon tank
• 15.0 SCFM @ 40 psi
• 11.5 SCFM @90 psi
• Max pressure 125 psi

Those numbers seem strong from an oil-free compressor. Does anybody have any experience with them? Looks like I some parts are discontinued for the motor, like the rod kit. For that reason, should I skip it and get something rebuildable?

 

[seber]

240 volts at 15 amps translates to 4 hp after efficiency input. Sears invented the "maximum horsepower" ****. Even so, seems like a lot for an oiless. Also, oiless compressors in general have a very short life. I have no idea what this one is. Search comes up blank.

 

[MINIz guy]

Ok, I thought this was an interesting model and doesn't seem very popular.

Extremely powerful and lots of air flow for an oil less for sure. Don't really want to spend over $100 on it if I can't rebuild it, and since this type is known for a short life.

 

[Citation]

You might check to see if a rebuild kit is still available for this model. Other than being loud, this is a compressor with decent flow numbers, about the same as any current "3hp" compressor. These oil free models have a reputation for dying if pushed too hard but really, rebuild kits aren't hard to install. However, recently a poster was asking about getting a kit for his compressor hence I suggest making sure you can get the rebuild parts. Typically that would be a cylinder and either piston or piston ring.

 

[MINIz guy]

You might check to see if a rebuild kit is still available for this model. Other than being loud, this is a compressor with decent flow numbers, about the same as any current "3hp" compressor. These oil free models have a reputation for dying if pushed too hard but really, rebuild kits aren't hard to install. However, recently a poster was asking about getting a kit for his compressor hence I suggest making sure you can get the rebuild parts. Typically that would be a cylinder and either piston or piston ring.

Yea, the rebuild kit that includes the cylinder isn't available any more. I can get the piston rings though. I'll probably pass.

 

[engineer2]

I had an Craftsman oil-free V-twin for 25 trouble-free years of homeowner use and finally the motor windings went without warning. Not worth fixing. It seems to happen to these sometimes when they get older.

Also check to make sure the fastener for the cooling fan is secure with Loc-tite. It gets ugly if they shed the cooling fan. Mine never did, but it happened at work.