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April 21, 2011 9:58 p.m. benzbaron Dork

Ok I started looking for a used air compressor on craigslist and have seen a big variety in price. I am looking for a 60-80 gallon, upright, oiled, two stage air compressor which has a singe phase 230V motor and at least 5hp. I've seen a couple of interesting compressors for between 300-700, but finding one that checks all the boxes is kind of hard. I actually see I can buy an ingersoll rand new from tractor supply for 1000$ and it ticks all the right boxes but I'd rather not tie 1000$ up into air if I don't have to.

From what I hear it isn't worth being cheap when it comes to air so 500$ is my budget. I am redoing the garage now and would like to get the air tools moving and get rid of the oil less POS that I'm using now.

Any tips or suggestions?
April 21, 2011 10:00 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

I like this company

bought the AF7 model

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Air-Compressors-s/29.htm
April 21, 2011 10:09 p.m. Zomby woof SuperDork

From what I hear it isn't worth being cheap when it comes to air so 500$ is my budget.
Those are conflicting statements, IMO.

If you use it a lot, spend the money once.

If not, buy the generic (probably CH) compressor that everybody is selling in your price range.
April 21, 2011 10:46 p.m. benzbaron Dork

We'll see what happens, I am prepared to wait for the right compressor to come up for sale. I might even start saving for the ingersoll rand but the mercedes and buell both conspire to destroy the budget. I figure paying for a compressor once is the right way to do it. I already bought a heavy POS compressor then put it on casters and fixed the leaks and sold it without making any money. I don't want to get into the habit of moving huge pieces of steel, it isn't fun.
April 21, 2011 11:21 p.m. fasted58 Reader

My first compressor was a Sanborn 230V 5 hp single stage 50% duty cycle that lasted well over 15 years. Overall it was a good reliable compressor and I thought it great at first but the 50 on/ 50 off really got old after a while, too much down time. Even a simple job like sandblasting headers seemed to take all day. I painted trucks but learned to split painting the cab and bed for regen.

Last summer I replaced it w/ the Ingersol-Rand TS4N5 from Tractor Supply for $1K and am totally pleased... sandblast, sand, paint, air tools all day long. 230V 5hp 2-stage cast iron pump, air intercooled, 80 gal. tank, rated for 15K hrs. Ingersol builds this model to Tractor Supply specs, hence the TS in the model number.

HP numbers can be misleading, watch wire gage/ fuse ratings on any compressor. The 230V 5hp Sanborn ran w/ 12-2 wire and 30 amp fuses. I had to run 8 ga. wire and use 40 amp fuses for the 230V 5hp Ingersol.

If I had to do it over again I'd prolly start w/ the Ingersol.....but the added beer breaks w/ the 50% Sanborn weren't bad either.
April 22, 2011 9:22 a.m. spitfirebill SuperDork

I've been using a CH 4 HP compressor for over 20 years and been fairly happy with it. I did have to replace the motor once, but i was using it to sandblast and really hammering on it.

What I've been reading about IR compressors hasn't been good. Seems they use an Emerson motor that is not durable.
April 22, 2011 10:10 a.m. dculberson Reader

Keep looking - $500 for a lightly used one isn't unreasonable. I bought mine for $400 new closeout from Lowes and it's exactly what you describe. (Ingersoll Rand 2-stage oiled 80-gallon 230v 5 or 6 hp) It's unlikely you'll see that good of a deal new again but used it seems likely.
April 23, 2011 9:35 a.m. curtis73 Dork

I think two-stage these days is totally not necessary. The efficiency of single-stage, two cylinder pumps is more than enough. If you drop that out of your list i think you'll find plenty.

Mine is 240v (but wired for 120 right now), 6 peak hp, 50 gallon, two cylinder single stage, cast iron oiled. Got it from Sears/Craftsman so its a re-named IR for $400 several years ago.
April 23, 2011 11:52 a.m. benzbaron Dork

OK I can drop the two stage from the requirements but most of the used compressor I'm seeing around are over priced. If I can find a big bad upright compressor which can push the air it should be good. I'm just trying to set up the garage now, easier said than done.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
April 23, 2011 2:50 p.m. Teh E36 M3 HalfDork

I'd also consider not looking so much at the HP rating, but the CFM rating. Wire size/amp rating was a good call too. I looked around and decided if I could get 10 CFM at 90 psi, that would take care of about anything I needed. I lucked into a dude getting rid of a brand new craftsman oilless 33 gallon 10 cfm @90 horizontal. It is oilless, and a little noisy when its refilling, but I can't complain. His brother in law is a military pilot too, and he said his brother would be tickled to see it in my hands ($0). Good for me, and I never am quite prepared for people's generosity toward us in these times.
April 23, 2011 5:00 p.m. fasted58 Reader

I'm spoiled as far as compressors go. I used to work on I-R compressors: 500 HP, 3400 CFM @ 125 PSI, intercooled, aftercooled, w/ a Marley cooling tower to keep 'er cool, a chiller for air dehumidification and a 500 gal. receiver.

31" low side / 18" high side piston. The low side piston ring was like a frickin' hula-hoop! And a 60 gal. oil sump.
April 25, 2011 10:23 a.m. dculberson Reader

fasted58 wrote:

I'm spoiled as far as compressors go. I used to work on I-R compressors: 500 HP, 3400 CFM @ 125 PSI, intercooled, aftercooled, w/ a Marley cooling tower to keep 'er cool, a chiller for air dehumidification and a 500 gal. receiver.

31" low side / 18" high side piston. The low side piston ring was like a frickin' hula-hoop! And a 60 gal. oil sump.

I'll take it! When can you deliver and does it come with the warehouse for housing it?
April 26, 2011 5:03 p.m. Jcamper New Reader

Good advice so far, you didn't mention it but are you planning on painting? I know my Iwata LVLP gun uses every bit of 13cfm, and it is very sensitive to a pressure drop. I have an 8cfm compressor, add a little pancake compressor to the system, and it still isn't enough. During paint sessions those compressors work hard. J