Failed to find check valve now looking for another A. Compressor

[YLee Kioti]

OK, so here's the crux of my post. Having spent a few hours reading reviews on DeWalt, Craftsman, Husky and looking for repair parts (for the future), I found this unit.

Industrial Air ILA1883054 1.9-HP 30-Gallon Belt Drive Dual-Voltage Cast-Iron Air Compressor

Buy Industrial Air ILA1883054 Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Industrial Air 1.9-HP 30-Gallon (Belt Drive) Dual-Voltage Cast-Iron Air Compressor ratings before checking out.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

The CFM number exceed the req'd for the tools I use. Tools used are die grinder (30-45 seconds at a time), 1/2 impact, air hammer, and soon a air needle descaler. They all seem to require 4.3 to 4.7 CFM@90 psi.
Really don't know enough to know if maybe a 60 gallon unit is a better investment.
Could this Industrial 30 gallon unit be a better quality compressor and meet my intermittent needs?
I don't use the air tools often but as life demands crop up. Until now the HF unit was OK. The die grinder though, would peter out at about 10-15 seconds of use.
I did look at IR units and Quincy, then remembered, hey I'm retired on a fixed income!
Their CFM was on par with the Industrial unit for much less.
They (Industrial) seem to have a support network within 50 to 75 mile away.
I do have a 220 dedicated circuit as I was shopping for a welder until this cropped up. Heh, oh joy, right...
Most likely will take advantage of the 220vac and wire the compressor for it.
Did not have any success on Craig List for used compressors other than used Sullaire Industrial types.
So any experience with the Industrial Compressors would be greatly appreciated.
OK, long enough read.
Thank y'all....!

 

[DJ54]

I bought this one a couple years ago from the same place and I'm very happy with it: Campbell Hausfeld VT6195 3.7-HP 60-Gallon Single-Stage Air Compressor 230V 1-Phase I pretty much run the same tools you do. What steered me towards this one is the hours of life on the pump. If you read through the details most list the hours of life for the pump. Looking at IR, DeWalt and a couple others seems their pump life is rated at 1,000 hrs., where this one is rated for 5,000 hrs.

I'd shopped local and prices seemed to be within $100 at TSC, Home Depot, etc. of this one and only had a pump life of 1,000 hrs. so went with this one. So far, it has done everything it's expected to with ease. It does take a little longer to build pressure up to 175 psi, where the old one was only 125 psi.

If you do decide to get something like this, do specify/check the box for a tailgate drop as they are pretty heavy and awkward. But also note they will only drop at the end of your drive. I was expecting a straight truck to deliver it, but to my surprise it was a small semi. I live at the foot of a big hill and a short distance to my driveway, and people fly here even though they have a posted speed limit. Driver told me he couldn't back in, but after a couple close calls he decided maybe he should. I have a 60' driveway entrance, so it was easy for him to back in. It was still 150' to the shop. I pulled out a $20 and asked him if he could back closer to the shop as it's a straight shot once in off the road. He gladly backed it in within 25' of the shop, then used his pallet jack to put it in the shop for me. Can't beat that.

Took me about an hour to connect to the existing electrical from the other one and plumb the air outlet and was back in business.

 

[nyone]

Yes a 60gal will be better. Running rotory air tools at 90psi makes them prety lacking. I have a 18yr old husky that I run everything at 155psi.

 

[YLee Kioti]

Appreciate the replies, very helpful. A 60 gallon unit it is.
I began calling C. Hausfeld service centers. Heh, oh my these companies are so behind. The one in Victoria told me ten years ago they did until C. H. got sold.
Another service center, no answer, next one bad phone number.
Now the current Harbor Freight Central P. check valve debacle appears to be in the future.
The wisdom of a 60 gallon unit is valuable and appreciated.
My current location does not seem to lend me a warm fuzzy about any potential in service support should the need arise.
The current HF failure of support for their retail products broke my love affair with them. Tools yes, any large electro-mechanical tools NO!
At least now I can make a informed decision on size.
Next move will be a matter of support.
The Central Pneumatic check valve failure is an eye opener, and has really made me a cynical old man about making a huge purchase (back then) only to learn HF says yeah good luck.
OK, enough rant....thanks for all the info it adds to my knowledge!

 

[nyone]

I wouldnt worry about parts to much. A few years ago I needed a head gasket for my old husky. Easy to find on amazon.

 

[YLee Kioti]

I wouldnt worry about parts to much. A few years ago I needed a head gasket for my old husky. Easy to find on amazon.

Yep agree.
This one particular item the check valve opened a can of worms for me.
Calling a Industrial Air service center in Beevile was quite an education.
Sanborn Industries is the umbrella for about a dozen retailed compressors.
So it's now just repair on the Central Pneumatic unit and putting it up for sale.
Then create list for a small system.
Air drier, to my filter regulator. And so on

Well another opportunity for my fall project!
Have a good one!

 

[dodge man]

I have something similar to DJ54’s compressor. I’m not sure how old it is, roughly 25 years. So far so good, it doesn’t get a lot of use though but I wouldn’t be without it.

 

[YLee Kioti]

My PSA for the community.
I typed in Sanborn industries and got this result.
Sanborn Mfg
Deeper yet: https://www.bbb.org/us/mn/springfie...industries-llc-0704-96347187/addressId/133926

Should be a good start for folks needing parts in the future.

 

[WinterDeere]

I've never had trouble finding parts for my compressor. Not always OEM, but even the OEM sources many of these parts third-party.

In any case, the compressor you posted will be fine for all the tools you listed, except the needle scaler. I've spent most of the last two weekends with one of my two needle scalers in hand, the small one actually, and I always forget between jobs just how much damn air those tools use. Even my 60 gal / "7 hp" compressor runs damn near continuously when I run the needle scaler.

I put the "7 hp" in quotes, because it was purchased in the late 1990's or early 2000's, an era when manufacturers were getting away with all sorts of wild claims on induction motor horsepower. I forget actual FLA or horsepower, but probably 2 horse.

Two other tools that can use a lot are pneumatic hammer and HVLP gun, which you might not own yet, but you will want someday!