Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: etdown on July 16, 2025, 12:42:45 pm

Title: Re: Vintage Compressor / Vacuum Pump
Post by: Jim on July 27, 2025, 01:14:50 am
Fantastic!
Title: Re: Vintage Compressor / Vacuum Pump
Post by: MadeForThat on July 27, 2025, 12:59:39 am
I was terrified when you said it had been turned into a lamp, but had a sign of relief to know they kept it functional! I actually really like this as a lamp, it looks amazing! Props to that guy for not destroying a beautiful machine and allowing it a place in the home again haha
Title: Re: Vintage Compressor / Vacuum Pump
Post by: Fullraceflathead on July 17, 2025, 10:34:47 am
I think that's awesome just the way it is you got a beautiful find!!!
Title: Re: Vintage Compressor / Vacuum Pump
Post by: Stoker on July 16, 2025, 01:46:19 pm
You think it makes a pretty cool display ...... I think it is full on SPECTACULAR!!!
Title: Vintage Compressor / Vacuum Pump
Post by: etdown on July 16, 2025, 12:42:45 pm
I picked up a very cool vintage air compressor / vacuum pump at an auction a few weeks ago.  I would date this compressor to the 1920's.  It would have been used in a dentist's office.  It is nicely built, in great shape and really quite nice looking.  It had been turned into a lamp by the previous owner.  I was going to remove the lamp portion, but I decided I kind of liked it and it did not interfere with the operation of the compressor at all.  I was unsure of the capacity or pressure of the compressor, but I was hoping I could use it to drive my smaller steam engines.  I had to really clean it up, replace numerous leather gaskets.  It still has leather piston rings, but they seem to be in pretty good shape so I left them.  I had to replace the leather drive belt.  I found a guy on eBay that will make any sized round belt for a fair price.  It worked out great.

I really hoped that it could drive my newly completed ME Beam engine.  I think it makes a pretty cool display.

[attach=1]
[attach=2]
Gene

Here is a link to the compressor running my Beam Engine: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZUpzLrHuJE