Need help on wether this Gardner Denver compressor is worth buying

[rosscopeeko]

Hello again guys. I need your expert opinions on this compressor I'm looking at. All I know is it's a Gardner Denver tough breed. I think its a 2 stage. I'm replacing my old 1956 compressor due to my wife worrying about me hurting myself from a rupture. I run air tools and might try painting in the future. He wants $500. It has a 3 phase 5hp motor. I haven't determined if I can run this motor at home yet. Here are the pics

 

[930dreamer]

Not many modern homes would normally have three phase power. LOTS of post about changing a three phase motor over to a single phase one, what brand was the 1956 compressor?

 

[rosscopeeko]

The old compressor was a simpson sears with a compressor head that i can't remember the name of. It was blowing oil into the tank so i junked it primarily because it was only designed for 4cfm. I have a Cambell Head on it now with a baldor 2hp motor, pumping about 8-9cmf. The oil in the tank bugs me, hence the reason i'm looking for a new compressor. Here are the other pics

So i would need a new motor to run residential. I have 230 wired up in my shop with a 20amp breaker

 

[930dreamer]

A couple options are;

1. single phase motor change over with the correct rpm and pulley diameter/number of belts etc.

2. build a simple rotary phase converter for three phase power and start buying more like powered equipment.

 

[rosscopeeko]

I heard back from my electrician and he said no go. I'll have to pass.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

Just curious why your electrician said no?

As a side note... It looks like whoever stamped that pump nameplate got the pressure and speed swapped, haha!

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . think you need to get NEW electrician !!!

What "wiggle room" on price for that Gardner Denver compressor?? The $500 is not that out of line, but you negotiate down and it will help buy you 5 HP single phase motor.

Lots of compressor guru's on GJ could help you with 3 Phase converter or help you find 5 HP single phase motor.

Don't let the "electrician" let you miss out on a great deal.

 

[rosscopeeko]

My electrician is a friend. I asked if I could run it on the 230 20amp he wired for me not long ago for my current compressor. I think my best option if I could get it for a good price, is to look for a 5hp single phase

 

[Burgerkong]

A couple options are;

1. single phase change over with the correct rpm and pulley diameter/number of belts etc.

2. build a simple rotary phase converter for three phase power and start buying more like powered equipment.

EDIT: Yeah pressure rating and pump speed is definitely mixed.

 

[Burgerkong]

One more thing, if you trek to Abbotsford (assuming you're from Kamloops), this guy has a Quincy 310 pump for sale.

http://abbotsford.craigslist.ca/tls/5285381376.html

Parts are a lot easier to find plus Quincy still supports this model.

My electrician is a friend. I asked if I could run it on the 230 20amp he wired for me not long ago for my current compressor. I think my best option if I could get it for a good price, is to look for a 5hp single phase

Yeah, 230V will only get you to around 3HP no more. And you'd need to rewire unless you put in 10 gauge.

 

[CNGsaves]

My electrician is a friend. I asked if I could run it on the 230 20amp he wired for me not long ago for my current compressor. I think my best option if I could get it for a good price, is to look for a 5hp single phase

The Gardner-Denver . . IS . . . 5 HP . . . it just happens to be 3 phase. Look for Baldor or Leeson 5 HP single phase motor on CL in your area. Prices might range from $100 to $350 so if you negotiated down the compressor price to $400 you might be "all in" total cost of $500 to $750 for awesome compressor.

Live near Detroit, MI ?? . . . . here's your 5 HP single phase Baldor for $250 only 6 mths old
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/tls/5285728478.html

 

[rosscopeeko]

I wish I could find a deal like that here. I'm in Kamloops BC, Canada

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Gardner Denver is top quality stuff. I'd put a single phase motor on that puppy and be a happy man. Under drive it with a 3hp motor if you must. If it hasn't been abused, you will never get anything of this quality for the money at any big box store.

 

[rosscopeeko]

I'm not sure what gauge wire my friend ran for my 230, but I know it's on a 20amp breaker if I was to under drive this compressor with a 3hp, do you think it would be a slug to refill? I looked at that Quincy. I think it needs work. He wants $150, but I still need a newer tank.

