Old Air Compressor

[Barneyhunts]

I recently came into possession of an old Montgomery Ward air compressor. It turns over easily by hand, but does not have any inlet air filters. They should sit right on top of each cylinder. I'd like to know what type of material would be required to make new ones? They would be flat and approximately 1/2" thick.
Thanks,
Barney

 

[3Ts]

Campbell Hausfeld makes a rectangular felt type filter like you describe. You can get it at Tractor Supply. You may need 2 filters to be long enough depending on the size of your air inlet.

 

[searcyfarms]

if you go by the local vacuum cleaner store they might have filter material that breathes well but keeps out dust that is where i got my last ones, they just cut it out of the 2x2 sheet of fliter material they had, they use it for all brands and its cheaper than the stock/OEM ones, if figured it it works for a vacuum motor it would work for my air compressor

 

[Industrial Toys]

That gets me wondering. I have never even thought about filters on my compressors! Condensate in the tanks, but not filters.

 

[searcyfarms]

my 2 cyl 2 stage quincy has a air filter like a lawn mower engine on it

Quincy Replacement Air Compressor Filter Intake Element 11377e1 / 11377e94 | eBay

 

[tjkubota93]

I have an old Sears like that. Cut 1/2 inch off a rectangle carwash sponge I had, fit perfect.

 

[ddbackhoe]

That gets me wondering. I have never even thought about filters on my compressors! Condensate in the tanks, but not filters.

We clean ours once a month. They are a scrubber pad type like a precleaner for some other applications. Also use an automatic drain valve so the tanks dont build up too much water.

 

[cathy liebchen]

Montgomery Ward went under 20 years ago, so that is pretty old for an air compressor. I thought the tanks had an expiration date. Cast iron ones will last longer. And oiled compressors last longer.

 

[3Ts]

The compressor itself should be fine, I'm not aware of any expiration date for them. The tanks however, are only "good" for 10 years and either need to be replaced or inspected at that point.

 

[George2615]

I've never heard of an air comp. tank expiration date. I used to have a 60 gallon air compressor I bought from Northern Tool (Formerly Northern Hydraulic). It was about 30 years old when the bottom of the tank finally rusted out from years of condensate. It wasn't used daily but only a few times each week. Condensate was blown out weekly (never a lot came out) and compressor oil and air filter was changed annually. The tank bottom was paper thin by then and didn't want to chance welding on a patch.

I replaced mine with a new 80 gallon compressor and gave the old one to a friend who had a 3 year old tank with a bad compressor. He put my old compressor on his tank and it is still in use today. It is well over 40 years old now.

I'm sure the OP will be able to find or adapt a new air filter.

 

[ray66v]

Being as it's a Monkey Ward compressor, I'm guessing it's not a high end product.

And, as others have said, the age could mean the tank could be in poor condition on the inside.

It's probably not worth fooling with it.

If you choose to use it, keep those who don't understand the risk away from it, when ever there is air in it. Because, it can potentially kill someone. Here is a video of exactly how dangerous it can be:

Air compressor explosion safety video footage of actual explosion - YouTube

Compressor tank exploded on Craftsman air compressor

 

[Barneyhunts]

Thank you all for your input. I found another forum dedicated to Montgomery Ward air compressors and on it found a part number for an inlet filter and a silencer. Used to part numbers and actually found a current supplier. Thank you again for taking the time to comment. Regards, Barney