Craftsman air compressor switch repair

[Gary Fowler]

I have a Craftsman 30 gallon oilfree compressor with what is stamped 5.5 HP motor. The air pressure switch started leaking so yesterday I went to Sears to price a new switch. I had priced it online at $129 not including shipping or tax charges. The Sears guy knew it was expensive so when I told him it was a 1998 year model he suggested to just replace it. A high volume one of about 11.2 CFM @90 PSI with 30 gal tank would be $599 so I decided to check the F&R store Atwoods right down the street. They had a 220v one with 13.5 or so CFM with 60 gallon tank for $469 (Magnum Force made in China) and the salesman wasnt real happy with Atwoods decision to drop the Puma brand and go with Magnum Force. Anyway while looking for parts need to hook up a 220v compressor, I mentioned that all my current one needed was pressure switch but Sears want over $130 for one. He said we have pressure switches for compressors. We checked it out and they had a Magnum force brand and a Square D brand and the price was outrageously CHEAP @ 19 bucks including tax. I figured what the heck for less than $20 I will give it a look.
Today I removed the old switch and started looking at what I would need to put the new one on. The Old Sears had 4 each 1/4" NPT female outlet plus the 1/8" tubing connection for the pressure sensor. The new one had ONE each 1/4" NPT + the 1/8" tubing fitting. I decided that I needed to buy 2 tees and a nipple to make it work which would give me the 4 outlets, but I ended up needing 3 tees and 3 nipple and used the old original nipple to boot to make it work. When finally, after 2 trips to the hardware store and $10 worth of parts, I got it all put together, it worked perfectly. The switch cut off at exactly 130 PSI as it was supposed to. So in the end< I saved $110 by not using the sears switch. There is absolutely no reason for them to charge 110 bucks more for a pressure control switch than a standard aftermarket one.

 

[oldballs]

Your ingenuity would have made my day. Nice goin'.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I was pretty happy walking out with that switch for less than $20 when I was preparing to spend $500 for a replacement. Now if the rest of it just lasts another 15 years I dont think I would replace it. I likely wont be doing a lot of work at 80 years of age.

 

[kw22614]

It seems these days most places want to make their fortunes on each item they sell.
The good thing, lot's of those places are shutting doors to many locations and some folding completely.
Sears is closing many locations, to stay afloat.
I remember my Grandfolks Sears catalogs, not many storefronts then and items were shipped cheaply, were exactly as described and built to last.
Ain't we supposed to learn from the past??? :jaded:

Good on 'ya, for the redneck ingenuity!

 

[Kernopelli]

I remember my Grandfolks Sears catalogs, not many storefronts then and items were shipped cheaply, were exactly as described and built to last.
Ain't we supposed to learn from the past??? :jaded:

Good on 'ya, for the redneck ingenuity!

Receiving the new catalogs ( Sears, JC Penny, Montgomery Ward etc) seemed almost as fun as Christmas itself. I can remember spending hours pouring over each new one and almost drooling on the tool,knife,gun and minibike sections.......ahhh, those were truly the good 'ol days!!

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

I repaired a portable pancake sear compressor with a Square D pump controller about 9 years ago also.
$19.00 at Ace hardware.
Glad to hear your goodnews.
Tom

 

[crazyal]

I had an older Craftsman compressor that had it's own goofy style pressure switch manifold that cracked. It turned out that you couldn't get any more and wasn't something you could replace because it had a check valve with some not standard threads going into the tank. I had to find someone who could weld better than I so I could replace the bung in the tank. Not sure why Sears does the odd ball things it does but at least you were able to get around their design while saving money.

 

[duroc]

I learned a long time ago not to purchase large items from Sears. I bought a power washer there and used it maybe 3 times before the pump went out. I tried to buy a replacement pump for it, but the pump cost was more than I paid for the whole PW, and they did not offer a repair kit for it. I bought a new PW, but it didn't come from Sears. I do, however, like a lot of Sears/Craftsman tools, but I choose them selectively. Glad to hear you fixed yours and saved a ton of money too!

 

[mjncad]

Sears...the over priced K-Mart.

 

[TomSeller]

You were smart to just get an off the shelf repair part and McGiver it to fit. Sears really can't compete in the repair parts market, particularly on what is a commodity. Square D has been around forever and as bazillion pressure switches out there. Sears has to buy from someone, then mark it up, cross list to their own part numbers, catalogs, etc. etc. etc.

 

[DFB]

Sears has to buy from someone, then mark it up, cross list to their own part numbers, catalogs, etc. etc. etc.

You got that right...I needed a new timer control for a Sears whirlpool washer of course Sears just said it was obsolete. Could get all the parts diagrams and part numbers online but numerous inquires to Whirlpool dealers and online part houses weren't any help either. Finally out of frustration I took the timer out found a series of numbers on the part that werent sears/whirlpool searched them online eventually it brought me to the actual manufacturer who still had plenty of that part# in inventory. $ 60 bucks delivered to my door and I was back in business.

 

[varmint]

I have a smallish Dewalt compressor I use for nail guns... the pressure switch for it died, after not much use. When I replaced it with a OEM switch purchased online ($15?) I noticed that moisture had ruined it. When I thought about it, it was obvious: when the unit was stored vertically, so as to take up minimal floor space, the switch was on the bottom of the tank. Dah. Plus, I would store it with air in the tank, and I guess that's bad form, too. Vent and drain.

 

[pawon]

Great Gary!!

Those 'brand specific' pressure switches are complete rip-offs. On most / all air compressors you can basically install any pressure switch you want, as long as the electrical and physical connection match (or can be made to match).

If you or any other member has any problems with air compressors, let me know... I am the owner of www.air-compressor-guide.com and love to help you guys with all your air compressor problems
For example, my pages about pressure switches: Air compressor pressure switch

Thanks for posting! I know a lot of people DO buy those expensive 'must use this brand only' replacement parts!

Pawon

 

[Gem99ultra]

Pawon - VERY nice of you to offer to help fellow TbN members! It's good to see members helping each other. And Gary - I'm also glad to see someone not willing to be pushed around by some greedy seller.

We've become a throw-away world, and that will eventually become our downfall. Our bad.