[Bugs]

All these storys about compressed air blowing up reminded me of this old dragster I seen on TV, how many of you seen this one?
These guys had built a rail dragster and instead of a super charger they were exsperimenting with compressed air, they had the large aluminum tank ahead of the engine on this sling shot this tank was like 8ft long and 2ft. in diameter, it held some ungodly amount of air , it had a large valve on the pipeing going directly into the engine, upon take off they would release the valve on the tank forceing air through the engine, I guess it worked but not all that great,

One day while getting ready for a race or to try it out (it's been a while since I seen this)they hooked the compressor to the tank and while it was filling they decided to go to lunch and forgot about it, needless to say the tank blew up and leveled the shop it was in, No one was hurt if I remember right , like I said it's been a while, but this will just show the force of compressed air, makes me want to go out and check my tank on my little compressor

I wonder if I got with HotRod magazine if they would have pictures of this dragster

[THE BRONC]

I have a "Champion" brand air compressor. It is an industrial model which features a 5 horsepowert motor, 2 stage compressor head and an 80 gallon tank. I use to have a 5 horsepower 30 gallon "Craftsman" but it was not enough power for what I do. I got the Champion through a barter deal where I provided some bodywork skills for the guy who had the compressor. For anyone who wants to do any seriuos car building in their garage I strongly suggest getting your hands on a commercial grade compressor.

"The Bronc"

[oldred]

Grouch, Somehow I missed your post about the tire cage until now But anyway it reminds me of a service call I made some years back to a tire shop and the guys there told me about a new kid they had hired that was caught airing up a truck tire on the floor. After the boss chewed him out and explained he would be sent home if caught doing it again he got the message. When the boss came back later to check on him sure enough the tire was still on the floor but the guy was safely inside the cage reaching out through the bars and airing up the tire!

[grouch]

LMAO! Oldred, that's just classic! I can imagine that boss telling him beforehand, "That cage is there for your protection."

BTW, the percentages in the poll seem to be holding steady. As I type this, there have been 166 votes. Wish there was a way to do a little more complex poll. It would be interesting to see HP, cylinders, tank size, single vs. two stage.

[Don Lyon]

Single stage, vertical, 60 gallon. 7HP peak,3 HP running.240 V,9.7 SCFM @ 90 PSI.Max 135. Porter-Cable @ Couer d' Alene power tools, out the door for $425.95. Works great for me, but I'm no pro.

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

Originally Posted by grouch

LMAO! Oldred, that's just classic! I can imagine that boss telling him beforehand, "That cage is there for your protection."

BTW, the percentages in the poll seem to be holding steady. As I type this, there have been 166 votes. Wish there was a way to do a little more complex poll. It would be interesting to see HP, cylinders, tank size, single vs. two stage.

this poll relates to tank size and oiled/nonoiled so...

as far as hp goes I think they changed the rating system... my 1/2? 1.5? hp motor is the same size as my dad's new 4hp coleman oilless noisemachine. Mine's quieter, and fills the (larger) tank faster while turning less rpm. I think single vs 2stg vs 3stg (do they make em?) would be really neat.

[oldred]

I guess I harp too much about HP and tank size and I had added to that here but since this is a poll about what people have and not about what works best I have had second thoughts and think it is best to just edit my post so as not to get off the subject

BTW This is an interesting poll and the results so far are very interesting

[powerrodsmike]

I like adding to old threads too so here I go. I have a Kaeser reciprocating oiless. It is a 2 piston single stage 7 1/2 horse runs on 3 phase 220. It has a rating of 30 cfm @ max 130 PSI. I have it hooked to a 80 gallon vertical tank. This unit is awesome. It is in its own box and is so quiet that you can stand right next to it while it is running and have a conversation with someone without raising your voice at all. We bought it from a shop that had only been in business for a year or so. The hourmeter, (it has a hourmeter on it), said it only had 400 hours on it. We paid 400 dollars for it and we got the tank too. The guy we bought it from said that it cost him over 3000.00 That was the best deal ever. We had a 15 HP Kaeser screw type that made more air than anyone could possibly need but it sucked up alot of electricity. It had a bad bearing or the timing was off or something and when it fired up it sounded like a sawmill. I wasn't sad to see that one go away. My old partner used to tell the story about when he was on the aircraft carrier. The spare tires for the fighters were kept below deck in a big cage. One day a sailor thought that the cage would be a good place to hide and catch up on sleep. Some bad luck had him sleeping on a tire when it got a little too hot and let go. He said it wasn't pretty. I do not know if this is a true story or not. It sounded believeable...

[teched]

Late 60's Bruner Made in Utica, NY back when the US made tools. 2cy 2 stage 60 gallon.

[Jon]

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[jcclark]

I just got a Eaton 5hp 60 gallon 2 stage this past summer.
I love it. I spent the extra bucks for Eaton because it's quieter
and runs slower.
It produces very little water with that speed. the pump runs 800 rpm.
This compressor had a few "bugs" but their customer service took
care of me. This is my 4th compressor and I hope my last.

[oldred]

jc, From what I have been seeing from Eaton, unless you just outgrow the dang thing, you will probably pass it on to your grandkids

[jcclark]

Oldred. I hope you're right. It took me all summer to make enough to pay
for it. Everything I ever buy or touch turns to crap.
Even on this Eaton I had to replace the valves.
I'm that one-in-a-million. One of the valves had a piece of wire
stuck in it. The Eaton owner sent me all new valves and the tool
to fix it. They did take care of me.
I also had to replace two little ball valves. One was the drain
and one the diveter for the continuous run feature.
And then there were a couple of leaks. Oh well.
Finally I think I'm good to go and am real happy with it.
I just hope I'm done with my usual bad luck. (LOL)

[1931 steve]

I use a Ingersoll-Rand T30 at my shop and have had NO problems to date this is a fantastic compressor. I use a small Sanborn 3hp at home in the garage and have nothing but troubles with it, it starts and runs fine but when it shuts off it will trip my breaker 3 out of 5 times. drives me crazy at night because it is on the same line ALL of my lights are on, gets very dark very fast.

Steve

[37ford4dr]

i supersized mine when the 2 1/2 hp 11 gallon tank died


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