Help me keep a friend, lose an air compressor

[LensRoto]

Hello, I am a complete newbie. And I'm a girl. Hope they are allowed here!

One of the former owners of our house had a pretty serious hobby fixing up cars and he has our garage rigged up with a professional air compressor system. Since we bought the place a couple of years ago we have used it only a couple of times to fill up car tires. We have never done any maintenance to it, including draining it, which I just read about for the first time on a different thread here.

I'd like to get it out of the garage. A girlfriend of mine owns a business in which she spray paints a lacquer on vintage furniture pieces and resells them. She says she might be interested in buying it from me.

My goal is to sell it to her or on craigslist for a FAIR price. Trouble is, I have no idea what it might be worth. I don't even know its age or what kind of care it received. It was installed by an owner previous to the couple that we purchased the house from, so I don't know if our sellers ever used (or misused) it.

I'm going to try to attach images. In case they don't appear with my post, I'll share some basics here. It's a 6.5 HP, 60-gallon, twin cylinder, oil-free Craftsman Professional. Air delivery is 14.2 scfm at 40 psi and 9.9 scfm at 90 psi. Maximum of 130 psi. It is hard wired and attached to a gazillion plastic pipes going to various corners of the garage. There are a lot of gadgets attached to the system, and of course I don't know what they are called or what they could be used for.

So, please edu-ma-cate me, if you all don't mind! Or at least I'd GREATLY appreciate a few brief replies as to what the system might be worth. I rather not risk the friendship than sell her a lemon. Thanks!

 

[DirtRoad]

Why get rid of it?

PVC, gonna be a fun thread.

 

[SKAutomotive]

My real question is...what do you mean sell it to her on Craigslist?

 

[trbomax]

She said OR on craigslist.

 

[SKAutomotive]

I can read, I swear.

 

[Boiler]

X2, that's like saying "I'm going to use the newspaper classifieds to sell my brother my old car"...

 

[Boiler]

Bah! Hey that's what I read too...

 

[WhoWhatNow]

What you have there is a basic homeowner grade compressor. It is an oilless unit so it is going to be very loud. Not sure what her paint setup is like but my guess is it will not keep up with any serious painting. In my area, you can find decent industrial grade compressors for 300-500. I would say that one is worth maybe a few hundred and that only because of the large tank.

One more thing. If you want to keep your friend take all if the PVC pipe and throw it in the trash. PVC is not rated for compressed air applications. It can be very dangerous if it fails when pressurized. Think shrapnel.

 

[nine4gmc]

That is a clean compressor, but it's an oil free and not a lot of cfm output. I would put a friendly price at about $250-300 and a CL price at $400-450 obo.

 

[LensRoto]

WhoWhatNow, thank you for the advice. You just made this post worthwhile. I had NO IDEA that there might be a dangerous situation in my garage. I'm glad we have not used the compressor very much!!

 

[srmofo]

That's A Cheap HomeOwner Hobbyist Compressor. Value Is In The Eye Of The Beholder. I Would Suggest Pricing A Similar ModelAtSears AndDecidedWhat Is A Fair Value.

Btw, Get Ready For An Onslaught About All That Pvc Pipe

 

[snorky18]

Welcome to GJ. We do have a few girls around here....

New price was probably 400-500$.

Rough guess, t's probably worth about $220-320 as is.

Since it's oil free, it obviously doesn't require oil changes like most compressors that large

How much water came out when you drained it?

Being that it is 240 volts, your girlfriend will need to have it wired as it will not plug into a "standard household outlet".

The plastic pipe is PVC, and it is a serious safety hazard to use it to pipe compressed air. Stop using the plastic pipe for air; if you want to use the compressor to fill tires, you could hook the rubber hose to the compressor itself, or to the first regulator (thing with a pressure gauge and a knob) on the compressor.

 

[devoncoolman]

yeah not worth a fourtune because its direct drive oil less. very loud slow and inefficient. Looks like a nice piece looks clean and well taken care of. Not much maitenence that needs to be done to them other than draining the tank. 60gal is a nice size but low cfm and won't keep up with a painting system. but if she's on doing quick sprays and not painting multiple things in a row it will work.

It couldn't have been a super serious about fixing cars because he would of had a belt drive compressor.

 

[devoncoolman]

yeah the pvc is a bad idea. anyway ur getting rid of it so don't worry about it. be prepared to here ditch the pvc from everyone here lol.

 

[Strouty]

I found a listing of one in an auction, but that is not a true indication:

http://auction.repocast.com/details.cfm?ID=548430

Sears doesn't seem to offer anything like it anymore. But I would agree that a friends price would be around $200 and CLIST would be more like $400. Also if you are going to unhook the PVC, make sure you drain all the air out after unplugging the compressor before you start to remove any fittings. They will try and pop off and you could get hurt.

