Big oh ****, could use some help from GJ friends...

mayday0017 · Jun 17, 2012

Well for those that have been following my post I just got a new 80gal air compressor. Well this morning I decided I was going to pick it up off the pallet and sit it in it's final resting place. And while it looks like it might be in it's final resting place it was not what I had in mind.

I was lifting it with my engine lift and had it up off the pallet and all the sudden the strap snapped. I was not as careful as normal prob because I was thinking I'm only going to lift it an inch to slide pallet out. Well compressor shifted a tad ad cut my strap and it fell, HARD. Very very hard and was nice and loud

So on to the problems, it landed on the flywheel on one side of it for the pump and bent/cracked the flywheel. I took it all apart and have the fly wheel off, but I kinda think it might of bent the shaft on the pump as well. It would make sense if it would of due to the leverage and the extreme force.

So looks like I need new cage, new flywheel, and possibly new shaft for pump (or more then new shaft).

With that said what does everyone recommend doing? I really want my my brand new air compressor and want to play with it. Sad day in my garage....

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.....

pipsters · Jun 17, 2012

Too late now but those straps have always said "NOT FOR LIFTING" on them...

I suppose you could always say it was damaged when you got it but that is kinda a **** move...

No idea how the shaft connects but I would bet if the shaft is bent the pump internals are fubar'd as well.

mayday0017 · Jun 17, 2012

It wasn't in a box when I got it, so I don't think that would even fly if I wanted it to...

Parts needed:
Crankshaft P/N: 053-0108
Flywheel P/n: 044-0071
Cage P/N: 125-0178 & 115-0318
Oil saeal P/N: 046-0316
Bearing P/N: 051-0106

hosz · Jun 17, 2012

I'd bring the broken parts back to the parts department, tell them in the most humble, "please take pity on me" voice I could muster, that the compressor fell when you were trying to install it and ask if the warranty covers damage due to brain farts.

And bring the receipt so they see you just bought it.

royesses · Jun 17, 2012

Try finding the parts online?
http://www.aircompressorpartsonline.com/

mayday0017 · Jun 17, 2012

I bought it from Sears yesterday, where do we think I should call? Store? Customer service? Parts?

hosz · Jun 17, 2012

I'd go back to the store you bought it from. It's harder to tell someone to f-off when they're standing in front of you with a sad face than over the phone.

nine4gmc · Jun 17, 2012

bring your girl, have her mean mug you while she sweet talks them

mayday0017 · Jun 17, 2012

Store is 2 hours away, I bought it from the store manager yesterday. Called him a couple minutes ago and while he sounded sympathetic he was unsure what he could even do. Best advise he had was for me to call the service tech department and gave me the number and said to talk to those guys. If the crank isn't bent then this isn't a big deal, just a flywheel and a cage and a lesson learned.....

Holding off on calling service department not sure I want to log this in the system just yet... So open to other thoughts/ideas still...

rsanter · Jun 17, 2012

You need to put an indicator on the crank and rotate it to see if it's bent. You may be able to install the flywheel and spin it by hand but it could also be a tweaked flywheel verses just broken

What brand?
If there is a local shop that services and warrantys them you can check prices there and see if they will give you a pity discount. You may be male to get them to give you a good used flywheel off a warranty exchange unit if you buy the crank and other stuff.
Internals should be fine but double check the case and bearing

Finally check the price of a replacement pump verses the parts

Bob

RECox286 · Jun 17, 2012

Toughie. I don't think that poor judgement about rigging and lifting will be covered

by any implied or written warrantee. When I had an oops with an old compressor,

the flywheel "wobbled" when I lit it off. Shortened story: the flywheel was intact,

however the crankshaft was bent. Nothing I could do, so I tried applying a "straight-

ening" force on the flywheel while still hooked to the shaft. Got it close by eye, and

the compressor worked, but the shaft seal started leaking after a year or so.

(I wouldn't particularly recomend the proceedure as a sure fix.)

