Harbor Freight Central Pneumatic compressor repair

[@keithm8650]

Don, Thanks for taking this apart to see some of the internals. My HFT 3Gal just stopped working, The motor spun, but the compressor didn;t pump. I found tthat there was a loose set screw on crank to the motor driveshaft. The repair requires removing the copper tubing (12mm nuts), Then the four motor mount screws can be removed. Flipping the motor over, you can see in a access port of the motor where the set screw appears. If you remove the set screw to put Threadlock on it, the set screw may be attraced to the magnetic field of the motor / stator. There is a plastic plate with 4 small screws that can provide access to the crank / connecting rod of the piston. No need to remove the head or cylinder, unless you want to. If the cylinder is removed, watch for very thin, delicate black/clear plastic cylinder o-rings / seals. === When something is broken, there's a chance to learn. Thanks to all the contributors on this page. Great observations and advise!

[@MrEqp123]

I have mines for a few months and noticed the psi at 85-90, thanks to your video i took mines apart, put 4 drops of 3 in 1 oil in the check valve, cleand pistons/ rings and all gasket then placed oil all around everything, even the piston crank got oiling, she now runs quiet and pumps air fast to 100psi. Thanks again

[@CrucesNomad1]

Just bought one for little stuff here at the house. Takes under 4 min to fill up, hold air, but needs a filter to get the water out of it if you plan to air brush. I read the directions and followed them to get the tank to fill up and stop at 100 psi. Had to adjust air pressure at 40 for a continuous 20 pounds of air to my air brush. Was able to fill tires on truck just as quick if not quicker at gas station. May get a small nail gun to see if I can do some trim here around the house. I do not like how loud it is, will have to make something to get the sound down.

[@swgrxwgn]

I have the exactl same compressor I found that there is a reed valve inside the head and that particular reed was broken. I took a piece of soda can and traced the shape and cut it out very carefully. I slid the aluminum can piece under the old reed and although it was much louder and very different toned it did work quite well.

[@ChristianvonDelius]

You can get feeler gauge and shim material at NAPA and McMaster-Carr. How did you get the reed valve inside the head out?

[@samrogerskeeponkeepingon1486]

I just love the orb at 4:52

[@haydenc2742]

I had a porter cable double tank one (the internals were almost EXACTLY the same as these), found that if I put a drop or two of machine oil in the hole on the bottom of the pump assembly it would really help (end cap opposite of the fan [had to unbolt compressor and flip it over])...they call it "oilless" because it doesn't have an oil sump...but it still has rings and a flapper valve...the light machine oil (wifes sewing machine oil) it really went a LONG way in helping the compressor piston not wear out as fast and maintain it's ability to actually compress air [first application I put maybe a teaspoon]...maybe once a year toss a drop or two in the hole in the bottom of the casting right below the connecting rod and bearing. They are all pretty much the same...a piston that air goes thru on the down pump w/ flapper valve, then compresses, the top part has a flapper too. I really want to get a ac compressor from a window unit and replace the motor/compressor and make it a silent compressor.

[@SustarBroadcasting]

(The label on the side of the tank says it should only take 4min.... 3:15)

[@bhoss7133]

Good eye!

[@hpblack1953]

Late to the game here, but what would cause this same compressor to fill past 100psi and have the relief valve pop open? Asking for a friend.

[@douglasmanson2186]

I have the same one..I have had it about 5 years with very little use. I use it to blow the lines out in my 19ft RV. Its worked fine till a few weeks ago. Now the pressure won't even go up to 20 and it sounds like air is leaking just above the tank. Could that copper tube have vibrated loose?

[@axolittle662]

that or, like mine that just died today, the compressor part, the piston arm has ball bearings, those basically shred themselves without oil. so much for the oiless bit

[@eagle0248]

My tube is aluminum, not copper, and it broke at the lower fitting. Started making a loud noise and was not building pressure. Took it apary and found the broken tube. Trying to locate a new one.

[@williepierce7383]

Need to find a regulator for this model 95275 can u help

[@gnbaird1123]

.6 scfm or cfm - .6 or six tens of one gal per minute which when rounded out is about one half gallon per minute. So to fill up a three gallon tank should take about six minutes or two minutes per gallon. of course that is at 90 psi once over 90 it takes longer. Your pressure switch is set to turn off at 125 psi. So either your guage is not giving you acurate reading or your regulator is causing guage to not give tank pressure. I trust switch much more than guage. But in conclusion. Six minutes plus to fill tank is normal at your scfm.

[@cup_and_cone]

I have had THREE of these compressors, two replaced under warranty. They are junk. From 0 psi to cutoff (which is like 87.5 psi, hardly the claimed 100 psi), is around 10 minutes. The pump is just way undersized and it doesn't deliver anywhere near the CFM it claims. It also gets too hot and loses efficiency, which causes wear and kills the cylinder.