 

[LensRoto]

Guys, the PVC pipe is everywhere. It's a three car garage and it is on every wall except where the bay doors are. I just ran out and took a few pictures. Probably will raise your blood pressure!

Again, thank you so much for pointing it out. I had no clue about the risk. We will not use it!!

 

[devoncoolman]

I found a listing of one in an auction, but that is not a true indication:

http://auction.repocast.com/details.cfm?ID=548430

Sears doesn't seem to offer anything like it anymore. But I would agree that a friends price would be around $200 and CLIST would be more like $400. Also if you are going to unhook the PVC, make sure you drain all the air out after unplugging the compressor before you start to remove any fittings. They will try and pop off and you could get hurt.

Yeah don't price it according to that auction that compressor didn't cost that much new from sears. Im certain of that. I would say let ur friend have it for $200 if she don't want it throw it up on CL for $400 OBO.

 

[devoncoolman]

Guys, the PVC pipe is everywhere. It's a three car garage and it is on every wall except where the bay doors are. I just ran out and took a few pictures. Probably will raise your blood pressure!

Again, thank you so much for pointing it out. I had no clue about the risk. We will not use it!!

yeah I had pvc with 160psi compressed air explode on me before not fun. sounds like a shot gun went off and It sent shrapnel 60 ft away. luckly no one was near the spot that burst when it happened.

 

[LensRoto]

nine4gmc, snorky18, and Strouty, thank you all for suggesting prices. And especially finding the online auction! Interesting because that is in Byron Center, MI, which is probably an hour from me.

And yes, it is VERY LOUD. I will make sure that my friend is aware of that.

 

[LensRoto]

yeah I had pvc with 160psi compressed air explode on me before not fun. sounds like a shot gun went off and It sent shrapnel 60 ft away. luckly no one was near the spot that burst when it happened.

Wow. So I guess this thread should have been named, "Help me keep a friend, not lose an eye/arm/leg" ?!?

 

[LensRoto]

How much water came out when you drained it?

.

We have never drained it. I didn't know that we had to drain it! So do you think it is damaged? I am certain that if there was water in the system then it froze during the winter.

 

[LensRoto]

Also if you are going to unhook the PVC, make sure you drain all the air out after unplugging the compressor before you start to remove any fittings. They will try and pop off and you could get hurt.

OK that is very good advice. Is it obvious how to drain the air out ...? Will I be able to tell that the system is no longer under pressure (prior to fittings flying through the air)?

 

[nine4gmc]

There is a relief valve on the compressor, usually has a "keyring" on it to pull and release pressure. Make sure you are clear, it can spray misty oil out if the compressor has not been drained. There is also the drain **** at the bottom, twist type, again make sure you are clear, there will be more spray from the bottom valve than the top but either will release all pressure.

 

[LensRoto]

Thank you for advice on how to drain. I have been searching online for tutorials as well as an owners manual to see how to maintain the system. Seems like my priorities have temporarily shifted from trying to sell it to just trying to make sure it's safe. So glad I posted here. Thanks again.

 

[91bronc300]

Sell her the compressor, water trap/regulator, manifold (blue thing), all the quick fittings and brass ball valves, and air hose for $250. Or if you want to keep the air hose and get a small 3 gallon compressor for your car tires then sell her all that stuff mentioned minus the hose for $225. That's a pretty good price for a friend without giving it away.

Release all air from the compressor, then open or remove the drain at the bottom of the tank to drain the water, then take all the PVC off the walls, then pull all the fittings off the PVC, then throw away the PVC.

Edit: Forgot to say.....welcome to the forum

 

[fourjeepin]

Why did the PO leave it behind? Even though those are deafeningly loud, I would have taken it with me when the house sold. Anyway, this thread is yet another reminder that I need to replace the PVC in my shop.

 

[alpinewhite]

OP needs to post pics of her and her friend.

 

[Outlawmws]

Just for educational value, AFTER you bleed off the pressure and take the PVC down (You can reuse if for lawn sprinklers, which is what it was designed for) set some of the scrap on the floor and hit a piece with a hammer (Wear safety glasses) then sweep up the evidence of why it is such a safety hazard.

Welcome to GJ, and good luck with your mission.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

That machine must be louder than hell
I had one that I did use to spray a car... Won't do that again!

Adam

 

[rharman]

Thank you for advice on how to drain. I have been searching online for tutorials as well as an owners manual to see how to maintain the system. Seems like my priorities have temporarily shifted from trying to sell it to just trying to make sure it's safe. So glad I posted here. Thanks again.

Get the model # (should be on a metal tag affixed to the unit). Here's a link that will help.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/modelNumberHelp.pd

Use this link and you will likely find a manual but there will be a cost.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/par...ears-Parts/Air-compressor-Parts**.pdapp401pw2

Google the model # after you find it. You may find a copy to download for free.

