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Table Top Compressors

Posted by 141drew Posted onJul 16, 2012 at 3:59 PM and filed under Reviews & Features
Updated onUpdated on May 28, 2021 at 11:37 AM


I found this little table top compressor while browsing the net the other day and fell in love. It’s a Crafstman (Sears Roebuck) job sold in 1939. While it’s uses may be limited by its size, I love the art deco styling. And it got me thinking – Let’s see your vintage compressors!


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Major Ramifications

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That's a slick looking little unit!
My dad has an old Campbell Hausfeld that bears many similarities to that one, but the pump is not nearly as sleek.
I wonder who made that for Sears back then. Did you get the first three digits of the model number?
 
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dwp99

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My compressor is from 1948, it's a Curtis 3hp. I found it in the classified ads of the local news paper in 1986. A friend and I went to look at it and I bought it on the spot, I think I paid $200.00. We had to remove the motor and the compressor from the tank just to load it into the back of a pickup. It's a 60 gallon upright.
 

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RedFalcon

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I'll have to try and get a picture of my dad's the next time that I am out to visit. His is not nearly as cool as the one that you found Ryan but still is pretty cool. I want to say that it's dated somewhere around the mid 40's.

Blake
 
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4t64rd

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My dad has one that looks like a vacuum cleaner... green Hammerite-style paint... Not sure of the brand, but it's got a chrome horizontal die cast "grill" at one end, like a car and the whole thing is covered. Just about useless except for short bursts to blow off sawdust... I'll get some pics tomorrow.
 
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bdk1976

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This is a timely post as I just picked up the same/similar compressor last week at a garage sale, although mine doesn't have blue and red paint. I didn't really need another compressor, but couldn't pass it up as I hadn't seen one like it before and really liked the design.
 
J

jonfredrik

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Love those old ones, good finding!
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</embed></object>
 
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rustyjames

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Ryan said:
comp.jpg


I found this little table top compressor while browsing the net the other day and fell in love. It's a Crafstman (Sears Roebuck) job sold in 1939. While it's uses may be lim...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
Click to expand...

Ihave one those pumps (no motor/tank). I always figured it was a compressor pump but never knew it was Craftsmen. Thanks for posting it!
 
J

JimVonBaden

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dwp99 said:
My compressor is from 1948, it's a Curtis 3hp. I found it in the classified ads of the local news paper in 1986. A friend and I went to look at it and I bought it on the spot, I think I paid $200.00. We had to remove the motor and the compressor from the tank just to load it into the back of a pickup. It's a 60 gallon upright.
Click to expand...

You would need a huge table for that one.

Jim :cool:
 
G

Gunpilot

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Not a Table Top, but I recently picked up a Dayton twin cylinder salvaged from an old (1930's) gas station. It was slightly damaged in the demolition of the building so I need some parts, but hopefully someday it'll run again. Love these vintage pieces.
 
J

Jarhead0408

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Who knows?
dwp99 said:
My compressor is from 1948, it's a Curtis 3hp. I found it in the classified ads of the local news paper in 1986. A friend and I went to look at it and I bought it on the spot, I think I paid $200.00. We had to remove the motor and the compressor from the tank just to load it into the back of a pickup. It's a 60 gallon upright.
Click to expand...

Make sure she's not rusted out on the inside!:scared:
 
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tommudd

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Buddy just gave this one to me today, runs, not a lot of pressure but it works!!
So its a Craftsman but no other markings except on the motor
Anyone have any ideas on the year etc ???
Dang now i go look at the Craigslist ad and looks about the same
But still like to know a little more about it !
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jannejan

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Guess it's cool to have a vintage compressor, but it's far more power in the new ones on the market!
 
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tommudd

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Well yes the new ones have more power
but its like an old car/ old tools/ just the look and feel of them is so much better
This one i got today will be a "toy" sitting on the workbench
Still have the CO2 in the Jeep/ my upright in the corner
but an old one makes me smile :thumbup:
 
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mattmcginn

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I have the same one

Ryan said:
comp.jpg


I found this little table top compressor while browsing the net the other day and fell in love. It's a Crafstman (Sears Roebuck) job sold in 1939. While it's uses may be lim...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
Click to expand...

I believe its a "Sprayit" brand-but the same unit in every respect. I does have very cool styling and that is why I love it. It does not put out much air-but I do have two Kellogg 331's, a bigass Dayton and the daily 10hp

I also have a dinky little Craftsman unit-no tank just an electric motor driving a piston putting air out. Great for filling kid pools, etc.
 
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Outlawmws

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Those small craftsman "table top" compressors are basically constant pressure spray paint compressors. They would have been sold under other brands, as rarely did Sears have an exclusive contract for power equipment, especially back then.

Tommud, the "Long C" logo was used from about 1933, though 1951, but had mostly stopped by 49. There are huge gaps in the power tools catalogs for compressors, but the earlier catalogs did list them pretty consistently until early 40's, so I suspect yours is post WWII.
 
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tommudd

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Outlawmws said:
Tommud, the "Long C" logo was used from about 1933, though 1951, but had mostly stopped by 49. There are huge gaps in the power tools catalogs for compressors, but the earlier catalogs did list them pretty consistently until early 40's, so I suspect yours is post WWII.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, much appreciated
 
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lrhredjb

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Those types of compressors are frequently referred to as "Buck Rogers" types. You younger members may have to Google that name.
 
K

KyWildkat

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I have a 1971 Gilbarco with a Quincy 2 stage compressor, GE 3HP 115/230 Volts, I've had it around 25 years, still runs like a clock...It was in a old truck repair garage close to my house (Valley Station, KY) before I got it...
 

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ct96ek

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Mine is on the wall. It works but I don't let it build pressure since the tank is a WWII bomber oxygen tank.

IMG_9021.jpg
 
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356vintage

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I've just purchased a compressor like Ryan's. Posting photos later of it's condition and future restoration.
Ryan, do you believe the original colors were blue and red?

Rich
 
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MoparTrucks

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I found this one in the barn, its marked Speedy on it and I think its an old Wards unit but I have no idea of the age of it. I plan on restoring it because its a V-Twin and kind of cool looking. Anyone have any info on it?

2zxtlyq.jpg
 
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deuces2

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I have one of these old jewels at my get away cabin on the Ohio River,comes in handy for keeping the riding mower tires up
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TireTracks

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I'll have to take a Pic, My grandpa had a compressor like these, but made out of a Refer compressor and a 1/3hp Motor. no tank, just straight to a hose.
 
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ruen999

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ky wildcat, could you send some close up pictures of the gilbarco pump? i'm rebuilding a two stage of unknown origin that looks alot like that one. the only identifying feature is a plate that says model 308. it is mounted on a 40 gallon horizontal talk made in 1941.

is the motor wired 110 or 220. any information you or anyone has on these two stage pumps would be appreciated especially valve rebuild as i am somewhat fearful of digging into the valves without knowing the exact model or the exact how to. btw, these old school compressors are kind of addictive if you know what i mean. thanks
 
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miatakid

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I just bought one for $26 off ebay. I'm in the middle of restoring it. the pump is missing the name plate dose anybody know where i can get one or have one made??
 

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