Tomorrow, I sweat.

[mudtoy67]

I've been gathering stuff to build my own compressor...it's turning into quite a monster. My compressor that I just picked up in January has already died, and it turns out the entire thing was recalled in 2002, making it near impossible to find parts.

So since I already have a good 5hp motor, I decided to go with a 5hp pump. Picked up this pump (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93786) at Harbor Freight the other day, on sale for $99. I've talked with a few people who have one and they all like it, but I went ahead and bought the 2 year replacement warranty just in case. It's got good specs...13.4cfm at 90 psi is as good as most pumps this size. Got it home and tried it out, which led to this problem.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/compressor.jpg

As you can see the pump kind of takes over the entire tank. :laughing:The tank needed to be replaced anyway due to the recall, and I got lucky and scored this beast on Craigslist yesterday.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00323.jpg

It's a 60 gal Dayton tank. Damn thing is 68" long. So now I've got to figure out how to hook all this crap together. Biggest problem I am having is connecting the pump to the tank. The outlet of the pump is a 1/2" (5/8" OD) tube compression fitting. The tank has a ~3/4" OD tube compression fitting. I haven't been able to find a compression union reducer anywhere to go from 3/4" OD to 5/8" OD tube. What I've come up with is using the original 3/4" compression fitting on the tank. I'll then sweat a 3/4" copper elbow to that, then a 3/4" to 1/2" reducer, and a 1/2" line to the pump. This is my first time ever to sweat copper tubing, an internet crash course tonight should make me an expert by tomorrow.:gigem:

[Seth]

Nice work! Mine wont be near as big, only a 2 horse motor. I might be able to get a reducer for you if this plan doesnt work out.

[BMFScout]

Run it into your original tank and then run the outlet of the tank into the new one or vice versa. Canadian? Yes, but it'll make that much more capacity! My Grandpa did it in his shop, works good! That is a monster tank though, nice score! Looks like you need another pulley on the compressor to run two belts though. I'm not advertising for Purvis any longer, but you can get the pulley and belts from them, probably B sections. If you need any help with how to sweat them together you can call my brother in law, ask Eric, he's a genius at over the phone plumbing questions.

[Seth]

I would need to know what you need femaile and what male though.

[mudtoy67]

I was actually considering the multiple tank thing...turns out I've got three tanks laying around from dead compressors.:( Just for grins I put a WTB on CL for a tank and this guy had bought the entire compressor but only wanted the compressor/motor, so i got the tank for $75.

The whole adapting 5/8" tube to 3/4" tube thing has been a bit frustrating. I've been digging around Ace, Lowes, Home Depot, called plumbing supply stores, a/c supply stores, grainger, etc, and no-one has a direct 3/4" to 5/8" compression union reducer. I can get there if I go from 3/4" compression to 3/4" NPT to 5/8" NPT to 5/8" tube, but that would look like crap and probably vibrate itself to death hanging from the copper tube. Finally a guy at the a/c supply suggested I buy copper plumbing fittings and sweat them together. I spent a couple hours this afternoon chasing those. Evidently plumbing **** is different, so 5/8" OD tube is actually referred to as 1/2", and 3/4" is actually larger (based on nominal pipe size I guess).

As far as I can tell sweating doesn't look that hard. Apply flux. Assemble joint. Heat joint. Apply solder to joint, while heating at opposite end. Let cool. In the end it will probably be nicer, but it sure is taking lots of my time to figure out.

[Seth]

so the tank is not a male stub? i was thinking you could go comp to female nptf.

connectors go from comp to pipe, anything comp to comp is a union, therefore it is same size on both ends.

do i sonud as tired as i feel?

[mudtoy67]

The tank has got a female NPT bung welded in it. I'm not sure the size, it's pretty big though...maybe 3/4" or 1" NPT. I can't thread just anything into this bung because what is currently threaded into it has the built in check valve. I tried to pull the check valve out last night to see if I could find one with the correct NPT thread and a 5/8" compression fitting, but even with a cheater bar I couldn't get it to budge.

[Seth]

gotcha. nice graphic btw. let us know how the sweating goes.

[uglyota]

...ask Eric, he's a genius at over the phone plumbing questions.

This is true! The solution is probably going to involve carcinogenic fumes from burning PVC cement though :)

I think the sweating is just a tad harder than you wrote out. It's more like doing a good solder job, you have to get the feel for getting everything the same temperature and slowly get it up to the melting point of the solder then use the heat to draw solder into the entire joint.

that compressor you got has an oil bath, right? Anybody know if there is such a thing as a compressor that uses a belt that is turning on the horizontal plane?

Oh and BDR if it were me I'd get some heat on that bung (hehe) and take the fitting out so you can replace the check valve; make everything independent

[mudtoy67]

I've thought about putting heat to it, but if I broke that thing off in the tank I'd go to the neighbor's house and punch all of their baby kittens.

[uglyota]

take pictures! :gigem:

[DRAGOONRANCH]

ooohh, yess, and post on pbb, you will be the new hero!!!!!

