question about older craftsman air compressors

[steveo2155]

I was going to look for an older craftsman air compressor, but somebody mentioned that there was a lawsuit against sears for inflated cfm ratings. That was going to be my question too - why do all the older craftsman compressors have so much higher cfm ratings than the current ones? So in other words, all of the older craftsman compressors are junk too? How far off are the older cfm ratings and what year did they start making the compressors with accurate cfm ratings? What is everyones opinion about the older ones then? Are the cfm ratings that far off that they aren't worth buying used either?

 

[TK LP]

I bought this compressor new in 1985 or 86 for about $400.00. Until the contactors in the pressure switch finally wore out, it has never failed me. I was out of town when the switch failed, I had forgotten to turn it off the last time I used it, and it came on automatic. I have no idea how long it ran, my wife called to find out what to do,and I walked here through the breaker process. I replaced the switch that was still available through Sears parts, although I got it cheaper elsewhere, and it has functioned flawlessly since.





I've used these air tools as well as a small sand blaster hopper to get me through this and 2 other restorations over the years, and I've always been able to get what I needed done.





As far as output is concerned, I've used this site and timed an empty to full (125) psi, in 2min. 11 seconds, for a calculated 10.85 cfm.

While it's smaller than ideal for many of the projects I've used it for, it's been reliable, and seems to be making it's cfm, if not it's horsepower rating. I don't know anything about any lawsuits, but I wouldn't call that junk.

 

[steveo2155]

I think I may try to look for an older craftsman compressor in the 10 - 30 gallon range. I will keep an eye out on craigslist, as well as local garage sales and estate sales, and possibly even pawn shops. Any other places I should be looking for good deals? I know people say the new oil less Craftsman compressors are junk, and I will try to look for an older oil lubed model, but are the older Craftsman oil less compressors junk too? Are they considered as bad as the new oil less, or is it just all oil less compressors in general that are considered garbage?

 

[TJJP77]

Stay away from oilless altogether. Also, don't get so blindly focused on Craftsman that you overlook other affordable quality compressors. My only issue with a lot of the Craftsman units is the aluminum compressor - some of these have a cast iron sleeve, but I'd rather have all cast iron, not just the cylinder sleeve.

The older Campbell Hausfeld units with the cast iron compressors are good units, US made as well. There are a lot of CH clones too, such as Speedaire, Husky, etc.

After my 1-cylinder CH that I bought new in 1999 was stolen last year, I found a clean 2-cylinder 20-gallon CH on craigslist for an OK price. It's a unit from the mid 1980's and all it needed was a new drain **** and air filter housing. I would have preferred a 26 gallon or a vertical unit, but pickins were slim around here for a 110v compressor from a decent brand...tons of crappy oilless units though.