The Ford Barn

Maclab58 · 06-19-2015, 07:12 PM

A friend has a model A era K R Wilson air compressor that he has offered to sell me. It is a restored, working compressor. It has a copper tank that is 1/4 inch thick and a belt drive motor. Do any of you guys have any idea as to its value?

Mitch//pa · 06-19-2015, 07:22 PM

do you have any pics of it

1930artdeco · 06-19-2015, 07:30 PM

How is the tanks integrity?

Mike

Kurt in NJ · 06-19-2015, 07:48 PM

How heavy is the tank--say at 2$ a pound ---then add for the motor and pump

Maclab58 · 06-19-2015, 08:00 PM

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Maclab58 · 06-19-2015, 08:03 PM

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Tom Wesenberg · 06-19-2015, 08:45 PM

I don't know the value of it, but that's a cool compressor and would look good in your garage or shop. I've never heard of a copper tank. Have you tried a magnet to it?

Rowdy · 06-19-2015, 09:25 PM

Ok, I am starting to drool over the pic. Not sure of value. I guesse if the tank passes a pressure test of 150 psi or so that would all alot. Without having it tested it is just a cool display piece. So that value will vary. Rod

Joe K · 06-19-2015, 09:31 PM

I guess I would start at what would a comparable modern compressor cost.

You may have trouble sourcing parts on this older machine.

The copper tank SHOULD be good as copper is more resistant to corrosion than steel.

It may be worth in scrap beyond it's value as an air compressor. But your friend may be appreciative of the historic value - and hence thought of you as a suitable (and appreciative) place for it to end up?

Sometimes its not about the money either.

Joe K

Maclab58 · 06-19-2015, 09:41 PM

He wants $1000 for it. He would like it to stay with a model A person and prefers it to stay in the area. He actually has the original leather belt. He restored it and stripped the tank and confirmed that it's copper.

CWPASADENA · 06-19-2015, 10:13 PM

I would be very concerned about the copper tank. Copper will work harden and age harden. I would want to talk to a qualified person about the safety aspects of using a copper tank of this age for a pressure vessel. A failure of a pressurized tank is not something I would want to deal with.

Just my opinion as a Mechanical Engineer.

Chris W.

Mike V. Florida · 06-19-2015, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maclab58

He wants $1000 for it. He would like it to stay with a model A person and prefers it to stay in the area. He actually has the original leather belt. He restored it and stripped the tank and confirmed that it's copper.

Take it!! How many has anyone seen of this compressor?

Maclab58 · 06-19-2015, 10:28 PM

I don't plan on using it as a work tool. My interest is purely to own a piece of model As era history. Who knows when I might see another one. I try to preserve pieces of their era as often as I can.

Rowdy · 06-19-2015, 11:17 PM

$1000 does not seem too bad. Not likely to see another. Wish I would have held onto my H&R from the 1940's. It was used at the Ford dealership in Arnold , Ne. until 1983 when the closed down and sold out. We used it in Dad's shop until 2003. By that time it was in need of a complete rebuild. Long story short it ended up being scrapped. Rod

06-19-2015, 07:12 PM	#1
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	K R Wilson air compressor A friend has a model A era K R Wilson air compressor that he has offered to sell me. It is a restored, working compressor. It has a copper tank that is 1/4 inch thick and a belt drive motor. Do any of you guys have any idea as to its value?

06-19-2015, 07:22 PM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: K R Wilson air compressor do you have any pics of it

06-19-2015, 07:30 PM	#3
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: K R Wilson air compressor How is the tanks integrity? Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

06-19-2015, 07:48 PM	#4
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: K R Wilson air compressor How heavy is the tank--say at 2$ a pound ---then add for the motor and pump

06-19-2015, 08:00 PM	#5
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	Re: K R Wilson air compressor image.jpg

06-19-2015, 08:03 PM	#6
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	Re: K R Wilson air compressor Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) image.jpg

06-19-2015, 08:45 PM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: K R Wilson air compressor I don't know the value of it, but that's a cool compressor and would look good in your garage or shop. I've never heard of a copper tank. Have you tried a magnet to it?

06-19-2015, 09:25 PM	#8
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: K R Wilson air compressor Ok, I am starting to drool over the pic. Not sure of value. I guesse if the tank passes a pressure test of 150 psi or so that would all alot. Without having it tested it is just a cool display piece. So that value will vary. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

06-19-2015, 09:31 PM	#9
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: K R Wilson air compressor I guess I would start at what would a comparable modern compressor cost. You may have trouble sourcing parts on this older machine. The copper tank SHOULD be good as copper is more resistant to corrosion than steel. It may be worth in scrap beyond it's value as an air compressor. But your friend may be appreciative of the historic value - and hence thought of you as a suitable (and appreciative) place for it to end up? Sometimes its not about the money either. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

06-19-2015, 09:41 PM	#10
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	Re: K R Wilson air compressor He wants $1000 for it. He would like it to stay with a model A person and prefers it to stay in the area. He actually has the original leather belt. He restored it and stripped the tank and confirmed that it's copper.

06-19-2015, 10:13 PM	#11
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,884	Re: K R Wilson air compressor I would be very concerned about the copper tank. Copper will work harden and age harden. I would want to talk to a qualified person about the safety aspects of using a copper tank of this age for a pressure vessel. A failure of a pressurized tank is not something I would want to deal with. Just my opinion as a Mechanical Engineer. Chris W.

06-19-2015, 10:28 PM	#13
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	Re: K R Wilson air compressor I don't plan on using it as a work tool. My interest is purely to own a piece of model As era history. Who knows when I might see another one. I try to preserve pieces of their era as often as I can.

06-19-2015, 11:17 PM	#14
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: K R Wilson air compressor $1000 does not seem too bad. Not likely to see another. Wish I would have held onto my H&R from the 1940's. It was used at the Ford dealership in Arnold , Ne. until 1983 when the closed down and sold out. We used it in Dad's shop until 2003. By that time it was in need of a complete rebuild. Long story short it ended up being scrapped. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!