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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
I decided that I need a "real" compressor in order to get more body work done on my truck. I really don't want to spend $700+ on a new one and need some decent CFM's for my tools. Plus it's nice to have one that will run anything in your arsenal.
I found this beast and it looks like it will do the trick. No idea how many CFM's but I can tell you that a die grinder at 80psi hardly dropped the pressure gauge once the motor kicked on. Neither did a blow hose.. It must weight 500lbs and be 50+ years old but it seems to work well and the guy has it fairly air tight too... $200 seems like a good deal for an 80 gallon tank... thoughts? ![]() ![]()
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" |
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#2 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,021
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Old and ugly, but 200.00 is a deal. That thing was built with real steel and cast iron.
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#3 |
more ideas than money
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: spring grove, pa
Posts: 1,068
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
My thoughts............
80 gallons should be enough price is right older is almost always better made in PA! (no rational to that, but I like it) Have you tried looking up parts for it?? I went with an Ingersol Rand only because they have been around for a long time so chances are so will their parts in 50 years.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
I just looked up a few websites and Keystone compressors has been out of business for awhile! But this beast has run for a half a century so it should give me a few more years huh?
Old and ugly is right, like something out of Dr. Frankenstein's lab! 1. It runs 2. It blows a LOTTT of air 3. $200 ![]()
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" |
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#5 |
Gone to greener pastures
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gateway to the Delta
Posts: 7,354
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
I would only have 1 concern, and that would be internal corrosion in the tank, especially since the unit is 50 yrs. old.
If the pump/motor went away, they can be replaced, even if you have to fab new brackets for it/them. It looks like a decent platform on the top of the tank for installing replacement parts/fabbing new brackets. Just don't weld new stuff to the tank unless you are certified on pressure vessels. Happen to know any NDT folks?
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'69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
NDT like testing?
the tank seems to be so thick I don't know if the corrosion would hurt it much... He does have a 60 gallon for $300 and it's newer... I was also watching some government auctions in my area that have 15cfm setups with gas engines... prices are around $200 right now..
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" |
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#7 |
Son of a gun
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Posts: 1,636
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Mike, don't worry about gallon size, 60 or 80 will do you fine.
DO be concerned with CFM ratings. If you don't have the CFM's you need, tank size won't mean a hill of beans.
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Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Moss Point,Ms.
Posts: 1,439
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Looks like a 2 stage pump!
What's the H.P.?Hopefully 5 or more. What's the r.p.m.?1850 is better than 3600. Looks like a replacement motor. I'd beware of the tank---Put it behind a barrier or something for missile protection! I think it's a very good price,compared to what I paid for a new I/R unit a couple years ago! Mike. ![]() |
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#9 |
Well, Whoop-dee-do!
![]() Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Easton, Mo. pop.- me & scarcely a few others
Posts: 2,302
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
If it isn't pumping oil, and the tank isn't ready to blow... it was a good deal. Since it has a big plug towards the bottom, you could look in it to see how rusty it is. If in question, you could have a sonic thickness check done. If you know anyone with concrete trucks, they could do it. Some of them have a tester that they use on mixer drums... 5 minute deal. 5 minutes that could save a life- tank explosions can be UGLY.
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'68 GMC shortbox 4x4 350/SM465/T221- bought it in '83 SOLD ![]() '72 K20 500 Cad/TH400/NP205 SOLD ![]() '92 Chevy 2500 6.5 mech TD 4L80E crusty daily driver '72 Monte Carlo... sweet low mile toy '11 Dodge Challenger IE 392 6spd... midlife car ![]() |
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#10 | |
Gone to greener pastures
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gateway to the Delta
Posts: 7,354
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Quote:
Yeah, Mike,, NonDestructive Testing If you have any refineries, chemical plants, etc. in your area; you probably have several NDT cos. Maybe you could find somebody to "moonlight" the job. I'm not trying to "harp", or sound superior, or "holier than thou" to anybody. I just happen to have a personal aversion to shrapnel. Nobody really knows the history of the tank. Who among us drains the water out of their air tank everyday? I know I should, but I don't. I've been know to leave the compressor running for several days, just so I don't have to "waste time" recharging the air system in the morning. I've been going to install that "spitter valve" for the last 20 yrs., just never seem to get around to it. In my personal experiences (none with air tanks, to be honest) with pressure vessel failures, they seem to be of 2 kinds; "Hey we have a 'weeper' on WXYZ vessel", or the failures are catastrophic. There just didn't seem to be much middle ground in that area. I apologize to everyone for the very long post, but in my mind, personal safety is #1. I'm going to ride off into the sunset on my high horse now. LJ
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'69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck |
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#11 |
GEARHEAD
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MN
Posts: 6,126
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
I'm a boiler and pressure vessel inspector by trade. I look at 1000's of air compressors. I've never seen that particular brand, but if you find the metal nameplate on the tank it will show the year built and pressure rating, among other things. Sometimes they even have the thickness for the heads and shell stamped on them (that's a current requirement). Anyway, in my experience these things rarely rust out from the inside. There is too much oil carryover to the tank. On the other hand, if it sat for a few years with water in it, it may have pitted some. Easy enough to find out, just open one of the plugs in the side or bottom and take a look. The other trouble areas on these are where the feet are welded to the tank (sometimes they crack) and the fittings themselves will occasionally crack. After more than 15 years on the job, including 3 working at an air compressor manufacturer, I've only seen maybe 10-15 tanks that failed.
