Vintage Curtis Air Compressor

[Falcben]

Picked this compressor up for $50 a couple weeks ago, not sure where to go from here!

The electric motor is shot, so a new one would run me $200 from harbor freight.

What CFM can I expect out of this? I feel air leaking out of a couple of the supply fittings so that would be addressed. It takes about 10 minutes for it to reach 100psi with the shot motor.

My predicament is to either try getting my money back, or buy a new motor for it and fix it. I have a little American Eagle 20 gal compressor already, I was thinking about tying the two together with the pressure switches at different PSI.

Thoughts?

 

[930dreamer]

That's an oldie for sure, look for a used single phase motor for cheap and make sure the tank isn't plugged and full of water.

 

[JHuston]

What's the issue with the motor? Repulsion induction motors are pretty hard to kill.
- James Huston

 

[Bert_]

If the motor runs for 10 minutes I doubt it's "shot".

As said about RI motors are pretty tough

 

[The Cobbler]

why do you think the motor is shot?

 

[Falcben]

I guess it probably isn’t shot. I just wasn’t sure if the cost for a rebuild is cheap enough to outweigh a new motor. It sounds like the bearing are pretty worn and it is off balance. It spins free, but shakes quite a bit.

 

[mikedodge]

Get your money back? Unless you were given that option when you bought it I wouldn't expect that to work out.
Fix the leaks and see how it works. It looks pieced together so if that doesn't work maybe something is worn out or it's underpowered.

 

[The Cobbler]

it looks like a very small diameter piston maybe from refrigeration. motor bearings are usually easy & economical to replace .if you feel air leaking you should address that . but if you need more volume/pressure, start looking elsewhere for a larger compressor .

 

[Falcben]

Get your money back? Unless you were given that option when you bought it I wouldn't expect that to work out.
Fix the leaks and see how it works. It looks pieced together so if that doesn't work maybe something is worn out or it's underpowered.

It was $50. I can imagine I’ll get $50 back out of it from someone who wants to put time into it.

 

[JHuston]

You still have the makings of a cool, vintage air compressor; if it were me, I'd test the tank ( I recently did my Devilbiss with nothing more than a sacrificial gauge, a pressure washer and a handful of pipe plugs). If it passes muster, I'd pull the head on the pump and clean out the carbon, change the oil in the sump, fix the leaks and try it. The motor has bushings ( the flip-up oiler covers are a dead giveaway) that might be worn, brushes that may be sticking, or other issues, but if the pump and tank are sound the motor is very likely worth repairing if the insulation isn't damaged.
This is not the compressor for the person who wants to sandblast or run an impact, but it will power nailers, blow off dust and pump tires until the end of the world. Curtis made good pumps.

 

[mikedodge]

It was $50. I can imagine I’ll get $50 back out of it from someone who wants to put time into it.

The way you said it sounded more like trying to get a refund. Its probably worth that I'm parts to someone at least.