[eight]

Connect 3/4" tube to 5/8" tube with this. Your local vendor is West Houston Valve and Fitting and their number is 281-531-5855
http://www.swagelok.com/search/product_detail.aspx?part=B-1210-6-10

[mudtoy67]

Now you tell me...:laughing:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00327.jpg












Seriously though, thanks a lot. I'm gonna pick one up on my way home!:beer::gigem:

[robertf03]

do you have a reamer?

[mudtoy67]

No...but I think I see where you're going with this. Ream the ID to .625"?

[mudtoy67]

So I did a little sweating tonight. :) Didn't get out of work on time to get the swagelok fitting, so I went ahead and took a swing at at this. It was actually pretty easy...assuming it actually worked. I started off by sweating the elbow to the 3/4" tube coming from the tank. Then I installed the 3/4" to 1/2" reducer.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00328.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00329.jpg

And here is the tube fitted and soldered in. The fitting on the pump is a compression fitting, though it doesn't use an insert. The fitting itself is meant to squeeze down on the tube.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00331.jpg

The tube goes into the fitting at a bit of an angle. I guess we'll see what blows out first...this or the soldered fittings.:p
I'm also thinking now that I should have put more of a bend in the tube to account for expansion.

Also put together a tree in the fitting on top of the tank. This holds the relief/safety valve, the pressure switch, and a liquid filled gauge.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00332.jpg

[mudtoy67]

Now I need to start looking for a double v-groove pulley. The motor shaft is 5/8" with a 3/16" key. I'm hoping I can find something with a bit of "extension". The shaft on the motor is a bit short and the shaft on the pump is a bit long, putting the pulley on the end of the shaft.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00336.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00337.jpg

[TxCruzr]

$5 says that once you put some pressure in there all of your fittings are going to go
http://granitegrok.com/pix/mushroom_cloud.jpg

please have CDR stand a safe distance with a video camera so we can all watch :gigem:

[Reckless]

if ya needed swagelok fittings, ive got a bunch at work. i would have mailed ya some of whatever ya needed. it would cost ya a sixer of shiner blonde for the shipping costs. id even do 2nd day air.

[mudtoy67]

Thanks, but there's a place on my way home that has the one I need. It's just that I left work after 5 today and they were closed.:)

[KrazyKarl02]

Just a thought man, do you turn you compressor off when you are not there, I do. If you are worried about the integrity of your fittings, think about if one breaks, compressor kicks on and runs for 2 or 3 hours. I have heard rumors of this resulting in overheating and even catching fire. I always try to remember to turn mine off when I leave.

Speaking of which my air compressor motor through the fan off the back yesterday, yet another reason to turn it off when you are not there....

[mudtoy67]

Ya, I always do turn it off. Typically I turn off the breaker too, seeing as I know the guy that installed it.;)

[BMFScout]

run by purvis and buy a double sheave and see if it works. Worst case scenario you take it back. you might have to buy a hub plus the sheave, but if you can space it out and it works it would be worth it. It looks like it needs to be spaced out or in depending on which part you are talking about. Does the belt spin when you fire it up? We keep ours on at all times at BMF, never know when you might need compressed air ;)

Purvis Houston
HOUSTON, TX 77012
9400 LAWNDALE AVENUE
PH. 713-921-3200
FAX 713-921-4112

Is this close to you?

[BMFScout]

also, where did you get that gauge?! Fred will make you a great deal on one!!

[mudtoy67]

Actually, it's on the complete opposite side of town from me.:( I'll call them though, if they have the sheave cheaper than $40 it might be worth the drive. I don't have the motor bolted down or hooked up yet, so I don't know if one belt would be fine or not.

The gauge came with the last compressor I bought.

[Graystroke]

bdr, I ran my copper line in a big loop (it was cheaper then) to get them lined up. also acts as an after cooler.;). too bad you couldn't change out he check valve...if it's bad your compressor will leak back through the pump.

I'm interested in hearing how that pump works. I was thinking of putting pump # 3 on my hot rod air tank.

[eight]

Motion's at about 290 and 610.

[mudtoy67]

Redid the copper line today. I borrowed a conduit bender from work, though it didn't have a very tight radius. I still ended up with only one bend, though the line looks a lot better. Also, as I was pulling everything back apart, I realized the fitting in the pump is really meant to use a flared tube...not sure what I was thinking about the fitting clamping the line in.:confused2:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00338.jpg

I installed a remote drain valve in the bottom of the tank, installed the air outlet in the end of the tank, and finished bolting down the motor. Finally, got the wiring hooked back up and took her for a test spin. The compressor works great! It fills the tank up pretty quickly, and to my surprise there's actually no leaks. The single belt seems to be working fine as well. :gigem:

Got a video of it's first time running. Check it out if you're bored or if you've reached the end of the internet.;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPzGw-lz5Q4

[DRAGOONRANCH]

Now I need to start looking for a double v-groove pulley. The motor shaft is 5/8" with a 3/16" key. I'm hoping I can find something with a bit of "extension". The shaft on the motor is a bit short and the shaft on the pump is a bit long, putting the pulley on the end of the shaft.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00336.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00337.jpg

Even if you don't find a double groove pulley, I would seriously look at indexing that motor over so the pulley has more engagement on that shaft. It shouldn't be too hard to fab up an offset mount for it.

