First of I'd like to say hello to all as this is my first post.
Just finished putting together and rebuilding a Champion VR5-8 air compressor.
I am new to the whole air compressor business, but I use air tools all the time at work in an industrial environment, so I wasn't totally ignorant to the ins and outs of air power. The air I'm used to using is from a air hose hooked up to a Chicago style fitting in various plants. Air is usually provided from the plant buy very large, powerful screw drive compressors, all we do is use it.
I did a lot of research and found a few big name air compressor companies who make really good, built to last tools, Champion being one of the best of those. I was on a pretty tight budget, so I knew I would have to be patient and find a good deal on a nice used air compressor. I searched high and low for about three months for a nice Quincy, Champion, Saylor-Beall, etc. before finding this gem, or I should say gems.
I found a nice condition Champion R-15B pump that was mounted to a base with its guard, but no motor. Called and spoke to the fellow about it and decided to pass it up due to it being in NC and I'm in WV, plus I was hoping to find a complete air compressor. Fast forward a few weeks and I located a Champion (of all brands) vertical 80 gallon tank for sale in of all places, NC! Spoke with the owner about the tank and decided to jump on it. Called the first guy back and he fortunately still had the pump and guard. They were a few hours apart from each other but close enough to combine the trips into one and save a bunch in gas. When I picked up the tank I was very pleasantly surprise to find it came with its original Baldor 5 hp three phase motor and it Furnas magnetic starter.
I got everything home safe and sound in a long one day round trip pushing about 1200 miles total. Cleaned everything up with purple power de-greaser thoroughly and put it all in the garage to wait for the time to work on it. Time to work on it came a little soon than I thought it might, so I jumped right on it. To make a long story short I finally finished it up just the other day and I must say I am proud of myself in many aspects. I have a awesome made in the USA industrial tool built to last a life time. I got it for a steal. About $500.00 total plus lots of hard work and making due with what I had. I learned a lot about how reciprocating air compressors work. Mostly I'm proud to have such a nice tool that was basically scrapped out and eventually headed to who know where, probably the dump, and I did it myself!
Thanks,
Chuck
Just finished putting together and rebuilding a Champion VR5-8 air compressor.
I am new to the whole air compressor business, but I use air tools all the time at work in an industrial environment, so I wasn't totally ignorant to the ins and outs of air power. The air I'm used to using is from a air hose hooked up to a Chicago style fitting in various plants. Air is usually provided from the plant buy very large, powerful screw drive compressors, all we do is use it.
I did a lot of research and found a few big name air compressor companies who make really good, built to last tools, Champion being one of the best of those. I was on a pretty tight budget, so I knew I would have to be patient and find a good deal on a nice used air compressor. I searched high and low for about three months for a nice Quincy, Champion, Saylor-Beall, etc. before finding this gem, or I should say gems.
I found a nice condition Champion R-15B pump that was mounted to a base with its guard, but no motor. Called and spoke to the fellow about it and decided to pass it up due to it being in NC and I'm in WV, plus I was hoping to find a complete air compressor. Fast forward a few weeks and I located a Champion (of all brands) vertical 80 gallon tank for sale in of all places, NC! Spoke with the owner about the tank and decided to jump on it. Called the first guy back and he fortunately still had the pump and guard. They were a few hours apart from each other but close enough to combine the trips into one and save a bunch in gas. When I picked up the tank I was very pleasantly surprise to find it came with its original Baldor 5 hp three phase motor and it Furnas magnetic starter.
I got everything home safe and sound in a long one day round trip pushing about 1200 miles total. Cleaned everything up with purple power de-greaser thoroughly and put it all in the garage to wait for the time to work on it. Time to work on it came a little soon than I thought it might, so I jumped right on it. To make a long story short I finally finished it up just the other day and I must say I am proud of myself in many aspects. I have a awesome made in the USA industrial tool built to last a life time. I got it for a steal. About $500.00 total plus lots of hard work and making due with what I had. I learned a lot about how reciprocating air compressors work. Mostly I'm proud to have such a nice tool that was basically scrapped out and eventually headed to who know where, probably the dump, and I did it myself!
Thanks,
Chuck
