I would like to buy a quality air compressor, one that lasts at least 5 years. I am done giving Sears $100/$110 every 3 or 4 years for a lousy Craftsman 3 gal, 1 hp, 125 psi air compressor that is ma

Ned White

• 2100 Answers
• Posted on Feb 27, 2010

SOURCE: Craftsman 3 Gal. Air Compressor 1 HP Hortiz

Does it run? Does it stop running? Does the pressure gauge read anything at all? Is there a regulator on it? Can you take the reg off? A bunch of things to check, get it running and let me know what you find, and I will try to tell you what's next.

SOURCE: Craftsman air compressor 1 HP 12 gal 125 psi

this is probably an "oilless" compressor, it has "piston" with a thin ring of leatherlike material acting as a piston ring, the "cylinder" is an aluminum sleeve - what usually happens is the cylinder gets scratched from dirt or just wear or the leather ring deteriorates, that's why it will go only so far - the only fix for this is to replace the cylinder and the piston

SOURCE: why did my craftsman 5 hp 240 volt 125 psi air

your motor overheated from too low a voltage if theres a manual reset try this,also replace the two motor start and run capacitors on the motor body

SOURCE: my craftsman air compressor #919176820 2 HP 12 gallon 200 max psi will not compress over 125 psi

If your compressor is oil-less type, most likely pressure is leaking past piston ring. To verify, remove cover to expose bottom of cylinder (unplug compressor and let out all air). With flashlight, examine the upper-most part of the cylinder (turn motor by hand till piston is at top of stroke). If top of cylinder is scratched, then pressure is leaking past.
For many years now, stores are in a race to have more HP and PSI to attract customers. Customer is really the loser because components used to make the units can not handle the higher pressure. Normally small 115v compressors are set to cut out at 125psi and larger two stage units will cut out at 160psi. Small compressor set to 200psi makes for short lived compressor. Could be compared to driving your car at 100mph all day every day. Longest life is attained when unit is being used at about 60 to 75 % of capacity.
To allow your compressor to reach cutout pressure and keep working for a while, lower cutout to 120psi (pressure switch may be adjustable). To restore to 200psi, replace cylinder/ ring.
If your compressor is oil type, suspect leaking reed valves.