The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Compressor Air Pump or Bust?

I have a decision to make and I am looking for some input.

My Harbor Freight 60 gallon single stage air compressor (single phase 220V 3.75 hp motor) stopped working over the weekend. Upon some investigation, the pump seems to be worn. I can obtain a new pump exactly like the one on the compressor for $200 plus shipping. Is this a good idea or given the entire machine is 15 years old, is it worth fixing of just start new?

A new compressor of similar size runs around $800. I use this compressor almost daily in my personal shop wrenching on the many cars/trucks/atvs that come by.

Thoughts?

A few years back, Lowes sold a 60 gal 5 HP compressor for around $500. I was going to suggest that as an upgrade for yours, but I just checked and one that size is between $800-$1200.

Given that, I would consider the $200 air pump replacement, although a 3.75 HP compressor is a little on the small side for shop use, IMO. I have an old Devilbiss 60 Gal 5 HP compressor that I bought used for $350, and it's served me well. Electric motors just don't wear out, and if drained on a regular basis, the tank should last 100 years. So a new air pump should get you back in business.

Chris,

My thoughts -- You are likely going to get a spectrum of answers on this. All are correct under differing circumstances -- it may come down to a combination of personal preference and budget.

But ... My compressor (the one in the OR ... ) is 24 years old. I've only ever had to replace the electrical pressure switch. However, it's beginning to use a lot of oil in the case ...

You can go "thrifty" and just replace components (I still have my granddaddy's axe -- I've only had to replace the handle 6 times and the head 4 times ...), but once you start chasing rabbits down those holes...

An air compressor is a major once or twice in a lifetime purchase. I say go big ("high quality") or go home. As much as you use it, take a deep breath and get a good one that your grandkids will inherit. Do it now, or be continually replacing components that will go bad in the middle of projects. And who knows what the inside of your current tank looks like? Have you been diligent in draining it daily???

I don't know what the good ones are any more. Quincy??

If you use it as much as you say, spend the bucks and go with a quality brand. Buy it once. Don't screw around.

As for size ... how much does your compressor run while you use it? If a lot, and/or you have to stop now and then to let it rest or catch up, then you need a bigger one.

There are some tools to go "thrifty" on -- a good air compressor isn't one of them.

Just do yourself a favor in the long run -- break out the dollar gun, load 'er up and hold the trigger down.


John

Another thing, Chris -- Have you determined your average/max CFM requirements?

I have been using (for over 4 years) a Kobalt 175 Two Stage Electric Vertical Air Compressor from Lowes.

No problems - but, they might not be still selling that make/model.

I use it to raise/lower a large BendPak HD-9 4-post lift (drive-on and moveable); and, of course I use many kinds of power tools.

I also used it with my large blast cabinet (that I gifted away last year).

Can't argue with John's statements.

Quincy is still a top of the line brand. Industrial grade stuff. Price is commensurate with quality.
Ingersoll Rand is another industrial line.
Campbell Hausfeld is another brand that's considered consumer grade, but have been around nearly forever, and many of their products are likely made offshore (as that replacement HF air pump likely is.)

I have had a cobbled together compressor for the last 15 years,. The 60 gal tank was given to me by a friend and the 3.5 Hp motor by another. I bought the exact compressor head you mentioned from Northern Tool, I have used it almost daily with no issues. Recently I upgraded to a larger 80 gal, 7.5 Hp, 2 stage compressor for the bigger shop I'm building. I passed the old cobbled unit on to a Friend and he is using it today.

For the money I would consider replacing the compressor head and continuing to use what you have, it has suited you for this long...

Somebody just beat me to an 80 gallon upright tank compressor on the local Facebook marketplace- - - -"Needs a new starting capacitor"- - - -$250.00! Even if it needed a motor, that would have been a deal! Somebody nearby also has a front end loader with a 6 foot bucket for a medium-sized tractor- - - - -$400.00! I'm waiting for a call back on that one.
Jerry

Sounds like a steal on that loader.

John

John -- Having been in my new career as a truck driver/heavy equipment operator now for a few years ... and having to deal with "tired iron" ... I've learned that there's usually a very good reason why equipment is offered at a "bargain" ... And its not usually a good one.

I've let my boss know that if he brings home any more "bargains" from the auction, I'm going to kneecap him.

$200-ish for 15 more years sounds pretty good to me 👍

Air compressor update.

Taking my time to find what I wanted, I took the head off the old unit. Found the head gaskets hard as a rock and broken. A quick replacement of the two head gaskets and it’s working again.

Maybe I’ll get another 16 years out of it!

First time procrastination paid off!!

The $400.00 loader was a hard pass- - - -cobbled together out of three mismatched parts and a lot of angle iron. However, I did find a "good used" loader for $600.00 that only needs a few new hydraulic hoses and some patchwork on the bucket. I bought that one.

One consideration on any compressor is the volume of the tank- - - -bigger is usually better, as once pressure builds up to the cutoff point, it takes longer for the bigger tank to lose enough pressure for the motor to cycle back on. More resting time for the compressor and motor translates to longer life. I'm about to buy an "out of date" 200 gallon LP gas tank to be used as a reservoir for my compressor. $100.00!
Jerry

when considering getting rid of your old compressor or buying a used one, think about corrosion damage inside from the moisture that is created from usage. If you have a drain at the bottom, use it once in awhile. You'd be very surprised as to how much moisture comes out.

There are automatic air tank drains that work on a timer. They can be set to purge the moisture for a few seconds once or twice a day by setting the clock. Just like the rotisserie chicken grill that gets advertised on late night TV- - - - - -"Set it and forget it!"
Jerry

I say change the motor, and with the extra $$ put in a cooling/drying setup.It'll save the tank and tools, and make painting a breeze.
Being I repair/service dry air compressors at work, I wanted to do something creative for home use. I'm not spending $2k just for the drying side for small capacity home use. So seeing some odd cooling/drying cobbled together systems on the interweb I built this.
Using a Derale trans cooler, fan that fit, auto-draining moisture trap and 1/2" aluminum tubing and installed another 30 gallon tank. built a movable cart for it all.
Cooler $70
Fan $25
Trap $40
Tubing $30 (20 ft, but only used 10ft)
Addl tank $200
Addl fittings $20
over the years I've seen alot of failures that are just a rust hole in the storage tanks or lines.
I have recently purchased the electric auto drains for the tanks, being they are currently auto/mechanical that leak, but I don't get that much moisture in the tanks now.