Your biggest concern with this unit would be finding replacement pump parts, but that can be solved by replacing the pump.
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#12 | |
Gone to greener pastures
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gateway to the Delta
Posts: 7,354
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Quote:
Like I said, I never saw a failure in an air tank. I did spend over 2//3 of my life working in a refinery & in that environment; when things decided to go south, they took the express. It's always refreshing to see/read about somebody else's experiences & learn from them. LJ
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'69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
great input from everyone.. if we had rep points i'd give them!
I doubt that replacement parts are around for this old pump either, but who's to say it will need rebuilt in the near future...? it's a slower RPM pump..It has a badge on it that makes me think it was a Penn DOT (transportation) garage unit. This is a VERY thick tank that's only set at 135psi right now... I'll have the guy pull a side cap off and peak in with a flashlight before I bring it home... the oil cooling fins on top are crazy looking... The compressor was cool to the touch while running and pumped this up in 15-20 minutes.. The cylinders look like something from a car too!
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 10-01-2009 at 06:50 AM. |
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#14 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,690
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
I've seen 2 tanks fail, and they just hiss ans split, never violently.
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#15 |
GEARHEAD
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MN
Posts: 6,126
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
For safety sake, replace the relief valve that is on the tank. If it's a thick tank it was probably rated at 200 psi. Whatever the nameplate rating is for MAWP is the highest you put on for relief valve setting. Some of the older tanks have odd MAWP ratings, like 137 psi. If it's running at 135 and that's adequate for you, then a 150 or 165 relief would be good. I've seen some 2 stage pumps that are running at 175 with 200 psi reliefs that are fine. The added pressure means there is more air volume in the tank and the compressor will recycle less often, but for a longer run time. If the tools are not rated for that pressure, just use an in-line regulator.
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If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 ![]() 72 ![]() HG's Plow Truck '78 ![]() Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
good call on the pressure relief, it does have one on it but who knows the proper function... It has an old school type pressure switch that turns the motor on and off but should that fail I could see a fitting getting shot out like a bullet..yikes..
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 2,181
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
With a two stage compressor like that, I wonder are you going to get enough air flow? Many of the big tank systems have a 3 stage compressor.
Of course, for $200 you could afford to replace it with a 3 stage compressor and still be less than the cost of new. B |
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#18 | |
283 Drama Queen
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Surf City, CA
Posts: 2,435
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Quote:
Mac. ![]()
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For about 12 years of my adult life I had a severe speech impediment. My ex-wife never let me get a word in edgewise. |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
I took my die grinder and set the regulator at 80 lbs, it would draw the tank down to 100psi then it kicked on and barely went below that... that was a few minutes straight without stopping which isn't how most guys use the tool... It might be two cylinders but they are larger than a modern compressor... I bet they have 3-4" wide cylinder heads...
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" |
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#20 |
Factory Strippers Rule!
![]() Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Shingle Springs, CA
Posts: 707
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
I'd use it just 'cuz it looks like an old BMW motorcycle engine. Way cooler than any new compressor! And the slight possibility of tank explosion makes every time in the garage an adventure.
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"Feast your eyes on a feast of smoke." 67 Chevy Short Fleet PLAN: LQ9, 4L60, D60 Looking for School Bus Gauges - Help me out! |
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#21 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Boiling Springs, PA
Posts: 391
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Looks like a good score.
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#22 | ||
Well, Whoop-dee-do!
![]() Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Easton, Mo. pop.- me & scarcely a few others
Posts: 2,302
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Quote:
Quote:
Not sayin it will happen to this one, or that it does often, but it does happen.
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'68 GMC shortbox 4x4 350/SM465/T221- bought it in '83 SOLD ![]() '72 K20 500 Cad/TH400/NP205 SOLD ![]() '92 Chevy 2500 6.5 mech TD 4L80E crusty daily driver '72 Monte Carlo... sweet low mile toy '11 Dodge Challenger IE 392 6spd... midlife car ![]() |
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#23 |
283 Drama Queen
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Surf City, CA
Posts: 2,435
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
Our shop has an I/R screw compressor with a relief valve that keeps the huge tank safe - anything could happen - and probably has, at some time - in some part of the world. But unless the pressures are extreme and uncontrolled - it's remote.
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For about 12 years of my adult life I had a severe speech impediment. My ex-wife never let me get a word in edgewise. |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Valdosta GA
Posts: 708
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Re: 80 gallon Air Compressor - what do you think?
nice find. I recently picked up a 60 gallon 8 hp compressor for free.
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