Old Sears compressors really that good?

[guy48065]

The pressure switch failed on my 2HP 20gal compressor and it overheated. I noticed it when my shop started to stink & I could see the air getting smokey.

I was going to retire the old girl but when researching a replacement I kept running across recommendations to buy or keep these old models if you can't afford >$500 for a good new one (I can't). It seems to run the same as before and build pressure at the same rate so maybe all I need is the new switch.

The specs in the manual and the specs on the big tank sticker claim 9.0CFM @ 90psi. Will this really pump that much air--or is this another of Sear's bogus "peak power" claims?

Mine is one of these:

 

[phred]

Keep it and replace the switch. I have that same compressor and have worked it hard for over 30 years. I burned up a newer craftsman (gift) in about a year. The old one still keeps chugging along. It is nolonger my primary compressor but sees steady work in the wood shop. The metal shop now has a 80 gal 5hp single stage.


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[Cope]

I would replace the switch and keep the compressor. I have a similar one I use for working outside my shop..

 

[vettex2]

I have a 35 year old Craftsman and it still works perfectly
All I've done is change the oil once a year
I had it plugged in and on continuously for well over 15 years at one point

 

[justanengineer]

I believe the advertising is rather optimistic but as mentioned they last forever. If it fits your needs and still works then might as well fix it IMHO>

 

[86turbodsl]

Dad had one of those, its good for basic needs, not blasting or anything like that. It lived about 30 years then siezed. I dont know anyone ever did anything with it.

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[theoldwizard1]

I have the same one. Does what I ask to do, when I ask it to.

The pumps usually last forever if you keep oil in them.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 for minor "maintenance" and keep 'er going'
. . .
. . . . . replace switch
. . . . . change oil
. . . . . change air filter if any
. . . . . DRAIN any & ALL Water in the horizontal tank daily (this is MOST Important)

 

[guy48065]

+1 for minor "maintenance" and keep 'er going'
. . .
. . . . . replace switch
. . . . . change oil
. . . . . change air filter if any
. . . . . DRAIN any & ALL Water in the horizontal tank daily (this is MOST Important)

Daily? I maybe remember to drain it quarterly. Bad, I know...

 

[brtsvg]

I have a 35 year old Craftsman and it still works perfectly
All I've done is change the oil once a year

Exactly the same case with me

 

[redmondjp]

Another vote for keeping it and replacing the switch. Also, when did you last change the oil in the pump?

 

[ovrrdrive]

My dad has had that one for 30 or 40 years. He had to change something out in the pump a while back and I believe he said everything inside was marked as Ingersol Rand. It's been a good unit but it wouldn't keep up with the demand in my shop. If it worked good for you and is repairable I think that may be a good option. Unless you want to step things up...

 

[gdocktor3]

I have a 5hp 30 gallon horizontal Craftsman compressor that I bought used a few years ago. It's probably from the 90s. I changed the oil once when I got it and it's done everything I've asked of it. At wide open a die grinder will eventually drain the tank, but the motor will keep the grinder running at full speed. For the $200 I paid for it I couldn't be happier. I check the oil every so often and drain it after each use. Great little compressor.

 

[finn]

I still have a similar "Sears Best" like that. I bought it in about 1980.

I think it's actually made by DeVilbis.

 

[ChaseDE]

My dad had the same one as in the OP forever and it ran, FOREVER. Or maybe like 30 years or so haha

 

[Two Door]

I still have a similar "Sears Best" like that. I bought it in about 1980.

I think it's actually made by DeVilbis.

I bought mine just a couple of years later, and yes, it is my understanding too that it is a Devilbiss.

 

[1Garageman]

I'd vote to keep it also. As long as you drain the tank regularly and nothing else on it is about to die?

 

[guy48065]

I ordered the switch. The exact part is no longer available from searspartsdirect.com so I chose one off eBay. I tried to choose one with a long on/off lever so it'll still be useable in the little "dashboard" slot. I hope the picture in the ad is accurate.

I was tempted to buy a 1.5HP vertical unit on sale for $149 at HF but it was only rated at (I think) 4.5CFM @ 90psi. Plus I prefer the slower chugging of a belt-drive over the loud buzz of a direct-drive.

