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Saylor Beall or Champion

Motown 454

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Sep 25, 2008
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I have a chance to get either a Saylor Beal or Champion 5hp 80 gal compressor both around the same price and age. The saylor Beal produces only 1-2 cfm's more. I'd like some opinions on why ether is better than the other.
Thank you for any help.
Wayne
 
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trbomax

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Mar 21, 2010
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starvation lake,mi.
I would be interested in some user input as well. I have one of each and have the delima of which to use for my back-up compressor that I am currently building on the Weaver recever assembly. The SB is a type 705. I would have to look at the champion but its a vertical twin,two stage as well.Both have 5hp single ph 220v motors with them.
 

Charles (in GA)

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SB is largely unheard of in consumer circles, but is a excellent product. All things equal, I'd have to look real hard at the SB. Somewhat hinges on which model Champion (pressure lube or splash lube).

Charles
 

Kevski

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Seattle
Just finished rebuilding one of each... both among the best compressor pumps available today. Both are easy to get parts for, with similar costs.

However, there are some key differences:

S-B pumps are all cast iron, with removable cylinder heads. Champion uses a one-piece aluminum cylinder assembly with steel liners.

They both use easily serviced disc valves.

S-B utilizes cast iron intercoolers, Champion uses the more common finned copper tubes.

The rotating assemblies are both very similar.

In general, a S-B pump will run cooler and at a lower RPM to achieve the same volume as a Champion.

If I had to choose one, it would be a Saylor-Beall. Slower, quieter, heaver, more thermal mass... will probably outlast me.
 

pcmeiners

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In the only town in Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg.
"In general, a S-B pump will run cooler and at a lower RPM to achieve the same volume as a Champion."
Agree, all the Champions I have seen have discolored discharge pipes, so they run hot. I had an internal debate over purchasing a Curtis or Champion, choose the Curtis due to the Champion heat issue.

But without exact models/age it hard to say which is better.
 

EOC_Jason

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Bentonville, AR
Not knowing the exact pump models on either makes it somewhat of a blind choice... However... I would vote for the Saylor Beall, as Kevski stated all the good reasons in post #5... Especially if the pump is the larger 707 I would be all over that in a heartbeat...

In reality though, you really can't go wrong with either...
 

DekeT

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Does not seem that you can go wrong either way, but for me I would pick the Saylor-Beall every time.
 

IndyGarage

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Indy
I bought a used Champion 5 hp 80 gallon two years ago. Got it cheap because it had been sitting for a "few years" because it was a 3 phase motor and the guy never got around to changing it out.

It turns out to be a 1974 model that came out of a school system.

I changed the oil, plugged it in and it's been running for two years now with nothing more than another oil change.

Quiet, much more power than my Snap on 5 hp I have at home. I'd certainly not hesitate on another Champion.
 

volaredon

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I don't think you can really go wrong with either of them.

I agree.
I have a 4 cyl 2 stage Emglo that is starting to pump some oil OK for "rust proofing" inside the tank but not anything else 5HP 80 gallon I am gonna probably rebuild but once inside am worried about what I may find.... IDK if oversize pistons are avilable to be rebored; I mean a compressor is basically an engine eithout an ignition system so why wouldnt there bee?
If it is "tore up" I am looking at a replacement Quincy pump since it's the best available for the best price relatively nearby.
I may start a new thread to ask Qs opinions etc on my unit. (not now though, still running it)
 

Charles (in GA)

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I agree.
I have a 4 cyl 2 stage Emglo that is starting to pump some oil OK for "rust proofing" inside the tank but not anything else 5HP 80 gallon I am gonna probably rebuild but once inside am worried about what I may find.... IDK if oversize pistons are avilable to be rebored; I mean a compressor is basically an engine eithout an ignition system so why wouldnt there bee?
If it is "tore up" I am looking at a replacement Quincy pump since it's the best available for the best price relatively nearby.
I may start a new thread to ask Qs opinions etc on my unit. (not now though, still running it)

If you don't already know, the pumps on the large Emglo compressors were made by Jenny for Emglo. After DeWalt broke up Emglo just to get the name to tag onto small junk compressors, Jenny took over the manufacture of the complete compressors and now markets them under their name. This is the Jenny steam cleaner folks. You should have no problems getting parts for it.

Charles
 
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volaredon

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If you don't already know, the pumps on the large Emglo compressors were made by Jenny for Emglo. After DeWalt broke up Emglo just to get the name to tag onto small junk compressors, Jenny took over the manufacture of the complete compressors and now markets them under their name. This is the Jenny steam cleaner folks. You should have no problems getting parts for it.

Charles

thanks/ I think my unit pre dates all that mess. it's a 1987. I think emglo was still Emglo then IDK that jenny had anything to do with them yet... I have taled to Emglo Co. in PA (corporate) back when I got this thing definitely before DeWalt came in and screwed them over
I paid $500 for this compressor about 10 years ago (used) and the local shop equip place, asked where I got it and said for that price if they had 10 of em I shoula bought em all; (they only had this one I got it from private owner taht used to own a body shop/ this was his back up that only kicked on if the main unit needed a boost.... )
 

ddurango

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Jan 3, 2011
Messages
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I've had my new Champion for about three months, and I couldn't be happier. I bought the 5 hp 80 gallon one you discussed. The unit weighs a ton, and I cannot find one area where I think the quality could be better. I bought it through TP Tools, and got it in a couple of weeks.