Uncle Bob

north · Jun 17, 2012

Order new parts, replace old parts, enjoy your compressor.

mayday0017 · Jun 17, 2012

Well since I don't have an indicator per say but I was thinking the same thing, I took a nail and fixed it to where it was held in place mounted to the machine. I set the nail just a hair off the crank and turned it watching the gap to see if it would change. Well my eyeballs and very first thoughts didn't let me down. The crankshaft is bent, the bend starts about 1" outside the pump. The shaft is machined to where one inch outside the pump it necks down to the side of the flywheel ID and the bend starts ever so slightly after that.

I'm sure that much vibration will wobble the air compressor to death... What all is involved in changing a crank on one of these?

Very tempting to buy the new cage and flywheel and replace both of those. Then call up the warranty number and say hey my flywheel turns off center making the machine vibrate. This compressor was repaired once by sears because the last person some how bent it and burned up the motor and they took it back and had a tech come out. So I'm sure they wouldn't give me much **** and just would come replace the crank or the whole pump. It would cost me about $190 for flywheel and new cage, and their cost on a new crank and seals is about $150 so it would be kind of like splitting the cost with me... I hate doing something shady, but at the same time paying $400ish by the time I'm all done, to fix a compressor I haven't even turned on sounds very very unappealing....

I'll wait till tomorrow for sure before I do anything, maybe someone with a burned up pump will have the right size flywheel and have pitty on me.... Then I can **** it up and buy a new crank and seal myself and call it a day...

mayday0017 · Jun 17, 2012

north said:
Order new parts, replace old parts, enjoy your compressor.

The hard part is there are no old parts, hasn't even had power hooked up

But that prob is the "right" thing to do, just hoping someone at sears will have pity on me... Guess I should call them tomorrow and see if I can get someone to take pity on me.

pop pop · Jun 17, 2012

The crank can likely be straightened, but not for less than $150 all said and then it carries some risk vs new.
I'b bite the bullet, chalk it up as experience. Karma can be mean.
You might be better off with a source other than Sears Parts, ie. Campbell Hausefield?

54FordPanel · Jun 17, 2012

I applaud you for not being cheesy, and trying to tell Sears it came that way, and it's their fault.

I'd probably **** it up and buy a new crank and pulley, and chalk it up to how not to lift a compressor.

Good luck (really!) with Sears working with you; I hope they can help with the costs of it.

The very 1st compressor I ever bought was a Sanborn, back when those were American made. I was convertable to either 120v or 220v. Back then, I didn't know **** about electrical work, and I tried wiring it up myself. I blew the motor up immediately when I plugged it in....just fried it. I still don't know what I did, but the guy at the parts store looked at me like a complete idiot when he saw what I did. I had to buy a new motor for my brand new compressor.

Good luck.

camarotoolman · Jun 17, 2012

Might be better just to buy a new or used compressor pump only. Instead of all those parts and your time rebuilding it. Usually the gas or electric motors go bad, so the rest can be had cheap. And I thought I only did Dumb stuff!

signcrafter · Jun 17, 2012

mayday0017 said:
Well since I don't have an indicator per say but I was thinking the same thing, I took a nail and fixed it to where it was held in place mounted to the machine. I set the nail just a hair off the crank and turned it watching the gap to see if it would change. Well my eyeballs and very first thoughts didn't let me down. The crankshaft is bent, the bend starts about 1" outside the pump. The shaft is machined to where one inch outside the pump it necks down to the side of the flywheel ID and the bend starts ever so slightly after that.

I'm sure that much vibration will wobble the air compressor to death... What all is involved in changing a crank on one of these?

Very tempting to buy the new cage and flywheel and replace both of those. Then call up the warranty number and say hey my flywheel turns off center making the machine vibrate. This compressor was repaired once by sears because the last person some how bent it and burned up the motor and they took it back and had a tech come out. So I'm sure they wouldn't give me much **** and just would come replace the crank or the whole pump. It would cost me about $190 for flywheel and new cage, and their cost on a new crank and seals is about $150 so it would be kind of like splitting the cost with me... I hate doing something shady, but at the same time paying $400ish by the time I'm all done, to fix a compressor I haven't even turned on sounds very very unappealing....

I'll wait till tomorrow for sure before I do anything, maybe someone with a burned up pump will have the right size flywheel and have pitty on me.... Then I can **** it up and buy a new crank and seal myself and call it a day...

