Air Compressor issues

[gm280]

Recently I've noticed that is seems my shop air compressor is taking a lot longer to pump up. Even small pneumatic air tools that use to run with few cycling, is now making the compressor run constantly. And the tools are not running with any real power as well. So I was thinking what could be the reason. And after realizing that compressor is now 21 years old and that makes it basically worn out.

My youngest adult son suggested that maybe the reeds are not closing properly and that makes it harder to pressurize. So I decided to search for rebuild kits. And of course there is no such kit being the age I am assuming. Has anybody ever rebuilt an air compressor before, just wondering? I know it is soon time to replace it. But I want a very large totally capable setup that will run any possible air tool I can use and install outside the shop in the back. But I still want it installed and bolted down on a concrete floor and enclosed out of the weather. And since I haven't even begun to make such an area, that will take much time.

Any air compressor rebuilders out there to offer ideas to help get by until I can get the area ready for a new system?

 

[Limited-Time]

I have "rebuilt" several reed type compressor heads. That is if you want to call replacing the reed sets and gaskets rebuilding them. That said the last compressor "rebuild" I did consisted of replacing the entire compressor pump with a replacement unit from Granger. If the rest of the system is serviceable that may be the best option.

 

[mla2ofus]

Don't know what CFM your old compressor is, but for something to get you by HF sells 3 and 5 HP pumps very reasonably. I replaced my 25 yr old craftsman pump about a yr ago w/ the 3 HP and it is working fine so far. You say want to be able to use any air tool. There are some real air hogs out there such as DA sanders, die grinders and sand blasters, so you need to find the CFM requirements of whichever you plan to use.
Mike

 

[rbh]

Before you buy a new one did you check the air filter and oil level?
Anyplace you can plumb in a compression gauge and check the cylinders?

And your tank is not half full of water?

 

[gm280]

Don't know what CFM your old compressor is, but for something to get you by HF sells 3 and 5 HP pumps very reasonably. I replaced my 25 yr old craftsman pump about a yr ago w/ the 3 HP and it is working fine so far. You say want to be able to use any air tool. There are some real air hogs out there such as DA sanders, die grinders and sand blasters, so you need to find the CFM requirements of whichever you plan to use.
Mike

Fortunately, or unfortunately, however you look at it, I do have die grinders, sand blaster, DA sanders and such. And that is what I am talking about buying a replacement to run everyone of those air tools without issue. Presently I couldn't run my IR DA sander...ever with this compressor. It would run out of breathe and quickly as well. But the various die grinders I have did pretty well. But it seem they are taxing the compressor now. It is a Campbell Hausfeld 4.5HP, yea right running on 120VAC, and while it does (did) a pretty good job for years, it is tired now. A new one will come, one day! :smile:

 

[dannys2004glastron175mx]

I use a lot of air in my shop . I have a 2 stage 5 hp industrial compresser 220 volt . I wouldn't want anything smaller .

 

[gm280]

I use a lot of air in my shop . I have a 2 stage 5 hp industrial compresser 220 volt . I wouldn't want anything smaller .

Yea that is kind of what I am looking at as well. There are times air tools work better then electric models. The only draw back is the water issues. But proper moisture traps help a lot.

 

[MTboatguy]

Water trap in the lines and auto self drainer on the tank and you are pretty good to go on the problem of water, I have now installed both on my set up and they work great, I manually oil my tools every couple of uses so I don't have to worry about oil in any of my lines. Also, I agree, I would not go back to a 110v compressor, they just don't have the capacity to run the tools I need quite often. Rebuilding the pump is not a tough job, but if you want more capacity it is best to upgrade to a new 220v and bite the bullet, your tools and your patience will reward you.

 

[bruceb58]

Is this the same compressor that you waited until the tank was 1/2 full of water before you drained it? If so, buy a new compressor and drain the tank every time you use it or get an automatic drain system installed like Mtboatguy said.

This is my next compressor. Made in USA. Tired of cheap Chinese crap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350957022906...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[MTboatguy]

Hey Bruce, that is the same model that I have, mine is a few years older, but it is basically the same and I have done the updates to what they offer now. Mine has a bigger tank, which it seems they have stopped using any bigger than 60 on most of their models these days.

Again, the self drainer from HF is well worth the money, this has been the first year I have actually been able to use my compressor during the winter without any water residue freezing up.

 

[bruceb58]

I did a lot of research and have read nothing but good things about it.

 

[Limited-Time]

I've been running this model speed air for more years than I care to admit, 25 plus. In fact when I purchased it the cost was below $1300.00 dollars. It's always been a home shop type application so the work load was never constant. It did power DA sanders,die grinders,flat boards,a large cabinet sand blaster along with your standard pneumatic wrenches and drills. Most of the time it was over kill, but when needed its worth having.

 

[MTboatguy]

LT, speed air and champion come out of the same factory, they are great compressors.

 

[ondarvr]

And don't fall for the HP ratings listed for any compressor, to put it simply, they lie extensively about them. On your current compressor there is no possible way to get 4.5 HP on a 110 circuit.

Only look at the CFM output at the pressures you need for the tools you use. They may lie some about those, but they are much closer than the listed HP ratings.

 

[Limited-Time]

LT, speed air and champion come out of the same factory, they are great compressors.

MT, seems I heard that before. When I bought mine the home compressor market did not exist. You could not walk into a retail store and buy a 5HP 220 Volt 2 Stage 80 gallon compressor. Though they both come out of the same manufacture I doubt they have the same duty cycle rating . That said It would be hard to wear out either using them in a home shop application.

 

[bruceb58]

MT, seems I heard that before. When I bought mine the home compressor market did not exist. You could not walk into a retail store and buy a 5HP 220 Volt 2 Stage 80 gallon compressor. Though they both come out of the same manufacture I doubt they have the same duty cycle rating . That said It would be hard to wear out either using them in a home shop application.

The Champion compressor that I posted is an industrial, auto shop compressor according to the Champion website. They have other models that are more for home use.

 

[MTboatguy]

Mine came out of a commercial environment, it is not a home shop compressor, I had to do a lot of new wiring to make that thing work, the steel storage tank is thicker and the compressor motor is quite heavy duty, if anyone has ever heard of pepper or bear spray, this is the compressor that worked in the Counter Assault factory for about 5 years, it is heavy duty.

 

[sphelps]

I just bought one of these big obnoxious looking compressors .. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maxair-C518...hash=item48894119c1:m:mqSPr-gfWXiao3dURwfwX8Q
I have not hooked it up yet so the jury is still out how well it performs .. Hopefully ok ...

 

[gm280]

I just bought one of these big obnoxious looking compressors .. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maxair-C518...hash=item48894119c1:m:mqSPr-gfWXiao3dURwfwX8Q
I have not hooked it up yet so the jury is still out how well it performs .. Hopefully ok ...

Yea Sam I do remember you just bought one. I have the want, but not the place yet to set a nice one up. But I will work towards that soon hopefully.

 

[rbh]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VR7F-8-7-5-...913858?hash=item2eebd226c2:g:dVEAAOxy7odR0y~m
This is almost identical to the one we got used from where my wife worked for $100.00, the unit would not build up pressure or very little.
We got it home and the air filter and the whole housing was plugged up with fine sawdust from the planer room where it was kept as well the tank was 2/3 full of water.
Cleaned it up and it runs like a top, sometimes it is the little things people overlook that make for great deals.