My 1.00 Kellogg Compressor Buy. Can it be saved.

[fl18guy]

Here is my 1.00 auction Buy with most of the cost being my 1hr time to get it to my garage. I have a couple question.will list them below. Motor is a 1.5hp delco , comp is a kellogg A320 which is not seized or stuck. Still had oil in it , when i picked it up. Comp unit was disconnected from tank and stored flat so i wouldnt do any damage to it during transport.

1. Pump appears to be good as it isnt seized and does spin. Any tips to check to insure pump is good.

2. Tank is my big concern, Can i safely do the test on the tank myself or should it be sent out to be tested. I googled it but couldnt find anything about tank testing neat me.I am located near Albany, NY.

3. I already have a older craftsman as my daily user, so this is just a spare if needed. So should i save it and restore it . or just part it out. dont like the latter of the 2 ideas but if i have to then so be it.
Lets here your thoughts.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Hydrostatic testing services in upper NY: http://www.thomasnet.com/upstate-new-york/hydrostatic-testing-services-96152996-1.html

 

[Richard Cranium]

looks scary to me.

 

[ssdave]

You can safely test the tank yourself. Take out the two plugs that show in your photo. Tip the tank down so the plugs are at the top edge. Plug all other openings water tight with something that will hold the full test pressure. Fill the tank entirely full of water, no air remaining. Replace one plug, or better yet put in a reducer and a pressure gauge into it, and the other put in a reducing fitting, valve, and tap to allow you to put water in to pressurize the tank.

Pressurize the tank with a high pressure water pump (you can use a pressure washer if you're careful. I'd pressurize it to 150% of your highest working pressure you intend to use the tank for. Turn off the valve to hold pressure, and leave it pressurized for a half hour. If the pressure drops, look for leaks. If they're on fittings, reseal and retest until it will hold your pressure for a half hour.

This is comparatively safe. The water is non-compressible if you get all the air out, so if it does burst, it will have essentially zero energy to explode the tank. Typically, it will simply bulge out a weak spot and crack or break it. You will want to stand a few feet away and don't get your face too close to the tank, but other than that, probably not going to hurt you if it does burst. You might get wet.

You will be able to visually inspect the inside of the tank also by putting in a bright light source and looking through the other *********. I'd do that before I hydrostatically tested it.

Good luck!

 

[930dreamer]

Tank is stamped 1944, it's an oldie, X2 on a hydro test

 

[rburke65]

Where is the tank stamped "1944"? Thanks

 

[930dreamer]

I clicked on one of the pics and it opened the OPS album.

 

[sammons]

the older Kellogg pumps utilize a threaded valve design that is horrendous to work on. I have rebuilt a few of these and build the removal tool to get them out. I have broken a handful of them and painful cleaned up the threads with files. they are expensive to replace as well. 20 bucks each for a piece the size of a quarter.

other than that they are really easy to work.

 

[chaosracing]

I picked up a Kellog compressor about a month ago. I am going to resell it since my tank is scary. When I got it, I had to hole saw the two 2" plug/bushings out and then bust the rest of it out. There was no way they were coming out with a pipe wrench, tried everything. Then once they were out, I found the internal drain had busted off inside and the whole bottom was filled with sludge. Took the tank to a car wash and blasted the inside out (to much snow and did not want the junk on my driveway or yard) took it back home and looked inside with a good flashlight and saw some iffy spots on it.

BTW, mine looked in way better shape overall.