You can do what you want because it is your compressor and your karma. But the fact remains that sears didn't drop this. I'm not trying to be a jerk but you had a brain fart, chalk it up as a learning experience. We have all done something like that in our life before.

Here is what I would do first. Heat the crankshaft up and use a pipe to try and get it straight. Buy a dial indicator and mark the shaft and try it. What do you have to lose since it's already trash, I don't think it will hurt to much besides the seal and bearing which probably need to be replaced anyway. How bad is the flywheel? Picture of it? I doubt sears made this compressor, try and find a similar one by a different company and see about parts.

Or try and find a used pump that will work with your motor and tank. There is a decent supply of used compressors out there that the motor went dead or the tank leaked so the pump is still good or can be rebuilt.

Replacing the crank would cost sears a decent amount of money, the part, the labor, cost of sending a tech out to you, etc. I would rather see them spend that money on providing a good warranty for legit claims that are manufactuer's fault.

north · Jun 17, 2012

mayday0017 said:
The hard part is there are no old parts, hasn't even had power hooked up

But that prob is the "right" thing to do, just hoping someone at sears will have pity on me... Guess I should call them tomorrow and see if I can get someone to take pity on me.

I guess I could've said ruined parts instead. That would help, no?

No problem asking the dealer for a good price on the parts though.

SMKS · Jun 17, 2012

To the OP-

Your situation *****, but it would definitely be quite unethical to try to get Sears to pay for part/all of damage that was clearly caused by you mishandling and improperly transporting the compressor.

hosz · Jun 17, 2012

I'm not trying to get into a debate over this, but I don't think the OP is doing anything improper if he tells Sears exactly what happened and is honest about the situation. If Sears decides to cover it under warranty, it will be Sears' decision to cover something that, without question, is not covered under warranty.

Sears replaces tools all the time, even when a customer was using the tool improperly. Hell, I've seen them warranty a wrench that was clearly heated up and bent in a vise. If Sears does decide to warranty the item, it will simply be for the good P.R./custormer relations, or someone really felt sorry for the OP. Sears' liberal warranty policy is probably one reason C-man tools are so popular or were until K-Mart screwed it up.

A friend of mine got his ipad replaced for free two weeks after he bought it. His kid dropped it, brought it back to Apple fully expecting to have to pay for the repair or buy a new one, but the Apple guys just gave him a new one off the shelf. I'm not anything close to an Apple fanboi, in fact, I despise Apple, but hearing stories like that make me more inclined to want to purchase a company's product. Especially when I screwed up and the store covers it, they just got themselves a customer for life.

larry_g · Jun 17, 2012

I would also second the suggestion that you talk to the tech department, they may have a pump from a compressor returned for a different problem. I would also recommend that you compare prices of a new pump head vs parts/labor. Keep the damaged pump head for parts when the second head wears out. Chalk the cost up to education.

lg
no neat sig line

SMKS · Jun 17, 2012

hosz said:
Sears replaces tools all the time, even when a customer was using the tool improperly. Hell, I've seen them warranty a wrench that was clearly heated up and bent in a vise. If Sears does decide to warranty the item, it will simply be for the good P.R./custormer relations, or someone really felt sorry for the OP. Sears' liberal warranty policy is probably one reason C-man tools are so popular or were until K-Mart screwed it up.

This example doesn't really hold water, because Craftsman hand tools from Sears have a lifetime warranty. Air compressors from Sears don't have a lifetime warranty.

But, I agree that Sears shouldn't replace wrenches that someone heated and bent.

2oolhound · Jun 17, 2012

How much did it cost in the 1st place?
I would:
1 - contact sears service and get quotes for the parts you need.

2 - call the manager and tell him you have a quote from service for $400.00 in parts (for example)
Ask the manager if there is any way he can exchange your compressor for a brand new one if you pay him the cost of the replacement parts?

3 - If he says NO then ask him if he could give you any kind of a substantial discount on a new one. Sears has 1/2 price sales all the time so what the heck, it's worth a try. Maybe he can give you the best annual sale price they have for that model. Try to find that out before you talk to him. Like what was said before, talk to him for this approach since he will recognize you as a valuable customer who he made a decent sale to.

