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I built an air compressor back in the early 1980's. Back then there were no cheap imports and compressors were very expensive. I bought a quality single cylinder air pump and used a discarded water pressure tank as the receiver. The motor was a General Electric 1/2 hp refrigeration duty motor rated for 100 percent 24/7 duty cycle.
It has served well over the years. It doesn't have a lot of CFM capacity but it can run all day without danger of smoking. The motor is twice the size of today's 1/2 hp motors and doesn't become more than slightly warm to the touch in continuous operation.
A while ago I decided to take it out of primary service because the receiver is getting too old to be safe. I set the maximum pressure to 45 psi and use it for blow-off air in the shop. I have another smaller compressor that has been supplying shop air but it is noisy and can't take 100% duty cycle.
Now for the "rest of the story"...
I have been keeping an eye open for something to use as an air tank. The best I could come up with is an old 100 lb propane tank I have. Yesterday my daughter (they are visiting) drove to the transfer station (new name for dump) to dispose some trash for a friend . Just as they arrived they had a flat tire and called for help. My son-in-law and I headed out to the scene, several minutes drive from here. Tire was replaced etc, blah blah... While there I decided to check out the metals only part of the dump. Good plan it turns out. Scored some sched 40 steel tubing in the form of a handrail, a perfectly good ( I tested it) 4 foot contractor's level, a few other items and best of all, an almost brand new 20 gallon water pressure tank.
The pressure tank looks like new so I was a bit mystified as to why it was discarded. Upon arriving home I discovered that it is the pre-pressurized air bag style tank and the bag had failed. Excellent! I pulled off the sump cover on the bottom and removed the bag. No rust or any other sign of problems inside so the project was a go.
I pulled out the old compressor and stripped it of all usable parts, pump, motor, plumbing and motor mount etc. Today I put it all together using the new tank.
It isn't the most powerful compressor but it is reasonably quiet and it will run forever without complaint. It is fitted with all the necessary features, unloader, pressure relief valve, and filter-regulator as well as unregulated air fittings. The tank is rated for 100 psi service so that is where I am setting it. As it is an air pressurized hybrid tank it is designed for air service. I removed the bulkhead fitting from the old tank and cleaned it up, then welded it to the top of the new tank.
The old compressor was built as a movable unit with wheels but this is no longer needed as I have a smaller portable that I am (was) currently using. I built it as a vertical stationary unit instead. The tripod feet are fitted with a hoop to make tipping less likely. The frame rails are bolted to existing tabs on the top of the tank. I still need to make a belt guard for it.
A good feature is the sump. It's reinforced plastic and can't rust.
In all, a nice project for today.
[edit]
Yes, I know the belt isn't tight...
It has served well over the years. It doesn't have a lot of CFM capacity but it can run all day without danger of smoking. The motor is twice the size of today's 1/2 hp motors and doesn't become more than slightly warm to the touch in continuous operation.
A while ago I decided to take it out of primary service because the receiver is getting too old to be safe. I set the maximum pressure to 45 psi and use it for blow-off air in the shop. I have another smaller compressor that has been supplying shop air but it is noisy and can't take 100% duty cycle.
Now for the "rest of the story"...
I have been keeping an eye open for something to use as an air tank. The best I could come up with is an old 100 lb propane tank I have. Yesterday my daughter (they are visiting) drove to the transfer station (new name for dump) to dispose some trash for a friend . Just as they arrived they had a flat tire and called for help. My son-in-law and I headed out to the scene, several minutes drive from here. Tire was replaced etc, blah blah... While there I decided to check out the metals only part of the dump. Good plan it turns out. Scored some sched 40 steel tubing in the form of a handrail, a perfectly good ( I tested it) 4 foot contractor's level, a few other items and best of all, an almost brand new 20 gallon water pressure tank.
The pressure tank looks like new so I was a bit mystified as to why it was discarded. Upon arriving home I discovered that it is the pre-pressurized air bag style tank and the bag had failed. Excellent! I pulled off the sump cover on the bottom and removed the bag. No rust or any other sign of problems inside so the project was a go.
I pulled out the old compressor and stripped it of all usable parts, pump, motor, plumbing and motor mount etc. Today I put it all together using the new tank.
It isn't the most powerful compressor but it is reasonably quiet and it will run forever without complaint. It is fitted with all the necessary features, unloader, pressure relief valve, and filter-regulator as well as unregulated air fittings. The tank is rated for 100 psi service so that is where I am setting it. As it is an air pressurized hybrid tank it is designed for air service. I removed the bulkhead fitting from the old tank and cleaned it up, then welded it to the top of the new tank.
The old compressor was built as a movable unit with wheels but this is no longer needed as I have a smaller portable that I am (was) currently using. I built it as a vertical stationary unit instead. The tripod feet are fitted with a hoop to make tipping less likely. The frame rails are bolted to existing tabs on the top of the tank. I still need to make a belt guard for it.
A good feature is the sump. It's reinforced plastic and can't rust.
In all, a nice project for today.
[edit]
Yes, I know the belt isn't tight...
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