My First Compressor - Help with Vintage and General Advice

[TheMG]

Hi there,
I recently put my back out, getting this gorgeous bit of industrial loveliness out of the boot of my Paceman, but was it worth it?! No details on it, apart from the motor, which doesn’t really help, I think?

We’ve just got ourselves a newish truck and my plan was to underseal it, using a spray gun - And always of the mind that old stuff is better than cheap new stuff, went for this. As I have done the same with a DeVilbiss spraygun, which requires a specific type of nipple, I have not managed to test it yet. It runs quiet, I would say and holds pressure, but that’s all I can say. Owned for 40 years, used rarely and for better or worse, hardly touched (read: serviced!)

Would anyone know anything about it, out of interest?
Any advice on tidying it up/servicing?
Do I need to add/remove/change any bits?
Should I throw it away?!
Will it blow up in my face?!

It really is tremendously heavy, especially after watching a couple of videos on emptying the tank, with folks rolling similar sized machines around almost single handedly.

All advice and comments appreciated…thanks for looking!

 

[chrismac]

Hi, I am sure someone with more knowledge then me will assist you, it possibly might seem a small motor for the compressor to be of any great output (cfm) I notice the pulley wheel has been welded, also interesting so see what peoples thoughts are on this as in the stationary engine scene thats a big no, due to the fact it could break up at any point, I look forward to see how you progress with it and hope its of some use to you.
Chris

 

[Barking Mat]

Do you have any small children ? Is my first thoughts.

Nice period machine.

Amazing lack of ....

 

[bricol]

Drive pulley hasn't been welded. It's a cast multi-groove pulley that has had "spare" grooves broken off for some reason. Vdriven pulley won't exactly be breaking the sound barrier, so if it runs true, Id say it was fine.

As to output of the compressor, no idea. If it rocks either side of tdc without clanking and rotates smoothly, should be good.

 

[Dragnet]

As someone with an equally ancient compressor in bits on the 'round tuit' pile I think it looks great! If it holds pressure then it's off to a good start. Is there an oil sight glass anywhere? It looks as though the brassy plug on the compressor shaft says 'OIL', so checking that level would be my first investigation. Does it have an unloader to release the pressure so that the pump doesn't have to start against air pressure in the tank already? I can't see the full route of the pipework. On the other, newer (1980s) compressor I have got working, the problems were: defunct start/run capacitors; worn out pastille in the non-return valve; faulty contactor/pressure switch; welded centrifugal motor switch, a dodgy compressor gasket and a few leaky joints. Gaskets are straightforward as they can be cut from a sheet as it's unlikely any spares would be available!

You could knock all around the bottom with a hammer and see if the tone changes. If it's had water sitting in it and is significantly rusty, it'll sound different as you tap above and below the 'tide mark' inside. If you have a borescope or inspection camera you could look inside to get a sense of the rustiness.

Perished wiring needs checking for too, along with the earthing. As they are so jolly heavy, I've put some pneumatic wheels on mine so it can be steered about when the floor isn't smooth.

 

[Seadog]

Hi, I am sure someone with more knowledge then me will assist you, it possibly might seem a small motor for the compressor to be of any great output (cfm) I notice the pulley wheel has been welded, also interesting so see what peoples thoughts are on this as in the stationary engine scene thats a big no, due to the fact it could break up at any point, I look forward to see how you progress with it and hope its of some use to you.
Chris

The pulley has had sheave broken off.

 

[Seadog]

There should either be a plate on the receiver, or some stamping indicating date of manufacture, test pressure and rated working pressure. If it's old enough the tank will be of heavy construction and pretty much bullet-proof. I run a 1969 Ingersoll Rand, but another member has a much older one.

