Good Compressor Deal?

[tampascl]

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bfs/824226974.html

I was looking at a $1,300 IR 60 gallon 2 stage 5hp new compressor from Northern Tool, but came across this today. What do you guys think? Overkill for a home garage, or if I can pick it up for $750, would I be better off than the new IR?

 

[roofster]

If you have 3 phase power you are all set. If you replaced the motor with a 5 or 10 hp single phase one, it might not even drive that pump. A phase converter isn't going to work either. The IR to going to be the lower cost.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Its cheap because it is huge. You could not run that at home unless you have industrial strength three phase electricity available. The largest single phase motor you can get and even begin to think about running at home is 10 hp, and more common is the 5 hp or 7.5 hp.

The IR you were looking at was probably and 80 gal tank. Very unusual to see a 60 gal on a 5 hp two stage.

Charles

 

[e-tek]

I'm with Charles (well....not "with"...but you know what I mean....)

That thing is so big it will overload your lines, causing irreversible over-pressurization leading to your shop over-inflating thus blowing the contents of your shop all over your neighbourhood. It could even go into your gas lines and over-pressurize your house causing all the people and animals to bloat up and float around like Macy's Day parade balloons in NY, possibly exploding and spewng their contents too.

 

[Steve in Mi]

Kellogg is a good compressor but do you really need that much air? If you do then it will take multiple IR 5 HP compressors to get it.

5 HP units with 60 gallon tanks is not unusual, sold every day.

 

[OldCarGuy]

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bfs/824226974.html

I was looking at a $1,300 IR 60 gallon 2 stage 5hp new compressor from Northern Tool, but came across this today. What do you guys think? Overkill for a home garage, or if I can pick it up for $750, would I be better off than the new IR?

Kellogg American makes a very reliable air compressors. And is know known as CompAir. That particular model uses the 462 TVX compressor that is nearly indestructible. They offered that compressor mated with either a 25, 20, or 15 HP motor. And changing the motor's pulley diameter to accommodate the HP. I can only wonder if a 10 HP single phase motor could replace the 25 and still run efficiently. You could call one of their distributors as ask.

At that price plus a 10 HP motor with a downsized pulley you would have one heck of an air compressor.

 

[Matti]

Kellogg American makes a very reliable air compressors. And is know known as CompAir. That particular model uses the 462 TVX compressor that is nearly indestructible. They offered that compressor mated with either a 25, 20, or 15 HP motor. And changing the motor's pulley diameter to accommodate the HP. I can only wonder if a 10 HP single phase motor could replace the 25 and still run efficiently. You could call one of their distributors as ask.

At that price plus a 10 HP motor with a downsized pulley you would have one heck of an air compressor.

One thing you have to watch for is oiling if you slow them down too much.
OldCarGuy, you are very knowledgeable about the Kellogg/Compair compressors. I worked for a Compair dealer in the mid 80's. IMHO they were an industrial compressor probably one step down from the T30 IR's. Probably still overkill for home use but I would love a good used 335TV (5 hp unit) if I could get my hands on one.

 

[tampascl]

Thanks for the solid advice. I have a new garage, but didn't equip it with three-phase electric.

As a follow-up question, though: I have heard alot about the benefits of sticking with American-made compressors like IR or Quincy. But are there imports of decent quality at Lowes, HD, or Sears that are a good value (meaning combination of quality and price) that would be a good consideration? If I don't want to spend $1300-$1600, would a Craftsman below $800 or $900 with similar specs (5hp, 2-stage) be a good option for the limited use of powering tools to tinker on my '66 Cutlass?

 

[Ezzie]

I'm have been running a Compair (Kellogg) 2 stage pump in a 5HP single phase config with an 80 gal. tank for over 30 years. It's a hobby shop application but this thing just keeps on ticking. It will keep up to a 100 lb. pressure sandblaster just fine as well as any shop tools I have thrown at it.

 

[bassman]

E-tec, very funny! Now, I wouldn't go with that big thing. First of all, it will take up more floor space than the IR, not to mention etecs overpressuration theory, witch, could really if you think about it, could end all life on this planet as we know it. I've got the IR 5hp 60gal comp, and I love it. Runs all my body work sanders, sprayguns, and anything I need. Its a real good comp. But you should be able to get it for around 8 or 9 and change. Got mine at HD for about 850 I think.