Craigslist compressor, any good?

[JasonF]

Anyone know anything about Northstar air compressors, I found this 80gallon 5hp unit below on Craigslist for a pretty good price. I know its no Quincy but for my shop it would only get used occasionally with some grinders, impacts and basic air tools. How do I tell if the pump is decent and not just something on the harbor freight level?
Here are a few pics.

 

[wasfuzz]

Do not know about the compressor itself, but northstar is a Northern Tool owned line. Look at there website to check it out. All lot of there stuff is assembled in
Faribault, MN - 30 miles south of Minneapolis.

 

[JasonF]

Do not know about the compressor itself, but northstar is a Northern Tool owned line. Look at there website to check it out. All lot of there stuff is assembled in
Faribault, MN - 30 miles south of Minneapolis.

Thanks, I took a look at the website and they have one that is close but now it has a "W" style pump. Only has a couple reviews so far.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah I remember that style pump from Northern Tool... It's just in the category of your basic Chinese made pumps...

Check the oil. Let it run and make sure there are no blown gaskets. Drain the tank and see how much water comes out... Finally, check the air filter.

That should give you a good indication of how much it was used and taken care of.

 

[Davefr]

That looks like an ABP-4900 (T29S) pump. It's European (not Chinese). The pump generally has a good reputation. It's the same pump used on the HF 60 gallon compressor which is a rebranded Bel Aire unit.

 

[btlegacy]

That seems like a pretty stout unit. I believe it has this type of pump: http://www.tooltopia.com/belaire-t29s.aspx

 

[JasonF]

I got an email back from the seller, it is around 10yrs old and has been used non commercially. He wants $525 which may be high for 10 yrs old. Comes with hose pressure regulator and water seperator, says he's selling due to moving.

 

[mrpizza]

Id give him 200 max but thats me. 10 years is a long time on a tank you havent personally cared for. If it was a quincy 325 i might shell out 500. Not a rebrand.

 

[ACDNate]

Id give him 200 max but thats me. 10 years is a long time on a tank you havent personally cared for. If it was a quincy 325 i might shell out 500. Not a rebrand.

Yeah what he said, no way in hell he's going to get anywere near $500

 

[Lassen Forge]

At 10 years old, and used non-commercially (eg run up and then sat idle for weeks or months, let sit undrained, etc.) for five and a quarter, it may be moving along with him. Unless he finds one of those guys which are "one born every minute"...

IMO you can likely do better for your $$$.

 

[EOC_Jason]

^^^ I have to agree with the rest of the group. It's just a run of the mill off-brand and with an unknown maintenance you are shelling out a lot of money especially when new isn't *that* much more.

If it was a Quincy or Saylor Beall, then that's a different story.... but it's not...

 

[JasonF]

I was thinking the same thing, if I'm buying a homeowner grade compressor I can get a brand new 60gallon for only a small but more. Thanks for all the replies fellas.

 

[CompressorPros.com]

Davefr is correct. The pump is made in Italy and is a B4900 (T29S), and is still being used on several brands.

 

[Falcon67]

TSC has Campbell Hs 60 gallon units on clearance for $438. $250 maybe on a 10 yr old used.