 

[Fifty]

We have never drained it. I didn't know that we had to drain it! So do you think it is damaged? I am certain that if there was water in the system then it froze during the winter.

Damaged? Kinda. The problem with water in the tank is it will rust out your tank. The longer it sits, the worse it is. Unfortunately there isn't really a good way to tell if a tank is rusted out, without some kind of professional hydrostatic pressure test. Given how little you have used it, I don't think it's a big problem. I'm sure they are designed with lazy/unknowing owners in mind, a small amount of rust is allowable.

The problem with your PVC is that it gets brittle with age and exposure to light. Probably safe on day 1 but after a few years of use and abuse, not so much.

 

[ZRX61]

The tank is already drained, look at the gauge in the first pic....

 

[Fifty]

The tank is already drained, look at the gauge in the first pic....

Drained of air doesn't really mean drained of water. (and I have a big pile of cheap air pressure gauges that don't work)

 

[jeremy v]

Sell her the compressor, water trap/regulator, manifold (blue thing), all the quick fittings and brass ball valves, and air hose for $250. Or if you want to keep the air hose and get a small 3 gallon compressor for your car tires then sell her all that stuff mentioned minus the hose for $225. That's a pretty good price for a friend without giving it away.

I second this overall recommendation. The compressor itself is not the best, but that's okay because it is still somewhat in demand just because of the large tank it comes with. And like 91bronc300 mentioned, don't forget to include all the non-PVC parts of the system with the sale, they are great package deal sweeteners. All those brass fittings, ball valves, quick release fittings, hoses, manifolds, etc. add up to quite a bit of money ($100+) if purchased individually. They are parts of the system that can easily be reused by any buyer, last a long time (some basically forever), and are good quality compared to the rest of the PVC setup.

If you find yourself posting on Craigslist instead of selling it all to your friend, all the extras will get many more buyers calling than you would have if only selling the compressor. Compressors are easy to find used (by themselves) and they are usually plentiful enough for buyers to be choosy. If you just have a compressor for sale, having a low price will be the only tool you have to bring a buyer to you. Even if all you do is cut the PVC somewhere near the good fittings and throw all the fittings into a bucket (and add a picture of it to the listing along with a short explanation) it will make a big difference and allow you to keep the price up.

 

[Playwme]

If I had something like that I wasn't using and a friend could use it I'd just give it to them and maybe get some work done by them. You don't charge friends full price so if youre really hard up for cash sell it to a stranger on Craigslist. Just price it a bit lower than similar ones.

 

[Midman914]

I had that same compressor, I bought it new for $450 in 98 or 99. Ended up selling it to my Father for $350 a year later still boxed up, because I did not want to mess with hard wiring it. Personally I would value it at $200 to $250 and still I would not bite at that price. Way too loud. I'm near Ann Arbor, so Sears must have unloaded a lot of them in Michigan.

 

[ilovevocs]

I'm in Toledo and I had one as well. Actually it was my first compressor, I bought it when I turned 16. That thing was a turd. Ultimately it failed after a short period of use. If someone is willing to pay $250 for it then let it go. After owning one I personally wouldn't pay that. Depending on the frequency your friend intends to use it it may / may not be good for her.

 

[DirtRoad]

Where are you located?
If your close enough i can drain the tank and disable the lines, wouldnt take 10 minutes to do. Cost you nothing.

 

[Automatic Slim]

The plastic pipe is PVC, and it is a serious safety hazard to use it to pipe compressed air. Stop using the plastic pipe for air; if you want to use the compressor to fill tires, you could hook the rubber hose to the compressor itself, or to the first regulator (thing with a pressure gauge and a knob) on the compressor.

250$ tops


Ditch the PVC - ASAP


Most who use a compressor for a spray rig have a dedicated unit that is kept for such purposes and drained dry and stored dry for use. Condensation will ruin the job, and small rust particles become issue.

I've screwed up many air tools by lack of compressor maintenance and a framing nailer that needs tending as I type. For general blowing and tire fillups, fine; but often spraying laquer has a fine mist that can clog real easy.

However, the unit pictured looks to be in good shape. Repeatedly drain unit, and then blow air on rag to see if any residue exists. If the tank has internal rust issues, probably be best to keep for general use, or sell as such.

Even a hobby spray rig can bring headaches, but you don't need much of a compressor, but a clean tank and surgical maintenance will provide years of use and end product satisfaction.

Just some thoughts, others may disagree.......... GL

 

[mmack66]

I think it will be fine for someone painting furniture. I painted a car with a compressor smaller than that.

I agree that the hard wire 220-volt situation may be a problem for your friend.