Thread: Shop Compressor

Compressor looks kind of antique - any brands visible.

Cheap enough for the size of compressor.

Originally Posted by Quasimodo

Compressor looks kind of antique - any brands visible.

Cheap enough for the size of compressor.

It is kind of antique. I can't see a brand on it, but it's hard to see the writing on the plate. Reasonably enough, it has "Air Compressor" at the top of the plate. I'll look later and let you know. The motor's French.

The compressor was part of a workshop that was about to be demolished for development, so the seller told me that I could take anything connected with the compressor in the shop. This meant a huge regulator, and oil feed and water trap and all of the air lines (plastic). I then asked him what was happening to the electrics, and he said I could take whatever wanted. This meant some good three phase switches and outlets, and some heavy duty circuit breakers. I need the circuit breakers because the sparky that wired my shed only installed 20 amp useless things. I rang him with some concern about the size of the wire he ran, and he told me that it was heavy duty stuff and I could happily run 35 amps in my shed.

Good score.

Originally Posted by Rossluck

......... Reasonably enough, it has "Air Compressor" at the top of the plate.................

That's handy, just in case you forget.

Originally Posted by Rossluck

......... I then asked him what was happening to the electrics, and he said I could take whatever wanted. This meant some good three phase switches and outlets................

Does this mean you didn't move out to the block you were looking at and could've kept the 3 phase welder I bought off you?

Mick

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Does this mean you didn't move out to the block you were looking at and could've kept the 3 phase welder I bought off you?

Mick

That's right Mick. That block didn't become available until after this non-recession started. We waited and waited and gave up. We bought a pool instead and we've decided to stay for a while.

I bought a Liquidarc 170 MIG in preparation for the new 240v place, but I miss that ol' three phase MIG. It's a seriously good welder that one. But it was good to meet you, so it all worked out OK.

Looks like it maybe an old Broomwade compressor ,I think you can still get parts for these babys .(should be an ID plate on the side of the sump some where.)
They are a good solid compressor ,better that the Chiawanese stuff they are pushing these days.It should have proper reed plate valves in the cylinder heads and valve unloaders for starting against head pressure.If parts are available it would be worth rebuilding if it needs it.Probably get away with just lapping the valve plates and putting new reeds in.

We had them in the old power station here for the generator engine air start supply , two were electric drive and one was diesel driven for black out starts.(even power stations have black outs occasionally).
We ran ours at 600 or 900 rpm and and they were almost silent.

I've got a Pulford upright twin compressor which is similar to the Broomwade, quiet as a mouse at 600 rpm.
Kev.

Thanks for that Woodlee. My plan is to get it running so that I can listen to it. If it sound OK I'll just install it. I won't use it a lot, but I like the old reliable stuff.

Originally Posted by Rossluck

That's right Mick. That block didn't become available until after this non-recession started. We waited and waited and gave up. We bought a pool instead and we've decided to stay for a while.

I bought a Liquidarc 170 MIG in preparation for the new 240v place, but I miss that ol' three phase MIG. It's a seriously good welder that one. But it was good to meet you, so it all worked out OK.

I still haven't used the MIG yet, been too busy with other projects. If you want it back it's yours, but you'll have to pick it up.

Mick

Originally Posted by Rossluck

I just bought this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=200303171063

I picked it up after work and isn't it a MONSTER. I had a hell of a time getting it on my truck. The motor is 11 KW and weighs 81 KG alone. 75 cfm pump.

Looks like the compressor is set up for continuous running,valve unloading operation.
Hope you got the Star Delta Starter with the bits & pieces.You will need it to run this monster.- The tank looks a bit sus. Might pay you to get it checked out before you pressurise it. Is there only the one outlet on top of the tank?
Be careful,compressed air is dangerous. Some of these machines were put together from bits and pieces by people who don't know anything about compressed air systems.An accident waiting to happen.
We're talking 11 Kw here.Enough grunt to blow the tank to smithereens.No problem at all.

Originally Posted by walro

Looks like the compressor is set up for continuous running,valve unloading operation.
Hope you got the Star Delta Starter with the bits & pieces.You will need it to run this monster.- The tank looks a bit sus. Might pay you to get it checked out before you pressurise it. Is there only the one outlet on top of the tank?
Be careful,compressed air is dangerous. Some of these machines were put together from bits and pieces by people who don't know anything about compressed air systems.An accident waiting to happen.
We're talking 11 Kw here.Enough grunt to blow the tank to smithereens.No problem at all.

Thanks for the info Walro. I do have a star delta starter. It didn't come with the compressor, but I can use it if I have to. But first I want to see how it will start without it. My main problem at the moment is that I have so pathetic circuit breakers at my place (25 amp at the pole and 20 in my shed). The motor has already upset the 20 amp at start up (distorted pin inside the breaker; I've had it before with my welder). When I bought the compressor I was allowed to strip the fuse box, and I grabbed an 80 amp for the pole and a 35 for the shed. I now have to get a sparkie around to install them. Nuisance.

I've had the monster running and it all sounds good. I haven't built up pressure in the tank yet

The tank is actually very good (made by Southern Cross). Quite heavy with a decent plating of zinc. I wonder if they galvanised the inside?

It is a valve unloading machine.

Originally Posted by Rossluck

Thanks for the info Walro. I do have a star delta starter. It didn't come with the compressor, but I can use it if I have to. But first I want to see how it will start without it. My main problem at the moment is that I have so pathetic circuit breakers at my place (25 amp at the pole and 20 in my shed). The motor has already upset the 20 amp at start up (distorted pin inside the breaker; I've had it before with my welder). When I bought the compressor I was allowed to strip the fuse box, and I grabbed an 80 amp for the pole and a 35 for the shed. I now have to get a sparkie around to install them. Nuisance.

I've had the monster running and it all sounds good. I haven't built up pressure in the tank yet

The tank is actually very good (made by Southern Cross). Quite heavy with a decent plating of zinc. I wonder if they galvanised the inside?

It is a valve unloading machine.

It sounds good.If the tank is good you're half way there.Make sure you check your safety valve. They get stuck sometimes if it hasn't been used for a long time.

You might end up with a good compressor at a very good price
Good luck.
Cheers
Walter

If you're still around Walter, I have a small problem with the compressor. The valve that initiates the bypass is a little sticky. Sometimes it works perfectly and kicks in at 120, other times it does nothing and this scary monster keeps building air pressure until you turn it off (got to 155 from 120 as I ran to the switch!). I've installed a new large safety valve because the critter was scaring me, but now I want to work out why the valve is inconsistent.

Originally Posted by Rossluck

If you're still around Walter, I have a small problem with the compressor. The valve that initiates the bypass is a little sticky. Sometimes it works perfectly and kicks in at 120, other times it does nothing and this scary monster keeps building air pressure until you turn it off (got to 155 from 120 as I ran to the switch!). I've installed a new large safety valve because the critter was scaring me, but now I want to work out why the valve is inconsistent.

The pilot valves on these old compressors sometimes get gummed up. This is a common problem. What you could do:
Strip the pilot valve completely.(Make a scetch as you're stripping it to make sure you can reassemble it exactly the same way. Clean all parts with kero or something simular. Have a good look at the piston,check for any burrs or any other damage.Make sure the piston is moving freely in the bore and doesn't get stuck.Then reassemble the valve and readjust the pressure settings as required.

Hope this helps
Regards
Walter

Thanks for that. I'll do it tomorrow.

This ol' compressor turned out to be a beauty. I can plug a blower gun into the air line and hold the trigger flat out and the compressor can still build air pressure. Now that's power.