Repair or Replace 1980’s Speedaire Compressor?

[bsf]

Should I replace the bad tank; replace the entire unit; or simply go without?

I now have in my possession at my residence an early 1980’s Grainger Dayton / Speedaire electric air compressor. I acquired significant pneumatic tools and accessories/consumables with the Speedaire compressor. The ostensibly original, horizontal, 60 gallon tank is bad. The ostensibly original air pump appears to be Campbell Hausfeld TF Series 2-stage 2-cylinder. The pump labels are gone, as is any identifying label for the entire compressor. The ostensibly original motor is Dayton 5HP 1-Phase 230V continuous duty. Everything but the tank has tested fine and is in good cosmetic condition. I used the compressor a fair amount in previous years before I took possession of it. I do not currently have electrical run for this; but can do so myself if/when necessary.

Preliminary research indicates an equivalent 200psi, 60 gallon tank with mounting platform would cost at least $800. A lower quality, less durable, less capable, complete 60 gal compressor can easily be had for less than the mentioned replacement tank. A new, complete compressor equivalent to the Speedaire in new condition would be ~$3,000+.

Considering this carefully. I likely am in that last 1/3 or ¼ of my life, and have thus far managed fine without owning anything more capable than an ordinary pancake compressor to primarily run nailers and staplers. Disposing of the Speedaire compressor and some of the recently acquired air tools/accessories frees up valuable space in my already crowded 2 – bay garage. The compressor is and will prevent 1 – garage bay from being used for vehicle parking, which I dislike. The older I get, the less interest I have in unnecessary “projects” at home, and the more I limit my maintenance, repair, and fabrication activities to that which is necessary. Though a sufficiently capable compressor would be helpful in automotive maintenance and repairs on my own vehicles, I can “get by” with manual and battery-operated tools. Feel free to share any thoughts relevant to the original question.

 

[finn]

Sounds like you’re winding down, ie don’t really need an industrial rated compressor, and could really use the space the big horizontal compressor takes.

I would think you could sell it for a couple hundred (just a guess) and put that towards a smaller consumer grade compressor that would still run your tools and free up some scarce floor space.

 

[micromind]

If you're going to get rid of it, keep the motor. 5HP single phase motors seem to be a fairly hot commodity on Ebay and other sites.

 

[bsf]

Any of the aforementioned, recently acquired stuff I do not keep for my use either gets returned to the estate from which it came for immediate redistribution to other “interested parties”; or gets sold, with profits returning to the estate.

 

[zendriver]

Send it back.

 

[seber]

Only you can determine if you still want a large compressor. But if you decide you do, I would just replace the tank. Compressor pumps can last just about forever. And if they do wear out, they can be rebuilt very easily. The most difficult parts to obtain are reed valves. I've made my own by acid etching shim stock.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

Sounds like you answered your own question

 

[Cheep]

You could get a broken compressor for cheap, use the tank, mount this thing outside and build a box over it. Or, send it back.

 

[Mike007]

You could get a broken compressor for cheap, use the tank, mount this thing outside and build a box over it. Or, send it back.

Ive seen quite a few dead, relatively new, oil-less compressors for sale over the years. Infact, I believe a friend has a vertical 60 gallon. He was looking for a compressor for it a while back.

 

[bsf]

I am grateful for members taking time to respond. I am not at all certain which solution I will pursue. It appears the mounting plate on most, if not all, “consumer” vertical tanks is too small to attach the motor and pump from the old Speedaire as currently configured. I do not understand well at all whether belt length can be reduced to decrease the motor & pump footprint without risking belt slippage. It also appears consumer grade systems are specified with lower max operating pressure than the old Speedaire. I do not know what the actual tank ratings are, though. The old Speedair tank was certified to max WP of 200psi and the pressure switch cycles at 135 & 175psi. While mulling this situation, I may cut the top plate off at the welds and dispose of the bad tank. Intend to watch classifieds; and try to understand availability and pricing. I do not think I am willing to spend enough to acquire a new tank with same specs of the old Speedaire.

