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This page will provide you with as much relevant information as possible about Craftsman air compressors, where you can seek help, download manuals and navigate existing problems and solutions available on this site.
Table of Contents
- Craftsman Air Compressor Information
- Where are Craftsman Compressors Made?
- Craftsman Compressors Contact Information
- Craftmans Air Compressor Manuals
- Craftsman Air Compressors Available on Amazon
- Craftsman Air Compressor Parts
- Craftsman Air Compressor Troubleshooting, Problems & Fixes
Craftsman Air Compressor Information
In North America, Craftsman air compressors are the house brand for Sears stores, making the Craftsman air compressor line available through the Sears network of stores nation wide, as well as other select big-box type stores everywhere.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how the Sears saga will unfold, and whether or not Sears will even be in the picture in years to come to either sell, or provide information on, their air compressors.
Where are Craftsman Compressors Made?
A reader sent in a question asking where Craftsman compressors were made, here was the response:
I believe that they are made for Craftsman by one of the major compressor suppliers in North America.
And, that major compressor supplier will likely have parts and assembly of those air compressors farmed out to lower cost producing countries.
To be specific as to the actual manufacturer of your Craftsman air compressor, you will have to start with the year it was made. I believe, as years go buy, Craftsman, like other compressor sellers, get their compressors from the lowest cost source, and that compressor manufacturer will change over time depending on who bids the lowest when they go out for tender.
I’d be very, very surprised if any but the most expensive industrially oriented Craftsman air compressors were made in the USA. I would bet that most low cost Craftsman came from offshore.
Craftsman Compressors Contact Information
Though I couldn’t find their home/head office, to reach out to Craftsman you can submit a request here and they will contact you!
Some folks cannot find Craftsman help or spares from the typical sources. I created this page to help those Craftsman air compressor owners that cannot get help elsewhere, and to provide a no-obligation place to download Craftsman / Sears air compressors that folks have been good enough to send me in digital form to share with you.
Craftmans Air Compressor Manuals
Craftsman air compressor manuals currently available for your download:
- Craftsman Model 919.15144
- Craftsman Model 919.152920
- Craftsman Model 919.153100
- Craftsman Model 919.153120
- Craftsman Model 919.155730
- Craftsman models 919.156511, 919.156611, 919.176821 and 919.176921 (Thank you Bill K.)
- Craftsman Model 919.163550
- Craftsman Model 919.167200 (Thanks to Ken K. for contributing this manual.)
- Craftsman Model 919.167620
- Craftsman Models 921.16474 / 921.16475
- Craftsman Model 919.165330
- Craftsman Model 921.166400
- Craftsman Model 919.167801
- Craftsman Model 919.168700
- Craftsman Model 919.975951, 919.176941 and 919.176841
- Craftsman / Sears Model 106.171941
- Craftsman / Sears Model 106.175541 (and others)
If you have a digital format of a Craftsman / Sears air compressor to share, please contact me via the contact page, won’t you? I’ll add it here for others to download.
Craftsman Air Compressors Available on Amazon
I have picked out the following Amazon choice Craftsman air compressor that is readily available on Amazon. It’s a 6 gallon pancake portable compressor that provides 2.6 CFM at 90 PSI.
- The portable air compressor is proudly made in the USA with Global Materials in Jackson, Tennessee
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Craftsman Air Compressor Parts
I have picked out some Craftsman air compressor replacement parts that are readily available on Amazon. The first is this Craftsman D27253 compressor regulator.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
I have also found this compression ring replacement kit which boasts terrific reviews and appears to fit a wide variety of Craftsman and Sears compressors.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Craftsman Air Compressor Troubleshooting, Problems & Fixes
Having an issue with your Craftsman air compressor? We’ve got a dedicated page where readers have asked and answered a whole host of Craftsman Air Compressor Troubleshooting questions – check it out here
If you’re looking for Craftsman air compressor parts – you can post your request here too.
After reading the existing questions and answers as you scroll down the page, and maybe even review the general air compressor troubleshooting page (which offers solutions to many common air compressor problems) if you do not find your answer, then post a question.