If this works you at least get a new compressor right away instead of farting around waiting for parts and fixing the broken one over the next week or 2.

signcrafter · Jun 17, 2012

mayday0017 said:
Very tempting to buy the new cage and flywheel and replace both of those. Then call up the warranty number and say hey my flywheel turns off center making the machine vibrate. This compressor was repaired once by sears because the last person some how bent it and burned up the motor and they took it back and had a tech come out. So I'm sure they wouldn't give me much **** and just would come replace the crank or the whole pump. It would cost me about $190 for flywheel and new cage, and their cost on a new crank and seals is about $150 so it would be kind of like splitting the cost with me... I hate doing something shady, but at the same time paying $400ish by the time I'm all done, to fix a compressor I haven't even turned on sounds very very unappealing....

hosz said:
I'm not trying to get into a debate over this, but I don't think the OP is doing anything improper if he tells Sears exactly what happened and is honest about the situation. If Sears decides to cover it under warranty, it will be Sears' decision to cover something that, without question, is not covered under warranty.

From this post by the OP I don't think he was going to call sears up and tell them "exactly" what happened. To me it sounded like he was going to replace the parts that would show it was smashed and call up saying his crank was bent.

m151 · Jun 17, 2012

I would look at a pump from harbor freight, probably about the same quality these days.
Then I would disassemble the pump and sell the good parts on EBAY. The pistons, rings rods, and reed valve heads should have strong demand as they are
wearable items.
Sometimes us DIYers need to do things twice to get it right, but we are stronger in the end!

rsanter · Jun 17, 2012

Price a replacement pump and compare to parts cost

Then save old parts that are good for spares or sell them off

Bob

Danglerb · Jun 17, 2012

If you used a credit card it may include an OOPS warranty, worth checking.

hosz · Jun 17, 2012

signcrafter said:
From this post by the OP I don't think he was going to call sears up and tell them "exactly" what happened. To me it sounded like he was going to replace the parts that would show it was smashed and call up saying his crank was bent.

If that is what the OP was going to do, I agree it is unethical and people who do that should rot in hell.

At least in my mind there is a big difference between being honest with a store and the store covering it for good will as opposed to lying to a store and getting it covered by saying "I dunno, it just came that way."

Dustball · Jun 17, 2012

Just curious- what kind of strap were you lifting with?

koditten · Jun 17, 2012

All educations cost money, sometimes its cash, sometimes it involves a cost to your integrity.

**** happens. I dropped a complete engine block out the back of a pickup at a 8 lane intersection.

Get the parts and learn how to take your compressor apart. Think of the value you gain by knowing how the pump works.

It doesn't hurt to ask Sears if they can throw some sympathy your way. We all know Sears needs all the PR they can get these days. All they can say is "sorry, nothing I can do". Pony up the cash and do a compressor teardown pictorial so we can all see how things are going. We love pictures

Expect many comments.

Later

KO

Of course you may find you are money ahead just getting a complete pump.

mayday0017 · Jun 17, 2012

For what it is worth I called much earlier today if you look up the post thread and talked to the manager and told him what happened. I was only saying it sure is tempting to make this problem land on sears I never said I was going to. Sorry for the confusion, I don't plan or believe in deceiving people.

As far as comment that it would be bad of craftsman/sears to warranty this I recommend you never own your own business you have poor business motto. Yes this is my fault no doubt about it. But I also have over $20,000 in craftsman tools sitting in my garage and spend quite a bit of money with sears. A good business would offer something to help out a good customer in hopes he will tell all of his friends and not only keep him as a customer but gain more that believe in the company.

I dont "deserve" pitty, no one ever does. But think about it, the money to pay for these parts doesn't come out of the pocket of the individual that is taking care of me but the karma and feeling of good will does belong to them. Also a large company will write this off and get a tax deduction from it while it will have more of an impact on me.

The current plan is to call their techs tomorrow and see if they can help me out in any way. Maybe I will get lucky and maybe I won't but what ever they say is their call and will be fair.

