1940s era air compressor

Lost Californian · Apr 3, 2024

This old air compressor was in the barn when I bought the house. 2 years ago, the electric motor failed. It was made prior to 1948, and parts for it ran out in the '80s, according to the old man at the shop I took it to for repairs. I have just bought a boring new compressor. Is there any value to anyone for the old compressor? It was working up until the motor quit. Needs a good cleaning.

This is a photo of the name plate on the tank -

If it is of no value, I will scrap it. Weighs more than I am willing to pick up.

Butch627 · Apr 3, 2024

My .001 fwiw. Those old tanks are 2 or 3x as thick as newer ones. Most people shy away from a tank that old, it may be rusted to paper thin on the bottom. Buying new pumps from HF when one fails is very popular for budget minded people, the only value I see in that pump is if you have it and a motor and some time on your hands. If I loved closer to TH I would be interested in the plenum? bolted to the bottom of the pump just to see what it was about.

I bought a same era compressor with a beautiful old quincy pressure lubed pump a couple of years ago and then found that parts dried up a few years ago. Now using it as a backup at work until it pukes. Was not worth the time I have into it.

patience0830 · Apr 3, 2024

Labor of love for a bored machinist. Might clean up and run for nearly forever. But again, not an investment.

BGDave · Apr 3, 2024

I'll just leave this here.

indyblue · Apr 3, 2024

Yup. I bought a ball valve for the bottom of mine so it is easy to crack open to to check for moisture and drain every so often.

The one above looks like the regulator or relief valve failed and it over pressurized.

red_zr24x4 · Apr 3, 2024

BGDave said:
I'll just leave this here.

Bet that made a little poop fall out

BigRed · Apr 3, 2024

Lost Californian said:
This old air compressor was in the barn when I bought the house. 2 years ago, the electric motor failed. It was made prior to 1948, and parts for it ran out in the '80s, according to the old man at the shop I took it to for repairs. I have just bought a boring new compressor. Is there any value to anyone for the old compressor? It was working up until the motor quit. Needs a good cleaning.
View attachment 344335 View attachment 344336

This is a photo of the name plate on the tank -

View attachment 344337

If it is of no value, I will scrap it. Weighs more than I am willing to pick up.

From a time when the States were filled with skilled folks.

femurphy77 · Apr 4, 2024

I hate throwing things away that can be repaired, I'd replace the tank and motor and let the thing compress. I'd have more in it than I can buy a modern compressor for but I've come to despise our throw away society.

I need a new receiver for my shop stereo and am considering a vintage purchase instead of new but can't wrap my head around throwing away the one I have. The problem with it though, is that it is old but not vintage; it's of an era when they weren't designed to be repaired.

Sigblitz · Apr 4, 2024

That was my first compressor. It came out of a barn in southern Indiana. A friend of mine gave it to me after his dad passed away.
It would air a tire up. It wouldn't run any tools. I got a new one and gave it to somebody.

Tactically Fat · Apr 4, 2024

I certainly can't do anything with it or about it...

Are you handy at all? Try your hand at custom furniture? Know anyone who makes furniture?

It MAY be able to be stripped down a little, cleaned a LOT, and re-painted all purdy-like. Then perhaps it could make a coffee table base? Not as interesting as an engine block coffee table, but definitely smaller and lighter.

BGDave · Apr 4, 2024

indyblue said:
Yup. I bought a ball valve for the bottom of mine so it is easy to crack open to to check for moisture and drain every so often.

The one above looks like the regulator or relief valve failed and it over pressurized.

Could be, but the bottom of the tank was less than paper thin.

I think I was probably the last person that drained the tank. Probably during the Reagan era.

I think the take-away is, drain the tank often and if you get rusty water you're on borrowed time.

And remember to keep a pair of clean undies handy.

indyblue · Apr 4, 2024

BGDave said:
Could be, but the bottom of the tank was less than paper thin.

I think I was probably the last person that drained the tank. Probably during the Reagan era.

I think the take-away is, drain the tank often and if you get rusty water you're on borrowed time.

And remember to keep a pair of clean undies handy.

In Indiana's humid summers especially they should be drained often.

I've had my Craftsman compressor for over 30 years now. During the summer I crack the valve on the bottom so that it essentially has a small leak all the time so any moisture goes out immediately. Yes, that means it occasionally cycles throughout the week, it's never bothered me. The rest of the year I just unplug it and leave it empty until needed, it only take 3-4 minutes to get to full pressure.

1940s era air compressor

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