To help others that might be having the same type of problem with their Craftsman Air Compressors as you may be having, please add your comments to any existing post using the comments link. If you have a digital format of a Craftsman / Sears air compressor manual to share, please contact me via the contact page!
We all thank you for sharing your Craftsman air compressor knowledge.
More pages on this site with questions, answers and information about Craftsman air compressors:
- The compressor appears to compress the air but there no air at the hose.This is a Craftsman model 921.166460.
- Craftsman compressor 919.155730 compressor will not build pressure.
- Craftsman 919.162500 tripping breaker –
- Craftsman compressor will not run and makes buzzing sound
- Head bolt torque for Craftsman compressor
- Plumbing a Craftsman 33 gallon air compressor
- Craftsman air compressor taking forever to fill
- Compressor tank exploded on Craftsman compressor
- Craftsman compressor motor shuts off after 20 seconds
- Rewire 3.5 hp 15 Gal Model 919.152912 for 220v
- Craftsman compressor pressure switch issues
- Craftsman compressor won’t run impact wrench
- Regulator leaking on Craftsman air compressor
- Craftsman 921.153101 not building pressure
- Where are Craftsman compressors made
- Craftsman 5 gallon 1 HP won’t build pressure
- I have a small Craftsman 921.153101–3 gal. 1.5hp unit. It will not build pressure.
- Craftsman squeaks and then shuts off
- Craftsman 919.165140 making a bad sound
- Craftsman 3 gallon won’t build past 25 PSI
- Craftsman 5 HP compressor trips breaker on start
- Age and worth of Craftsman 919.165230
- Craftsman 919.167310 blows breaker on startup
- Craftsman cutting out early
- Craftsman compressor walking
- Troubleshooting a Craftsman 919.152811
- Shut off pressure of Craftsman 919.167783 compressor
- Craftsman 5HP gas compressor cuts off
- Craftsman 1.6 HP compressor burning the belt
- Craftsman making strange sounds
- Craftsman slow to start and blows breaker
- Craftsman Evolv air compressor low pressure
- How to dismount a scored crank on a Craftsman compressor
If you have any questions about Craftsman compressors then please leave a comment below with photos if applicable to help others respond to you!
Vintage 106.152940 – I just came into possession of this nicely running compressor. I would like to know more about it and how to attempt to maintain it to prolong its life. Any suggestions or help? I would at least like to change the oil and filter, but don’t want to it wrong and ruin this nice piece.
Hello, I have a Craftsman air compressor Model Number: 106.171941 The fastener that locks the pully onto the crank had come loose. It looks like it then sheared off at the key way. Looking around some of the sites still selling parts it seems that the crank is unavailable. Any ideas where I might find one?
You could always try ebay or similar. But this thing is 40 years old…
Unless you have access to a good machine shop…Easier to get a new VT4923, or even a 3hp hft.
The whole pump is about the same as what the crank went for – $250, the HFT is around 130.
Sub-optimal, I know…
I have a craftsman 919-152920 air compressor. It is plugged directly into a 20A circuit. Every time I tried to turn it on, it would flip the breaker. I replaced the pressure switch with Lefoo Pressure Switch Control 90-125psi 4 Port Heavy Duty 26 Amp for Air Compressor LF10A-4H-1-NPT1/4-90-125. The compressor started, filled the tank, but would not restart when pressure got lower. Emptied the tank, found out the breaker was flipped again. I put in a new capacitor with the same MFD and voltage. (Appli Parts motor start capacitor 540-648 Mfd uF 110-125VAC)). The new one was 1-3/4″ w by… Read more »
I have a craftsman model 919167783 it takes forever to build air pressure Why ?
I have a Craftsman compressor that needs a cylinder and piston, my model is 919153330
everything I read says parts are no longer available, but there must be something I can get to replace rather than throw it out.
Yeah, still, look at this – it might work.
Good luck.
