here's a note for those thinking of buying a small compressor.
I have an EMAX 2hp model TD-2025.
It is about 12 or 18 months old and has only been used a few times as I only use it for small jobs like pumping up tyres, I have a bigger one I generally use.
Anyway, turned it on the other day it ran for about 3 minutes then blew up, spreading oil and bits of aluminum around the shed.
the plate on the rear of the motor is very thin aluminium and obviously couldn't take the pressure although it would not have been at full pressure.
Scared the s out of me sounded like a shotgun.
Luckily the oil was cold but if it had been running for a while I can imagine the oil would be very hot.
Repco and Toolmark sell these, and possibly other shops.
I have tried to get on to the importer with no luck.

Go on, let me guess. Made in China perhaps ?

Dr Terry

Sounds nasty John. Good that you seem unhurt, but only you and the dry cleaner will know how scared you were.

You said it spread oil everywhere, and the motor case ruptured. Was it a rupture failure of the pressure vessel/piping/manifolding/cylinder head, or a mechanical failure of the motor or compressor crankcase?
If it was either the motor or crankcase they shouldn't be operating at tank pressure.

Yes China.
The end of the crankcase has a cover approx 150mm square on it held on by 4 bolts, it is a sort of square dome shape. it has a glass(?) viewing window about 20mm round for checking the oil level.
The centre of the 'dome' from about 20mm in blew out completely.
The aluminium is very light about 3mm so does not have much mass and so would probably not impact too hard but if it hit you in the eyes could be something reallly serious.
I got the impression these are a bit like a 2 stroke motor and the crankcase does pressurise but I am only guessing.
I tried phoning ACCC but after 15 minutes of muzak gave up. will probably write.

Yes sounds nasty alright. No I never got into designing compressors but, there certainly is something strange happening for any crankcases are not designed for pressurising. Something was connected wrong somewhere. You won't get much satisfaction though from the ACCC. I'd try the consumer affairs bureau or it's equivalent in your state.
Jack

Air will leak past the rings of any piston compressor so the crankcases must be vented. Some compressors are delivered with a plug in the crankcase that should be replaced with a breather. (should have a red tag or such on the plug). Luckily this was not a csat iron machine!

tending to think now that it is more likely a jammed valve or maybe broken ring or damaged piston allowing the air pressure to build up, was only runnig a few seconds tho, tutnted it on walked away and it blew.
will hsve to see if it has plug in it, but i have used it a couple of tmes at full pressure so doubt it is removable plug.