Lightweight Compressor Is Easy To Carry Around

1998 - Volume #22, Issue #1, Page #40

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"It weighs only about 70 lbs. so I can easily carry it anywhere," says Ken Phillips, East Otto, N.Y., about the portable air compressor he built that's powered by a chain saw-type Tecumseh 2-cycle gas engine.
The 50 cc engine belt-drives a single cylinder air compressor pump that pressurizes a small air tank that came from a semi's air brake system.
Phillips built an angle iron frame to hold all components. In addition to the engine, compressor, and air tank, there's a pressure gauge, a coiled air hose, a small valve at the bottom of the tank to drain moisture caused by condensation, and a spring-loaded relief valve that automatically controls air pressure. A curved handle made from steel conduit lets him carry the compressor around like a suit-case.
"It has more power than compressors you run off a cigarette lighter and it's much smaller than commercial gas-powered units that you push around like a wheelbarrow," says Phillips. "I take it to junk yards to operate an air impact wrench to pull parts off vehicles. It also works great for filling up tires anywhere on the farm. If I get a flat tractor tire in the woods, I can strap the compressor onto my ATV and air up the tire as many times as necessary to get home. The tank can build up to 120 psi. Or, if I have an air brake vehicle that has an air compressor problem I can simply strap the compressor to the vehicle's frame, plug it into the existing air system, and drive the vehicle home.
"The Tecumseh rope-start engine is similar to the ones used on chain saws but has a governor on it. I bought the engine from a friend for $20. I bought the tank new and the pump at a yard sale for $4. My total cost was only about $70.
"I had previously built an air compressor using a 3 hp Briggs and Stratton gas engine, an automotive air conditioner compressor, and a good sized tank. It was mounted on wheels but weighed about 200 lbs. so it wasn't something that I wanted to carry. I gave it to a friend and built this one."
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kenneth P. Phillips, 7261 Prill Road, East Otto, N.Y. 14729 (ph 716 257-3739).

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Lightweight Compressor Is Easy To Carry Around FARM SHOP Miscellaneous 22-1-40 "It weighs only about 70 lbs. so I can easily carry it anywhere," says Ken Phillips, East Otto, N.Y., about the portable air compressor he built that's powered by a chain saw-type Tecumseh 2-cycle gas engine. The 50 cc engine belt-drives a single cylinder air compressor pump that pressurizes a small air tank that came from a semi's air brake system. Phillips built an angle iron frame to hold all components. In addition to the engine, compressor, and air tank, there's a pressure gauge, a coiled air hose, a small valve at the bottom of the tank to drain moisture caused by condensation, and a spring-loaded relief valve that automatically controls air pressure. A curved handle made from steel conduit lets him carry the compressor around like a suit-case. "It has more power than compressors you run off a cigarette lighter and it's much smaller than commercial gas-powered units that you push around like a wheelbarrow," says Phillips. "I take it to junk yards to operate an air impact wrench to pull parts off vehicles. It also works great for filling up tires anywhere on the farm. If I get a flat tractor tire in the woods, I can strap the compressor onto my ATV and air up the tire as many times as necessary to get home. The tank can build up to 120 psi. Or, if I have an air brake vehicle that has an air compressor problem I can simply strap the compressor to the vehicle's frame, plug it into the existing air system, and drive the vehicle home. "The Tecumseh rope-start engine is similar to the ones used on chain saws but has a governor on it. I bought the engine from a friend for $20. I bought the tank new and the pump at a yard sale for $4. My total cost was only about $70. "I had previously built an air compressor using a 3 hp Briggs and Stratton gas engine, an automotive air conditioner compressor, and a good sized tank. It was mounted on wheels but weighed about 200 lbs. so it wasn't something that I wanted to carry. I gave it to a friend and built this one." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Kenneth P. Phillips, 7261 Prill Road, East Otto, N.Y. 14729 (ph 716 257-3739).

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