I have a Craftsman 919.165570 Oil-Free air compressor that trips the house breaker every time the compressor reaches about 70 psi. Worked fine for years, then this started to happen. No overpressure signs, no popping of the air relief. It just blows the house breaker. Thought/hoped it might be the pressure switch, so I replaced it, but it had no impact. Breaker still trips at about 70 psi. My guess is that the compressor is overheating and binding up. Does this make sense? Worth doing a piston rebuild, if I can find parts? Thanks for your help with this. (Post… Read more »
The motor has capacitors. Start (start/run?) and run.
Looks like mounted on the motor. Your run cap is probably bad.
Hi, thanks for the reply. Are they replaceable? I found a site with replacement parts for this unit, but the exploded diagrams do not show any capacitors as separate parts. Buried inside the motor? Can certainly take the motor off and remove the end caps, if that will expose them for replacement. Is that the approach?
Don’t really know; I saw caps listed on a parts site, as well as what appeared to be a cover(?) running lengthwise on the motor case.
If you haven’t already, get the cover off and you should be able to see them or find them along the motor case.
There is no indication so far of a need to remove the motor ends.
The caps are NLA; however, I’m sure they be replaced if they are marked, even if they have to be “outboarded”.
Hello, I have a Sears Craftsman model number 106.171941 air compressor. I use it occasionally in my garage and had noticed it would start to knock before getting to the pressure and shutting off. Of course after it stopped one day because of the belt coming off I realized that the knocking sound was from the flywheel working its way out thus causing the belt to slip off. After fixing that I also thought I would check the oil… it may have been a bit low. After filling it with oil I turned it on and when it got to… Read more »
Mark, does it hold whatever air gets into the tank, or does it bleed off? How long?
Hi Doug,
For the most part yes but, it has always had a slight leak at one of the gauges and would bleed off over night.
OK. I would start by cleaning off the pulleys and the belt. Maybe replace the belt. Make sure there’s no rotational play on the pulleys and that they are aligned. 1/2 inch deflection with finger pressure on the middle of the belt.
If no change I think you probably have a bad exhaust valve on one cylinder.
According to my source, that should be a Campbell-Hausfeld pump.
Thank you Doug!
I will give that a try this weekend.
Mark
All I need is compressor head seals and sleeve and rubber seal for piston can not find for my model sears said it is discontinued
Take a look here:
https://aircompressorpartsonline.com/stationary-oilfree-electric-air-compressor-parts-919152830-p-802250.html
then click on pump assembly parts – look about half-way down the page.
You need the two kits. The gasket is not sold separately. If you don’t need the head, you can try making your own gasket for it.
Good luck.
I have a craftsman air compressor oil less serial number 919.152830 can’t find rebuilt parts are there eny compatibility parts out there
Rebuilt parts? Not much you can rebuild.
If you mean parts, google. there’s quite a bit available.
I bought a used Craftsman 921.16473 compressor with some missing parts. I need to know if the bolt/screw that holds the fan onto the pump is right hand or left hand. I tried to start a M6x1 and it wouldn’t start. It looks like the same as the screw hole that holds the front cover. No aftermarket place lists a screw for this. Help, what goes in there.
The pix of it I looked at were LH thread.
Cost about 6 -9 bucks, but I didn’t check for shipping.
I did find an aftermarket, but they want $14. Yes, each.
Good luck.
I own a Craftsman 919.176951 (Tank stamped DevilbIss – made in USA) bought in near mint condition years ago on Craigslist. I did find a PDF of the manual I can share. This manual also covers 919.176941 and 919.176841. Although rated at 5hp, it is a true 3 HP based on 240v line current and cfm measurements. So probably a Devilbiss made unit.
(The manual has been received from David with all of our thanks, and is now available for your download from this page. – Moderator)
I bought a used craftsman compressor and it didn’t come with gauges. I added one gauge and regulator to it. Do I need a two gauge system or will I be ok. I haven’t used the air compressor enough to know if it will automatically shut off without the other gauge? I’m not too sure if it’s safe?
