Sanborn Black Max 80 Gal. Air Compressor - Thoughts?

[fairlaniac]

Looking at a Sanborn Black Max locally on Craigslist. It's 80 gallon, 2 stage, 5HP. Seller wants $300 with guarantee on it's operation. Looking for something to upgrade from my Devilbiss 20 gal. I don't know the specs but is this good to run air tools like sander, grinder, spot weld cutter, etc...?

Thanks,

 

[RedRider48]

I've owned a Sanborn, small horizontal since the late 90s. Still running....Not a big name player, but, still a player....

 

[Blazinzuk]

300 bucks and it works. Yah I'd pick that up quick fast and in a hurry

 

[redmondjp]

Check the tank drain for water (hopefully not much) and oil (hopefully none). I'd also drain it down to zero psi and listen carefully to the pump at startup - if you have worn connecting rod bearings, they will bang until the pressure gets up to 30-40psi or so.

If that all checks out, I'd go for it! You'll be in for quite the upgrade over your existing unit.

 

[Matt M PA]

I have the same unit. I bought it new probably 20 years ago. It doesn't get heavy use these days but it's been fine. (Reminds me that I should change the pump oil) When used with the blast cabinet, it cycles on and off...which is the heaviest use it sees.

 

[MushCreek]

I've got one of those, too, that's at least 20 years old. It was $285 brand new at Sam's club. Mostly hobby use, but I did use it daily for my machine shop business for a period of 7 years. I'd say it's worth it if you could somehow determine it's condition.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

do you have the CL link?

 

[Warrenator]

I have one very similar, mine is older. If the pump is a t29, it is obsolete and you cannot get parts. The newer t29s pump still has parts available.
Mine has been a very good machine, if a bit noisy. It runs at a higher RPM and makes more racket than the expensive machines like a Quincy. But hey, for 300 bucks i would snag it. If the compressor pump goes bad and cannot be fixed a replacement one can be found, maybe $500 for a 2 stage or $150 for a single.

 

[123Go]

Fwiw my cuz has a Sandborn Black Max. He paints cars/cycles all day long & its all he done since 14. He recently told me his max is 28yrs old. I can remember when he got it cause he painted our freinds car for it. It was used when he got it, not long maybe a yr at best?
It runs all the time, I can assure you he really stays busy sanding/painting.
That said, they aint made like that anymore. Colman bought Sandborn out yrs back then an investment corp bought them shortly after.
One reason why corps dont care about what they sell us anymore, just care if the **** they assemble sells at all. They dont know anything about their products either.

 

[PhantomEB]

I can’t seem to be able to buy back my old 80 gallon monster but them Sandborn sure look like a unit I would put into my garage once that back corner is cleaned up.

 

[123Go]

I can’t seem to be able to buy back my old 80 gallon monster but them Sandborn sure look like a unit I would put into my garage once that back corner is cleaned up.

Oh my, that dreaded garage corner clean up? I feel your pain.
I cleaned out 13 corners for my Puma, pretty sure I only had 4 corners when I built it? Cleaning can get weird fyi?