Vintage Air Compressors

[Kilroy]

Here are a few pics of my 1964 Wayne compressor. It has a fairly big tank and a 5HP 230 VAC GE motor. Any help with pump ID or anything else would be appreciated.

That's cool... I had a smaller Wayne before I moved. Should have brought it with me.

 

[jonnythunder]

Here is a quick video of my compressor running! I just finished getting it all cleaned/hooked up the other day!

It's a Devillbiss, the tank tag says 1937. It's got the model 220 pump on it. The motor is a newish 240V Baldor. I must say it runs great, and doesn't take all that long to fill.

http://s1040.photobucket.com/user/jonkarisny/media/157_0352_zpse9331b2d.mp4.html

 

[Tinknocker25]

New to forum and enjoyed looking at everyones compressors. Thought maybe I would share mine. This is a 1944 Bendix-Westinghouse 2US4VA used by the army air corps, Army airborne and the engineers. Sweet little compressor ran by a Briggs and stratton N model single cylinder and the belt driven compressor is merely an air brake off a truck of the era.

 

[macattak]

That's pretty cool.

 

[rippered]

Hi guys,
I am a newb on the site so thanks for letting me be here. I am a Field service technician for an Ingersoll Rand distributor dealing in industrial, commercial, and some residential applications. All electric driven, no portables.

My father is cleaning out a house and gave me this compressor but I can't find any information on it. I have checked and searched and asked with no luck. I can't read the sticker or paint. I have not looked for a tag, gonna try this weekend. Anybody know what this?

Flat belts are bad ***

Could we see more pics ?

 

[mmouse]

I just brought this home today, and thought I would share it here. I would rather have a vintage American compressor, than a new one. So after some research, I kept my eyes open for a Kellogg American. For a winter project, I'll clean it up, paint, re-gasket, and tune up. The data plates say it is made by Schramm. The pump is a 1959 Kellogg American 331 with centrifugal unloader. It currently has a 3 hp motor turning it 390 rpm. I'm considering a 5 hp motor to spin it at about 550 rpm. This thing is quiet and massive!

 

[zelcovaa]

I have a compressor that I just purchased, anyone knows that specifications have?, how many hp was the motor, how many rpm to spin?.

Please help, I'm trying to put back together it

I am posting the images
Thank you.

 

[tommudd]

Guess I need to subscribe to this thread now

Have one that looks almost identical to yours , still runs good , well enough to blow the dust off of the workbenches I should say

 

[A_Pmech]

New to forum and enjoyed looking at everyones compressors. Thought maybe I would share mine. This is a 1944 Bendix-Westinghouse 2US4VA used by the army air corps, Army airborne and the engineers. Sweet little compressor ran by a Briggs and stratton N model single cylinder and the belt driven compressor is merely an air brake off a truck of the era.

Thanks for the photo, that's a pretty neat little machine!

 

[b-body-bob]

1957 DeVilbiss, not subject to recalls

Still in use, may be retired soon since I just got a free Champion with pump problems.

 

[K Powers]

late 70s type 30, I'm about 80% complete with resto and dress up

 

[mmouse]

I have a compressor that I just purchased, anyone knows that specifications have?, how many hp was the motor, how many rpm to spin?.

Please help, I'm trying to put back together it

I am posting the images
Thank you.

This is a Kellogg American 331 with centrifugal unloader. 3-5 HP, maximum of 600 rpm. Mine runs with 3 hp at 400 rpm and pumps about 10 cfm. With the 5 hp you can get 15-20 cfm.
http://aircompeq.com/ka.htm

Here is a link to assembly diagram (without unloader):
http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/images/331.pdf

 

[jims09build]

Here's mine. Just started restoration on this bad boy I've had for 40 some years. Pics tell it all. I've been running this for all those years with no problems but I decided it deserved a total restoration after restoring and painting several cars and trucks over the years. I've been told that with the correct motor this could pump 1000 lbs.

Jim

 

[Rust]

I've been told that with the correct motor and pressure release valve this could pump 1000 lbs.

Jim

I love those old century lattice front motors. Very cool.
Correct me if i'm wrong
but; dosent the pressure release valve have to match the HP rating of the motor?

What would you run with 1000 PSI?

 

[jims09build]

I love those old century lattice front motors. Very cool.
Correct me if i'm wrong
but; dosent the pressure release valve have to match the HP rating of the motor?

What would you run with 1000 PSI?

I believe you are correct. When I retrieved this out of an old pipeline compressor station, there was a 1000# gauge on the wall above the unit. I don't really know how much pressure they actually used. I wish I would have taken it also. It's been a long time ago but if I remember correctly this unit had a 3 phase 5hp motor on it which I could not use so I traded that for this old Century motor. This was in the middle 70s. I love to watch the moving brushes when it starts up. It clicks and sparks. I cleaned the armature and brushes one time with brake cleaner and didn't wait long enough for it to evaporate completely. Started it up and "whoosh" a big ball of flame came out of it momentarily! Scared the $hit out of me but nothing got damaged, won't do that again!

