I have a modest-sized Craftsman air compressor (2 hp, 6 gallon). I got it new about six years ago and it’s run like a top ever since. However, a couple of weeks ago while running it so I could do some airbrushing, it seemed to have a not-so-smooth running, almost rattly sound as opposed to it’s usual smooth and steady throaty sound.
I know this is a shot in the dark but has anyone ever had a similar experience with their compressor? Any thoughts on what might be the cause and/or fix? Does the thing ever need to be oiled? I hope it turns out to be a simple solution.
What I can tell you is that it’s electric and it claims that it is oil-less. But I’ll go through the owner’s manual with a fine-toothed come and see what comes up. I found the manual on line but, as usual, whatever problem you might be having is never addressed in the manual.
Thanks!
Eric
PS. For what it’s worth, the tank fills up nicely as usual. It’s just that sick sound that has me worried.
The first one I had did something similar. Mine is the smaller one with 3 gallon tank. The one time I decide to pay for the extended warranty and I actually had to use it. But they were out of stock when I went to return it and they told me to hang onto it till the replacement came in. So, I did and had to use it. I think I used it to pump up a neighbor’s tire and it was after dark. That’s when I noticed a spark and when I took a closer look it was arcing where the power cord connected. I could have probably fixed it but figured if they were gonna replace it then I was gonna take it.
May not be the problem with yours but mine was running rough. It would run and fill the tank ok. They(mine) vibrate a lot when they’re running normally and it probably just shook loose but from the way it sounded my first thought was it was about to come unglued.
Eric,
If it says it’s oiless then there is no crankcase to worry about or oil to change. I had an oilless type compressor once and when it started the death rattle there was nothing to be done about it, it was toast.
Oilless compressors are louder and more complicated. Typically short stroke (or rotary) and use a lot of composite seals. Unfortunately the trade off is usually longevity. My pop’s old recip compressor was a six gallon, 2hp like yours but it lasted 20 years before he replaced it and it was running fine when he did. I don’t know why he replaced it.
If I was shopping for a compressor today I’d look for a piston, oiled type. They last much longer and are quieter.
The main problem is that it’s the wrong brand - no, seriously, I have a large Craftsman that ran fine and saw a lot of hard use for ten years before it developed “death rattle”, and began to lose pressure. The fix was to go the Sears parts department online to order a repair kit that replaces the cylinder and piston. For my model it cost about $35.
Craftsman usually does a reasonable job supporting their product after sales. Check the Craftsman repair web site. If you cannot find your compressor model listed there, it may be time to replace.it. If you do find parts for your compressor, take it to a nearby Sears Service Center for an estimate.
Usually, but not always, when an oilless compressor started making strange noise, its time is up. Depending on your usage, 6 years may mean the life span if it is used heavily all the time.
I use a Paasche DA400 oilless compressor (1/6 hp) for airbrushing. It is reasonably quiet to be used indoor. For light duty household work, I get a Sears 1 hp oil libricated compressor. It is still noisy, but it runs cool for longer life.
Oh man! I hope it’s not a “death rattle”! My wife, who bought it for me as a birthday gift for me, figures I’ve had it for seven years; eight tops. But the thing is…I only use it for my models! And at the rate that I build models, that means I only fire up the compressor maybe once every two months. So six times a year I figure. Six times a year for let’s say eight years max, that means I’ve used my compressor only 48 times. I’d kind of hope a compressor would last longer than that!
Guess I’ll start looking into replacement parts. [:'(]
If it is a repairable model, I think that Sears can give a free estimate on the repair. It may be something real simple. Please, let us know if they have changed policy on free estimates.
The Craftsman is a overkill for airbrush in term of power and way too much noise for indoor use. For the way you use it, there are better options for an airbrush compressor if you ever need a replacement. The Sparmax TC-2000 at Hobby Lobby will be a very good choice. (They have the 40% coupon this week.) For a little less, you can get the BearAir’s Polar Bear 1000 or 2000. BearAir is close to you so that the shipping should be cheap and quick.
Thanks for the links Keilau! I actually work about two miles down the road from a Hobby Lobby. Let’s just say I think I know what I’ll be checking out this afternoon during my lunch hour.
At the same time, I just might see what goes on at Sears. My mom actually works as Sears which means I can get a nice little discount on any work that might need to be done. But I’ll get the estimate first. I’ll post whatever I can find out.
Just thought I’d pass this along. I just got off the phone with my local (Green Bay, WI) Sears repair center. They told me that for my compressor, it would be $29.99 up front once I dropped it off. If the cost of any repair is below $110, they’ll just fix it and bill me but the $29.99 would be applied to the final cost. If it’s over that amount, then they would give me a call. If I elected to have the work done, the $29.99 would be applied but if I don’t have the work done, I’d be out the $29.99 (plus tax of course).
For that price, you could get a smaller quieter new one. I’m tracking a couple of used badger compressors on eBay right now that are under $20, but no regulators…
And there’s the biggest problem with Craftsman machines in general. If you can fix the thing yourself, the cost of the parts is generally reasonable. If you can’t or don’t want to, you’re kinda stuck.
When you’re relying on them to make the repair, there’s a better than average chance it’ll be more than $110. Their labor rate will eat that in a hurry. So maybe now 's the time to look at what else is available. If its for models only, then one of the small units might work for you, bearing in mind that most don’t have air tanks with regulators to maintain even pressure settings. A smaller tank type compressor, similar to what you have offers a regulated air supply and the ability to do more than model work.
There should be a lot of alternatives where you live, maybe even just a new “scratch and dent” Craftsman. Best of luck!
I’ve received more responses than I anticipated! All I can say is THANK YOU for each and every one of them. I’ve contemplated fixing the thing myself. My only stumbling block is that I don’t know enough of what’s causing the problem. I don’t know how to properly diagnose it. Since I don’t know that part, I wouldn’t know what the proper parts would be to fix the situation.
I might go for a smaller Craftsman. I use my current compressor for airbrushing 98% of the time. In the winter I use maybe once or twice for filling up snow inner tubes for the kids. I also use it once or twice to fill up the tires on my snow blower. In the summer it inflates my kids swimming pool and the occasional bike tire.
While I’d love a little quiet one just for my airbrushing, necessity dictates that I have a little bit bigger one for the rest of the things I do around the house.
Here’s a question I hadn’t asked before. I have this fear of turning on the air compressor, having part or all of the unit detonate and sheer off both my feet. Am I being irrational? I’m sooooooooo close to finishing up my EA-6B Prowler but I need to put on two more shades of grey! If it were yours, would you still use the compressor?
Thanks!
Eric
PS. Sparrow, you’ve got the gears turning in my head. There’s Harbor Freight on my way home from work. Me thinks it might be worth a look!
Don’t sweat it Eric. Just use it. If it fails I’ll likely make a nasty noise and that will be it, it’s not gonna detonate and take out small animals or any toes in the way.
Pull the head off and look at the piston and cylinder. If the cylinder wall is burned, gouged, or pitted, throw it away and get another one. If the piston is loose or sloppy in the cylinder, it may need only a new piston seal.
If both the piston and cylinder has no wear than pull off a side plate and check the piston bushing. That is usually the first thing that goes out on them. If that is your problem than a new bushing will solve your problem. There isn’t much that can go wrong with that type of compressor.