Which compressor do I keep?

[guy48065]

I have 2 Sears 20gal 240v compressors. Both have the same pressure & flow specs. Both motors have nearly the same ratings despite the newer unit claiming 3hp vs the older ones 2hp (13A vs 12A).

The newer one (just bought) builds pressure faster. Maybe it has less use on it than the old one I've had for 20 years (also bought used).

I could swap the newer cylinder over to the older unit if there's some reason I should prefer the older unit. Is there any real difference in these other than age?

.

 

[dr_clyde]

Check motor RPM. The slower one will last longer.

 

[seber]

Check motor RPM. The slower one will last longer.

That's a good point, but for me the noise volume would be more important. Some compressors are so loud you really should wear hearing protection around them.

 

[vavet]

Why not plumb them together and get twice the flow?

 

[highland512]

Why not plumb them together and get twice the flow?

What he said. I also think the older units tank appears to be built heavier. If I was guessing everything on the older unit is built heavier.

 

[rlitman]

You must be new here. The only time the answer here to "which tool should I keep" is not "both" is when it's "all three".

 

[guy48065]

I guess if the hive knows of no difference between the 2 then I'll do the obvious thing and keep the one that refills faster.

 

[M6erfan]

I didn't read any of this thread, just the title. My answer is, and always will be, ALL OF THEM!

 

[Lamakocklee]

If you have the space keep both...

If you don't use them both at the same time, at least you have a backup.

If you don't have the space, keep the one that weights the most and store the other one at a friends.

 

[tarbellb]

All wrong, its SELL BOTH and get a BIGGER one.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

All wrong, its KEEP BOTH and get a BIGGER one.

FIFY
and a smaller one, and another one about that size....

 

[jsaw]

I have one just like the newer one. have had it 30 years. In my younger days before I could afford a big enough compressor, I literally abused the **** out of it running air sanders. It would run for 4 hours straight night after night without shutting off. The tank would get so hot that you could not touch it without getting burnt. It still pumps more air than a 5 hp. 30 gal oil free compressor that I have had for 20 years . somebody mentioned hearing protection. Huh, what? did you say something?

 

[sberry]

Yes, both together would do sanding.

 

[larry_g]

The newer one (just bought) builds pressure faster. Maybe it has less use on it than the old one I've had for 20 years (also bought used).

.

Can you tell us how you determined this? Are both set to the 'exact' cut in and cut out pressures? Do both have new or clean filters? It would stand to reason the newer would have less wear but to test you have to set test parameters and make sure both are tested the same way. The last few PSI before cutoff could make a big change in time is one is really pumping to a 5-10 psi higher than the other. If both are not tested with the same pressure gauge then all bets are off. Cheap gauges like are on those machines are probably only accurate to 20% of max pressure.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[guy48065]

Can you tell us how you determined this?

External gauge. No hose. Stopwatch. Timed from empty to 50, 100, 125 & shutoff. Tried to account for all variables.

 

[PT Doc]

I would sell both and get an 80 gal 5hp.

Someone was going to say it sooner or later, so I did.

 

[American Locomotive]

Newer one probably spins the pump slightly faster.

 

[The Cobbler]

one of the unwritten rules on here is, you need duplicates of everything, so keeping 2 compressors wouldn't be out of order LOL

 

[guy48065]

Don't have the space, and this type is all I've needed for the past 20 years or so.
Really.

 

[Citation]

Keep the one with the newest tank. As the compressor gets old a bad tank would be my primary concern.

 

[tarbellb]

I would sell both and get an 80 gal 5hp.

Someone was going to say it sooner or later, so I did.

See post #10... :]