 

[finn]

From memory, most consumer grade compressors are set up for a working pressure . Your Speedair switch should be capable of being reset to that operating range. Failing that, lower set pressure switches are available at your hardware store, TSC, or Amazon.

As for the plate, you can bolt and /or weld a plate on top of a consumer grade tank’s mounting plate. Just watch the balance with that big compressor head and motor. It’s going to be top heavy and unstable, so bolt it down.

Having said that, I’m still in the camp of cut your losses, sell what you have for whatever you can get, and buy a smaller consumer grade compressor to better suit your space and needs.

I still have, and occasionally use, my first “Sears Best” craftsman 2 hp compressor I bought in 1978. I’ve sandblasted, painted cars, and run air tools with it. Not Ideal for some of those tasks, and I have other, larger compressors for the last twenty years, but it’s not the end of the world. Plus I don’t have to mess with it.

 

[Shoreline_]

I am grateful for members taking time to respond. I am not at all certain which solution I will pursue. It appears the mounting plate on most, if not all, “consumer” vertical tanks is too small to attach the motor and pump from the old Speedaire as currently configured. I do not understand well at all whether belt length can be reduced to decrease the motor & pump footprint without risking belt slippage. It also appears consumer grade systems are specified with lower max operating pressure than the old Speedaire. I do not know what the actual tank ratings are, though. The old Speedair tank was certified to max WP of 200psi and the pressure switch cycles at 135 & 175psi. While mulling this situation, I may cut the top plate off at the welds and dispose of the bad tank. Intend to watch classifieds; and try to understand availability and pricing. I do not think I am willing to spend enough to acquire a new tank with same specs of the old Speedaire.

You're describing an ASME receiver. They are not cheap but they were never intended for a cheap customer. That compressor wasn't intended for a cheap customer either. So I guess if you want cheap you'll have to find a different compressor. Most tanks rated over 125 pounds or whatever it is need to be asme coded. Just find a used one on marketplace and swap it out. It's a great machine.

 

[Citation]

That pump looks like some type of Champion 2 stage pump, perhaps a version of the RV-15. I think some Speedaire compressors were made by Champion. If I'm correct it's a very good pump and new is well over $1500.

IF you have a need for such a compressor I would look for perhaps a consumer grade 60-80 gallon project compressor and mount your hardware on the tank. However, if you are really done with it, sell it as is or as separate parts and get a quiet consumer compressor. This is the sort of compressor that opens up options for painting and sanding that you can't do with other tools. However, if you don't use much in the way of air tools now, I would try to pass it on.

 

[bsf]

I have not made any decisions except to research availability and prices of used receivers with 200psi ratings.

Finn,
It has an adjustable Square D pressure switch. The intent of keeping the Speedair mounting plate is indeed to allow for its reuse. I need to review my intended garage layout and determine how much, if any, benefit a vertical receiver arrangement provides me compared to horizontal. I will understand garage space/volume considerations better once I move some cabinets to the section of wall a stationary compressor would be located.

Shoreline,
I am aware of the intended market for the Speedaire, and realize I am not it. However, I would be grateful to have a unit with its capabilities should I decide I will have a stationary compressor.

Citation,
As stated in the 1st post, the Grainger Dayton / Speedaire pump is Campbell Hausfeld TF Series, possibly TF-000021P. I suspect the original Grainger Item # was 3Z492 or 3Z492A.

 

[Sleeper]

Reviving an old thread I know but since these projects can take a while sometimes I thought I would throw one more suggestion in.

Since that looks like a great quality compressor, what if you cut the whole platform off your tank and laid the whole compressor sled on the ground. You could put shelving or a workbench over it to reclaim the floor space and then you are free to put your air receiver anywhere you want, like up in the rafters or up high on a wall or vertically in a corner. And if you feel like you are entering a phase of lighter use of the compressor you could downsize the tank. Smaller tanks with no platform can be a lot cheaper than the big horizontal ones.