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Saylor Beall compressor??

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burgie

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Greetings folks,

I am looking at a Saylor Beall air compressor on Craigslist here: http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/3392860766.html. It is an 80 gallon tankl with a Model 703 2-stage pump and a westinghouse 115V/230V single phase motor. I have been chatting via e-mail with the owner and he originally had it listed for $500...and I offered him $200. He replied at $300 and I also noiticed he lowered his listing to $300. I am thinking of asking him to split the difference and call it $250.

Thoughts and opinions? I called Saylor Beall and all parts are available for a Model 703 pump as I am looking to buy it for a restoration project. Just wanted to see what others think??

Thanks...Burgie
 
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burgie

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The guy said it runs good...which is why I am leaning towards it. A 2HP on an 80 gallon tank sounds atypical by todays "standards"? Was this a normal configuration years ago? I am guessing this is about 40+ years old...
 
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burgie

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Yo 930'...

The Saylor Beall site indicated a 703 is for a 1.5HP - 2HP motor whereas a 705 is 3HP - 5HP. Either way I think it would be a cool compressor once restored...
 
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thightower

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Never heard of that brand, but if it is still running must be a good one. Still sounds like a good deal, parts availability is a plus.
 
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burgie

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Saylor Beall has been around, I believe, since 1915...and manufacture excellent quality air compressors. The older ones, as the fellas mentioned above, are real workhorses and last for years when properly maintained...

I threw an offer of $250 out there...and will let ya'll know if I get it. My offer was contingent upon it running and achieving full pressure...as the seller stated...

Let's see what happens!!!
 
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burgie

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Well...I am going to pick it up Sunday!! The seller will have it plugged in and ready to demonstrate that 1) it runs and 2) it will build pressure to the rated 175 psi.

I'll post some pics when I get it home!!
 
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PT Doc

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After getting to 175 let it set for a bit to check for leakage then purge some about and see when it kicks back on. Make out with a bit. Sound like a good deal. Now much cfm can you get out of this setup?
 
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burgie

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PT...

The Saylor Beall site states 10 CFM @ 175 psi. It's a smaller pump...on a large tank...but i am buying it for a restoration project!!!

It'll be a nice system when I get done with it!!!
 
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DekeT

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burgie said:
I'll also be bringing my rubber mallet and testing the integrity of the tank...
Click to expand...

The hammer test is by no means definitive, Those SB tanks are thick steel and will appear solid even with tiny rust holes. The only way to know for sure is a pressure test because it's a **** shoot on the condition of older tanks no matter what brand. I would make my offer for a price point where I was convinced the tank value is only scrap salvage. Good luck.
 
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Carla

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I'll agree with those who say the Saylor-Beall 703 and 705 pumps are excellent equipment.

I've had occasion to rebuild a number of them, one time and another. They are very simple, and easy to work on, with one exception. Removing the threaded 'plug' or 'retainer' part for some of the valves requires making up a special tool (an easy tool to make), and may require securing the head to some 'immovable object' like a mill table, and using a lot of leverage to break those retainers loose.....this varies, actually, some are easy, some surprisingly difficult, requiring a lot of torque to break them loose.

Everything else about a Saylor-Beall rebuild is innately obvious, and dead easy.

Its my personal opinion that its prudent to 'de-rate' a pump by running it at or just above its minimum rated speed.....400, if I remember correctly, to minimise loading on the bearings and minimise heat in operation. Thats a trade-off of cfm for longevity.

Changing out the oil in a pump, every six months or so, and using best quality compressor oil is important. I've seen too many compressor heads and valve cages choked solidly with carbon from using common 'motor oil'.

I have one 705 here which I got for free, as a 'box of parts', rebuilt it in 1989 to use with a glass-blast cabinet, and didn't have it down again until just this year, for 'preventive maintenence' rings and rod inserts. After over twenty years running, the inserts did show some wear, but the rod journals on the crank were 'as new'.

Considering that the S-B is 'splash-oiled', instead of having pressure oiling like the Quincy pumps, I'd say thats a pretty good service record. (according to the S-B web-site, they now offer pressure-oiled pumps, also)

cheers

Carla
 
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burgie

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Picked up the Saylor Beall Model 703 compressor today :D:D:D

At the seller's place it was plugged in and at 175 psi when we arrived. We talked for about 30 minutes before talking business and it held pressure spot on. He bled off the pressure and, as expected, kicked on at 140 psi. Took no time to pump back up to 175 rpm. Motor ran true and the pump was sooooo quiet; love the sloooooow rpm oldies :willy_nil:willy_nil

I'll post some pics when I get it cleaned up a bit. This is gonna be an awesome restoration project!!!

Cheers
 
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Tom Foolery

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