Jim

 

[73blazer]

This is a 1934 US Air Compressor Model MK663

A friend of mine picked it up at a local sale and didn't want to use it. The 80 Gallon original tank was junk (although the original owner used it that way, rusted with a gasketed sheet metal screw in one hole). I built a new frame for the compressor, and found this 240 gallon tank on eBay locally for $100. Although to fill from 0-160psi takes a while, once filled the 120-160 cylce i have it set to fills in about 5 minutes. This compressor is a 3HP 13.5CFM rated. But considering todays compressors are rated more at peak than at load, I think in todays numbers, it would be "rated" higher. I'm quite happy with it's performance. Check out the size of that 3 horse motor. Todays' 6hp rated ones are 2/3 of that. The little 8 gallon tank there is a 'service' tank, so I can shut the main tanks valve and leave its' 240gallons alone, so I can replace the filter, fix any leaks (hasn't happened yet) in the lines, etc. I had to buy that thing new from a automotive plant supplier, because I couldn't find any 6-10 gallon 200psi rated tanks anywhere else. It costs just as much as the main tank!

The pics are from when I first aquired it and finished building the new platform for it. I've been using this as my main shop compressor for almost 10 years now and it works without issue.

(Click on the picture for full res version)

 

[zelcovaa]

This is a Kellogg American 331 with centrifugal unloader. 3-5 HP, maximum of 600 rpm. Mine runs with 3 hp at 400 rpm and pumps about 10 cfm. With the 5 hp you can get 15-20 cfm.
http://aircompeq.com/ka.htm

Here is a link to assembly diagram (without unloader):
http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/images/331.pdf

Tanks!!! you were very helpful..

 

[alders320]

I've got an old portable Gardner Denver Vertical air compressor. It's a beast...with a Cat 6 motor. Can anyone tell me anything about this compressor? i'm trying to see if it has any value.
it still works and i'm thinking about restoring it but only if it's going to be worth more than I put into it!
thanks in advance...

 

[Dillon5ive]

I bought an old Compressor about 6 months ago not knowing what year or how old it really was. Was pretty dirty and greasy but with alittle elbow grease and paint it cleaned up like new. It is a brunner and the only date I could find on it was on the tank which says 1924. Wanted to share it with you guys. Let me know what you think....

before cleanup -

after -

 

[AndrewDouglasBird]

Mine I recently finished rebuilding:

Started out life built into a shopping cart.

As far as I can tell, the compressor pump is a 50's era AC compressor. Electric motor is an old GE.

 

[Fixnair]

Alders320, that old beast is only worth something to a collector and there are not many of those around. The air they produced was nearly 300* at full load! very hot. The advent of the rotary screw made them obsolete wiyh discharge temps below 200*.
That would make a good artificial reef in the ocean.

 

[tdb.bower]

Hey everyone, new to the site. Im hoping to get a little insight as to what i have. I have a few identifying marks but after searching and searching i haven't found much. It has "made in the USA" stamped near the base, "1200-24" (i think) on the cylinder heads, A little difficult to read its either AC, RC, BC, or PC stamped on the cylinders and heads, "220-4" also stamped on the crank side of the base and "AC-102" on the pulley.

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[usmc_noma]

Another addition to this thread. I scored off craigslist for $25. It's an old Sears 3hp model from 1983. The motor is a USA made Century.

The plan of attack is to wire it in within the next week or so, then probably tear it down to the tank only. I'll see if I can get it sandblasted for cheap then paint it up. I'm not sure what color I'm going to go with yet. I'm thinking a silver or red color. I'll wire wheel the motor and compressor and paint those black more than likely. I'm not sure what else at this point.

 

[Red Leader]

Here is a picture of mine. Fotki is still not working so no direct shots that I took a while back.

When I found it, I don't think it had ever been used. I cut cotton string that had ******* the electrical cold. When I undid it, the cord cracked in about a gajillion places

 

[Red Leader]

I was at a garage sale Saturday and paid $5 for a coffee can full of sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, and other bits and pieces... mostly old Craftsman stuff.

I was eyeing this old Craftsman compressor, wondering if I should take a chance. When I asked the guy how much, he said just take it... no charge. I couldn't turn that down.

Anyway, it's a model 283.18561. The motor ran for the two seconds I had it plugged in, so it was worth bringing it home. The pump turns and "seems" to work. My concern is the strange clutch thingy between the motor and pump. It was slipping but still turning the pump when I had it plugged in. Two seconds was not a lot of time to check it all out, but the wiring needs to be replaced before I try again.

Does anyone have a compressor like this? I'd like to find out if that clutch is intact or whether it's shot. It may need tightening or something.

I'm assuming there should be a pressure gauge on top too.

I haven't found much about it online, but then again, I didn't spend a lot of time looking yet.

That would make for a great resto - the tags are the hardest to do and that tag is in fabulous shape.

