I bought a 45 year old compressor yesterday on Market place.
 

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1610735114

The pump is two stage rated at 8.8 CFM. Kellogg 321TX
He said it worked 5 years ago time will tell. The wiring needs redone.
I bought it mostly for extra capacity. But now that I see it has a great USA made cast iron pump. I will try to get it running.
I got it for $100 so I am pretty good shape at this point.

If I get it working good I will combine it to have more CFM for sand blasting and a backup for plasma cutting.

Very nice find. I hope the wiring is all it needs.

I drained a couple gallons of water out of it. the I ran fresh water into it until it came out clean.
I put a new pressure gauge on it clean out pressure switch Temp wired the motor.
It fired right up. I have it sitting a 100 psi now for a little while before I see if pressure switch is working.

The exit valve has a slow leak but so far everything is good.

Having a stacker lift sure makes draining much simpler.
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1610815775
I actually had it higher than this where I could just walk under it.

Here it is running.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpQ8BnVt9tg

It is hard to tell from this clip but it is not very loud.
I have to guard off until I clean it up.

Ha, I was just about to say it seems very quiet! Thats so nice. So many of the newer compressors are so loud...

Now it is not putting out the CFM it should. I am only getting about 2 CFM. I pulled the check valve. I was rusted up and not working very much.
I cleaned it wire brushed/sand paper. Put I very light coat of grease on it. it is working good now. I have 5 CFM now still too low.

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1610903296

The unloader is not working right. I took off the side. The unloader works pretty simple. It has a shaft the presses a Schrader valve that releases pressure on the head so it can restart not under load. There two weights as the compressor spins up the weight move out this pulls in the rod that pushes the Schrader valve. Now pressure is not released on the head and compressor builds pressure.

But the cylinders looked good and the outside bearings look good internals all looked good.

Mine has a bad Schrader valve so it is offloading all the time.
Luckily this part is available. I am going to take off the head to look at the valves.

This compressor has valves that are screwed into the head and needs a special tool to remove them @ $200 I saw where someone made the tool I think I will try to make my own tool. I don’t want to order a part until I know what other parts I need.

I will replace the drain in the bottom and pipe it out the bottom so you can reach it easily.
It needs a new exit valve.

I will clean out the pressure safety switch and maybe the pressure valve.

I think I will hydro test tank with water at 350 PIS
Similar to this guy

But you need to let it sit one hour under pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE3jGyqquqg

I have the compressor apart. It does not look that bad. The cylinders look great.
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1610930144
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1610930144

The intercooler pipes really need cleaned.
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1610930144

I have a new unloader valve and Head valve rebuild kits coming. $66 shipped.
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1610930144

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1610930144

I have a craftsman 6.5 HP 240 Volt direct drive compressor.
That thing sounds like a air plane taking off. You do not want to be in the garage working while it is running.

I really dislike it and never really use it any more.

I finally received my compressor parts. The unloader part was on backorder.
It is coming along nicely. I cleaned up the pressure relief valve.
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612101459

I had to make some tools to remove the valves. They sell the tool to do this but $200 this is more money than I have in this whole project.

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612101459
They are a bit ruff but worked.

I cleaned up the cooling pipes.
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612101553

I cleaned up the head and rebuild the valves.
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612101553
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612101553

I put it all together and it did not build up pressure.
Took it apart and inspected the valves one valve was not lined up correctly. I fixed that one and checked the other valves one more time.
I put it back together and it is working good now.

Still want to do the hydro test but it needs to warm up before I do that.

I let it sit over night and it is leaking air through the check valve. I found a new one on eBay $11.73 shipped it is on the way.

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612238369

I ordered a new pressure switch I did not need an expensive one because I did not need a built-in unloader. I bought a square D for $17.12 shipped.

This HF tool worked great for taking off the pulley and removing the bearings.
https://www.harborfreight.com/bearin...set-62593.html
I had it sitting on the shelf for a long time. Glad I got to use it.

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612238369

I have the motor apart. Time to look at the bearings they are squeaking when running.
I have two new NTN Radial Ball Bearing, Double Shielded on the way for the motor.
$13.06 Shipped.

When I hydro test it I will test the safety valve if it is not working correctly I will replace it then.

UPS delivered my bearings today. I clean up the motor and put the new bearings in.

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612322570

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612322570

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612322570

I did a quick test with it no more squeaking. My check valve should be here tomorrow.

The check valve was the wrong size for the top pipe. I ordered the correct one. I hope to do the home hydro test in next couple days.

