August 25, 201312 yr I know there are diehard Craftsman fans out there. But I signed them off years ago when I started seeing that their brand product was the exact same as many you would see at Harbor Freight, or with other low makers brands marks on them. All the same tools, just different colors for the reseller. Well I needed an air compressor really bad last year, my Husky tanked, I went a few weeks without, and then Sears had a sale on a 26 gallon vertical compressor for 265 bucks plus tax. I decided to give em a try. So I did, that was last February of 2012 18 months ago. I did not get the extended warranty, I never do with items. This one just took a dump on me, it won't go on, I flip the switch and it's dead. I went into Sears today and they basically told me I am out of luck. It's past the manufactures warranty. I'd have to buy a new one or get this one repaired. I'll never buy another Crapsman again now (sorry Craftsman owners, if you've had good luck with yours, I am happy for ya) but I should have listened to my gut when I bought it. But I did not, and when we do not listen to our gut, it usually turns around and bites us in the butt. Ya I should have bought the extended warranty, but wouldn't you expect a compressor to last longer then 18 months? This could have probably happened to other brands as well, their lemons in everything out there, but I bet my odds would have been better if I just saved up a little longer and bought an Ingersoll Rand Made in the USA belt drive quite compressor. Craftsman, never again, I am really peeved right now. I am in the middle of a paid project that requires air, and I got none. And I won't have any for a long time. We'll just have to make due. Rant is over, time to turn the day back over to GOD and enjoy his gift of life now, in this moment. But I'm still peeved! LOL John Morris The Patriot Woodworker
August 25, 201312 yr Author Well, the Ingersoll is almost Made in the USA!!!! No they are not made in the USA. Emerson motors are made in Mexico, compressor pumps are made in India, air tank made in USA, pressure switch made in USA, and on the portable units with a regulator that is made in Mexico. They are assembled in the USA. Time to do a little research for a fine compressor. John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 26, 201312 yr IR makes some good compressors.If you are in need of a compressor for a short period to get your job completed, you can use mine. I am not in need of using any pneumatic tools for the time being, so not a problem for me. I can do the blowing out of the saw dust in my shop with my shop-vac for the time being. Just let me know.Allen WorshamCorona, CAallenworsham@earthlink.net'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk.' J. Vernon McGee“Our greatest fear should not be that we won’t succeed, but that we will succeed at something that doesn’t matter.†D.L. Moody
August 26, 201312 yr Have to agree with your assessment Craftsman power equipment. I used to have an Emglo Jenny compressor (for an underwater business). That thing was a real workhorse. Also had a Bauer Compressor- but that was high pressure stuff. I don't think you can go wrong with an Ingersoll Rand. Lew Kauffman-Wood Turners Forum HostTime Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!
August 26, 201312 yr IR is a good one but here's a plug for Campbell Hausfield. I've had an 80 gal, 7hp for over 20 years and it has served me well.They cost a bit less than the IR, too.Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
August 26, 201312 yr John, My little Crapsman pancake compressor is still hanging in there after 15+ years. I bought it when Sears had them on sale for $99.99. I'm not sure who actually made it. Â Larry Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host
August 26, 201312 yr What with all the regulations rules laws and taxation - - - is it even remotely possible to manufacture anything here AND still have enough room left to price the things made competitively?Germany seems to be able to do it. But look at what they make: Mercedes, BMW, Felder, Format, Hammer, Metabo, Festertool on and on goes the list of superb German engineering and manufacturing houses.Once long ago the label "Made in the USA" meant that whatever it was, it was the best in the world.Now we are lucky to assemble the things made elsewhere because making them is dirty hazardous business unless you are making things the most modern way in the best facilities and - - of course - - charging an arm and a leg for them.
August 26, 201312 yr Author Well guys, I am sheepishly returning to the scene of the crime, and I must say, last night I went out to the shop and for kicks and giggles I flipped with switch on the compressor and it went on. The day it went out it did not come back on all day, so I figured it was busted. The only thing I can think of is perhaps it got too hot and shut down? I was spraying with it, so it was cycling on and off pretty regularly with out much break in between cycles. I don't know. But it works now, and I am happy. I'll let ya'll know if it shuts down again during my next use in a couple days. When I first got it, it never shut down, it worked fine. It is rated for spray equipment though. John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 26, 201312 yr Author I am not sure Larry, I'll have to pull up the manual. Larry Buskirk said: John, Does the motor have a thermal overload on it? Â John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 26, 201312 yr Author Larry I just googled key words Craftsman 26 gal air compressor thermal overload and it appears it does.Larry Buskirk said: John, Does the motor have a thermal overload on it? Â John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 26, 201312 yr John,It probably had to cool down, we're in the 90's here for a few days with dewpoints in the mid to upper 60's. Larry
August 26, 201312 yr Author Just for kicks, here is a list of Air Compressors Made in America Go to http://usamadeproducts.biz/air-compressors.html John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 26, 201312 yr Author It was pretty hot here to Larry, I'll have to back up to the top here and recant my original rant. That thermal overload most likely saved my butt! It would have fried without it right!Larry Buskirk said: John, It probably had to cool down, we're in the 90's here for a few days with dewpoints in the mid to upper 60's. Â Larry John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 26, 201312 yr John,It would have let out the magic smoke.When the air temps are high it takes longer for anything to cool down. Larry
August 26, 201312 yr Author OK, hat in hand, I'll revise the above rant tonight when I get home folks. Sorry Craftsman!Larry Buskirk said: John, It would have let out the magic smoke. When the air temps are high it takes longer for anything to cool down. Â Larry John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 26, 201312 yr John, It's still Crapsman. Most of the tools are now from overseas.John Morris said: OK, hat in hand, I'll revise the above rant tonight when I get home folks. Sorry Craftsman!Larry Buskirk said: John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
August 26, 201312 yr  Immerse the motor in a vat of chilled mineral oil when you are running it like that.Crapsman motors are super low efficiency motors generating more heat than power. They are worse than Grizzly motors and that's saying sumpin'.Compressor duty motors have to be built to come on under full load. That takes a whale of a surge in power. That generates a lot of heat.Every time you cycle one, it's got to overcome all the still inertia in the whole system. It'd probably be better to rig your lines with a little needle valve like a little leak to keep the motor running constantly.
August 27, 201312 yr Had one do the same thing. Let it sit for about 1 hour and all of a sudden we heard a small pop. Thermal circuit breaker on the motor had kicked back on and it started up. With all the heat going on "down" here you might try having a fan blow on it.Harry BrinkBulldog WoodworkingMontana
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