Oil less compressor rebuild

[chris142]

My boss has a craftsman oil less air compressor at his house. It needs a rebuild. I have ordered the parts and want to know if I am supposed to put any lubrication be it oil or grease on the new piston ring.

 

[clubairth]

Usually those have Teflon/plastic type rings because well wait for it - they are oil-less compressors.
Does yours have metal rings?

I have rebuilt 2 and think at this point I would just junk it and get a better compressor. It will break again if used too much.
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[chris142]

Usually those have Teflon/plastic type rings because well wait for it - they are oil-less compressors.
Does yours have metal rings?

I have rebuilt 2 and think at this point I would just junk it and get a better compressor. It will break again if used too much.
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It lasted 28 years. I just didn't know if it took any assembly lube or not.

 

[ford33]

It's nice that your taking to time to rebuild the oil-less compressor for your boss but is it worth your time and his money? I am surprised you can get still parts for a 28 year old compressor from Sears.

Is this historically significant piece of machinery?
Do you get a promotion and more money if you rebuild it?
Perhaps it is an emotional support compressor?

Please don't take offense. I am curious why the decision was to rebuild this equipment.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I rebuilt mine a couple years ago. New cylinder, piston and whatever other parts were available for the pump. Cost was less than any used compressor. I don't recall using any lubricant for the cylinder/piston. I probably used a light oil for the rubber seals. It's been working fine.

 

[rburke65]

My ears are worth more to me....no more “oil less” compressors.

 

[Citation]

The parts should be installed dry.

Comments as to why you shouldn't do this and should get a new compatible aren't helpful. Without knowing your particular circumstances/intended use how can people say this is our isn't a good idea.

The comments about noise levels and oiless compressors are not always true. California Air Tools and similar compressors are oiless and some of the quietest compressors around. The older Craftsman typical is one of the older, louder compressors but if you fan up a new intake you can do a lot to make it quieter.

 

[laser3kw]

I am the same way. I would rather have the education on trying to fix it rather than "just junk it". As long as the parts are available, I say go for it!
Don't do anything, don't learn anything.

 

[1Garageman]

Once my Sears 33 Gallon oilless compressor dies, it is going by by! Then I am going buy an OILED compressor. Good luck on rebuilding it.

 

[tboy]

I just rebuilt my oil-less craftsman this year as well. It was super simple "rebuild" which is essentially putting a new piston ring and cylinder cup on it. Very easy, probably a 35 minute job. I did not use any lubricant, I believe the piston ring is some sort of oil impregnated brass. It wasn't super identifiable to me. I was abole to find that stuff as a "kit" with the cup, ring, and seals for less than 40$. I also had to replace the bearing in mine on the eccentric shaft and that cost another 7$ but I had to press it on and off of the counterweight bracket because that was no longer available as a spare part.

Comments as to why are probably from people who have money to burn. Mine has a good tank (30 gal) and works well for me. Yes it is loud, but I am moving away from air tools with good battery powered impacts and such now anyhow. I took the chance to fix my leaks on mine (I had some factory connections to the tank that were leaking) and I figure that will cut the run time in half as when I need a little squirt of air it will already be in the tank (as opposed to leaking out overnight like it had).

Of course I would like a better compressor, and if I run into some money will be happy to sell mine as used in good working condition, and upgrade! As it is I have much more important things (to me) to spend my money on like drywall and insulation!

 

[hemikiller]

Had a Craftsman 5hp/33gal horizontal oilless for about ten years. Bought it in '94 and used it continuously for about ten years. Last 7 were supplying air for a shared rental garage with four other guys. I had it hooked to a 60gal tank as a reserve and it fed an air piping layout. Served me very well for the cost. It destroyed itself 3 times in those ten years, with a rebuild cost under $50 each time. Noise was the biggest issue, but we crammed it into the utility room with the furnace and shut the door.

No lube on the cylinders, mine had a graphite-like ring with cast zinc piston/rod. Screw the piston top onto piston/rod captured the ring, shove it into the cylinder from the top and slip it onto the crankshaft. I do recommend replacing the rod bearings, as failure #2 was the bearings going dry. Gave it to a friend after failure #3.

Ran a used ATD 5hp/60gal upright oiled compressor until the motor gave up the ghost at 30 years of age.

Currently running a Quincy QT54 and couldn't be happier.

 

[chris142]

It's nice that your taking to time to rebuild the oil-less compressor for your boss but is it worth your time and his money? I am surprised you can get still parts for a 28 year old compressor from Sears.

Is this historically significant piece of machinery?
Do you get a promotion and more money if you rebuild it?
Perhaps it is an emotional support compressor?

Please don't take offense. I am curious why the decision was to rebuild this equipment.

The same parts fit many different brands of compressor. The rebuild kit was only $20. It's winter in the desert and we are standing around the shop twiddling our thumbs.

I'm paid hourly so I might as well be working on something. Only so much to clean.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

My friend gave me a compressor that would trip the breaker as he was just going to throw it out. Turns out it was just the plastic fan interfering with the cover. A little trimming and I had a fully functional compressor for $0.

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