 

[winchman]

The Driven Pully ( on on compressor) has been welded, for that reason alone I wouldn't like to use it. I think the feet welded to the tank are also a bit dubious.
As above re tank but I suspect the tank will have some corrosion and unless you can do thickness testing to prove otherwise its a difficult call.
Assuming the motor is original Higgs motors moved from Witton to Bristol around 1962 so the motors at least 62 years old, nothing wrong as long as it works but its the unknown condition of the receiver and the repaired pull that would put me off

 

[Seadog]

The receiver is likely to be at least 1/4" thick if that age.
It should still be hydrostatically tested, though.

The pulley has not been welded. Look closer.

 

[Dcal]

My brother has a similar compressor, lovely old thing.

It hasn't a lot of CFM but it's very quiet and perfect for blowing up the odd wheel or for a small bit of spraying with a mini gun.
It won't feed a full sized spray gun.
If you have a clamp meter, see what current it draws, which will give you a good idea as to the condition of the rings and valves. If it pulls 7amps it's in good shape (unless the motor is flubbered)

 

[carbon]

What version of devilbiss spraygun are you planning to use with this. As above it’s probably only suitable to use with a mini gun.

 

[GRW]

I've got a 1972 Ingersoll Rand IR30 150L compressor, with a 2kw 1ph motor (it was in the distant past a 3ph unit) and a twin-cyl compressor pump.
Nice old thing, pretty quiet in operation and builds to about 135psi. I belive it's meany to be rated at 9.2cfm, but whatever, it's doubtful it has the shove to work a big spray gun, ugga dugga or other air hungry tool.

 

[GRW]

What version of devilbiss spraygun are you planning to use with this. As above it’s probably only suitable to use with a mini gun.

As one who knows nothing worth mentioning about paint spraying.... what is a mini gun please?
(in case I ever get the time and chance to attempt spray painting with some easy, numpty-friendly paint)

 

[bourbon]

Mini gun. Commonly known as a 'touch up' gun. Used for, well, touching up blemishes in paintwork. You won't be spraying a full car with it, that's for sure. Compressor is a single piston, so the CFM isn't going to be great, 7-9cfm at most, Which has been said before, isn't enough to run a full size gun or any 'air hungry' tools

 

[TheMG]

Wow! Thank you so much for your input, everyone! Some interesting, if slightly conflicting views Apologies for pics, but having got it into the cupboard, my back really has given up. Some responses…

The pulley on the motor does indeed seem to have had the other sections removed, rather being welded. It runs true.

It does have a stoppy thing (the black box?) for when pressure is reached and pressure can be altered using the screw on the side. Tested and working.

It has a valve of some sort before the pressure gauge, the pin of which pops out/can be pulled out, to release pressure.

The potential lack of spray power is disapsappointing, although the chap said he had done some spraying with it - would anyone have a particular recommendation, please? I have a JGA 54 5 I was hoping to try.

Many, many thanks for the raft of info, folks! Feel free to add more

 

[brightspark]

W

The potential lack of spray power is disapsappointing, although the chap said he had done some spraying with it - would anyone have a particular recommendation, please? I have a JGA 54 5 I was hoping to try.

Many, many thanks for the raft of info, folks! Feel free to add more

if you have the spray gun allready fill the comp tank with air. set the output pressure for spray gun round the 50 psi mark and fill it with water , spray away till the pressure drops and you will see if its suitable to run it without wasting paint and money

 

[bourbon]

Oh and welcome to the forum

 

[TheMG]

Thanks! Will get on that at the weekend. However, you say, ‘set the output pressure’…?!

 

[TheMG]

Oh, so my dreams of a flying pit stop change of winter tyres, using my £5 bargain, nice condition, bluepoint wrench, are not to be realised…? I mean, are we talking spraying/wrenching a bit, waiting and going again, or just simply not doing anything?

Will try and get the back moving for the weekend and post back with pics and an update.

And I’ve called a couple places about service/testing, but got nowhere. Do I need to get it hydro-tested? Who might do this?

What lovely bunch you are! Thanks once again.

 

[Seadog]

If you can find a Ridgid plumber's test pump, or similar, you can do it yourself.

Pardon our interruption...