It looks good though. Props all around. :gigem:

[mudtoy67]

Thanks. I did move the motor...drilled a couple new holes in the mounting plate and moved it about an inch closer to the belt. I'll keep this pulley for now, I'll swap it to a B/5L section pulley if it starts wearing the belt funny.

[Doug Krebs]

Are you using the harbor freight automatic drain kit? If so the tubing they provide can't handle heat worth caca. We ended up getting some air brake tubing from the parts store. This is however on an oil less compressor.

[Graystroke]

belt guards are for girls!

looks good. so you like the pump? pros/cons...or suspect quality?

[mudtoy67]

The drain is just regular pipe...I removed the valve from the bottom of the tank, put an elbow in, then put the valve on the end of an extension so that I wouldn't have to crawl around on the ground to drain the tank.

So far I like the pump. I don't think it's any louder than my previous 3hp compressor.

[mudtoy67]

So...evidently once sweating gets in your blood you just can't stop.:gigem:

The riding mower wasn't running right today. I noticed the filter had a stream of bubbles coming in as the motor was running, so I figured it must have a leak in the line somewhere. Evidently the pickup in the tank was rusted out...not sure how that happens. I found a piece of brake line fit perfect in the id of the pickup line, so I cut it off and sweated the brake line in.

[DRAGOONRANCH]

belt guards are for girls!

and to be/new dads, you need to catch up ol' man....:flipoff2:

[Graystroke]

and to be/new dads, you need to catch up ol' man....:flipoff2:

yes b/c everything else in that garage is OSHA approved and not a trip hazzad! I'm sure that frame in the background has foam padding on the corners!:flipoff2:

[mudtoy67]

I actually got a call from FEMA last week...they said something about my garage being a "disaster zone":laughing:

[BMFScout]

everyone still reading this thread is Brad Paisley :rainbow:

[DRAGOONRANCH]

everyone still reading this thread is Brad Paisley :rainbow:


takes one to know one.....

[mudtoy67]

I brought this to the top for you Jimmy...just so more people might read it.:flipoff2:

[Fredo]

I actually got a call from FEMA last week...they said something about my garage being a "disaster zone":laughing:

Knoeller, is that you?

[mudtoy67]

Man, that was below the belt:(

[Fredo]

Hey, he's the one who ran the FEMA joke into the ground. Blame him.

[jerryg79]

Hey, he's the one who ran the FEMA joke into the ground. Blame him.

no that was unicef;)

[Fredo]

fema, unicef...it all runs together. I still say we blame knoeller. He's not here to defend himself.

[jerryg79]

let's just say he ruined all federal/international aid agency jokes:gigem:

[mudtoy67]

I'll make sure to sneak in his office later and write "Thanks for ruining the FEMA jokes asshole!":gigem:

[bburris]

It's be funnier if you snuck into his office and left a grumpy on his chair.

[mudtoy67]

I thought about that, but the smell might make it back to my office.

[jerryg79]

I thought about that, but the smell might make it back to my office.

roses really smell like poo...poo poo poo

[Fredo]

I ****ing hate you jerry...that **** song is stuck in my head now.

[uglyota]

maybe someday Unicef will get into the business of listening to people whine about songs stuck in their head, but until then...







Hmm...still funny to me :confused2

:flipoff2:

[jerryg79]

maybe someday Unicef will get into the business of listening to people whine about songs stuck in their head, but until then...







Hmm...still funny to me :confused2

:flipoff2:

damn it hippie, i was about to post that, and it was going to be funnier:flipoff2:

[uglyota]

well dammit jerry, I can't just sit around here all day waiting for people to do their jobs

[TxCruzr]

well dammit jerry, I can't just sit around here all day waiting for people to do their jobs

i thought that was the definition of a hippie? wtf, you poser :flipoff2:

[mudtoy67]

My shrine to the indoor radio reception gods...

:flipoff2:

[jerryg79]

nice speakers;)

[agjohn02]

where did you get the 5 hp motor and how much did it cost?

[mudtoy67]

It was on the 3hp compressor (the one that crapped out leading to this project) I bought back in January. Compressor cost me $170 at the time.

[agjohn02]

ah. i need a new pump for mine and am wanting to upgrade the 3 hp thats on it. anyone have any suggestions on where to get a cheap motor?

[uglyota]

Got this for $60 and I aint gotta sweat shiat.
Thinkin it might not have a check valve though...should be on the copper between the compressor and the tank, right?
Fits the Tahoe reeeal nice-like.

[mudtoy67]

Cool! Check valve should be built in to the fitting that goes into the tank.

[AggieTJ2007]

cool looks real nice

[DRAGOONRANCH]

nice oba. :flipoff2:

x2 on what BDR said about the check valve.