> In my search for the "end-all" air compressor for my personal shop, I
> found a kit for an old VW engine motor.
> You take a in-line four VW engine and remove the heads. Two cyclinders
> become the engine and the other 2 are the air pump. (A VW engine will
> run on 2 cyc) The kit was about $500 and I was able to get a VW engine
> for a song. I plan on mounting the unit to a trailer so it is
> portable. My calculations (which aren't very good) I think I should be
> able to pull about 50cfm at around 125psi. Has anyone else tried one of
> these? If so, anything I should look out for? I'm starting this
> project this weekend. I'll let you know what I find out.
Sullair Inc, of Michigan City, Indiana, once marketed a small portable
air compressor as you describe. It was rated at 40 cfm at 90 psi. It was
trailer mounted, with a fiberglass cover, and could run a small paving
breaker or rockdrill. They went on to better things, and now produce
screw compressors exclusively (Think of it as a supercharger with a high
compression ratio). They are now owned by Sundstrand, I believe.
- Bill Rabel/ Wet Spot Garage/ Seattle
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