Do I buy this or not...?

patrick66

patrick66

Old Man with a Hat
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I've got a hell of a conundrum going right now. Took some of my parts to my new powder-coating guy today. He works out of his garage, he is low-volume, with high-quality work. He is very much unlike all the high-dollar guys in town, who have you wait forever, and really hate doing four or five parts for the average Joe. Anyway...

He is selling his compressor from when he first started his business. It is a 100-gallon tank, with a high-volume compressor and an 8-hp 220VAC single-phase electric motor. I would have absolutely NO problem putting this beast in my shop. Plus, I can do anything requiring compressed air - paint, sandblast, bead blast, whatever I want to do. This would replace my 25-yo Craftsman 2-hp portable compressor I inherited from my late father-in-law. It's a good tire-inflator, and that is about it. Can't paint with it, and it barely runs my impact wrench and air chisel. Barely.

So. I have a few things to do yet on the Imperial. I've yet to remove and repair the heater core, and the air conditioning still needs attention. The restoration of the steering wheel is gonna wait a year! Along with the few things I'm having powder coated, a new spare tire, and a couple of small parts, I'm figuring another $600, other than the steering wheel and the walnut restoration. He'll take $1,000 for the compressor, cash money, plus he'll deliver it! It's a $3K unit, if you were to go to a store that sells professional-grade compressors. I could use that $$ for the Imperial, or I can have all the compressor I'm ever gonna need, ever, and delay a couple of things on the convertible for a few months.

I'm leaning towards getting the compressor. In fact, I've pretty much talked myself into getting it as I type this. Just curious what you would do.
 
Once you buy it you'll want more tools to run with it, so.... I say buy it :)

Sounds like a great deal. Care for it and it will last you beyond the imperial restoration... And if you tire of it when you are done, sell it on down the line.
 
If it's in good shape, I'd get it, but I love compressed air!
 
I agree with the previous posts, I'd buy it you'll find a million uses after you do. It doesn't sound like it will delay the finishing touches to your Imperial that long.
 
When I read the title my thought was "Yes, whatever it is, BUY IT.", but reading on you force me to choose between parts for the car or tools for the car... Go with whichever will give you more short term gratification.

BTW, $1000 compressors do come up from time to time... they just usually don't deliver themselves.
 
I'd want to know more about the unit before telling him to buy it. If it was truly all that then why is the guy selling it? Obviously it doesn't do everything he needs it to. Is it a 2 stage? Because if it's not it may not keep up with things like media blasting very well in spite of Its size.
 
My first inclination is to say "buy the compressor", but I agree with Detmatt.

A used compressor can be a real buy if it's not worn out. But... This guy has been running sandblasters on a regular basis... That means a lot of hours on the pump. If it's pushing oil, you aren't going to be happy trying to paint with it.
 
patrick66 said:
I've got a hell of a conundrum going right now. Took some of my parts to my new powder-coating guy today. He works out of his garage, he is low-volume, with high-quality work. He is very much unlike all the high-dollar guys in town, who have you wait forever, and really hate doing four or five parts for the average Joe. Anyway...

He is selling his compressor from when he first started his business. It is a 100-gallon tank, with a high-volume compressor and an 8-hp 220VAC single-phase electric motor. I would have absolutely NO problem putting this beast in my shop. Plus, I can do anything requiring compressed air - paint, sandblast, bead blast, whatever I want to do. This would replace my 25-yo Craftsman 2-hp portable compressor I inherited from my late father-in-law. It's a good tire-inflator, and that is about it. Can't paint with it, and it barely runs my impact wrench and air chisel. Barely.

So. I have a few things to do yet on the Imperial. I've yet to remove and repair the heater core, and the air conditioning still needs attention. The restoration of the steering wheel is gonna wait a year! Along with the few things I'm having powder coated, a new spare tire, and a couple of small parts, I'm figuring another $600, other than the steering wheel and the walnut restoration. He'll take $1,000 for the compressor, cash money, plus he'll deliver it! It's a $3K unit, if you were to go to a store that sells professional-grade compressors. I could use that $$ for the Imperial, or I can have all the compressor I'm ever gonna need, ever, and delay a couple of things on the convertible for a few months.

