I have had this 60 gallon "oil free," claimed 6hp compressor for a long time. It is a craftsman model number 919.152813. Recently it started getting louder and now takes forever to build pressure. I seen online where I can get a rod with the piston and new cylinder sleeve for $50. Which I would need two of for the two cylinders. Would you guys drop $100 into trying to fix this compressor or would you cut your losses? It is plenty to run all the tools that I use back when it worked right. I am guessing that these "oiless" compressors are looked down on in the compressor world? So my question is, worth rebuilding or save for an upgrade?
Would you rebuild this craftsman compressor?
- Thread starter blair683
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I'd look for a vintage Quincy, IR, Kellogg American etc.
NO.
I had one and it may have been the same model. When the motor went south I donated the tank to a buddy who teaches aeronautics for a test cylinder for some of the rocket engines they build. The noise alone was enough to keep me from resurrecting it.
930 has the right idea.
I had one and it may have been the same model. When the motor went south I donated the tank to a buddy who teaches aeronautics for a test cylinder for some of the rocket engines they build. The noise alone was enough to keep me from resurrecting it.
930 has the right idea.
If I saw a NEW 60 gallon oil less compressor on sale at (insert box store here) for $100 I would keep on walking even if I desperately needed a compressor. To me they are only worth their weight in scrap metal. I guess you could use one for an air stapler or pin nailer... A direct drive oiled compressor would be a step up from an oil less, and even that compressor is fairly cheap. As others have said, get one with a separate motor, pump, and a belt that connects the two. If you only use it very seldom then maybe a direct drive would be acceptable. Most oil less units create more noise than air.
Brian
Brian
sammynomas
Member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2012
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- 11
Any way you could retro fit a new compressor pump and motor onto the old tank?
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Boilerhouse
Well-known member
I would probably be more concerned keeping the old tank than rebuilding the old compressor. It is probably time to let go.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
$50 total, yes. $100, not likely.
Capt Crash
Well-known member
I bet that you have a set of reeds that need replaced. You could probably fix it for around $20.
Brian
Brian
engineer2
Well-known member
I have an extra craftsman pump, free for the shipping. After it shed the second cooling fan, we gave up.
rburke65
Well-known member
As said....maybe for $50... But anymore than that no. Go to a compressor that uses oil. So much quieter.
James-W
Well-known member
I am sure you could, but the question is, why would you want to? It would cost about as much as a new compressor, so why not get a new compressor?
dave89iroc
Well-known member
I've seen several of the craftsman oilless 60 gallon compressors throw rods......, that said, I have a oilless 30gallon craftsman right now, but am keeping my eyes open for a good oiled unit
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
I replaced the piston, cylinder and reeds in my 33 Gallon 6HP Craftsman. Works as good as it did when it was new.
sberry
Banned
I am going to say no too. Parts are easier to get today but some of it depends on age and the rest of the general condition. The last used cheap comp I worked on caused me a lot of grief and I should have bought a new one. The only piece I didn't repair was the motor. Fix one thing and the next one popped up. It all works now and I had donor parts but I got a day and a half in it, took it to the job 2 or 3 times and lost a days work when I needed it.
dave89iroc
Well-known member
Pretty much sums it up.......
engineer2
Well-known member
I used to have mine in the basement and piped it up to the garage. I'm OK, but the wife and cat are now deaf. Actually the cat would take off running if he saw me walking towards the Craftsman compressor. Not so with my new oiled compressor.
73RR
Blank Email
Good idea, but only if you first take a look inside of the tank to check on the rust damage. All tanks will have rust, but the critical item is how deep is the pitting.
The 2-cyl HF pump is actually quite good (at least mine is). It is relatively quiet and makes 140psi easy.
The only issue to be aware of the flywheel balance; mine was way out of spec so I'd recommend checking it before assembly.
happy hoppy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2006
- Messages
- 115
I gave away my working oil less compressor because of the noise.
My neighbor is a retired GM mechanic. He says , "buying good tools only hurts once, using poor quality tools hurts every time you pick them up"
My neighbor is a retired GM mechanic. He says , "buying good tools only hurts once, using poor quality tools hurts every time you pick them up"
James-W
Well-known member
Don't you think buying the parts and building a compressor is more expensive than just going out and buying a new compressor? Isn't that like buying all the parts to build a car and then assembling the car yourself? I have a funny feeling that by the time he buys the pump, the motor, the belt, the guard, the pressure safety switch, etc, he will have as much into it, if not more, than if he were to buy a new compressor. Anyway, that is my opinion be it right or wrong.
