Vintage compressor restoration

[Indiana Dave]

I don't post much on here, as my garage isn't nearly enough to show off compared to some of the garage-mahalls on here...

Got this at the local architectural salvage place.
i'm thinking the pump is late 1800's or early 1900's, maybe the tank too. I think electric motors were just starting to become available for the home workshop around then?

Already stripped old wiring off, and have new stuff to rewire it.
Trying to figure out the motor mounts.

It's not going to be for every day use, but just a display piece that I can fire up just to show off, occasionally.

 

[ndnchf]

Neat compressor Dave - is there a brand name? I'd guess that someone has updated it to belt drive. The real early ones were mostly chain drive. I have an old chain drive Kellogg that is around 100 years old, it runs great after a teardown, clean, inspect and rewiring.




Be very careful with that old riveted tank. Rust could leave it very thin and dangerous. It looks cool, but could be a ticking time bomb. You might consider using a modern tank for safety, but keep that one for display with it.

 

[Indiana Dave]

Thanks for the advice... I'll likely not run any higher pressure than enought to blow up bike tires occasionally, so I think the tank should be fine. I will inspect it, though, and maybe add a pop-off valve.
Didn't get a chance to look at it anymore tonight. I haven't noticed a name on it yet, other than on the motor.
It's late. Been staying out in the garage way too late lately.

 

[ndnchf]

A pressure relief valve is a great idea. Mine didn't have one either, it just ran and ran and built up pressure very quickly, so I added a small adjustable valve. I just use mine for blowing dust off and tires too. So I have the valve set to release at around 50 psi.

 

[Milton Shaw]

From the valve on the side at the bottom of the cylinder I would say that is a compressor from a cooling unit. Looks like the valve would be open to the crankcase to let oil circulating through the system return to the crankcase. I had one and my Dad used it for years. It would always use oil as the intake valve was in the bottom of the piston and would pickup oil with the air. Probably from an old ammonia cooling system.