I have been looking for an accessory that ALL woodworking shops must have, a good air compressor. I have been using a Craftsman 33gal 2hp oil free 150psi chinese made thing for the past few years and regretted the purchase from the first time I plugged it in. It can actually be heard a block away. So, needless to say I knew at some time it needed to go.

I have been searching for the past few years for just the right deal. My main concern was an oil bath compressor head, minimum of 150 psi and at least 12scfm at 90 psi and a 60-80 gal capacity. I would prefer a vertical design as they take up less of the valuable and precious floorium, which we all seem to lack.

I had been watching one that was listed on the same online auction site where I bought the Delta planer and put in a low ball bid. I dont have a lot to spend and set my bid as high as I could go. I then set back and waited for the fireworks to end, smoke to clear and see what happens. I was out of town, with no internet available and had to wait until later to find out my fate. It was a really nice surprise when I opened my email and found I had won the compressor!!

The auction site did have a few pictures of the machine and it appeared to be in decent shape and they did state the motor was burnt. I figured that if I got the head and tank for under a $100 I could add a motor and be in business. The pictures were decent but then again so were the planer pics and we all know where that machine is, needing about $500 in parts.

I have not had much time nor success in being able to find much info on the compressor. It is a 60gal horizontal 2 stage design with a 115/230V single phase motor that is "burnt". It is a Speedaire brand distributed by Grainger. I have contacted Grainger and they were able to pull up a parts diagram but no other info was available. BUmmer.

To make a long story even longer, the auction was in Tracy, CA, which is about 4 hours north of me. After winning I called and asked for a pick up time and date and was informed " in a couple of weeks will be fine." A few days later the auction company called and asked when I would be getting it outta there? Apparently the "office girl" did not have the authority to set that type or length of time frame. So now I am scrambling. I only have a few days to go get it and I have get back to work. One of the draw back of working a 48 hours shift. So I called in a favor.

I have a friend who works and lives in the northern San Joaquin/Sacrament Valley area and asked if he would mind making a trip to Tracy. He gladly oblidged and the paperwork was emailed and the wheels were set in motion. Whew!

A couple of days later I get a call and he says its in his companies shop safe and sound. Cool

Now I just need to take some time and go get it. I get an email a few days later and he tells me the compressor is now in Bakersfield and only about 3 miles from the house, what? How? When?

He works for a very large sod grower and they had a delivery to a local golf course and he had them put the compressor on the truck and drop it off, what a guy.

I went over and the golf superintendent had a fork lift available and set it in the back of the truck for me. Its kinda nice having friends, more on the golf thing later.

So I get the machine home and give it a quick once over. I pulled the cover off the motor electricals to confirm wiring and its wired for 220V. Cool I have 220. What did I have to lose buy trying to run the motor even though the auction company said it was toast. I found an old Cutler Hammer mag starter that was wired single phase that I have for my jointer, which still isnt finished, wired it up and plugged her in. What did I have to lose? Either the motor would run, trip the breaker or nothing would happen. I flipped the breaker and voila the motor started right up. It ran for about a minute before shutting off. The overload heaters in the starter were too small and they tripped out. So, I removed the starter and wired without it and plugged it back in and once again flipped the breaker and it ran perfectly. It pumped to 120psi in about 3 minutes and then shut off.

It sat in the bed of the truck for next few days until I could get some help unloading, its about 300 lbs and awkward to lift. It now on the ground and I will get it cleaned up and painted. I plan on changing the pump oil, replacing the air filter on the pump head and new belts. I figure on about $30 in parts and paint. I should a compressor that will out live me if taken care of and best of all no more LOUD Crapsman.

Not a bad grab for $41.00!!

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My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist

Ken,

Not a bad grab at all.

 

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

You should have been wearing a mask when you picked that one up!!

Nice Score!!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!