Repairing an air compressor...

Jarrett · Jul 10, 2006

My dad bought a 60gal/7hp Husky air compressor from Home Depot in 2002. He used it in his cabinet shop for 2 years until the compressor burnt up (probably from a lack of maintenance, i.e. oil). He was in a bind so he just bought a new Craftsman Professional. The old one has just been sitting in a corner since then and he said I could have it. What's the likelyhood of being able to rebuild this thing. Is it possible to rebuild the old pump or would a new one be easier/cheaper? Where could I get parts from?

Bird · Jul 10, 2006

Is it possible to rebuild the old pump or would a new one be easier/cheaper? Where could I get parts from?

When you say it "burnt up", it just depends on which parts are damaged, which pump it has, etc. Did it run until it seized and quit, or did it keep running, but quit building air pressure in the tank. There's a good chance that the parts to repair it would be prohibitive and you'd be better off just buying a new compressor pump. Does he have the manual that came with it? If so, it should have information to contact the manufacturer. You could tear it down and see what it needs, contact the manufacturer, and find out where to get the parts and what they cost. If you need a new pump, there are lots of places to get them; Northern Tool being one.

MrJimi · Jul 10, 2006

Jarrett said:
My dad bought a 60gal/7hp Husky air compressor from Home Depot in 2002. He used it in his cabinet shop for 2 years until the compressor burnt up (probably from a lack of maintenance, i.e. oil). He was in a bind so he just bought a new Craftsman Professional. The old one has just been sitting in a corner since then and he said I could have it. What's the likelyhood of being able to rebuild this thing. Is it possible to rebuild the old pump or would a new one be easier/cheaper? Where could I get parts from?

IF its an oil ( piston type ) air compressor? You should be able to buy a new pump at WW.Grainger and may be able to buy a rebuild kit from the manufacturer? Its worth a try. And if its an oil free compressor? lots of luck.
Jim

Bird · Jul 10, 2006

Jim, actually the oil free compressors are the ones that are quick, easy, and cheap to rebuild. Of course they normally have about one-tenth the life of oiled compressors, but I can completely rebuild one of those easily in less than an hour. I tore down one oiled compressor that was aluminum instead of cast iron and the piston had literally melted into the side of the cylinder. Those are the kind that you throw away and buy a new one. With the cast iron, if it's seized from something melting, probably not worth fixing, but if it's something like a broken piston ring that didn't score the cylinder too badly, it might be worth fixing.

Jarrett · Jul 10, 2006

Bird said:
When you say it "burnt up", it just depends on which parts are damaged, which pump it has, etc. Did it run until it seized and quit, or did it keep running, but quit building air pressure in the tank. There's a good chance that the parts to repair it would be prohibitive and you'd be better off just buying a new compressor pump. Does he have the manual that came with it? If so, it should have information to contact the manufacturer. You could tear it down and see what it needs, contact the manufacturer, and find out where to get the parts and what they cost. If you need a new pump, there are lots of places to get them; Northern Tool being one.

I think it seized up and quit. I'm quite certain he still has the manual so I'll have to dig that up and when I get a chance to tear into it I'll see what I'm faced with. When I get to that point I may have some questions for you Bird.

Jagmandave · Jul 11, 2006

I was going to say if it hadn't seized, it might be fixable. A lot of times it's just the reed valves in the heads that are bad.

If it's seized, a new pump still probably wouldn't cost what a whole new tank/motor/pump etc would. I'd look into it if It were me........

George2615 · Jul 11, 2006

I'd probably just get a replacement compressor from Northern or Grainger's but then I'm good at spending other people's money.

PineRidge · Jul 12, 2006

Jarrett said:
My dad bought a 60gal/7hp Husky air compressor from Home Depot in 2002. He used it in his cabinet shop for 2 years until the compressor burnt up (probably from a lack of maintenance, i.e. oil). He was in a bind so he just bought a new Craftsman Professional. The old one has just been sitting in a corner since then and he said I could have it. What's the likelyhood of being able to rebuild this thing. Is it possible to rebuild the old pump or would a new one be easier/cheaper? Where could I get parts from?

Years ago I lent a air compressor sold by Montgomery Ward to a friend of mine who was staining a fence around his pool. The compressor didn't pump fast enough to suit him so he switched the pulleys for the compressor & motor to get more RPMs. It quickly broke the rod.

Since he was paying, I purchased a new rod, piston, rings, & gaskets since it beat the bottom of the original piston up pretty bad. (better that than score the piston wall.)

The repair was pretty easy and the compressor lived a long life. When the tank finally rusted through I gave the whole works to a friend on mine that had a new air tank.

You might end up making a repair relatively cheap. I would disassemble the compressor to see what you need then check prices on the parts to see if it's worthwhile.