Air compressor pump

MetalCraftSolved

MetalCraftSolved

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Location
NC
Those of you that see an air compressor out of the corner of your eye, may know that we run a 60 gallon IR SS4L5. I'm not sure how many hours this machine has turned in it's lifetime. The head gasket busted earlier this year. I made a new one that is still working fine, eh 4-5 months later maybe.

The pump isn't building pressure now. I don't think the new head gasket has anything to do with the problem, but the material I used was a hair thicker than the previous material?

So, no doubt the valve plate on top of the head is worn out. The part is $135 not including shipping.


Eventually I will get a big daddy Quincy, throw away my electric tools and not have to mess with this again, but until then I need the cheapest solution for decent air, basically just to get me by.

My pump makes 14 cfm @ 90 psi @ 135 psi max w/ 5 hp

The 5 Hp V-twin from Harbor Freight is $180 - 15.2 cfm @ 90 psi @ 145 psi max w/ 5 hp

Assuming it the HF piece is the right thing for the job "right now"

Any suggestions?

Also, I have always been set on investing in 60 gallon Quincy but now I'm second guessing my self wondering if I should go bigger. Mainly because of shop efficiency. That setup is beast, but how big should I go????
 
Not sure what motor a Quincy is but get that. In the end a tank is a tank and buying the motor would be cheaper. I have a 60gal 5hp IG but mine is real new so no advice with the motor.
 
Green Machine said:
Not sure what motor a Quincy is but get that. In the end a tank is a tank and buying the motor would be cheaper. I have a 60gal 5hp IG but mine is real new so no advice with the motor.
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Actually, the motor I have is in good working condition. "US motor" I think?

Moving up to Quincy would give me a more efficient and reliable Baldor motor. The tank that I have is rated at 150 psi. Even the smaller Quincy models boast mean cfm @ a more usual shop pressure of 175 psi.

The 60 gallon Quincy setup could most definitely handle more volume and even though my tank is rated at 150, I would plumb it into the system.:rockon:

at Bomber fab we used to use 2 compressors. An 80 gallon dual stage for usual use, and then a 60 gallon single stage set to kick on at a lower pressure when it needed help.
 
A new setup would be at least $1500. Right now just looking for a really cheap pump that will move a lot of air for a year or so.
 
David I may have a lead a nice ir pump set up.
 
offroad cowboy said:
The HF unit will get you by but if you ever want more this is it
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200331913_200331913?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Air Tools + Compressors-_-Rotary Screw Air Compressors-_-359207&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=359207&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=359207&gclid=COW15tbCtMACFU4F7Aod3yoAcw we use this style just bigger at my work and it supplys the entire plant with air
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Robby Gordon's guys use that at the Twin lakes shop, or at least they used to.

The machine shop I build stuff at part time, uses a rotary compressor. That thing runs all day. It powers 5 CNC machines and randomly whatever I need it for but it basically runs all day.

Until I buy CNC machines, I think I would want my shop compressor to "start" pump some big volume and hold on til next time it's needed.

I have not done very much research on rotary compressors but from what I have seen from Quincy, their stuff just throws bricks at IR
 
We have two twin screw rotary units and a 4000 gal tank and every machine uses air theres over 800 machenes here and they have run non stop for the last 5-10 years with no failures just the wiring issues they say 70 cfm on them each
 
offroad cowboy said:
We have two twin screw rotary units and a 4000 gal tank and every machine uses air theres over 800 machenes here and they have run non stop for the last 5-10 years with no failures just the wiring issues they say 70 cfm on them each
Click to expand...


sounds good. wonder what the comparisons are with the same machine from different companies
 
Quincy good. Fire bad. That what frankenwelder say. If I could swing one, I would. I put the smaller single stage HF pump on my old Charge-air 60 when the pump was getting weak. It's nice. Cast iron, quiet, pumps fast and dry for $150. Took a new pulley, a hose, and a little modding to get it on, but I'm happy. Based on my experience, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the two stage if you want quick and cheap. A Quincy it ain't, but it should fit the need until you can afford one.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
 
Don't blame QC, blame the packaging or shipping department!
 
FWIW, take a look at these guys when you're ready for a new one:

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/

They sell bare pumps, too... but you'd have to order one and wait for it. Not quite as convenient as Harbor Freight.
 
catfishblues said:
Did you have to change the motor pulley to get the rpm right?
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Haven't got that far with it yet. Kind of just put it on there as quick as we could. Needs a dual belt pulley at the motor, and I need to figure up the rpms. With that said, it doesn't sound like it is going too fast.
 
Building around this pump seems to be the best bang for a five year plan. Seems to have great numbers for something that can be operated with the 5 hp motor we have, and the ability for a bigger motor. Probably should move up to something like this soon, and be more productive with work tables that are plumbed with air like the Fab school.

Spent some time in a shop that did sheet metal for sand cars. They had tables with thick carpet on them and cut their sheet metal with hand air shears right on top of them. Pretty neat way to do it.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/518643/1017632.htm
 
Yeah, the problem I have is that I have a low-RPM pump that I bought a new 1.5hp motor for a few years ago. Now the pump is dying, and I can't find a good replacement. Kinda tough to justify spending $400 on a new motor and $350 on a new pump (plus swapping pulleys and new belts and who knows what else) when I could have a complete turn-key assembly for a bit more.

Oh, and I don't think the wire I ran back to the compressor is big enough for a real 5hp motor. Probably should have been 10 gauge.
 
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