The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Homemade Compressor

I have a compressor pump that a neighbor gave to me and I have a two hundred gallon propane tank to use. Now my question is, since I know less than nothing about setting this thing up. I am posting a link and in it you will see the pump. The wheel in front is over a foot in diameter(so you can tell this thing is real big) The outlet for air is on the back right and it pumps so much air you can't keep your hand over it for two revolutions of the wheel. 52pickup, when he was here, told me that an electric motor would work on this pump. What size motor should I be looking for? What will I need to fix this up for my shop? I need to be walked through this one step at a time because I am out of my depth on even what questions to ask. Any help will be graciously appreciated and always returned in kind. I want to run both a paint-body shop and drivetrain shop off from this setup. here is the picture, it isn't very good but I can't lift it by myself.
compressor pump

Oly , I think you will need to figure how much CFM it will pump ( may have to lift the head and measure bore and stroke ) .
Then work out how much power will be needed to drive it .

Headline.. Man killed by "Air" Bomb in garage! Man, your asking for trouble here. Think it's better insurance to buy ready made unit myself. Anyway, maybe go to Library and check on books on "Fluid" control or Hydraulics or something to get math formulas and tips on something like that.
Write the manufacturer of pump if a name or model is on it anymore for specs. I bet that pump isn't as big as you think in output. Thats a small pulley on it. You will need the fan or A fan on it to keep it cool. AND, where you gonna get a wide ribbed belt like that? Bet that's outta a ship or commercial system. You have 3-phase in garage, bet not. Most big motors will need that to keep from using all available juice you can make/get on it. Find a body shop going outta business, buy there's. That happens quite often I think. Pump may be a two stage where one cyl pumps up to some pressure and second one takes it rest of way and to tank. You would need that if you have a big tank or it will take forever to fill it. Don't forget safety valve and shut-off switch. What about a water drain valve? Won't be one on Gas tank will there? Can't weld in a "bung" for one with fuel in it to "blow".
Sorry, I don't like this idea at all! :p

i've seen this done before. gotta have water in the bottom of the tank--no welding--drill and tap the bottom for the drain. cutoff switch available from ww grainger. bet the motor will have to be close to 1 h.p.. 220volts. remember propane impregnates the steel, ethyl mercapatain makes the smell---not the gas, so just cause you don't smell anything......

I wouldn't even want to try to drill that hole. We had two kids in high school that tried a similar stunt, they were lucky to have any fingers left after the drill got hot.

w-a-t-e-r- in the tank

I have recieved a common-sense answer to the hole problem from 52pickup. This is almost as bad as a Canadian Joke-LOL- Turn the tank over and use the hole that is already there. Works for me.

Now, I have come by an electric compressor with a 21 gal or so tank. Question- Can I use the hardware from it on the bigger setup? It has gauges and all. Then I need to borrow a "sky hook" to move the pump and tank.

Can't tell for sure, but looks like a twin cylinder single stage compressor. You may need to find displacement of cylinders to determine the size motor you will need. You should be able to use parts from the other compressor to assemble this compressor. Make sure you use safty valve on your compressor.