WWYD: Saylor Beall air compressor quandary

[dmaxfireman]

I currently have two 'older' (circa 2000) Saylor Beall air compressors. Looking for the outside thoughts on how to proceed. Willing to mix and match parts as needed. The goal is to end up with the 707 pump and a 1ph motor.

5hp 1ph 80gal 705 pump (in use and running great)
7.5hp 3ph 120gal 707 pump (not in use, currently rebuilding the 707 pump)

The 120gal tank is in better shape but it is HUGE, I would probably have to build a compressor shed outside my shop to not lose any more floor space, which I'll most likely do anyway to gain some floor space back. The 120gal tank has a factory aftercooler setup. The 80 gal tank has a larger custom aftercooler setup, which I'll probably put on whichever setup I put together.

Option 1: I can put the 5hp 1ph motor from my 5hp/80gal setup on the 707 pump and run a smaller sheave and still get 18cfm at low/quiet rpm with either the 80 or 120 tank

Option 2: I can get a 7.5 or 10hp 1ph motor and get 27 or 34cfm respectively on the 707 pump. But for big $$$ in purchasing a new motor, and stay with the 120 tank, then offset the cost by selling the 80gal compressor in running condition.

Option 3: You tell me

Mix and match any option and tell me what you would do and why.

Bonus points for anybody who wants to buy the 705 pump, 3ph motor, tank i don't use.

 

[threepiece]

Gosh, I don’t think you can get a 10 HP motor in 1ph but I’m not sure. I run two phase converters in my shop but definitely wouldn’t want to run a compressor on one.

i find good motors at the scrap yard very often. I have purchased many of them, some were new, unused. I think I pay about $1 per pound.

I too have two 707 SB compressors. One is my main pump, the other for parts. I love them.

 

[dmaxfireman]

Yes, there are 10hp 1ph motors.

Baldor L1512T 10 HP 1 Phase Motor 1725 RPM 215T | Compressor Source

The Baldor L1512T is a 10 HP single-phase electric motor with a 215T frame, running at 1725 RPM, and is made in the USA. In stock and ready to ship.

compressor-source.com

 

[Ing3018]

What is your target air flow?
Bigger tanks are handy for either reducing time between pump starts when your average air consumption is low. Or, providing for a short duration high flow need, like a large impact wrench.
Otherwise, for continuous flow needs, a larger tank does take more space. I have two 80 gallon tanks but have found I don't get any value for the extra storage.
I have a Saylor Beall 705 pump and 5 hp motor. At around 17.5 CFM, it allows me to run a pressure pot sandblaster with a 1/8" tip at around 50 psi continuously (I don't run the sandblaster at 90 psi to save my media for re-use). I have pump inlet valve unloaders on mine so I can keep the motor running the whole time. It's a good setup for my use case, if that helps give you a base for reference.
A 707 pump running off a 5 hp motor giving 18 CFM seems like a waste of potential. If you want the higher flow and think the cost of 7.5 hp 1 ph motor and wiring is worth it...

 

[dmaxfireman]

18cfm covers what I need, but more is always better. Started tearing into everything.

The 707 pump is torn down, components in the process of being cleaned, going to get it all cleaned up and rebuilt

The 120gal tank has been pressure washed, looks decent on the outside but is pretty rough on the inside. The pump was blowing a lot of oil. Took a look with a borescope and the tank is full of sludge and looks pretty crusty. I'm going to try and wash out the sludge with gasoline and then let some evaporust sit in the bottom and then reinspect and make another decision after that.

 

[dmaxfireman]

Just an update, sloshed 5 gallons of gas through it a gallon at a time and took most of the sludge and sediment out. Put 5 gallons of evaporust in the bottom and will check it in a week, its only about 40*F so I don't expect it to work too fast. If its extra slow I'll pick up a magnetic block heater and stick it to the bottom.

I dropped the 3ph 7.5hp motor of at a shop to see what my options are.

I have the pump completely tore down and have all of the valves running through ultrasonic and the housing / cooler pieces sitting in a lye bath. The rebuild kit is ordered and should be shipping soon.

 

[ford freak]

I have rebuilt a few 705 and 707 pumps over the years. Recently I was putting one together for my garage. Long story, but I will never support anything saylor beall again. They are horrible to buy parts from and will try to force you to just buy a new pump. I've also learned there's nothing special about their pumps. See my new compressor build thread in general.