As for parts I researched the compressor before I bought it and know who the maker is. I can order a crank for $100ish pully for $100ish and cage 1/2 tha t is more messed up for $40. So $240 in parts, bearing are most likely fine I will inspect while apart. Crank looks like you don't even have to pull pistons to replace from diagram so if true will be very easy to do.

Current plan call sears ask for pitty, if that fails have best price sourced for parts and order the parts and rebuild. New parts less then $300 good price on this pump alone is over $500 plus freight.

Thanks for all the well wishes and I hope that maybe someone on here reads this and it makes them place a strap in a safer place. Straps should never rub a metal edge or they can and will cut/snap. I was lucky no one or nothing else was injured. Had I been bolting the legs or something I could be in the hospital or not here today. Going forward in life I know I will always be more careful with my straps and I hope others will to. I am going to pay for this lesson but it could of been much more costly and I think it is my good karma that kept me safe.

Thanks,
Robert

koditten · Jun 17, 2012

I never once thought you were going to go the dishonest route. If you were I would find it doubtfull you would have posted it for the whole world to see. Including sears.

I still want to see pictures. We have a bet that the pics would be posted in the WTF thread by Kevin.

Keep us posted.

KO

walwalka · Jun 17, 2012

stephen9666 said:
This example doesn't really hold water, because Craftsman hand tools from Sears have a lifetime warranty. Air compressors from Sears don't have a lifetime warranty.

But, I agree that Sears shouldn't replace wrenches that someone heated and bent.

How doesn't it hold water? The tool got mis-used, sears replaced.. The compressor was "mis-used" as a wrecking ball.. Same thing, different tool..

mayday0017 · Jun 17, 2012

koditten said:
I never once thought you were going to go the dishonest route. If you were I would find it doubtfull you would have posted it for the whole world to see. Including sears.

I still want to see pictures. We have a bet that the pics would be posted in the WTF thread by Kevin.

Keep us posted.

KO

Sorry I don't really have many pics, as soon as it fell over I grabbed another strap placed it a little more careful and lifted it back up, pulled off the cage, & pulled the flywheel to inspect my damages...

I've straightened out 1/2 of the cage, the other half I'm going to try and straighten and if that doesn't work I'll just order a new half.

I will make sure take some pictures of the crank removal and re-installation :thumbup:

SMKS · Jun 17, 2012

walwalka said:
How doesn't it hold water? The tool got mis-used, sears replaced.. The compressor was "mis-used" as a wrecking ball.. Same thing, different tool..

Again, the two items have different warranties. Compressor likely has a one year or so limited warranty. Hand tools have the lifetime Craftsman warranty.

If the air compressor had an unlimited lifetime warranty like the hand tools, then it would be fine for the OP to expect warranty service on a compressor he dropped and broke.

pipsters · Jun 17, 2012

mayday0017 said:
Thanks for all the well wishes and I hope that maybe someone on here reads this and it makes them place a strap in a safer place. Straps should never rub a metal edge or they can and will cut/snap.

Seriously, straps are not made for lifting. Straps are made to hold things down. A chain would have been a more appropriate thing to use. This is what you should take from the experience.

On a side note, another Sears story, I got a smoking deal on some Made in USA Gladiator cabinets. $99.99 for $199.99 regular price. Dropped one on the corner of my quarter panel.

I hate life sometimes but you are doing the right thing. ***** to get a good deal but lose the money elsewhere. You live you learn just don't make the same mistake again

.

That compressor looks killer, I am jealous, out of curiosity who is the OEM?

biscuit141 · Jun 17, 2012

What is the brand and model of the compressor?

mitusa · Jun 17, 2012

Danglerb said:
If you used a credit card it may include an OOPS warranty, worth checking.

This was my thought......Doesn't Discover have a "oops" policy? Insured for a certain length of time....... :headscrat

Zrexxer · Jun 17, 2012

Man, all the thread drama aside, that *****... I feel bad for you. I'd give you a clap on the shoulder, offer you a cold beer, and tell ya, "We'll get this fixed. Don't worry about it." Experience is what we get after we need it.

Big oh ****, could use some help from GJ friends...

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