New toy for the shop

[Bus Driver]

The nicest thing is that air compressors cost less now than they did 30 years ago. My 5HP 80 gallon unit was priced about $1500 in 1980. Bargaining got it down to about $1250. It has been perfect, never a problem. $1250 was a lot more money 30 years ago than it is today. For single phase, a true 5 HP motor at 240 volts will draw at least 24 amperes. If less than that, the motor is not fully loaded or is of a true lesser horsepower.

[Buzzard Wing]

Yep Bus Driver.... now they must sell them at the running HP not peak or something like that. I got a paint gun and a set of impact sockets (almost useless set) because Sears overstated the HP. The 'industrial' pancake compressor was pretty cheesy anyway, found a plastic piston with a broken connecting rod when it quit. And the motor wasn't configured so you could use it for anything else.

[sdurnal]

Sweet, Bill!

[Steve Butram]

If you call that a TOY I would hate to see your TOOLS. Nice size for a small shop. Just watch out now when you start using the Air Impact tools that you don't start breaking off or stripping bolts with the added torque the newer tools put out.Matter a fact I upgraded the pump on mine to be able to run the Scat Blast Cabinet. I use mine all the time. Do You have 220 in the Shop? I built a room in a corner of my shop and insulated it so I wouldn't have to listen to the Drone of the compressor motor.

[Gary Dotson]

Bill, that's a good lookin unit! We'll all appreciate that at the Bash! I'm glad I was able to help you pick it out.

My compressor was one of those caught up in the peak hp vs. running hp issue. It resulted in a class action law suit, I don't remember what the settlement was, but it didn't amount to much. Instead of having the hp specified on the motor it said spl. A savvy eye would have noticed that the amp rating did not equal the claimed 6.5 hp proudly displayed on the side of the tank. I had issues with the pump and when I found a great deal on a new, cast iron, vee twin, pump I upgraded it. The motor fried on the 2nd pump up! Fortunately, I had a good 5hp motor and resolved that issue. The tank is the only original part left, but I have a good air compressor!

[Yogie]

Very nice Bill, that'll run about any air tool you need.
I've been lucky being able to do all my work at my job place using BIG compressors. At home I have a portable that does well for painting, really doesn't take that much air to paint.