is this worth keeping

[baldylocks]

hello all
ive gained this compressor all i know is its a 19.5 ltr tank 10bar its got 3 water traps 2 drying towers its 110v motor says 18amp 2700rpm min, and its seems to be german.

im going to be getting a plasma cutter in next few weeks so this compressor will be used till i can afford a better one.

your help/info would be a bonus or should i just take it to bits and store it in blue crates ive got lots of stuff stored in blue crates


thanks baldylocks

 

[tigler]

The compressor is a high quality unit, well worth keeping and using. Coincidentally I have one exactly the same but 240 volt.

 

[baldylocks]

thanks for the speedy reply tigler
ive noticed the pump gets rather hot is this the norm?
also are gasket/seal kits available?
would this compressor be able to fill and supply enough air for a plasma cutter ?
what do you use yours for and is it worth removing the dryer function.

sorry for the many questions......

baldylocks

 

[troppo]

G`day Baldy
From the look of it i think that might have originally have been meant as a sweet air supply for an air fed hood for spraying or snadblasting. Theres too manyseperators and dryers to be an average compressor.
Cheers
Troppo

 

[tigler]

The only cooling is by convection and whatever finds it's way from the motor fan, so it will run quite hot. Mine is literally just the compressor unit, no receiver or other attachments.
They were mainly intended for compressed air supply on things like CNC's etc. Not sure of the CFM but I estimate about 3 or 4 at around 6-7 bar.

 

[baldylocks]

howdo troppo, i was wondering if the dry air was for that or filling bottles my local compressor place thaught it may have been used for medical purposes,

tigler thanks for the further info im keeping my fingers crossed it can keep up with the plasma cutter im getting ready to buy,

ive removed the electric supply to the drying towers as im a yorkshireman...

one more question what oil should i use for it as whats in looks old and i want to keep it running now i know its worth the floor space..

thanks again to you both
baldylocks

 

[tigler]

Use an SAE20 compressor oil, personally I always use Morris Air Force 4000 ISO VG 68, the 68 refers to the viscosity, ISO 68 = SAE 20. SAE 20 is ideal for the majority of piston compressors in a non tropical environment.

 

[baldylocks]

thanks for that tigler will sort some out asap as usual machine mart only do sae30/40 and the compressor place do iso 46 so will hit google for some answers and then do some ringin round


baldylocks

 

[MattF]

SAE 20 is ideal for the majority of piston compressors in a non tropical environment.

Is SAE 30 a gnats on the thick side then, or are some compressor heads quite happy using either?

 

[bigtip]

couldn't comment on the oil but maybe worth keeping the drying function if you're going to use it for plasma cutting.

 

[tigler]

Piston compressors of 5hp and under tend to be splash lubricated, so if too high a viscosity is used circulation can be reduced. Also, oil operating temperature tends to be quite low so a higher viscosity is not required and reduces circulation anyway.

 

[MattF]

Cheers. Always been curious about compressor oils. There seems to be so much variation in recommendations and such as to what type & viscosity to use. Apologies for sidetracking the thread somewhat, btw.

 

[tigler]

No worries. Apart from viscosity compressors need different lubrication properties to engines, which is why it is advisable to use a purpose made compressor oil. The problem has always been availability. Compressor lubes are generally only available at industrial stockists, so engine oils tend to be used instead.

 

[MattF]

That would explain why there seems to be so much variation in opinions. Thanks for clarifying that subject. I've come across so much conflicting info in the past that I was never sure what was correct and what wasn't. Cheers.

 

[baldylocks]

mattf, thanks for saving me that question i had been wondering all afternoon why so many choices for oil.
and could i risk car oil...but i would have to buy that,
so may aswell buy the right stuff.
bigtip,
as for the dryer function ive only unplugged them
its got 3 water traps onboard plus ive got others,

thanks again to all
baldylocks