Motomoron
Stainless
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2005
- Location
- Chevy Chase, MD
So, I've been compressor shopping for about a year. I'm looking for something 5-7hp, 50-80 gallon vertical tank, cast iron, 2 cylinder, 2 stage. I've been looking on Craigslist, eBay, used machinery dealers, government auctions. Ideally I'll find something that needs a motor or a pressure switch, or has been left behind someplace that's being renovated so there's some urgency to get it out of where ever it's occupying space.
I've looked at some, bid on a few, and have been making do with a 5hp oil-less C-H that I really don't like.
Finally, I thought the search was over. On my local Craigslist, an Ingersoll Rand T30, 5hp, 80 gallon, removed from a dry cleaner. Need it gone now, you pick it up for $250.
I could barely make it through yesterday due to the anticipation. I got home from work, my wife and I jumped in the truck, and we made the drive to the seller's place 35 miles away.
We arrived, my wife was suitably horrified with how big an 80 gallon compressor is, and I started looking it over. It had sat outside, which is why the seller said it needed a motor and switch. It looked quite nice, though. Upon asking the seller how long it had been in service, he replied "4 years"
I looked at the builders plate on the tank to verify the date, and realized there was no legible stamping.
"did you paint this thing?" I asked
"Yes"
"how did you prep it first"
"I used a grinder!"
Making a using-an-angle-grinder gesture I asked;
"You used an angle grinder???"
"yes"
My shoulders sagged in resignation. I thanked him for his time, told him that I was sorry, but I was going to have to take a pass on his compressor, and calmly informed him that when the tank fails and it's new owner is killed in the explosion, that he's going to be responsible.
He only meant well, but what a knucklehead, and what a waste of a nice compressor.
I've looked at some, bid on a few, and have been making do with a 5hp oil-less C-H that I really don't like.
Finally, I thought the search was over. On my local Craigslist, an Ingersoll Rand T30, 5hp, 80 gallon, removed from a dry cleaner. Need it gone now, you pick it up for $250.
I could barely make it through yesterday due to the anticipation. I got home from work, my wife and I jumped in the truck, and we made the drive to the seller's place 35 miles away.
We arrived, my wife was suitably horrified with how big an 80 gallon compressor is, and I started looking it over. It had sat outside, which is why the seller said it needed a motor and switch. It looked quite nice, though. Upon asking the seller how long it had been in service, he replied "4 years"
I looked at the builders plate on the tank to verify the date, and realized there was no legible stamping.
"did you paint this thing?" I asked
"Yes"
"how did you prep it first"
"I used a grinder!"
Making a using-an-angle-grinder gesture I asked;
"You used an angle grinder???"
"yes"
My shoulders sagged in resignation. I thanked him for his time, told him that I was sorry, but I was going to have to take a pass on his compressor, and calmly informed him that when the tank fails and it's new owner is killed in the explosion, that he's going to be responsible.
He only meant well, but what a knucklehead, and what a waste of a nice compressor.