Compressor guru's, can you ID this?

[CraigAClark]

Unless this machine is capable of 4000 psi, I doubt that any paintball operators would be interested. Yes, the filtration could be changed from carbon to mole seive, but I doubt that anyone would want to be replacing it every 2-3 hours.

Craig

 

[Jimmer]

Well I'll wait for the seller to respond to me with the information off the nameplates, but I'm pretty much understanding that this isn't a worthwhile project. Too bad, I enjoy a good project

 

[Jimmer]

ok guys, I've gotten a little bit more information. He tells me it is a Bauer KA74E, with a pressure rating of 4500psi. Apparently it spins freely and isn't siezed, of course I know that doesn't really mean a lot until you actually see what's going on inside. He's offered to take more detailed pics for me, and drop the price because of what is missing. So my question now is how good is this model of Bauer?

 

[pescador775]

Interestingly, the German "one" looks similar to an American "seven".

 

[Jimmer]

Well I've asked him for every little bit of detail of what is on the ID plates and the block number, since Bauer told me they can ID it with a block number. He said in his email that he is missing the cylinder head, so I've asked him if he means just the head or the whole stage. Hopefully just the head.

 

[Jimmer]

Well he's confirmed that just the cylinder head is missing, and he has the cylinder and piston for it. I should have the block number this weekend from him so I can find out from Bauer exactly what it is.

 

[Jimmer]

Well I finally got all the information from the seller, and passed it on to Bauer. They tell me it is a K14-85, 225 bar pressure rating, and parts are VERY limited and super expensive. So I've passed on it. I'm eyeing up a MUCH MUCH newer Mako right now tho. Any thoughts on Mako compressors?

 

[pescador775]

To my knowledge, Mako doesn't actually make compressors, they are jobbers who resell and/or modify blocks to their specs and resell. Until sometime in the 1980's they imported Bauer units and distributed those. Later, Bauer decided to set up an operation in the USA. Now, Mako are in a business relationship with Compair. I haven't kept up with what the company are doing but know them from their history. Originally, the company was owned by Jordan Klein, a notable character in the diving community known for his "Mako" camera which was kind of an underwater Brownie. As far as the compressors themselves, Bauer is well known to divers but Compair a little less so. However, Compair is a well grounded manufacturer with a long history of quality machines.

 

[Jimmer]

Good to hear. This particular Mako looks be fairly new, and was build by Compair. I'm assuming then that it's fairly easy to service for the Compair built machines?

 

[CraigAClark]

Do you know what block, 5404, 5405? Or is it one of the larger units? These are very similar in design and quality to the Bauer Capitano and Mariner. There are also a few "8.4s", which are actually Omieva(sp) or Aero Sub, which have been marketed mainly for paintball. For that matter, the Coltri MCH 13/16 is a pretty sound block too.

Jimmer,
Why don't you check with Porter at August Industries for parts on that old K-14? When Mako was selling repackaged Bauer Blocks, they used that block and Porter recently bought all the Bauer inventory of that era from Mako.

Craig