While not strictly necessary, I recommend you add a gauge that can “see” the tank pressure. This is so you can know the pressure switch is operating correctly. Or not. The ring next to the valve is connected to a safety Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) which is supposed to open if the the switch doesn’t, before there is a possible explosion. You should pull that ring to make sure it CAN open, and if it does open, it should close by itself at some fairly low pressure… Typically compressors like this stop at around 120 to perhaps 150 PSI. Until… Read more »
The model is Craftsman 919.165020. It does turn off at 120 PSI and then comes back on at 80 PSI. So, I think it’s working I just wish I had two pressure gauges like what it had when it was new. I’m restoring a classic car and I’m going to use all kinds of tools include a paint sprayer. So, I would love to have the original set up but according to the parts website they don’t make it anymore?
No, they haven’t made it in some time. And yes, it sounds like it’s working OK. Looks like someone dropped something on the original cowled regulator and broke off the stand pipe (yeah, that $60 part). And probably broke the gauges, too. The closest you’re gonna get to original is buy a four port regulator (theirs only works with one gauge, so you want to see if you can find one that works with two gauges) and add the other gauge. Some how. Unless of course, you want to go on a hunt for the cowl and such on ebay… Read more »
I have a 1995 craftsman 25g 4hp compressor that I got from my dad when my grandad past….. I plugged it sounds good but when it hits about 20 to 25 psi it slowly dies out and sometimes trips the breaker but won’t go over 23 psi if you spray some air out it will turn on again until it hits that 20 something psi than dies again and so on and so forth…. every now and then it will flip the breaker…… please help and I’m also fixing it to sell it since I already have one so if… Read more »
Just offhand, I’d suggest checking capacitors – if it starts and dies out, that is often a bad run capacitor. Of course if it doesn’t have a run cap, then not. If there are two caps then one is a run cap for sure.
To be honest Doug I have no idea what that is or were is located on it or how to check it.
And givin fact they don’t sell this compressor no more I can’t find no parts for it or I’d buy a new regulator as well as capacitor.
They are under the two humps on the motor – under the plastic cover.
You’ll need a meter, a cheapie VOM;
https://about-air-compressors.com/testing-capacitors/
tells what to do with it.
The model is 919152921 – There are some parts, but not the regulator. It’s a pretty ordinary looking unit, though, so finding a usable sub shouldn’t be too hard.
Soon as I get off work I’ll get back to you and let you know what I find out but I don’t know what a VOM is
Doug I read the whole page on ways of testing the capacitor soon as I get done eating ima look but ima hope the wires there a short from the wires cuz I don’t have a volt meter to check
OK. If you’re lucky, it’ll be obvious – but if not, you should buy or borrow a meter. They are cheap compared to some of these caps. If you want to guess, you can replace the one that’s probably less than 70mfd. The other is the start cap and they usually have a range like 130-170mfd (and over 70); it’s probably OK since the motor starts and runs for a few seconds or so.
Model 919.167320 2 hp 33 gallon builds pressure o,k noticed some smoke coming out opposite end from pump of motor . I couldn’t get a good look inside. I tried to remove the end cover of motor, would have to remove the outlet tube .
Could it be the armature . Do they fail ? I have had it 6 or so years but little use.
Did you actually see this smoke coming from the non-drive end? I mean, was the shroud off? Or did you remove it and try it again?
Armatures can fail, but is almost non-existent in real life.
I’m more inclined to think something got into the piston area and fried…
What color was the smoke? Did it smell? Like what?
I opened it all the way up its a melted run capacitor . Compressor is from sears . Its a ge capacitor 24db450b370pa .Sears doesn’t have them anymore. Its round 3.19 × 1.87 with 3 posts..trying to cross reference to something else but so far not having any luck. Any ideas? Sears model 919.167320 capacitor is ge 24db450b370pa its 45 uf +10 -10 Its 3.19 × 1.875 again with 3 posts Yes i saw smoke and it smelled like burnt rubber and plastic it melted the plastic holder it snaps into.
Right. You may have to use a tie wrap or something to hold the new one. They aren’t terribly critical – if it’s say 10% off of range it should work fine.
But, three terminals? Ordinarily that would suggest two motors, or a combo start/run cap. So, please send pix of how it’s (or was) wired,
and the label area.
If we can’t find an exact replacement, we can use two separate ones.
motor mod # 5krc49tn2450ax sears motor part #z-d26712
Trid to send 4 pics but didnt work only1 went thru so heres more.
