Vintage Air Compressor - Broom & Wade Ltd

[Chris F]

Hello,

I'm new to this site and forum, but hoping its an active one.

I've recently acquired an old air compressor and hoping there is someone out there with knowledge as the internet seems to be lacking information on this one.

Its a Broom & Wade Ltd type VR20 air compressor, with a 6hp 3phase Brook Motors Limited electric motor. Looking at the motor tag, it looks to be from around 1957 and Broom & Wade Ltd appears to have stopped trading under such company name in 1968.

It is in full working order and we intend to use it once we have 3phase electric wired in.

The recommended oil is Shell Talpa Oil 20, which appears to have been common in the 50's and 60's and I wonder what an appropriate modern alternative could be? The previous owner is in his 70's and has used it for at least 40 years. Oil currently looks clean and at the correct level, but unsure as to what oil he used.

We're currently in the process of cleaning it up, (40 years+ of oil and grime).

Interested to know more about this old machine, mostly due to fascination, but also to ensure we can maintain it properly and what to look out for in order to keep it working properly for years to come.

Thank you,
Chris

 

[brightspark]

clean the air filter check the belts and change the oil and make sure the tanks drained of any water that's all that is needed

 

[Seadog]

I don't think that the date on the motor is a reliable way to date the compressor. The receiver should be stamped with its date of manufacture and test, design and rated operating pressures.

Welcome to a very active forum. I'm rebuilding an Ingersoll-Rand from 1969. There is a thread about the rebuild on here.

 

[Chris F]

Thank you for the replies! Currently cleaning thick oil and grime off it at the moment, will keep an eye out for a date stamp.

I am almost entirely clueless with this, but whilst I've located and checked the oil dipstick, I'm not sure about how to drain and replace the oil, (when the time comes). Could it be this part, circled red?

I've heard of Ingersol-Rand through google searching this B&W. That sounds ace! I'll be sure to have a look at your thread.
I'm also in the process of rebuilding a Mk2, late 40's/early 50's (I think) Kerry Engineering Super 8 pillar drill. I might do a thread on that if it might be of interest. I've included a couple of pics for reference!

Thanks again
Chris

 

[500e]

Think you will find the drain under the brass plate which says TALPA
If I remember Corena is a modern equivalent but was not Talpa a strait sae oil
Another link
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/broomwade-compressor-id-take-a-shot.72856/

Like the drill we love build photos her

 

[minimutly]

Ha, I used to have the exact same compressor, except I ran it on a single phase 2 hp, pulleyed down. It pulsed the mains so much my neighbour had an electrician out 'cos his lights flickered. Sadly I gave it away, with an upright receiver.
Memories...
Oh, welcome..

 

[Seadog]

Think you will find the drain under the brass plate which says TALPA

I agree, and the part you've circled is the filler by the looks of it. WE love restoration threads. But you have to post lots of photos

 

[minimutly]

And the filler is also actually a breather, maybe not a bad idea to put a filter on it, especially if in a dusty environment.
Date wise, I pulled mine out of a water treatment works, 30 years ago, it was being replaced. For a date I would guess at mid 60s to early 70s

 

[Chris F]

Hello guys,

So glad this place is active! Thank you for the replies. I appreciate the advice, even with my blatant daft questions.

The oil filler/breather - that makes sense. I'll remove and clean it etc. The cap was blocked with a thick layer of crap, but good to know it can/should be cleaned.

I'll have a look for the oil drain, though I've seen in other threads that old models like this required oil to be sucked/syringed out! Hoping that's not the case.
*EDIT* just notice the oil drain plug in one of the photos I posted, below the brass plate as advised!

Just been told by my friend that its all wired in and working! Can you upload videos here via the 'Upload a File'?

I'll keep posting updates as long as they're of interest.

Will also start a thread for the old Kerry Super 8 too. I tend to take LOTS of photos of just about everything.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Seadog]

Can you upload videos here via the 'Upload a File'?

No, you need to upload to Youtube (or another file sharing site) and get a shareable link.

 

[Chris F]

Ah, fair enough - I'll bear that in mind

Chris

 

[Chris F]

I've uploaded a video to youtube, hopefully it works! She's a beauty

 

[Domdom]

Hi and welcome. Good luck with the rebuild and if it helps at all, Broom & Wade were based in High Wycombe I believe. If my old memory serves me correctly I seem to recall they were bought out by Compair in the 70’s or 80’s. I know little more than this except that I used to spray the bright yellow enclosure for the “Compair Broom Wade” mobile (towable) compressors, as used by road crews etc.

 

[Chris F]

Hi Domdom,

Thank you for replying! I found some info out about Broom & Wade here https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Broom_and_Wade and you're quite right. I think in 1968 they merged with Holman Brothers.

Interesting that you did work with/for them!

Chris