Compressor issues - advice please

[topcat]

Hello all, apologies for bombarding this 'help' section of the forum but i am having a bit of a tricky week.

I have recently set up my own framing business after working for someone else for ten years and purchased most of my stuff second-hand. This included a Cassese CS89 underpinner (the model i had used in my old job) and this came with a Bambi compressor, also second-hand. This Bambi is an oil-run compressor and this is something new to me and is causing me some issues, the main one being that when i use the air-blower it is blowing out grease onto the glass.

PLEASE BEAR WITH ME IF I AM BEING IGNORANT, is the blowing grease issue because you're not supposed to use oil-fed compressors for an air-blower? In my last job we only had a non-oil compressor and never had this issue.

I have attempted to drain the compressor using the 'drain here' tube many times and each time i get out a small amount of greenish oily gloop, but i am seemingly unable to get all of this out at once and there is always more every time i try to drain it. I am aware that by now there is grease and gunk in my airlines and have purchased new tubing to replace these, however it seems foolish to do this until the problem is solved. I really don't know what more i can do to clear it out, perhaps i need to buy a new oil-free compressor?

ANY HELP OF ADVICE AT ALL WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED as this issue is causing me a lot of stress and unhappy days so early into my exciting new framing adventure.

[prospero]

It probably needs a good service. Sounds like there are some seals that needs replacement. No way should oil be getting in the airflow.

[topcat]

Thanks Prospero, i'll find someone to take a look at it. I did scout around Lancaster (where i live) when i first got it for a service but without luck, i'll have to look further afield.

Can anyone here suggest someone who might service it in the north west?

[David McCormack]

Have you tried contacting Mark Thornton http://theframersforum.com/memberlist.p ... file&u=335 from http://underpinner-spares.co.uk/service_centre.php Don't know if he services compressors or not? Based in Brighouse, West Yorkshire.

[topcat]

Yes, unfortunately he doesn't service them.

Will try to get a price locally and compare that with buying a new one.

[Tudor Rose]

We had exactly the same problems years ago, but solved it by getting an oil free compressor when we got the CMC. Oil free might be the easiest and cheapest way to go in the long run.

[topcat]

Thanks Tudor, this is what i am starting to think.

If anyone has any recommendations for affordable makes/models of oil free compressors i would appreciate it.

[IFGL]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/281334556843?nav=SEARCH

we have had this one for 18 months without issue so far.

[Roboframer]

Rubbish! It's still got 5 days left.

[IFGL]

I should mention it is not as quite as a bambi but not overly noisy, we also have a cheapo very loud oil free compressor £140 that we have in the cellar and have wired in a switch in the shop for it , you can't hear it at all unless you listen for it.

[topcat]

Thanks for the suggestions, going to do a bit of research before i buy one. Fortunately they don't seem quite as expensive as i feared, provided you don't mind buying some earplugs!

[Cameron]

I had the same problem with my Sil-Air 50/24.

It sprayed oil but I fixed it by running a 20 meter hose from the compressor to a water trap then to my multi outlet for running all my tools. The air is cool buy the time is gets to the water trap.. hence no oil water spray.

well worth giving this a try.. I have heard some people running the hose in cold water to cool it better but my 20 meter hose does the trick and have not seen any oil/water spray for over a year now.

Cameron

[IFGL]

I did wonder whether your compressor problem was sorted Cameron, glad to hear it is.

http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 033#p80033

[Cameron]

Ah yep I forgot I posted my problem with oil splattering ages ago.

Was such an easy fix!

[Graysalchemy]

You need a moisture trap on it for a start. Also give Bambi a ring they will give you a list of engineers there are quiet a lot around as they are used by nearly every dentist in the country. Unfortunately engineers usually charge 'medical' rates.