Thanks for posting your review.

After making sure the compressor was completely level on both axis i hit the switch and started the compressor up for the break-in period. The manual calls for 30 minutes of continuos use. At about 25 minutes into the process , smoke started billowing out the air outlet. I passed it off as maybe oil being burned from assembly or transport.

Wow, that's some "break-in" procedure you found in that sears compressor manual. So you vented the tank (or pump's outlet) to atmosphere during this period, so it couldn't build any air pressure while it ran for 30 minutes continuously?

Or, did you somehow set a controlled air bleed off from the tank pressure, to maintain pressure while the pump ran for 30 minutes?

 

It seemed pretty long to me also, but on page 8 in the manual there is a "break-in of the pump" section .

Basically paraphrasing it says to check oil, open pet****, and allow compressor to run for 30 minutes, to break in the internal parts.

I broke in the pump before i plumbed my air delivery, so the air just escaped through the air supply bung. At about 25 minutes into it i noticed my garage was a haze from smoke escaping from the tank.

I havent started shopping for a new compressor yet, I want to be in the same ball park as the craftsman. Single stage, 60 gallon, garage use compressor.

 

I would say 30 minutes sounds about right.

 

Hmmm, sorry to hear of your misfortune. I bought this one from TSC last summer, and Ive done a ton of sandblasting and painting with it, and id buy it again in an instant.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EtZ9gfpWHU[/ame]

 

Hmmm, sorry to hear of your misfortune. I bought this one from TSC last summer, and Ive done a ton of sandblasting and painting with it, and id buy it again in an instant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EtZ9gfpWHU

I have this same unit. Sometimes it's not quite enough to keep up with my 1/2hp die grinder (when I'm cutting for 20 minutes, etc). Other than that, it's been spectacular for several years now.

The "no air pressure" break in procedure sounds suspect to me.

A piston ring needs to be loaded (with gas pressure) behind it during break-in, to fully press the ring outwards against the cylinder wall, for proper break in. The following link explains in more detail for internal combustion engines, but I would think the same principles would apply to a piston type air pump:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I do wonder if you had just broken it in with pressure behind the rings, if the oil consumption could have been avoided.

The CH compressor above said to do the same break in procedure. I stuck an air fitting in the hose connector (no hose or tool) and let it run. At the end of 30 minutes it had made about 30 psi in the tank (I figured an open hose fitting would be enough of a "leak", guess not). Mine hasn't missed a beat. I filled it with mobile 1 before breaking it in, changed it after an hour or so and again in a couple weeks. Same oil has now been in it for 2 years and it's still gold and the oil level hasn't moved in the window.

 

is it an oilless motor.... might be some kind of storage oil for the tank..

i'm not familiar with that model but my 60gal, 5hp oilless craftsman compressor has served me well for over 15yrs.

 

The "no air pressure" break in procedure sounds suspect to me.

A piston ring needs to be loaded (with gas pressure) behind it during break-in, to fully press the ring outwards against the cylinder wall, for proper break in. The following link explains in more detail for internal combustion engines, but I would think the same principles would apply to a piston type air pump:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I do wonder if you had just broken it in with pressure behind the rings, if the oil consumption could have been avoided.

 

That makes sense , its quite possible jakeru. I noticed when shutting down the compressor there was some sort of pressure build up even with the supply open, im not sure what kind of backpressure the vessel was actually getting. But you make a good point.
Although ,
The oil issue is an all too common problem with the newer craftsman compressors, after the problem occurred i looked into it, and there were too many to count reviews of guys having the same problem. Right out the gate, the first week, month, year ect..

I have already returned the compressor with a full return so its yesterdays news, i was just giving anyone else a heads up before they considered buying one. I did a search of this site and didn't find much on the craftsman compressor ( after i read the bad reviews, and before my compressor actually ate the dust )

Thanks for the recommendation lanse , ill look into that one! Brucer, it's oiled. I was pretty sure i was going to be safe buying craftsman also, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

 

Craftsman "used" to make good tools, power or not. I have to say in the last 10 or so years, I had lost ALL faith in anything they build. I even had a riding mower that usually took about $200-$300 a year to keep working. Lol
I had a Sanborn Black Max for over 20 years that never gave me ANY trouble at all, until the day the electric motor started puffing smoke and erupted into a fireball. I paint cars so I have to have a compressor at all times, so in a pinch, I ran down to Lowes and picked up a Kobalt for around $450. Threw it in and it has been exactly what I expected it to be (NOT A BLACK MAX). I'm just happy they have a good warranty. I have already replaced the headgasket set once in the year and a half I have had it. Not too bad considering the work I put to it each week.
Customer service was good from them. Called them on a Monday, the gaskets were rushed to me on Wed. Took me about 15 minutes to re-do it. They told me where I could take it for them to service it under warranty, but it was too simple for me to go through that kind of hassle.
Do I expect any more problems out of it? Eventually. Not too concerned though. Seems to be holding up just fine for now.

 

Well this is my first post here, I had just bought a CH 26 gallon 3 hp 220v compressor, the same as the one you got at TSC, just with a smaller tank. It had the same break in recomendation as yours, but it said to open the tank drain, AND the regulator, so no pressure build up, I did that, and it worked flawlessly. Only used it for about 45 mins so far, will start using it a bunch soon. I would recomend looking at these CH compressors, mine has a 5000 hour rated life, and I got it on sale for about $500, if I had the space, I would have got the 60 gallon one, but this one is just as powerful, it just has a smaller tank.