Where does the second red wire go? Under the cap to …?
Are there markings on the terminals?
I figured thats why can i start a new thread or delete some of the other pics ? Thats why i refered to the first single picture.
Hi Dennis. The issue is not existing pics. I think (but an not sure) that if each pic is over 2 MB, it won’t go. Start a new thread if you wish, but there should be no reason why you cannot add up to 5 photos if you wish, as long as each is under 2 MB.
Cant seem to get a picture to load but this single pic theres 3 seperate terminals the 2 one in front of each other… front red goes inthe motor the rear red goes down to that plate at bottom the single on riight gray goes into the motor.. The start cap 1 goes in motor the 2nd down to that plate. Sorry i dont know what its called. There are no markings
No image uploaded, Dennis. I can only guess that your photo size exceeds the 2 megabyte image size the system allows.
Yeah. it’s 2 MB and tells you if it’s too big. If no red box giving limit, give it a while. It may take some time depending on your upload speed, which is usually no more than a tenth of your download rate….
Hoping you can get a pic, but both caps connect to this plate, right? Does the plate connect to anything? Like maybe the hot (black) wire from the power cord?
Which motor is on it? I might get lucky and find out from that…
I have a 20 gal oil less craftsman air compressor, purchased in 2017. Upon starting to fill the tank the fan started making a weird squealing noise. Removed the cowl covering turned on the compressor and the fan started with the noise and looking like it was wobbling like it was loose. Upon sopping the compressor and checking the fan it is tight with no wobble. Any ideas on what’s happening.
Model?
Pix if you can’t one.
Model #9121613
Sorry, that doesn’t compute. Need a good number or pix, please.
921169130 Is the correct model #. Sorry fat fingered it.
Well, the drawings are pretty poor, but it looks like there should be two screws holding the fan.
If you don’t see how that’s possible, I’d suspect perhaps the eccentric clamp bolt is loose or missing. After that, maybe the bearing.
Good luck and let us know what you find, ‘K?
How do you remove the shroud on a craftsman air compressor 919.166442?
Looks like there are 5 screws on the back (other side from the gauge side) in recessed holes. Did you get those out already?
no I dIid not get the screws out . what do I use to get them out-I think I use a torx driver but what is the torx number?
Could be Torx, or maybe just a phillips. I don’t know. Maybe get a mirror and light and see what it is. If you don’t already have whatever it is, you can just get a set for cheap and find what fits.
Sorry.
Good luck.
I have a 1998 model 919-16533 and it is taking forever to come up to full pressure. It will go up to 100psi but I end up turning it off out of fear of burning the motor up cause it takes about 10-15 minutes to go from 0 to 100psi. Could it be my intake is leaking? The tank holds air just fine but I feel air blowing when it’s filling up
Please go here: https://about-air-compressors.com/troubleshooting-your-compressor/ and scroll down to the pages about air compressors that run and run but don’t build pressure, or don’t build it fast enough.
There are things to check listed on the pages, and since they are there already, not much point in repeating them here.
Please add a comment if, after the checks, you’re still having problems and / or let us know what the issue was if you would. Thanks.
Thanks for the quick reply!
I have a Craftsman 27 Gal air compressor, the specs on the tank is 150psi Max, I set the regulator pressure to 50psi, at what tank pressure should it stop pumping air into the tank? in another word, will it stop after tank pressure reach 100psi, or 150psi? thanks
Michael, I moved your post to the Craftsman section as it really hasn’t got to do with compressor gauges, the page onto which you originally posted it. The short answer to your question is… I don’t now. Reason? You omitted the model number of your Craftsman air compressor, and since I, nor any other visitor, can check what the cut out pressure for the compressor is, I or we cannot answer, yet. If your compressor is either a 921.16474 or a 921.16475 Craftsman, the cut out pressure, the pressure at which the compressor should automatically shut off, is 150 PSI.… Read more »
“…I set the regulator pressure to 50psi,…”
The *regulator* setting has zero effect on the tank pressure.
The pressure switch controls tank pressure.