new or used compressor?

[1930artdeco]

OK, I have a pump that will put out 7 SCFM and a new 2 HP motor-tank is dead and will be scrapped. So I have been looking at new tanks and they are about a grand for a 60 gal. I need it to run a paint gun and air tools occasionally-maybe a small blasting cabinet. I am a hobbyist not a pro., so not going to be used hours on end. Here are my options:

1) Buy a new 60-80 gall single phase, 2 stage compressor-which one has the best quality in the 1500-2000 range?

2) Buy a used one just for the tank and swap out the pump and motor (after testing the tank)

3) See if I can find a good used compressor for about a grand

Thoughts?

Mike

 

[e015475]

7 CFM is a little light for a blast cabinet. I'd like to see it 10CFM+

My 11 CFM compressor will just barely keep up with my blast cabinet on bigger jobs.

I've had good luck buying compressors with bad heads on them and replacing it with a Chinese pump head from Amazon (but the dry air in AZ is pretty kind to tanks)

Option 1 is your "buy once, cry once solution" and gets you some additional CFM

Option 3 is a bit of a crapshoot since you don't know how long the head or motor is going to last

Option 2 is ok if you can live with 7 CFM

I'd be interested in how you'd "test" a used tank (I may be in this same dilemma when I need a compressor at the second house)

 

[Steve_P]

With 10 CFM at 90 PSI the compressor will run all the time using a blast cabinet with a suction gun with the smallest nozzle. You'll be able to get by, but more CFM is better if you can afford.

I would decide your budget and shop for a new one. Asking here is going to get you replies saying to find an industrial quality used unit, which would never happen where I live.

You also need 240V and more than 15A once you get past the ~10 CFM range.

There are a zillion threads on this here... Check your local Tractor Supply, Home Depot.... and see what they have.

 

[1930artdeco]

I filled my used tank with water and then it blew a hole in it.

 

[finn]

I have bought two used compressors for my shop and garage in the past twenty years. A Rand 4000 two stage with the (Italian?) aluminum pump and a new five hp Marathon ( made in Wisconsin) motor and a two stage Champion VR15 with a professionally rebuilt Pump and the original 3 hp motor.

I have maybe $550-575 combined in them, without issue. One is in the garage at the house and the other is at the shop.

Having said that, if I had to do it over again, I would buy new rather than used. The Champion like mine, with, I think, the same industrial pump and five horse motor is around $2300- $2800 shipping included. I’m contemplating buying one rather than upgrading mine to a 5 hp motor for better performance when sandblasting, even though mine might outlive me. Mine must be pushing fifty years old by now.

The Rand pump is, I think the same one still used today on a lot of mid grade commercial compressors. It works ok but is a lot louder than the cast iron, low speed Champion pump.

 

[1930artdeco]

I am in no real hurry, but I would like one for the spring/summer time to paint some small items. I know the older pumps are rebuildable and built better than today's run for X # of hours and die pumps. But, having the CFM from a large 60-80 gal tank is really nice. And if I can find a 5 HP on sale I will pull the trigger.

No you are the experts here, who makes the best pump? Ingersoll Rand, Quincy, Rolair, Belair, Campbell-Hausfield etc.?

 

[Bert_]

You can find blown up oil less compressors.

I got this tank for $40 which was too much but it was close and I paid for convenience. I took my campbell hausfeld pump and motor and mounted it to the tank. This is a 25g tank and the pump is run with a 1 1/2hp motor.

 

[cannuck]

I have 40 years of trouble free service from tank and head on what was a 25 or so YO machine when I got it. On 3rd motor now but tank showing its age. I also have a 2HP recip at farm and 2 x 2HP rotaries bought at commercial auction (all at different times) that I have a total of less than $500 in - so you know what I recommend.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I built an Ingersoll T30/80 from bits and pieces, over a few years. I may have spent a grand, It works and when running it could raise the dead. I am pleased.
I would not recommend any compressor with "O" ring piston seals. Real iron rings have longer life built in to them.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

For sure ancient compressors and frankenstein builds have a cool factor. I don't know about you but I should pay more attention because I don't see many quality pumps motors or tanks that are less than a few hundred. Seems like anything under $600 is small (under 5 cfm) or needs a lot of work and at least one of the major components (and the others are questionable).
I see a lot of small 40 year old compressors (many oilless) priced close to what a new similar performance compressor would cost.

New I often see IR 60 gallon compressors for about $1000 3HP and 10 CFM, probably last a lifetime.
Still a little small for blasting.
$2000 opens up a lot of options 60-80 gallon, 5-7.5HP and 15-17 CFM.

Occasionally I see a lightly used unit less than 10 yrs old for 50-60% the cost of new. More often similar units that someone cleaned up and is now asking 90% of new.
If budget is the issue $600 can get you THIS. I've seen people advertising them used for $900.

 

[Sumboodie]

I have bought two used compressors for my shop and garage in the past twenty years. A Rand 4000 two stage with the (Italian?) aluminum pump and a new five hp Marathon ( made in Wisconsin) motor and a two stage Champion VR15 with a professionally rebuilt Pump and the original 3 hp motor.

I have maybe $550-575 combined in them, without issue. One is in the garage at the house and the other is at the shop.

Having said that, if I had to do it over again, I would buy new rather than used. The Champion like mine, with, I think, the same industrial pump and five horse motor is around $2300- $2800 shipping included. I’m contemplating buying one rather than upgrading mine to a 5 hp motor for better performance when sandblasting, even though mine might outlive me. Mine must be pushing fifty years old by now.

The Rand pump is, I think the same one still used today on a lot of mid grade commercial compressors. It works ok but is a lot louder than the cast iron, low speed Champion pump.

R15 is a decent sized pump. Mine has a 5hp 3 phase motor.

 

[finn]

R15 is a decent sized pump. Mine has a 5hp 3 phase motor.

It will take up to a 7.5 hp motor. In fact, I think that at one time Champion sold them with a 10 hp motor, but I can’t recall where I read that.

Just don’t know if it’s worth upgrading since it’s so old, even though the pump doesn’t pass oil.

It was supposedly professionally rebuilt, and the different shade of green paint on the pump sort of supports that claim. Still, it think I figured out it’s a 1975 compressor.

 

[driftpin]

Too bad so many people on here don't list their locations. I have an acquaintance from whom I have purchased an 80 gallon Saylor-Beall 240 volt compressor from with a 5-hp Baldor motor. Those are made in USA. He covers three South Florida counties with two utility trucks that are on the road all day servicing customers. He gets lots of used equipment because businesses do not want a broken piece of equipment sitting around taking up space. He removes them and overhauls them and sells them if they have good pieces. South Florida Miami Fort Lauderdale Palm Beach area is where he is.