Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Convert Oilless Compressor to Belt-driven Oiled?
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Vander
11-15-08, 04:08 PM
My vertical Husky 32 gallon, 150 psi, oilless compressor blew its second compression pump in three years. I don't want to waste money on buying another pump for it, but I hate to throw away a perfectly good tank with its functioning instruments and controls. I'm wondering if it would be worth the effort to convert it to an oiled, two component unit. Has anyone here done this? I'd appreciate advice.
Thanks,
Bob
Thanks,
Bob
GregH
11-15-08, 05:08 PM
No, it would not be worth it cost-wise.
If you wanted a project you might have fun but the parts to remake what you have would be more than buying a new unit.
If you have been wearing out pumps it would likely be that you are using it for more than it was designed.
Something like this $400.00 unit would last a lifetime if looked after and not used beyond it's capacity.
For a couple of hundred more you could get a 220 volt unit with twice the capacity.
Click image:
http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/1910450_lg.gif (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200365167_200365167)
Image courtesy of northerntool.com
If you wanted a project you might have fun but the parts to remake what you have would be more than buying a new unit.
If you have been wearing out pumps it would likely be that you are using it for more than it was designed.
Something like this $400.00 unit would last a lifetime if looked after and not used beyond it's capacity.
For a couple of hundred more you could get a 220 volt unit with twice the capacity.
Click image:
http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/1910450_lg.gif (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200365167_200365167)
Image courtesy of northerntool.com
Vander
11-16-08, 08:10 AM
I suspect you are right about the cost aspect, Greg. I just hate to throw good iron away. Maybe I can use the tank to increase compressed air capacity.
"If you have been wearing out pumps it would likely be that you are using it for more than it was designed."
That's what's got me so disgusted with this unit. It's only had light use - mostly just keeping up tire pressure and blowing parts dry after cleaning. I admit that I sometimes forget to shut it down when not in use, so it would occasionally cycle when I wasn't around. But I couldn't really call that hard use. No, this particular type of oilless pump is just junk. I'll just have to write it off as tuition.
Thanks for the reply.
Bob.
"If you have been wearing out pumps it would likely be that you are using it for more than it was designed."
That's what's got me so disgusted with this unit. It's only had light use - mostly just keeping up tire pressure and blowing parts dry after cleaning. I admit that I sometimes forget to shut it down when not in use, so it would occasionally cycle when I wasn't around. But I couldn't really call that hard use. No, this particular type of oilless pump is just junk. I'll just have to write it off as tuition.
Thanks for the reply.
Bob.
GregH
11-16-08, 09:28 AM
Yes, the quality of the inexpensive units makes even low duty use too much!
My experience with these units is the same as yours.
I have a collection of air compressors including a gas driven one but bought a small cheap oil filled, direct drive one because I could almost fit it into a tool box.
With only about ten hours on it it the pressure switch leaks and the check valve needs replacing!
A decent pressure switch with pressure release and a check valve are about fifty bucks plus the fittings on my unit are a cheap press-in type.
Rather than spending even a nickel on this thing I bought a Porter Cable oilless type but paid over $300.00 for it.
Certainly won't fit into a tool box and it is noisier than heck but is way lighter than my smallest belt drive unit and unless you specifically need portability the belt drive unit I linked to is the best choice IMO for home use.
Yes, the old tank would be ok to use on a new unit but keep in mind that it would only provide a small amount of storage capacity, not pumping capacity which is an entirely different thing.
Extra storage capacity can be a good thing but keep in mind that if your compressor is an inexpensive one with a limit on duty cycle which all the cheap ones have, you will burn out a cheap compressor with the extra storage.
I feel sorry for people who are tricked into thinking they are getting a serviceable unit by spending a minimal amount of money on an air compressor.
Marketing rather than research is causing people to believe that a fancy plastic cover, ratings for gallons of storage capacity and horsepower ratings that are totally false is giving them value for their money.
This is driving sales of inexpensive compressors through the roof.
Good for the stores, bad for most folks who buy this stuff.
My experience with these units is the same as yours.
I have a collection of air compressors including a gas driven one but bought a small cheap oil filled, direct drive one because I could almost fit it into a tool box.
With only about ten hours on it it the pressure switch leaks and the check valve needs replacing!
A decent pressure switch with pressure release and a check valve are about fifty bucks plus the fittings on my unit are a cheap press-in type.
Rather than spending even a nickel on this thing I bought a Porter Cable oilless type but paid over $300.00 for it.
Certainly won't fit into a tool box and it is noisier than heck but is way lighter than my smallest belt drive unit and unless you specifically need portability the belt drive unit I linked to is the best choice IMO for home use.
Yes, the old tank would be ok to use on a new unit but keep in mind that it would only provide a small amount of storage capacity, not pumping capacity which is an entirely different thing.
Extra storage capacity can be a good thing but keep in mind that if your compressor is an inexpensive one with a limit on duty cycle which all the cheap ones have, you will burn out a cheap compressor with the extra storage.
I feel sorry for people who are tricked into thinking they are getting a serviceable unit by spending a minimal amount of money on an air compressor.
Marketing rather than research is causing people to believe that a fancy plastic cover, ratings for gallons of storage capacity and horsepower ratings that are totally false is giving them value for their money.
This is driving sales of inexpensive compressors through the roof.
Good for the stores, bad for most folks who buy this stuff.