What would you do?

[Stan]

I have a smaller Coleman 11 gallon air compressor that was replaced a few years ago with a larger 60 gallon unit.

This one has been sitting since the larger tank was installed, mainly due to it's loud noise when running. I'm gettin tired of moving it from one place to the next trying to get it out of the way.

What I'm thinking of doing, is remove the pump/motor, which would give me a decent 15amp, 3450 RPM motor for other projects (such as a drum sander).

Then cap off the pump input with a one-way valve and just use the tank as a portable air tank (has wheels and a handle). That way, smaller jobs in the house wouldn't require running a hose from the shop into the house, just top off the smaller tank and wheel it into the house.

I wouldn't mind storing the tank if it would actually get used every once in a while...

So, waddya think -- what would you do?

[LCHIEN]

Unless The old compressor is pretty much shot, I would say the value as a complete, working, commercial (as opposed to cobbled up) name brand unit would be worth more than the parts (perhaps). Even if you find it too loud, someone might like it.

I would sell the old compressor thinking you would get $125-150 and then buy one of the portable tank only units from HF or WalMart for $20-25.

but, maybe my economics are screwed up.

lessee, HF 5 and ten gallon Air tanks, $23 and $33.

2 HP motor $75.

And less work to do not tearing it apart.

[JR]

You might be kind of iffy on that drum sander idea. Compressor motors are designed for intermittent duty, as opposed to the continuous duty of the drum sander appliction.

OTH, it might be fun!

JR

[WEG]

Hi Stan;

If it still runs, keep it for the occasional off site use, or drag into the house, back yard, etc. It's always nice to have a backup. After the motor or compressor gives up the ghost, then dismantle it. I just went through the opposite of this with my old oilllless that died. I'm using the tank as a "larger storage" supply with a new smaller oil lubed unit as the portable. I also have one of those small storage tanks that's great when your kid calls with a "Hi Dad, I got a flat and my spares flat..." Hope this helps.

WEG

[Stan]

The smaller unit is a 'Coleman', ain't worth much. I think I paid $125 for the compressor, 5 air-tools and hose about 8 years ago. So it wouldn't be worth much I wouldn't think.

As far as 'intermittent duty'... not this one.
It was called on to spend many hours driving the gun in the sandblasting cabinet, many hours because about all it could do was push 80psi for about 10 seconds and the motor kicked in. It would run for long periods with the tank pretty much not involved, just the motor/compressor providing about 40psi. (I really needed the blasting cabinet use).

So, I'm leaning towards 'extra motor for projects', and a storage holding tank at the moment.

As far as the motor being 'iffy' for a drum sander... now where is the fun in giving up when there is still magic smoke left inside a motor....