Airbrush Compressor Problems

[mutronics]

Hi Guys

I'm hoping you can help me with a problem with my airbrush compressor.

I have an old oil compressor that I have had for approximately 30 years. It seems to go by various names like Revell Omega or Sil Air 15C or maybe A .

It was still working great but a hose has just started leaking the compressed air. Its still holding enough pressure to work but its obviously going to get worse so needs to be replaced.

Ive attached some pics with the problem areas circled. I'm trying to establish what part I need to replace the hose. I've found this on:

Sil-Air Compressor Hose 200mm

Sil-Air C0297 flexible stainless steel braided compressor hose with 1/8

www.air-craft.net

This is out of stock or would this one work which is for the Sparmax?

Sparmax Compressor Hose 225mm.

Also the top of my hose seems to be just held on with a screw cuff? Am I missing a part where the hose joins the top tank, as for other compressors there seems to be an elbow connector for the top part. I've attached a pic of a similar compressor showing the sort of elbow connector that might be missing.

If anyone could help it would be very appreciated as i love this compressor and don't want to have to buy another just because a hose has failed.

 

[TazMan2000]

Have you tried taking off the connectors, cleaning them, using teflon pipe tape and tightening the clamps?

TazMan2000

 

[mutronics]

Have you tried taking off the connectors, cleaning them, using teflon pipe tape and tightening the clamps?

TazMan2000

The leak is in the middle of the pipe and not at the ends so I think it needs replacing. I have made tentative attempts at taking the pipe off, but it won't budge. I undid the clamp at the top but could get no movement from the pipe at that join. Im not sure how its attatched there? Glue? The bolt at the bottom won't move and I'm afraid of snapping something as I saw another post where the release valve (opposite side) snapped with too much force. I think I'll add some penetrative oil to the joints and see what happens.

 

[TazMan2000]

The leak is in the middle of the pipe and not at the ends so I think it needs replacing. I have made tentative attempts at taking the pipe off, but it won't budge. I undid the clamp at the top but could get no movement from the pipe at that join. Im not sure how its attatched there? Glue? The bolt at the bottom won't move and I'm afraid of snapping something as I saw another post where the release valve (opposite side) snapped with too much force. I think I'll add some penetrative oil to the joints and see what happens.

I don't think they used glue, but they might have used loctite, which really isn't for sealing, but thread locking. It might just be in there tight. You could use a clamp on the metal at the end of the hose and a wrench at the nut and alternate slightly turning clockwise and counter-clockwise to loosen the nut. Oxidation of the metal can sometimes cause problems, so try penetrant, like WD-40. The fitting looks like it is brass, a soft metal, so if you use too much force in turning, you could break the fitting, then it's a hassle and extra cost for getting that out.

If you're certain if the leak is in the middle of the hose, then you can carefully cut and peel back the abrasion hose on the outside and use electrical tap to wrap the hose. I would go with that if the pressure isn't too high. With that clamp on the end of the tank, I don't think you're working with that high of a pressure.

If you're afraid of damaging something, there might be a place in your town that sells hydraulic and pneumatic fittings. They might be able to fix it there, but there might be a charge just to look at it. the hoses, most likely, are standard. However the clamp to the tank looks a bit odd.

Honestly, for the trouble, I'd just go get another compressor. Use the new one and work on the old one. If you break something on the old one, you still have a compressor. If you do get a new one, you can also pick up an inline desiccant filter, which is a good thing to have in humid environments.

TazMan2000

 

[mutronics]

I don't think they used glue, but they might have used loctite, which really isn't for sealing, but thread locking. It might just be in there tight. You could use a clamp on the metal at the end of the hose and a wrench at the nut and alternate slightly turning clockwise and counter-clockwise to loosen the nut. Oxidation of the metal can sometimes cause problems, so try penetrant, like WD-40. The fitting looks like it is brass, a soft metal, so if you use too much force in turning, you could break the fitting, then it's a hassle and extra cost for getting that out.

If you're certain if the leak is in the middle of the hose, then you can carefully cut and peel back the abrasion hose on the outside and use electrical tap to wrap the hose. I would go with that if the pressure isn't too high. With that clamp on the end of the tank, I don't think you're working with that high of a pressure.

If you're afraid of damaging something, there might be a place in your town that sells hydraulic and pneumatic fittings. They might be able to fix it there, but there might be a charge just to look at it. the hoses, most likely, are standard. However the clamp to the tank looks a bit odd.

Honestly, for the trouble, I'd just go get another compressor. Use the new one and work on the old one. If you break something on the old one, you still have a compressor. If you do get a new one, you can also pick up an inline desiccant filter, which is a good thing to have in humid environments.

TazMan2000

Thanks for the detailed response TazMan2000. I just heard back from Air Craft people and they wont be restocking the tube and if they did, they don't have the connector the other compressors have anyway.

So yes. There's no point in trying to take the tube off, but I'll have a look at peeling the abrasion hose off and fixing the leak with a patch.

If that doesn't work maybe make a call to a couple of places that may be able to replace the hose. Its probably a 2 minute job for someone who knows what they are doing.

It is a shame as I've seen these and similar compressors going for hundreds online and they are great. This one is over 35 years old and i never had a problem. But I guess not so great if you cant get the replacement parts needed every 35 years lol!

Thanks again
Pete