The motor sounds really good now much quitter. I will take a new video of it running once the check valve comes in.

I ordered two 3/4" check valves so I can plum the two compressors together. That way I can run one or the other or both at the same time.
I might run a bypass to the check valve on the old compressor that way I can have extra storage.

Lookin good!

I did the pressure washer test. It was kind of a mess. I got out the pressure washer and it has not been run in a long time.
The cord would not pull to turn the motor over. I took out the spark plug and cylinder was full of gas. I got that out and took off the carburetor cleaned it out.
Then it started and was not filling up with fuel. Then the wand was working but stuck on.
I took it apart and it has some debris keeping it from closing. I fixed that and pressure washed the tank.

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612624145

When doing the pressure test, I got it to 250 psi let off to see what the pressure was at. But the back pressure made it so the pressure washer would not open the valve to put more pressure in.

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612624145

I guess I need a check valve there. I just went with I checked on it after one hour it had no pressure loss.
I will call that good as I adjusted the new pressure valve to 165 psi cut off anyway.
I put new wiring on it I need to make a small steel cover for the motor wires.
https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612624145

Here it is running I just need to clean up the guard and put it back the move to its new home and wire it up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T7AlZ8x6XA

Project cost

Old compressor $100.00
Outlet Valve 3/4" Valve $12.31
Rebuild kit Valves gasket $66.86
Square D pressure switch $17.12
Check Valve $9.60
Motor Bearings $13.06
Pressure Gauge $10.92

Total cost $229.87

Bad news

It now it has a pin hole dripping water out the bottom. Time to look for a new tank.
I am bummed about it.


https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1612795081

Here is it running and all put together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtrqUEJSvV0

I took the large plug at the bottom out. 18” pipe wrench and a 3’ cheater bar.
Then me jumping on it more than once to get it started.

There is a ½ rust in the bottom I may pressure wash it and determine if it one spot or it is just shot.

It had a 2-3 gallons of water in it when I bought it home. I do not know home many years it had that in it. Maybe that water was in it for years. It is 45 years old.

I know some people probably will not like this.
I used a magnet to clean the rust out of the compressor tank. I could see two spots where is had rusted thin.

They were ½ a dime size and a few inches apart. I drilled a very small hole in where pinhole was dripping.

That way I knew exactly where to position the patch. I cut out a 1/8” plate steel about 4” x 5” and went down to bare steel on the tank.

Welded the patch on put some air in it and rewelded a couple spots.
The final pressure tested to 100 psi. I will do another home hydro test on this tank.

This will go in my front grange just be used for tires… I will drop the max pressure down to maybe 150 psi.
No need for 175 psi on this compressor.

When I have my other old compressor running I will sell my old sears 6.5 HP direct drive compressor.

I have two pancake compressors. My E-max 5HP compressor my sears 6.5 HP my Kellogg 2 HP compressor and my Quincy 5 HP compressor.
I now have six compressors It is time to let one go.

Nah, thats kind of what I was thinking. Is it perfect, no probably not. But the tanks are welded from the factory and it will likely work just fine for many years.

I did the home Hydro test. Filled it completely with water. Then used pressure washer to pressurize it.
I pressure tested it to 310 psi. it held good. With this test I would feel good at even 175 psi but it probably move it down to 155 psi.

Knowing the pressure washer limitation not going any higher than 250 psi once you let off the trigger. I made it so I could watch the gauge as I pressurized it. When I saw it 300 I let off.

No leaks good to go.

https://ecorenovator.org/forum/attac...1&d=1614124465

It is all back together. I used a pipe clamp to help get the belt tighter. It is now putting out 8.2 CFM that is better. Now on to my other compressor.

If you wanted to buy a two stage 175 psi 7-8 CFM cast iron pump compressor 60 gallon tank you would be paying around $900.

I think for the money I have into it It is a nice little compressor.
I always wanted to know how a compressor worked. To me it was worth the cost just to now know how a compressor works and bring one back to life. They do not make them like this anymore unless you pay big bucks.

It was a fun little project. I also feel better testing it out at 310 psi.

Last night I left it over night with 150 psi in it. I just checked it this morning and it still has 150 psi in it. :thumbup:

I got this as a backup and we built an new shop and my other compressors and not up and running just yet. I am using this compressor as the primary one just for plasma cutting and die grinders.
It is working like a champ and it is very quiet. My other compressors are going to be ready in a few days.