 

[sberry]

Listen to your electrician. We have compulsive savers with every better idea that has ever been invented and know about half as much about it as they figure. There are some this is an OK idea, most of those are not asking here.

 

[sberry]

There is a lot of learning going on with forums, almost all of it is well intentioned and most of it isn't dangerous and I did and still do repeat a lot I simply heard or read. This is how I became interested in codes and thru some of that learned mistakes and some about demand calculations which after safety is the next important issue.
We have a lot of people across that same learning curve, we got from start to expert. We got a lot of experience too, some is good but repeating it all isn't if the outcome doesn't improve.
I realize there is a budget limit and that there are real deals. We hear a lot of them that are proud of but for every one of these there are a couple losers on the shelf or in the back from deals just too good to pass.
The issues and things I harp on are mostly experience issues. In business often one cant wait and there are other issues that drive buying and repair.
Listen to your electrician, if he is a bud and a compentent mechanic type will encourage you to wait a deal a bit in something more modest and working that works on your electric service.
While some of the advice contrary has some technical merit it is poor amateur advice. Its not dangerous its just poor consulting.
If you came and said, I want to pay a lot for junk that doesn't run and try to source parts from closed companies and install equipment I have no experience or expertise in as a hobby then this is for you.

 

[sberry]

If someone gave me that today I would be all over it. If I had to reach out and buy it for 500 not so much mainly because I don't need it. I might consider it as a replacement part, its not over priced, a large factor would be if I already owned the motor.
Its a good enough thing but needs additional parts before it makes air. There are probably some parts for the pump but if its in good condition a home body cant wear it out.
There is a lot of good idled equipment and although its not a great idea for everyone this isn't a bad candidate as the size of the pump is good. The next size up gives a problem in residential and one really doesn't need it.

 

[sberry]

A couple options are;

1. single phase change over with the correct rpm and pulley diameter/number of belts etc.

2. build a simple rotary phase converter for three phase power and start buying more like powered equipment.

3. Take the 800 or so and hold it in hand and wait for a running unit to come along. We see some insane cheap deals, some decent deals but I bet 800 on the used market would net a nice working unit and not have to put a wrench to it.
While it may not be as "good" and is probably better than the quinc I ran last 40 yrs it will outlast the owner user by decades.
My Bud bought a Cman 2 stage used for 1/2 the money, 400$ then and I considered it disposable but we fixed the motor once and tightened the belts, used it daily for 30 yrs till he retired. Still works exactly the same.

 

[Zrexxer]

One more thing, if you trek to Abbotsford (assuming you're from Kamloops),

What led you to assume that? Obviously you were right, I just wondered what the tip-off was.

 

[sberry]

I can backtrack and say some of the math and the advice given the context aint all bad especially considering the likely condition of the equipment at hand. The fact it looks like all the parts are three may help if its heavy enough for single.
We don't know the full context your friend steered you off this, it may have been in your best interest.
You are not letting a free deal go, this is the point. Considering the used market this might not be the last you see of this piece,,, hahaha
I just trucked a load of stuff I think the owners all feel is going to be worth more than it is when they try to move it. Super nice stuff, small enuff but all 3 ph, tilt Bridgeport, grinder. Lathe, no comp.
I have seen some really smart people fool with this type of thing forever and if they would have spent 300 more early on for the right plug and play would have had it like it should be for all these years and worth something when its done.

 

[sberry]

I really don't have anything in service that would overload a number 10 wire cept for a tig I don't use.
I have an old one I fixed but it was free and took a day and I had all the parts/contactor free right down to the cord and made a head gasket from scrap.
I did use it some for sandblast and during a recent repair to the main but really leave the breaker off. With the big jug can finish most jobs with a smaller pump before its any issue.
Its not in the same class as the GD in the original post.

 

[Burgerkong]

What led you to assume that? Obviously you were right, I just wondered what the tip-off was.

I google searched the image LOL.