If you were happy with the compressor before why dump it?
First the parts that are bad may just be the rings around the pistons. In some models you can replace just the rings (they technically aren't rings but that makes for an easy description). The compressor lasted 12 years and with that rebuild should be basically good as new. I wouldn't worry about tank rot given the age and assuming you kept it drained.
Looking on ebay I see a Devilbiss kit for $34/cylinder (compatible with the Sears part #) . The rings are about $8 each. So you might be as little as $20 if you cylinders are still smooth or $70 for a more extensive rebuild. I also see some kits that include the cylinder, ring and seals but refuse the piston. Those are $27/each (I didn't verify the part compatability).
First the parts that are bad may just be the rings around the pistons. In some models you can replace just the rings (they technically aren't rings but that makes for an easy description). The compressor lasted 12 years and with that rebuild should be basically good as new. I wouldn't worry about tank rot given the age and assuming you kept it drained.
Looking on ebay I see a Devilbiss kit for $34/cylinder (compatible with the Sears part #) . The rings are about $8 each. So you might be as little as $20 if you cylinders are still smooth or $70 for a more extensive rebuild. I also see some kits that include the cylinder, ring and seals but refuse the piston. Those are $27/each (I didn't verify the part compatability).
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OldracerJones
Well-known member
Mine also burnt up and I kept it for years intending to make a smoker out of it. Lately, I've been paying quite a bit for sandblasting so I made a pressure blaster out of it. I'm putting together a post of the project.
I took the cover off today. The plastic fan was broken into about 40 pieces. I can spin the crank with the rods and pistons with one finger no problem. The whole time the pistons move they make a horrible squealing noise. I am going to start saving for a real compressor and send this one to the compressor grave yard.
73RR
Blank Email
Good point. A 'better' quality 5hp motor and the needed sheaves and belts do add up but still should be less than a complete unit, even if buying something like the HF 5hp/60gal unit at $800. I swapped an HF pump onto an old CH unit and it works very well.
For the OP's situation, the internal condition of the tank is critical and some mechanical skills are required.
crewchief888
Well-known member
i went through this over last winter, the CM oilless ive had since '87 stopped compressing. i knew what was wrong, (ive been through this before)
i debated just tossing in the towel and buying a new compressor.
since i dont have 220 to the garage, i figured in what it would cost to trench, conduit, wire, breakers, sub panel, ect ect. PLUS buying the ew compressor
i dont use that much air, most of what i use in the garage are electric powered tools, (grinders/sanders) if i NEED air it's for an impact, or inflating tires....
i have air in my service truck if i need more air..
i ended up just fixing the old compressor.... and plumbed in a new intake filter to replace the scrap of foam CM originally used.....
i debated just tossing in the towel and buying a new compressor.
since i dont have 220 to the garage, i figured in what it would cost to trench, conduit, wire, breakers, sub panel, ect ect. PLUS buying the ew compressor
i dont use that much air, most of what i use in the garage are electric powered tools, (grinders/sanders) if i NEED air it's for an impact, or inflating tires....
i have air in my service truck if i need more air..
i ended up just fixing the old compressor.... and plumbed in a new intake filter to replace the scrap of foam CM originally used.....
6768rogues
Banned
I would fill the tank with concrete and roll my lawn with it.
That's a good idea. I might just do that.
GreyOwl
Well-known member
Water would be a lot cheaper!! Then you could drain it for storage.
sberry
Banned
If a guy can fix something for cheap, quick, saves real money or time I am all over it. If I have to invest in used speculation not so much. If I am saving or making 30 an hour, even 20 or so in some cases it may be worth it. Not that I really track that but I try to put some kind of value on it. At the end of the day if I save a couple hundred or add to the equity then it may be worth it.
I would check for the price of the o-rings plus the fan. Get it working and you can probably sell it for $200+. As is its worth a few bucks at best. Alternatively give it to someone who is just starting out and sorry on cash. You'll do them a favor while being out no more than if you trashed it.
lynnbilodeau
Well-known member
I had the Devilbiss equivilent. It was really noisy, but worked very well for about 5 years. I started using it several hours a day. Rebuilt it at about 6 years. Worked great for another two. I really liked it for painting, as you did not have to worry about oil in the line. But, it started failing again. Next rebuild lasted about a month. Thought it was devective pistons, and replaced them; gone again in a few days.
Finally gave up. Found a great deal on an 80 gallon Dayton with a new pump on it. It wiil outlast me.
Finally gave up. Found a great deal on an 80 gallon Dayton with a new pump on it. It wiil outlast me.