Hi Greg,
I have the 6.0 hp Craftsman, and have been using it for about ten years. It
has held up well for some fairly extensive painting, wrench work, grinding and
cutting. -But I have also been religious about keeping it full of oil. The
only problem I had with it was about a year ago when I decided to use it to
spray-stain a new stockade fence. It worked like a charm, but the long
duration high volume use heated the compressor to the point that is seemed to
want to seize the next time I used it. -Some oil in the piston, and some light
use, and it seems fine now.
I used it to paint the engine and all of the black parts (primers and multiple
coats). I also used it to disassemble and to some degree reassemble the car w/
air ratchet and impact wrench. --I would hate to try to take apart a Healey
for full restoration without those two tools.
If you are going to paint with this compressor you will also need:
A Water (+ oil) Trap (removes condensation and compressor oil from the air
flow)
A moderate or low CFM spray gun
Highly recommend extension air hose
I did not paint my frame or body panels, I left that to an expert. Maybe
someone else can tell you whether it is up to that job.
Other tools:
Air ratchet (low profile if possible)
Impact gun ----and IMPACT SOCKETS -don't use regular sockets
Hearing protection
Air tool oil
-An air driven cutter/grinder is a great tool too, but expensive, -I was able
to borrow one.
Adjusted properly, it is surprising how many frozen heavy bolts can be teased
out with an impact wrench....without snapping the heads off. It just takes
some patience and mystery oil and lower settings.
David W. Jones
'62 Mk II BT7 tricarb
Cumberland, RI USA
----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Lemon
To: healeys@Autox.Team.Net
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 6:07 PM
Subject: Air Compressor Advice (Healey Restoration Tools/Not Healey
Specific)
I am looking at a Craftsman compressor at Sears, I believe it is 5.5 or 6.0
hp and 33 gallon, on sale with some air tools and hose for $300.
Home Depot has a similar set-up, slightly less compressor, slightly more
tools same money, the HD compressor is a Campbell Hausfeld, though sold
under the store name.
Any expereince, thoughts on which way to go?
I am just a amateur with limited skills so I probably wouldn't be running
anything for too long, (have to stop to see if I am doing more damage than
good frequently)
Want to do bodywork, painting, hence the compressor.
Any input on or off list appreciated.
Thanks,
Greg Lemon
54 BN1
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