uf-engineer
Well-known member
I have been looking for a two stage compressor for some time now. I recently came across a used Saylor Beall model VT-735-80. It has a 5 HP Baldor motor on it and was built in 2007. The guy wants $1200 for it and will include a dryer which he says is worth $300. The dryer doesn't look like much. It looks like a radiator with a fan on it. The compressor ran his woodworking shop.
Is this a fair price?
The compressor was full of dust from top to bottom. He didn’t bother to clean it which may be a good thing. Other than the dust, the outside of the unit looked like new aside from a few light scratches underneath the unit. With a good wash, the unit would look like new.
It is the inside of the unit that I’m worried about. The air cleaner was full of dust. It was probably the original air cleaner.
I looked into the tank through the outlet port and noticed some surface rust inside the tank. Some of the rust was scaly. The port on a Saylor is in the middle of the tank. I imagine the bottom of the tank is all rusty but couldn’t see to verify. I figured the best case is that this guy drained the tank once a year or when it filled up with water. Whichever came first. The pee cox was also rusty and the few drops of water that came out of it while I was there was rusty.
Is that normal for a 4 year old unit? How much rust is too much? The tank looked like it was of thick gauge metal.
It looked like he change the oil before I got there. The oil looked new. He did not have enough oil to refill the unit. The sight glass had an oil stain level with the fill dot. I asked if he ever had the unit serviced and he said no. I bet he never changed the oil in the pump either. I looked inside the air pump through the oil fill port but could see anything out of the ordinary.
He had the unit disconnected. I told the guy that I wanted to see the unit run before we start negotiating. From his posture, I don't think he will take anything less than $1200. He paid $3500 for it new.
He also said it has been sitting for a year.
Based on my limited description, what is a fair price for the unit?
Is there anything else I should check for?
I talked to the manufacture and they said their units are bullet proof. Worst case I would need a rebuild kit which costs $600.
My price range for a two stage compressor is $1500 or less.
Is this a fair price?
The compressor was full of dust from top to bottom. He didn’t bother to clean it which may be a good thing. Other than the dust, the outside of the unit looked like new aside from a few light scratches underneath the unit. With a good wash, the unit would look like new.
It is the inside of the unit that I’m worried about. The air cleaner was full of dust. It was probably the original air cleaner.
I looked into the tank through the outlet port and noticed some surface rust inside the tank. Some of the rust was scaly. The port on a Saylor is in the middle of the tank. I imagine the bottom of the tank is all rusty but couldn’t see to verify. I figured the best case is that this guy drained the tank once a year or when it filled up with water. Whichever came first. The pee cox was also rusty and the few drops of water that came out of it while I was there was rusty.
Is that normal for a 4 year old unit? How much rust is too much? The tank looked like it was of thick gauge metal.
It looked like he change the oil before I got there. The oil looked new. He did not have enough oil to refill the unit. The sight glass had an oil stain level with the fill dot. I asked if he ever had the unit serviced and he said no. I bet he never changed the oil in the pump either. I looked inside the air pump through the oil fill port but could see anything out of the ordinary.
He had the unit disconnected. I told the guy that I wanted to see the unit run before we start negotiating. From his posture, I don't think he will take anything less than $1200. He paid $3500 for it new.
He also said it has been sitting for a year.
Based on my limited description, what is a fair price for the unit?
Is there anything else I should check for?
I talked to the manufacture and they said their units are bullet proof. Worst case I would need a rebuild kit which costs $600.
My price range for a two stage compressor is $1500 or less.