 

[guy48065]

Don't buy Lefoo pressure switches
Switch was preset so high the 150psi safety blew before the switch cut out. It could not be adjusted low enough, and the differential minimum was about 50psi.
Yes--it was marked 95-125psi.
Seller was not surprised and has refunded my money. I ordered a Hubbell but am still waiting for it.

 

[redmondjp]

Don't buy Lefoo pressure switches
Switch was preset so high the 150psi safety blew before the switch cut out. It could not be adjusted low enough, and the differential minimum was about 50psi.
Yes--it was marked 95-125psi.
Seller was not surprised and has refunded my money. I ordered a Hubbell but am still waiting for it.

WHAAAATTT?????? You mean to tell me that the $9 Chinese-made one didn't work right out of the box? Amazon is chock-full of those LeKrap ones too. It's well worth it to get the Square-D one for $30-40 instead.

 

[bczygan]

Kick it to the curb.

I'll PM you with the address on my curb.

Bill

 

[mikegt4]

I had an old CH unit that was also sold re-badged as a Craftsman. Lasted from the early 1980's until last year when the tank rusted out. I still have the pump (the ubiquitous VT), swapped the motor to another unit that I got free but motor-less and then gave that to a friend of my son. Craftsman sold a lot of good weekend warrior 1-3hp compressors back in the day.

 

[skruft]

I have one that was new in about 1977, a little bigger motor I think.

 

[decableguy2000]

My Dad still has one he bought before I was born, and I'm 43. It could stand a little love, but still runs. Not the fastest or strongest compressor.

 

[Davidad1]

I have the same compressor for the last 36 years old and still works good , thinking about retiring it . The pressure control knob broke


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[Will S.]

Drain the compressor oil before you run it again, and replace it with full synthetic compressor oil. Amsoil makes one, and I'm sure there are others, but in any case use synthetic compressor oil, and it will probably outlast you.

 

[guy48065]

It's up n running again with the new Hubbell switch...but not quite finished. The Hubbell has a short plastic on/off lever where the original had a long steel rod bent back on itself in order to stick out a slot in the faceplate. OCD maybe but I want to keep the original cover and faceplate since they still look good. I need to fabricate some sort of extension lever and epoxy it to the plastic one.
I bought this compressor used about 20 years ago. I think all I did was replace the broken reed valves, re-paint it and put on a new decal. It only gets occasional use and the oil I drained out still looked like clear honey. Synthetic oil? Maybe if I can find it locally. Label calls for 20W.

Anyone know how the power cord is SUPPOSED to be routed? It comes out the switch and right against the pump crankcase. There's no obvious exit on the belt cover except out the bottom where the pump bolts to the mounting plate. Doesn't make sense to me for it to lay against the pump but any where else looks like it would need to be strapped down.

 

[guy48065]

Done.
I routed the cord out the front to match another of the same model I found on Google. There were several pictures to choose from and they were all different.

 

[redmondjp]

Having seen many of these old Sears compressors, I can't say that any of them had any proper cord routing from day one. Don't over-analyze it. The primary thing is to get some kind of strain relief on it, which can be done in a number of ways.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Done.
I routed the cord out the front to match another of the same model I found on Google. There were several pictures to choose from and they were all different.

Very nice looking ! Most of the older compressors had the tanks painted green, gold or copper. (I have the identical one painted gold.) First one I have seen that was painted red.

Best quick upgrade is to replace the cord with a 25' 12/3 SJOOW (pretty sure the original is about 6' 14/3).

 

[PMD1966]

I have a Sears compressor that looks like yours. Paid $40.00 for it at an estate sale. 3hp and a 40 gal. tank. Works perfectly.

 

[guy48065]

(Google)

Originally it was all beige like the one I Googled (above)-- and I hated the color. I painted it 20 years ago.

I also added a drain extension kit. Maybe if it's easy to reach I'll actually drain it occasionally.

Forgot to mention I took a piece of welding rod & bent it to extend thru the slot at the correct angle, epoxied to the plastic lever.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yep ! Looks just like mine ! I have been looking for a good deal on a 3hp 30 gallon (Bill beta me to one last year !)

I need some better (semi-pneumatic) wheels and tires.

 

[Burt Shaver]

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Wasn’t sure if I should post this here in this old thread or start a new thread? But what do you guys think of this Sears/craftsman. All I know for sure is it’s a 2HP. Owner says it runs, but not well. What questions should I ask? Can I still get parts? Or should I just move on?

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