Is this old compressor badass?

[oilslick]

I found this left in an old cheese factory, was the backup air, never impressed me when I worked there 18 yrs ago. Anyway a buddy of mine bought the joint and I was thinking of taking it out, though it will be pain in the *** being on second floor with little access. Has 3 phase motor and I do not know how to power it up without burning down the place! I spun it by hand and it has compression. I already have a quincy 325 but could always find room for another if its cool enogh. Any info would be ****, I am thinking shes only a single stage so that *****.

 

[oilslick]

pictures

 

[metaleltr]

Definitely single stage.

 

[zkling]

I THINK it is roughly equivalent to a Quincy 230 or 240, based on bore, stroke and RPM. Looking at ~16-24 CFM @100 psi @ ~750 RPM

It would be more than sufficient for the average home shop. I wouldn't worry about the single stage aspect. Never understood why folks go so concerned about the single stage vs dual stage pumps for home use. Yes I understand the basic gas laws. But when you have that much flow on a ~60 gal tank, doubtful many home folks would be needing more air.

 

[Kevin C]

Never understood why folks go so concerned about the single stage vs dual stage pumps for home use.

Me either... The two systems I set for production ran at 105 PSI. Nothing in the shop needed more, and higher pressures waste power. For home use 125 - 135 psi is nice for impact wrenches if you have a stuck bolt. Or just buy a bigger gun for a lot less money.

The most demanding tasks I have had have been running a DA and for sand blasting. It was pump CFM that I needed, not more pressure.

 

[Fixnair]

Yes, that is a model ACM Gardner Denver. I've repaired many of them over the years. I have attached the spec sheet to this post. You see it only goes to 100 PSI. The efficiency drops off rapidly above that pressure and a two stage compressor is recommended. They were great compressors and still are. You can still get parts for them. They were designed near the end of the 19th century.

Te reason you shouldn't exceed the factory recommendations is heat. When you compress air from atmospheric to 100 PSIG you increase it's temperature 600*. That figure is only reached if you have no cooling effect applied to the air. In real life air compressors you have cooling devices and the actual discharge temp is down around 350 to 450 degrees.
This heating effect is exactly what makes a Diesel engine run. If 100 PSI = 600* then the compression in a diesel @ 400 PSI would equal around 2400* because there is no heat loss during the compression stroke.

 

[oilslick]

Thanks fellas, I am gonna get it if it's free . Guess I should locate an electric motor for it on the cheap! The remote tank has a mercury pressure switch on it, never saw that before!

 

[Bob C]

Good Luck with it. We have an old Brunner with brass valve caps and a flat belt flywheel restored in our sales area. Working on Restoring an old Worthington now.

 

[nehog]

Definitely single stage.

I thought it looked small, until I noticed the quart of oil on the floor next to the compressor!

Looks like a great find, could be fun to play with too.

 

[Grounded Ken]

Just what Fixnair said. Wear parts still available. Need a casted part (piston, cylinder,rod, crank), forget it. Can't beat it for free. A 5 hp. motor would pull that nicely. I'm pretty sure I have a parts book for it.
Bob C, is the Worthington a Holyoke unit or one of the big Buffalo units?

 

[oilslick]

I am hoping to get it this weekend, among some other ****

 

[Rodhotz]

Don't forget the old oil cans, they are worth a few bucks.