Bristol marque old compressor

[GRW]

I came across a local ad for a clearly pretty old, hefty green Bristol pulley/belt drive compressor (no details but pic suggests 100 litre?).
Is that a good make (think it's Bristol USA not Bristol UK)?
(I know very little about compressors beyond a motor drives a piston pump to put air into a Reciever - I.e. the basic principle not depth).
I can see that a pump can get worn piston/rings and that the drive engine/motor can fail... but presumably some decent older machines can be serviced/repaired, while I suspect cheaper ones not so much?

This one is stated as fully working (though working doesn't necessarily mean working well).

Anyone know anything about these old compressors?

 

[GraemeVW]

Looks nice. Single cylinder, looks like it may have plate valves (or whatever they are called, discs and springs) like my old broomwade. If so, as long as any pitting isn't terrible, you can sand them smooth again.
Other than the pump valves, the piston/rings/bore/big end/small end/main bearings are pretty much the only other possible issues. Listen to it, see if it knocks.
Looks to be well looked after.

Big receiver so I guess then pull puts out more than it immediately looks like it should.

The pressure switch, check valves pressure valve and unloader valve can all be changed and updated if need be.

If it's cheap enough it would be fun to play with and probably still very useful.

If the receiver is ok.
It's probably very thick though.

I don't know enough about compressors to recognise the maker though, but looks pretty decent to me.

 

[frank horton]

start it up from empty....see how long it takes to fill up......
looked after ur grand childeren would inheritit.....

 

[GRW]

start it up from empty....see how long it takes to fill up......
looked after ur grand childeren would inheritit.....

Good advice.... though I've no idea how long it's supposed to take to fill!
Something that size though I thought should take a while, but should have a lot more cfm to run air tools etc.
My little Clarke 2hp 50Litre (alleged) 7cfm is great for tyres, and a blow gun, but can't keep up with anything hungrier.

 

[MoreWellie]

and it is going to be HEAVY

I have something different make but similar size that probably weighs at least 80Kg maybe more

Edit: this probably also won't keep up with hungry tools but it will be quieter and keep running for longer periods without worrying about it

 

[GRW]

and it is going to be HEAVY

I have something different make but similar size that probably weighs at least 80Kg maybe more

Edit: this probably also won't keep up with hungry tools but it will be quieter and keep running for longer periods without worrying about it

Thanks for the info .
You think this won't have the capacity to run tools either?
Is it because it's only 1 pump unit or something?
(With a bigger receiver I thought it might cope with stuff like
- die grinder
- 1/2" rattle gun
- shutz gun
-small air ratchet
-air grease gun
- maybe even small spray gun
- small shot blast cab maybe?

 

[Cobbler]

With a die grinder, I think you will have to stop & let it catch up periodically, the rattle gun will be fine as you only use it for a few seconds each time, the air ratchet, maybe, they are surprisingly air hungry, or mine is, air grease gun, I’ve never used one, but I think ok & ok as well with a small spray gun & Shutz gun. The shot blast cabinet, no chance.

As an aside, the air ratchet is the most useless tool I’ve got, had it some years, tried it out, by the time you’ve set it up, farted about with the airline & all, you could have got the bolts out with a socket, so never use it! Others might have a different opinion, but that’s what I found.

 

[GRW]

With a die grinder, I think you will have to stop & let it catch up periodically, the rattle gun will be fine as you only use it for a few seconds each time, the air ratchet, maybe, they are surprisingly air hungry, or mine is, air grease gun, I’ve never used one, but I think ok & ok as well with a small spray gun & Shutz gun. The shot blast cabinet, no chance.

As an aside, the air ratchet is the most useless tool I’ve got, had it some years, tried it out, by the time you’ve set it up, farted about with the airline & all, you could have got the bolts out with a socket, so never use it! Others might have a different opinion, but that’s what I found.

I agree ref the air ratchet... the only thing I think it can be handy for is on one of those awkward sodding places where you've no room to move the handle to undo a bolt.
In that scenario one might (might) be just what you need?

 

[Cobbler]

One thing to remember with air tools, most are rated for 25% usage, so if a tool rated consumption is 4cfm, when running is 16cfm. This is fine for some tools, rattle gun, even a Shutz gun as you tend to run-stop-run sort of thing, but for a die grinder or sander you tend to run it a long periods. It’s very easy to get caught out with this. It does look a useful compressor though, I’d like it in my shed!

 

[GRW]

One thing to remember with air tools, most are rated for 25% usage, so if a tool rated consumption is 4cfm, when running is 16cfm. This is fine for some tools, rattle gun, even a Shutz gun as you tend to run-stop-run sort of thing, but for a die grinder or sander you tend to run it a long periods. It’s very easy to get caught out with this. It does look a useful compressor though, I’d like it in my shed!