I'm leaning towards getting the compressor. In fact, I've pretty much talked myself into getting it as I type this. Just curious what you would do.
Click to expand...
BUY IT!
 
Obviously you know more about the compressor than the rest of us. Several points were brought up about how much it's been used that are very valid. I bought a used compressor that need a motor for $100. Then I put a new $300 motor on it and now I'm thinking I need to either rebuild the pump or put a new on it. Am I going to me ahead on this one, I don't know - it was originally a $800+ compressor, Campbell Hausfeld. One thing it did do was get me an 80 gallon compressor that I could pay for in smaller amounts along the way.

If you can determine that it is in good shape it may very well be a great deal.

I remember a thread where you went on about how great it is driving the Imperial. So, maybe you could forego a few purchase for it since it is already a very enjoyable car for you.
 
patrick66 said:
I've got a hell of a conundrum going right now. Took some of my parts to my new powder-coating guy today. He works out of his garage, he is low-volume, with high-quality work. He is very much unlike all the high-dollar guys in town, who have you wait forever, and really hate doing four or five parts for the average Joe. Anyway...

He is selling his compressor from when he first started his business. It is a 100-gallon tank, with a high-volume compressor and an 8-hp 220VAC single-phase electric motor. I would have absolutely NO problem putting this beast in my shop. Plus, I can do anything requiring compressed air - paint, sandblast, bead blast, whatever I want to do. This would replace my 25-yo Craftsman 2-hp portable compressor I inherited from my late father-in-law. It's a good tire-inflator, and that is about it. Can't paint with it, and it barely runs my impact wrench and air chisel. Barely.

So. I have a few things to do yet on the Imperial. I've yet to remove and repair the heater core, and the air conditioning still needs attention. The restoration of the steering wheel is gonna wait a year! Along with the few things I'm having powder coated, a new spare tire, and a couple of small parts, I'm figuring another $600, other than the steering wheel and the walnut restoration. He'll take $1,000 for the compressor, cash money, plus he'll deliver it! It's a $3K unit, if you were to go to a store that sells professional-grade compressors. I could use that $$ for the Imperial, or I can have all the compressor I'm ever gonna need, ever, and delay a couple of things on the convertible for a few months.

I'm leaning towards getting the compressor. In fact, I've pretty much talked myself into getting it as I type this. Just curious what you would do.
Click to expand...
I would get the compressor, your life will be sooo much better with it, the best part is you will have it in the future.
 
When I hear that question it means that you have already made up your mind to buy something, and are looking for someone to talk you out of it. I won't be that guy.
 
polara71 said:
I'm not a painter, do you need two stage air for painting as I've heard?
Click to expand...

Most good quality HVLP spray guns require 13-14 CFM's to work properly. My guess is this one is at least high teens - low 20's. It should be fine. Patrick see if the CFM's are written on one of the tags.
 
if all is on the up and up and it checks out to be what it should be..

BUY IT, or I will!! lol
 
This would replace my 25-yo Craftsman 2-hp portable compressor I inherited from my late father-in-law. It's a good tire-inflator, and that is about it. Can't paint with it, and it barely runs my impact wrench and air chisel. Barely.

So how many tires do you need to inflate ? and if and when you do the new one will also inflate tires and do it better & faster never alone all of the other uses that it has. Of course with the exception of painting (which I have no knowledge of at all on.) I say buy it as I think it seems like it is a decent deal and is more versatile and practical that the one you have.
 
$1000 seems high to me, for a machine that has countless hours.
8 hp also would suck a lot of watts to fill your tank up every time you just needed some tire air.
We have a store called Rural King that is really awesome. I bought the following compressor on their annual 12% off sale for $380.
Porter Cable 60-Gallon Oil Lube Stationary Air Compressor 135 PSI CPLC7060V : Rural King

I'm not sure, but a lot of their product you can order online for free shipping.

No doubt not as well built as the compressor your are looking at maybe is or once was, just thought I'd share what worked for me.

Oh yea and......

20170317_142806.jpg
 
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