[@cashmoneyv197436ify]

I was going to get 1 they have a sale June 7,8.9 they have the 100 psi pancake compressors for 39.99 I will spend the extra money for a Porter CABLE 150 psi pancake 99.$ at least I know I can run power ratchet in stuff off of it my boss had a Porter Cable we use it for years still works only problem we had when it got cold forgot to drain air out of the tank! MY $ is going on Porter Cable might not be the best brand but I seen one put through hell still working!

[@JoshWellborn]

How did you get the red valve cover off the pressure regulator?

[@andrews5926]

A hammer

[@ChristianvonDelius]

Review was 2016, 2 years ago. Is it still alive? My guess based on mine, and reviews, probably not.. I need to take mine apart again. I think the disk under the o-ring in the head is removeable and the reed valve is broken or not seating.

[@DonBrandt]

Christian von Delius No, its toast. Thanks for the question

[@stevemiller6766]

Hello - does anyone know where to obtain the piston ring this thing uses? There is no part number in the book and I have been unsuccessful locating one.

[@pinkhead6857890]

They literally costs more than a whole new compressor. Your best bet is just to buy new at Harbor Freight swap the pumps out and then return to another store for a %20 restocking fee. Its sick but thats what they get for selling disposable products.

[@MrSTOUT73]

It's sintered metal, not plastic. That's what lubes the piston.

[@DonBrandt]

Hello Wayne, Thank for letting us know. Have a good day sir!

[@haydenc2742]

Right...and a few drops of light machine oil once a year soaks into the sintered metal... They call them "oilless" but they still need a tiny bit of lubrication

[@richmel6245]

I've had mine for about 4 years, did a nice job, but...the valve for adjusting the pressure broke off while turning it. There is NO replacement parts....so thank you Harbor Freight for the cheep shit!!

[@hardrockminer-50]

Mine only goes to 20 psi. 1 cubic ft is 7.49 gallons. @Dave M

[@haydenc2742]

fix for that...sounds like flapper valve is broken kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIiZm6mPjtSbr8U

[@pinkhead6857890]

@@haydenc2742 Your just saved me a long drive to Harbor Freight and back!

[@bamamike1013]

See that copper air line? Mine is aluminum and it has failed. Broke in half actually. How do I replace that line? Sure I’m not the only one. Can’t find a replacement anywhere.

[@eriksechrist1125]

Charles Story I’ve run into same issue any luck ?

[@bamamike1013]

erik sechrist kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6KVgnujfrhsjaM. Same concept to how I fixed this. Bought new aluminum line, compression fittings (Lowe’s)(had to ask for help), and a cheap pittsburg tubing cutter from harbor freight. Formed the line to the old one by hand. Still working good. After cutting tube make sure you scrape the burrs from inside diameter.

[@eriksechrist1125]

Charles Story awesome!! Well on that note off to Lowe’s & harbor freight !! Thank you so much !! Not all hero’s wear capes !! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@tostadojen]

I had this issue as well. The aluminum line in mine was 6mm OD. I replaced it with 1/4" OD copper tubing, and with the right compression fittings it fits just fine.

[@joeswan5922]

I have a question? Have a pancake harbor freight style air compressor model number 95275 it's a 3 gallon 100 PSI compressor I need a on/off switch and I cannot find one I even called harbor freight customer service and they could not help me. Thank you Joe

[@scottgalloway8587]

I got mine on Amazon or eBay. $5. Use a screwdriver to pop the switch button after taking a photo of the wire connectors…. The code is on there, just google that and there you go

[@cashmoneyv197436ify]

I am just pay the extra 60$ on 150 psi porter cable June 7.8.9 they will be selling the 3 gallon Central Pneumatic the hot dog or the pancake compressors for 39.99$! I will spend the extra money my boss had the 150 Porter Cable pancake compressor in we beat the shit out of it still worked everyday I need something to run air tool not 40$ 2 pump my car tires up lol!

[@ronyerke9250]

Tiny piston, big motor, No unloader.

[@TheMiniMachineShop]

Just timed my Husky which is one gallon. 0 to 100PSI in 2 minutes 14 seconds for what its worth. Something wrong here. A web calculator says 3gal = .4cf which is less than a 6 in square and the tank is bigger than that.

[@DonBrandt]

+David Mitteer Your Husky is 1/3 the size and takes about the same time as my 3 gal? Do I understand correctly?

[@TheMiniMachineShop]

Yep...

[@evo8_gsr216]

Who actually wanna buy a New one? I do lol

[@johnsarab4500]

So just look for things that look wrong, if yiu have basic mechanical knowledge.

[@OldSkoolF]

Whats wrong with it...? LOL It's made by Horrible Freight....

[@joseramon3302]

Como reparal el flaper de ese compresor