Trying to get to see it. Guy says it's 1ph and working, and happy to show it working.
Any ideas what it might be worth?
(I've no idea what size receiver in litres or pressure it's meant to do btw)

 

[eddie49]

Made by Bristol Pneumatic Tools Ltd, UK.
Similar to this one:

Cotiemme Engined Bristol Pneumatics Air Compressor Vintage Engine | eBay

<p>Cotiemme Engined Bristol Pneumatics Air Compressor Vintage. </p><br /><p>Think someone has put this together rather than it being factory built. Engine runs well, has to be pull started with a rope as original pull start is missing. Bristol compressor is missing pipe work. Good project or...

www.ebay.co.uk

The word "Duplex" and the finned transfer pipe implies that it is a 2-cylinder or 2-stage pump?

 

[eddie49]

The finned pipe joins a low port on the left with a high port on the right. This can also be seen on the petrol-engined version on eBay. The outlet to the tank is from a low port on the right. I don't know what goes on inside the cylinder. Maybe this book would tell us:

Item no longer available

The item you are looking for is no longer available. <br/>

www.abebooks.co.uk

 

[GRW]

Interesting stuff guys. I wish I knew what it all meant in simple (me) terms
I don't know what a 2-stage or duplex pump is or how it works.... but 2 or duplex is "double" therefore "good" yes?
I like old, well-made stuff, so I fancy the thing anyway - but I'd like to think it's something I could look after and keep operational and use (not that it'd get a hard life with me mind).

I tend to think an oldie but goodie has a good chance of being better than a new (say) Clarke 150L, 10-Bar, 14cfm made in China job with a very cheap electric motor (which is nigh on £600 inc. Vat)?

 

[GRW]

Made by Bristol Pneumatic Tools Ltd, UK.
Similar to this one:

Cotiemme Engined Bristol Pneumatics Air Compressor Vintage Engine | eBay

<p>Cotiemme Engined Bristol Pneumatics Air Compressor Vintage. </p><br /><p>Think someone has put this together rather than it being factory built. Engine runs well, has to be pull started with a rope as original pull start is missing. Bristol compressor is missing pipe work. Good project or...

www.ebay.co.uk

The word "Duplex" and the finned transfer pipe implies that it is a 2-cylinder or 2-stage pump?

Yep, the air pump looks like the same design, and yes I can see the beginning of the "Duplex" embossed on the pump crankcase (wonder what oil goes in it - regular compressor oil or summat else?).

The pics tho suggest this one is a much bigger Reciever than the one you found with the leccy motor replaced with an ICE.

I guess the important bits are the pump & Reciever? There's not a lot of hope for Rings and parts for a pump this old I'd imagine, while the leccy motor can be replaced if needs be.

Still fancy it. Not a Scooby Doo what one is really worth.... but its probably worth a bit just in scrap weight

 

[MoreWellie]

The shot blast cabinet, no chance.

I run a small cabinet off of mine with a suction gun (small nozzle) and it copes although the motor runs continuously

I bought mine cos it look nice and I like old kit as well. Mine needed replumbing and wiring but that one looks to be in working condition, some of them were designed to run the motor continuously anyway

 

[GRW]

I run a small cabinet off of mine with a suction gun (small nozzle) and it copes although the motor runs continuously

I bought mine cos it look nice and I like old kit as well. Mine needed replumbing and wiring but that one looks to be in working condition, some of them were designed to run the motor continuously anyway

Thanks for info!
So, these are good kit then (in reasonable order, obvs)?

 

[Nick67GT]

Try these guys:

Central Compressor Consultants | Stroud

Central Compressor Consultants, Stroud, Gloucestershire. 54 likes · 4 were here. Experts in compressors and compressor systems with more than 325 years experience.

www.facebook.com

 

[Richard T]

I think I'd expect to pay anything between £75 and £150 depending on how keen they were to get rid of it ! They don't attract huge ranks of buyers because they're bigger and heavier and less portable than modern fast-revving machines, but those old compressors are lovely old things and way quieter. Best way to get an idea of value would be to look on eBay at 'completed listings' for - say - Broom Wade or Ingersoll Rand compressors (better-known brands), condition Used, price between £50 and £200, and find similar-sized ones.
You'll need two hefty blokes or an engine crane to load it though, or go with some spanners and dismantle it ! There's a reason they left it in place for the photos...

 

[GRW]

I think I'd expect to pay anything between £75 and £150 depending on how keen they were to get rid of it ! They don't attract huge ranks of buyers because they're bigger and heavier and less portable than modern fast-revving machines, but those old compressors are lovely old things and way quieter. Best way to get an idea of value would be to look on eBay at 'completed listings' for - say - Broom Wade or Ingersoll Rand compressors (better-known brands), condition Used, price between £50 and £200, and find similar-sized ones.
You'll need two hefty blokes or an engine crane to load it though, or go with some spanners and dismantle it ! There's a reason they left it in place for the photos...

Well... I'm one reasonable size, reasonably strong bloke..... the seller might be up to it - you can do a lot with a couple of scaffold planks and a bit of brain and a good heave or 3

 

[Mikes]

There's something strangely satisfying about an old slow revving compressor when compared to the modern ones. I use one at a relatives yard for doing tractor tyres etc and it probably came out of the Arc but does the job - just takes a little longer. Don't think it will ever wear-out.