I have mainly used it to run my blast cabinet and air tools and haven't run it out of breath yet. If you purchased one, then I think you will be very pleased. I've never even seen a Saylor Beall around here, so I cannot make a comparison.

Ddurango
 

ddurango

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Jan 3, 2011
Messages
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I checked my Champion tonight after the earlier statement made that the Champions have a one piece aluminum cylinder assembly. Mine is in three seperate pieces (including the cylinder head), and the whole thing attracts a magnet. My guess is that the whole assembly is cast iron.
 

Kevski

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Apr 19, 2010
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Seattle
Ddurango, how old is yours? Can you post a photo? I have three Champion pumps at the moment (two R15Bs and an R30), and all use the one-piece AL cylinder. I'm aware of some smaller single-stage Champion pumps that are constructed as you described, but the only ones I've seen have been quite old.
 

ddurango

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Jan 3, 2011
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Mine is about three months old and looks just like the one on the left in the picture below (motor does look different).
 

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Motown 454

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I have a chance to buy this one cheap it was made in 91 and was in an auto dealer shop. It was maintained by a compressor company. The tank was inspected in 2012 and oil changes were done. Its a 5 hp model they didn't tell me the CFM's Here are some pictures. Does any one know what model this pump is?

air_compressor_003.jpg


air_compressor_005.jpg


air_compressor_005.jpg


Untitled-3.jpg


What do you think?
 

EOC_Jason

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Messages
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Location
Bentonville, AR
I have a chance to buy this one cheap it was made in 91 and was in an auto dealer shop. It was maintained by a compressor company. The tank was inspected in 2012 and oil changes were done. Its a 5 hp model they didn't tell me the CFM's Here are some pictures. Does any one know what model this pump is?

What do you think?

Saylor Beall 705... GET IT!
 

trbomax

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Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
2,556
Location
starvation lake,mi.
I have a chance to buy this one cheap it was made in 91 and was in an auto dealer shop. It was maintained by a compressor company. The tank was inspected in 2012 and oil changes were done. Its a 5 hp model they didn't tell me the CFM's Here are some pictures. Does any one know what model this pump is?

air_compressor_003.jpg


air_compressor_005.jpg


air_compressor_005.jpg


Untitled-3.jpg


Whats "cheap" ? Thats like the one I have,but mine was 3 ph when I bought it. On the other hand I only gave $300 for it ,so Id say anything under $500 (if its single phase ) would be good.
 

Steeg

Active member
Joined
Jul 7, 2021
Messages
34
I have a chance to get either a Saylor Beal or Champion 5hp 80 gal compressor both around the same price and age. The saylor Beal produces only 1-2 cfm's more. I'd like some opinions on why ether is better than the other.
Thank you for any help.
Wayne
I own a saylor-beall air compressor. 3 hp.60 full performance PKG. All the bells ..on her it runs vary quiet..heavy pocket change, in costs. But a lifetime unit..wife bought it for me last year.. it powers my inground single post old school lift I resqude..in my hobby shop.. I was shopping around the Internet..there built in st.johns , Mich I have a lot of old service station memorabilia.in my garage..from the day..and my old car collection..of just 1 car now.. found an old lift sitting for 30 yrs..in FL. I removed it and restoration done on it as well. Oil tank aboveground now my saylor-beall compressor is all cast iron.. industrial ..type I was told G.M. uses them in there plants in Detroit.. screw type units today.. they been in business since 1913..
 

Norcal

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Joined
Mar 16, 2008
Messages
13,753
I would be interested in some user input as well. I have one of each and have the delima of which to use for my back-up compressor that I am currently building on the Weaver recever assembly. The SB is a type 705. I would have to look at the champion but its a vertical twin,two stage as well.Both have 5hp single ph 220v motors with them.
If the motors are 220V, that would make them prehistoric, 1930's-1940's.
 

ipgenie

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Joined
Jan 29, 2020
Messages
561
Location
Idaho
Most likely, whichever one the OP decided to buy 10 years ago, it's still running and pumping air today.

My Eaton is pretty much a knock off Saylor Beall and will probably outlast me.
 

Steeg

Active member
Joined
Jul 7, 2021
Messages
34
I would be interested in some user input as well. I have one of each and have the delima of which to use for my back-up compressor that I am currently building on the Weaver recever assembly. The SB is a type 705. I would have to look at the champion but its a vertical twin,two stage as well.Both have 5hp single ph 220v motors with them.
I own a Saylor-beall it's new ..my dad had one way back in 1959 to 1999 same unit in our service station..5 bays and the tunnel car wash in chicago area..it ran with little maintenance done to it ever 3 months..oil changes etc ..reliable yes I ordered mine with an hour meter factory for my own piece of mind..and proof of hrs on it ..mine a 60 gal unit 705 pump..this unit wt is 570 lbs its a fully loaded comprsoir all the bells on it the after cooler has a radiator and a fan on the motor to cool air passing through it ..I live in hot sunny FL...it's a must if u sandblasting painting. Etc I also use my comprsoir for my inground lift I resqude a yr ago.it sat in a shop for 30 yrs roof caved in..I brought in a gas air run air comprsoir to see if the lift would work...yes it held pressure over night..I had it dug out and removed it...it dates back to 1956..a Rotary..so my Saylor-beall now has a purpose .. it runs vary quite. Due to its air filter unit it has on it..3,500 bucks I pd
 
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