I'm thinking of building an air compressor

[ampa]

I have the new twin cast iron cylinder compressor unit...11 cfm @90 lbs... I'll be usin' this for a small sandblaster plus my sandblast cabinet.....last summer I used a small CH not quite 4 cfm @90 lbs....yes it was very slow had to wait for it to build up the small 8 gal tank....I have only 120 volt power in this rented bottom duplex...so there's no way I'm spending any money to install an outside 240 volt receptical.....my main concern is I can buy a 1 1/2 hp electric motor(twin capasitors) for $149 plus tax at Princess Auto/ which is about the same as your Harbor Frieght in the good ol' USA....specs on this twin cyl. compressor needed at least 1-5 hp to run it....I think thats far fetched to claim this and besides....why not say 1-2 hp as the factory complete units they have... sell for around $750.00-$800.00 have only 1-2 hp 240 volt A/C motors.....these factory compressors put out a few more cfm than the unit I have.....I'm thinkin' maybe just runnin' mine usin' the 1 1/2 120 volt A/C motor 3,450 RPM with no tank...I guess it would depend on the pulley on this 120 volt A/C would it not ?....I have no issues if this A/C motor don't run it...I can return it and get the proper one of course the price will probley double....I just need some correct answers here before I have make a fool of myself as always with this store I always deal with......thanks in advance guys......Ampa:

 

[LD1]

I would say to try it if yo can return it. What have you got to lose??

But I am betting that it won't be big enough. Yea it will run it, but it will draw too many amps and burn up. Thats the thing about electric motors, They don't stall like a gas engine would, they just start drawing way too much current and burn up.

The only other option if you want to use that motor is to put a larger pully on it and slow down the compressor. It wont make 11 cfm though.

 

[ampa]

Thanks LD1 for the quick reply....like I mentioned I can return it for a full refund no questions asked....don't mater if I burn it out....their policy is.... and I qoute....No sale is final until your satisfied....even if it lasts 10 years....I think they must own the factories in China or whatever......does Harbor Freight have the same policy????.....this P Auto outlet does quite well with steady sales all year round....anyhow you take care and once again thank you so much.....Ampa

 

[oughtsix]

I bet the bearings will wear out pretty quickly on a cheap motor. I would look on Craigs list for a used Leeson motor.

Do an internet search for using a YORK compressor as an air compressor. I have 3 and paid $30 each at a junk yard with some bargaining. I have one in my '67 Ford F100 for portable air. Some day I will use the other two with a spare 7 1/2 hp motor I have.

 

[ampa]

I bought a brand new twin cyl. compressor and I'm not trying to save $$$ on the compressor unit itself.... only need advice on A/C motor to run it....I could probley use a China made small gas engine to run it out doors....but what about usin' it down in my workshop....I could do what my eldest son done with his A/C generator and rig up an exhaust out the basement window...Hmmmm.....I have not seen his setup as of yet......maybe it's okay and safe....but I would not do this.....anyhow I'm getting off the main topic.... I'm listening to every comment or answer to my question.... problem is...I cannot buy this A/C motor till next Tues when it comes on sale....so I have lots of time to be talked out of it.... or go for it.......once again thanks and take care..... I know I'll get good proper info from u guys from this "great' educational forum.....Ampa :confused2::confused2::confused2:

 

[payton]

I built a 110V compressor from a 2hp balador motor. look around this sight...
Bare Pumps:
I used the 18cfm bare pump and slowed it down to 600 rpm, and run it non stop at 60psi. this eliminated the need for all the stating and stopping, just flip the switch on and it runs until you turn it off.

their shipping isn't to bad...this might be better than messing around with cheep electric motors...
8 Gallon Electric Portable Unit

Payton

 

[Rio_Grande]

I built my compressor using a pump from the above link. I have however learned an expensive lesson about electric motors. Prior to my rebuild I started off with a 15 amp motor on a 11gpm pump it burned up in short order. I replaced it with a 21 amp motor and again it lasted another year. By then motors had gotten expensive but I upgraded to a 21 amp heavy duty motor. Eventually that pump was swapped out for a New eaton and after about 3 hr run time the front bearing went out of the motor. Recently I bought a 22 amp farm duty motor. 110lb as opposed to 22lb of the 21amp motor. I also went to a mag starter and a 1750 rpm unit. Ya, I am tired of burning up motors. But as of now this thng euns like a dream... If I had bought the bigger motor out of the hat I would not have had all the issues or down time and saved signifiganr dough....

Now your situation,,, being able to return it no questions asked,,,,, Well if ya have time I guess it would be fine. For me I need the equiptment working not working on it,,,
You will need a small pulley like 3in for that 3600 RPM motot as speed kills these pumps.

Will you be happy with 11gpm pump for sandblasting? My 11 gpm never shut off sandblasting and there was alot of down time..

Good luck, Pic of my reworked compressor is attached. Still needed to add the starter in this pic.

 

[ampa]

I really appreciate the much needed info Paton and Rio Grande....I recond you guys are both in the USA comparing the prices of those pumps....I'm up here in expensive Ontario Canada........I was lookin' for that style "V" pump......I was lucky to get the inline twin cyl @$150.....anyhow great information based on experience.... factory assembled units here in Canada run into the $700-$800 plus tax bracket....I will probley only save by the time I'm through... if I'm lucky saving..... maybe.... $50-$100....but the nice thing is I get a chance to buy it piece by piece and assemble it myself....if I had bought one with a 60 gal. tank I would of had to dismantle it to get the thing down in the basement of this lower duplex(house).... I've not seen this A/C electric motor as it is in a sales flyer....quite possible it is 120/240 A/C....the flyer does not specify this....only the RPM's and HP rating....they mention that it is a compressor type motor....as it has the two capasitors on top ....I bought the compressor(pump) for $150 plus tax Dec 2009....up here thats considered a good price...these 11 cfm normaly are close to $300...building a compressor here in Canada....by the time I get all the puzzle pieces together will just give me a project to assemble.....I just purchaced a 120 volt 125 Amp Lincoln mig welder....I'm a newbie when it comes to welding....I'm ol' school when it comes to body work on my vehicals...O/A braze welding.... yes...I get the warpage and my welds are "Yuk" but two years later the whole rightside panel of my van is holding up just fine...no rust as of yet...the rest of the van is fallin' to pieces..though....oh' well I'm gettin' off topic again.....I.ll ask questions on this new Lincoln portable mig welder in the proper section of this great forum.... for now ....much appreciated with the answers on this compressor project of mine....take care.....Ampa

 

[bobodu]

Ampa....where is the breaker box?
You keep mentioning the basement....it'd be real easy to get 220 if the box is down there.

 

[ampa]

Yes Bo... breaker box is in the basement.....and our washer and dryer are down beside it.....I know I've heard tell of 240 volt 50;-100' extentions but these would be a bit costly.....the 120volt 125 amp Lincoln I bought claims it can weld up to 1/4 in" steel....I know a guy that builds custom trailers who will do all the welding.... providing I deliver it to him and do the all the metal preping before hand....Thanks and take care....say hello for me to all the guys on the PER forum....I've lost the link due to my computers crashing.....Ampa