Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

I have an upright Craftsman air compressor that doesn't build pressure as quickly as it used to. Thought it was the filter but swapping in a new one didn't change the recovery time. I used to be able to run my whiz tool (die grinder) or my sandblaster and it would run, build up pressure and shut off. Now the sandblaster and the whiz tool lose power and the compressor runs constantly and doesn't catch up.

I can get a complete brand new pump for about $190 or a ring and seal kit for about $90. It just doesn't seem right to spend the extra 100 bucks but considering I would get the whole pump.............

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

picture of compressor, please

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Model number?
I'd say why not rebuild since chances are the new pump is from Asia.
My opinion after 4 compressors is if it isn't an 80 gallon Quincy or Saylor-Beall, why bother.

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Not much to see I had to mount it facing the wall for clearance. It is a 60 gallon Craftsman, oil lubricated, single stage with a 3.7hp motor. 10 cfm @ 90psi. Two cylinders. Probably about 5 years old. Research says it is a Sanborn 165

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Its what i wanted to see. Looks to be a aluminum head chinese pump

can get a replacement at harbor freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/145-psi...ump-67697.html

A quality replacement pump may cost a little more
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kellogg-Amer...4AAOSwoydWp9pR

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Wow that's quite a difference! Thanks Warren!

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

i have a 18 yr old craftsman 10 cfm @90psi with a 7 hp motor that i never turn off unless i go on vacation
my neighbor has the same compressor as you have with the 3.7 hp motor and about the same age
it has the same problem where it won't build pressure

i think craftsman just used a cheap pump on them
i'd buy a new pump before wasting $90 on rebuilding a cheap pump
either way you'll still have a cheap pump :D

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Thanks Ogre

Think I'll spring for the new Harbor Fright pump that Warren provided a link for. At work we have a couple nice older IR compressors that run what's left of our pneumatic thermostat system. Next summer they are scheduled to be removed and the system upgraded to electric controls. I'll pick one of them up and rebuild it. The HF pump should last a year!

Thanks again guys

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Hey Warren

Looks like I won't be able to score the one from work next year after all. They took the conversion out of the budget. I did a search on Ebay for 3hp pumps and came up with this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EMAX-3-HP-Si...8AAOSwSclXK6WM

Is this one better than the Harbor Freight pump?


Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Or how about this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Powermate-3-...MAAOSwLqFV8hOc

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Champion-VP1...gAAOSwOdpX1wpK

or this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schulz-Singl...0AAOSwx~JWFA~V

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Thanks for the links Warren. Did you check out the ones in my links? They seem to have better CFM numbers but are they cheap sh*t?

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

They seem decent enough. I linked to more widely known quality compressors.

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Ok great!

Thanks again Warren

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Sorry for being a pain. I've been comparing the photos in both of your links and I believe they are the same brand of pump. The Champion pump shows a picture with a Shultz data plate!

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Warren

Made an offer on the Champion pump and will get it for $200 shipped. Thanks again.

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Awesome!! should last for many years!!

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

The new pump came in and now I've got another problem. The original chinese pump has two things going into the pump head. One is the the supply to the tank and the other goes into the pressure shut off. The new pump doesn't have the tapped fitting for the pressure switch line. Any ideas on how to plumb this?

Thanks

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

My champion pumps at work the pressure cut off is pumbled to the tank

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Thanks David. I'm not sure the tank wall is going to be thick enough to drill and tap though. I'll have to look and see if there is a good location to do it.

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Why not just use a T fitting at the tank and read PSI off the pressure line from the compressor?????

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

yea you really dont wanna drill the tank ours are made that way with a place welded in

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

I think the small line feeds the gauge and pressure switch. The T fitting at the tank should work.

Thanks Marv

Paul

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Some of the compressors use a t fitting at the inlet

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynDHNO_Klr...422_094716.jpg

Re: Air compressor: rebuild or replace pump?
 

Is the pressure switch also plumbed to the tank?
The 1/4" line is probably for the unloader valve, it empties the pressurized air out of the cylinders/line so the compressor starts easily and doesn't damage the motor.