vintage air compressor

[mtm]

Hey People ... I dragged out an old air compressor from the depths of my basement ...been in the house for 20 yrs. It looks like it was pieced together. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about it, or is interested in acquiring it. The motor is a 1/3 HP delco, and the pump itself is a mystery. I can't find a brand on it anywhere. There is a pressure-sensitive electric switch made by the Penn Electric Switch Company (DesMoines, Iowa), but all I can find online about that company is a patent dispute from the 30s. The tank is metal (painted yellow) but also has no markings that I can find. The end valve says "DeVilbiss Co" (Toledo OH), which is a maker of compressors. Attached are 3 pictures, but I have more.

So, any info????

thanks

mtm

 

[mrpizza]

That thing is awesome looking!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The tank is probably old military surplus oxygen tank, WWII or Korea vintage. The pump is a refrigeration compressor, possibly a sulfur dioxide compressor. the hand operated valves in the head are an indication its a refrig compressor pump.

Basically a waste of time fooling with it, good scrap metal however. Its not going to move enough air to be good for anything.

Charles

 

[DHS]

I agree with Charles about everything but it being only good for scrap. I have one (same pump) and I like it for blowing out carbs and other small tasks. It is silent and my favorite small compressor. Mine originally had a flat stamped steel pulley on it and I cut the hub out, drilled my extra v-belt pulley out and brazed new hub in. It is not perfectly true by no means but what little I run the compressor it will work.

link to my compressor
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33526

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep, refer compressor, bit for small stuff (no air tools) it can be fine. airing up tires, quick blow offs, air brush that type of thing. I think the switch says its preset to 38 psi? That is sort of low for getting much capacity for say, airing up tires.

I know the guy that owned the second race car I pitted for had a converted refer pump and tank setup and was set for much higher pressure; I'm pretty sure it was about 100 psi.

So usefulness really depends on what you want to get out of it. For low capacity use at home, perfectly usable. but it's not going to do a lot more.