 

[Algoma56]

I have a 3hp from sears, 1980 vintage, and it is a re-labelled Devillbis. Motor on it is a Doerr, changed bearings on it once.

 

[kbeitz]

Yes, the label is in excellent condition.

I removed the pump from the base and discovered that the "clutch thingy", as I called it earlier, is actually a fail-safe that failed.

The thin piece of material sandwiched between the to halves has four holes. Screws in two holes are attached to the motor side. Two screws at 90 degrees are attached to the pump side. I need to drill four new holes at 45 degrees to the old holes and reassemble.

There is evidence that that pump was disassembled... the screw slots on the cylinder head are boogered. Newer hex bolts replace three of the square head bolts.

I'm going to try to get this running and flip it.

You can still buy them...
It's called a love Joy...
Google it...

 

[theoldwizard1]

Another addition to this thread. I scored off craigslist for $25. It's an old Sears 3hp model from 1983. The motor is a USA made Century.

The plan of attack is to wire it in within the next week or so, then probably tear it down to the tank only. I'll see if I can get it sandblasted for cheap then paint it up. I'm not sure what color I'm going to go with yet. I'm thinking a silver or red color. I'll wire wheel the motor and compressor and paint those black more than likely. I'm not sure what else at this point.

OLD ! That is newer than the one I own by about 10 years ! If the motor runs and the pump is not seized, you got a steal.

As bad as the outside looks, I would want to open up the inspection port (probably will take a lot of heat) and look inside with some kind of 'scope.

They used to come with a real nice plastic shroud. You can find replacement gauges on eBay cheap. Hopefully the regulator works, because It don't think parts are available for it.

Mine is a 2hp. I would love to find a 3hp in decent shape.

 

[kbeitz]

This is my latest junkyard find... Works great....

 

[kbeitz]

......................

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

Here's my vintage compressor. I got it from my father estate after he died.
It has been in his shops all my life.
He told me it came from an old Kelvinator refrigerator form the
mid to early 30s.
I use it in my little work shop along with a portable air tank for
air storage.
It still works great after all these years.


.

 

[Jswain]

Old Webster 34 with a 1hp Baldor. Paid $70 for it off kijiji, tore it all apart, cleaned it all up...stripped the tank to bare metal and gave it a few coats of primer and some paint. Welded up a new handle, got some new wheels, made up a new sticker for it and it's good to go! Few before and afters

 

[paigej]

just picked this up for $300 off craigslist. no idea what brand or how old it is, but it's 60 gallons and fills up pretty quickly. needs a new check valve but it's a huge step up from a 12 gallon oil-less!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Hello Compressor Friends. Glad to have stumbled on this thread.

Attached is my 1955 DeVilbiss UK5002, 1hp compressor. It has a model 220 pump. Purchased at an auction a couple of months ago to resell, I tested it out yesterday and it ran flawlessly. In fact the pump sound was quite soothing. My next task is to add controls and a cord to make it completely portable and finish cleaning it up.

One question that I have about vintage compressor recommendations:
I plan to shop for a 5 hp vintage compressor. My preferences would be a 1750 rpm motor and 2 stage pump. Tank size can be as small as 20 gallon since I have a 60 gallon auxiliary with my present rig (different from the DeVilbiss). What vintage compressor brand and model should I buy that I can still get parts just in case I need to do a repair or rebuild?

 

[janbuick]

here are mine compressors
the small ones came from belgium
and the big one is english ww2

 

[TxFig]

This is mine:

That's an almost exact duplicate of the one I just inherited from my dad (he bought it when I was a kid). Still runs like a champ!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

This is the 2 hp. Ingersol Rand that I bought new in 1983. It is still in service after all these years. Over the years I've regularly maintained it and had to make very few small repairs.

 

[jagr1pooh]

I have this Ingersoll Rand Model A 1738 That I picked up for $7.00, can anyone tell more about it. It runs like a top. cant read most off label on tank but does say at the top ingersoll rand and the motor has the ingersoll rand, New York tag. any info, value anything...please. I have never seen such a small tank, or is that for something else and was it on a larger tank at some point.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Here is a picture of mine. Fotki is still not working so no direct shots that I took a while back.

When I found it, I don't think it had ever been used. I cut cotton string that had ******* the electrical cold. When I undid it, the cord cracked in about a gajillion places

My dad had one of those. Diaphragm type. We used it to pump up tires, etc. later the diaphragm went bad and eventually we scrapped it. I still have the motor, ¼ hp with Craftsman placard on it.

Charles

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Yes, the label is in excellent condition.

I removed the pump from the base and discovered that the "clutch thingy", as I called it earlier, is actually a fail-safe that failed.

The thin piece of material sandwiched between the to halves has four holes. Screws in two holes are attached to the motor side. Two screws at 90 degrees are attached to the pump side. I need to drill four new holes at 45 degrees to the old holes and reassemble.

That's a coupling...

Tommy