Should I buy this old air compressor?

[Choirboy]

Hello all! Just looking for some advice. Looking for an air compressor, and found this on craigslist. http://ottumwa.craigslist.org/tls/3753648274.html

I'm outfitting my general purpose shop with as many old/antique tools as possible, for the lower buy-in price (I'm young and poor), durable/rebuildable nature of many old tools, and also (probably mostly) because I love the look of old tools. Post on my Dewalt GW1 radial arm saw upcoming.
I know that it probably has a pathetic CFM rating, but I don't have any sandblasting or painting equipment, so this would just be to blow up tires, run an impact wrench, etc. I've been told that old compressors run at lower RPMs and are thus quieter, which would be a big plus in a small shop.
The compressor certainly looks the part, and I bet I could talk them down a little lower on price.
Can anyone give me info on this style of compressor, whether parts are available, if they are any good?

 

[ZRX61]

What is a motor going to cost you?

As is, it looks like about maybe $20...not $60

 

[larry_g]

That is a tiny pump probably originally used for climate control. Good long running pump just not a lot of volume. Having used a small pump like that I would suggest that you keep looking. If you have to buy it right now, then you probably don't have the patience to love with it.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Choirboy]

Forgive me for being dumb, but how are air compressors used in climate control?

Don't have to buy it right now, but I know I'll be needing something in the next few months as I'm currently borrowing my brother's compressor, and he finally bought his own house and will be picking up all his tools soon If it was an oldie but goodie I'd jump, but don't know a thing about old compressors, so thought I'd ask.

Thanks for the advice guys! I may watch it and if doesn't sell might offer him something really low; could always use the tank for auxiliary air storage or the pump for garage art ;-)

 

[RECox286]

Typically freezers and refrigerators didn't start out with the self

contained motor/compressor units they use today. I have an old

2 cylinder compressor that was used originally to keep a walk-in

freezer cold. It is so old that the main crank seal is leather.


As a buy or not buy, it is difficult to say, since you can't see it in

action. For $20, I would be hot for it, for $60 w/o a motor, I'd

be "interested", but not hot for it.

You can probably come up with a good used 3/4hp, 1750 rpm motor

that would drive it for cheap. How are you at finding OLD General

electric (Black Cased) motors, or the like, which would be the genre ?

Uncle Bob

 

[larry_g]

Forgive me for being dumb, but how are air compressors used in climate control?

read this link

lg
no neat sig line

 

[CNGsaves]

Likely the old compressor would be fine for typical DIY home garage, once restored.

For that kind of money can't go too wrong. Bring $50 cash and see what happens.

I'd scout around for electric motor and do more research on getting parts if rings/valves in compressor need rebuilt. Few phone calls on Monday likely will tell you what all is possible.

Looks like a project that deserves it's own thread . . .
. . . 1948 Gardner Denver compressor rebuild

Go for it !!

 

[zkling]

As others have mentioned, it depends on your needs. I personally wouldn't mess with it. Looks like you will need at a minimum a motor, pulley and piping/controls for the motor and pressure shutoff.

It does have a cool factor, but if you plan on using it quite a bit, I think you will find it is a bit limited on CFM output.

 

[Fixnair]

That looks like a Gardner Denver model ACB. 1/2to3/4horsepower, 125 PSI max. Parts are no longer available for it should they be necessary. At 3/4 HP it should deliver 3.5 SCFM @
125 PSI.
Is the name tag on the compressor?

 

[sberry]

It was scrapped for a reason. Everyone is for saving money, but about 95% of the time a worn out obsolete missing parts basket case isnt that, cost 3x and you still got junk when finished. Even one with all the parts with it would be an improvement, here you have to start collecting before you can start fixing.

 

[motormitch]

I restore older hand portable compressors as a hobby and some are fully functional and some are not, but all are retro, cool and some would say art deco. This would look great after a restoration, but with the parts problems (fully functional vintage electric motors are not free) and unknown condition of everything, the question that would decide it for me is, "if it isn't functional and practical do I have the space to show it off are garage art?"

Here are a couple of smaller hand portables, but even this take up some real shelf space just as art. BTW, both of them do work...

 

[Choirboy]

Thanks for all the opinions, guys. I think I'm going to wait on it, but if it is still listed in a week or two I may see if I can pick it up cheap just for the 'garage art' value. It does look the part!