Does anyone have this compressor pump?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93786

Is it worth a damn? I understand you get what you pay for, but I'm not exactly running a body shop here, so I wonder if it would hold up to typical garage use.

I've got a 20 gal tank with a 220V 5hp Baldor motor. I guess my thinking right now is if I'm gonna buy a $300 or so air pump, I might as well sell the Baldor and put it toward a brand new larger compressor. Thoughts?

It works great. Quiet, and plenty fast.

I was looking at that last night. Do the two air filters mean it's not a two stage compressor?

Yes, it's a single stage compressor.

slight hijack...

i just scored an 80 gallon tank, and have a ~5hp compressor laying around. where are you guys sourcing reasonably priced 5hp motors?

Does anyone have a current Harbor Freight coupon? I searched here and google, but the best I could come up with is the bogus 20% coupons and a 15% one that had no expiration. I could try them, but I'd rather not have to argue with anyone.:)

I was looking at that last night. Do the two air filters mean it's not a two stage compressor?

Single stage twin cylinder pump designed for 5 HP rated motors.
Proven belt driven design for excellent compression and smooth running
Two mufflers and two high efficiency intake filters
Oil viewing window and drain plug
Ball bearing check valve release
Effective splash lubrication system keeps pump running cool
Aluminum construction with cast iron cylinder sleeve
Air delivery: 18 CFM @ 40 PSI, 13.4 CFM @ 90 PSI; Max. pressure: 140 PSI; Max. speed: 1200 RPM; Flywheel: 14-1/2'' with dual V-groove; Four 7/16" mounting holes (1/2" x 14 TPI)


ITEM 93786-5VGA

$119.99
:shaking::flipoff2:

we got 2 of those pumps driven by a 12 horse 480v 3 ph motor on top of a 180 gallon tank. we have em set at 160 psi and these baby's pump good, we've been running em for over 5 years now.

If you have even a compressor rated 5HP motor, IE its nameplate says it draws ~21A or more on 230V you can spin more compressor pump than the one you have linked. This pump is meant for the magical 5HP motors that only draw 15A @ 230V.

Well, picked up the new pump today. Now I've got a new problem...:emb:

If you have even a compressor rated 5HP motor, IE its nameplate says it draws ~21A or more on 230V you can spin more compressor pump than the one you have linked. This pump is meant for the magical 5HP motors that only draw 15A @ 230V.

Exactly. Runs fine on 3hp.
I would be interested in testing running 2 of these on a "TRUE" 5hp.. maybe change pulley size and run them a lil slower but that would be a NICE and cheap and reliable system for sure and fast.

i just picked up two of these 5hp motors, they are about twice the size of teh 3hp :D

Exactly. Runs fine on 3hp.
I would be interested in testing running 2 of these on a "TRUE" 5hp.. maybe change pulley size and run them a lil slower but that would be a NICE and cheap and reliable system for sure and fast.

Pretty much what we run at the shop but on a smaller scale (30HP motor running two pumps):
http://www.dvair.ca/images/stories/hdi_tase_air_compressors_combo.png

heres a pic of that thing i picked up. a true 5hp motor, and 2 stage pump.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/paranoid56/SCZ5O27S-kI/AAAAAAAAEzE/XO-e8CBnLfg/s800/pump.jpg

I'm running that pump. Works great. The 15 amp, 3 HP motors will not turn it at it's rated speed. I'm running a 19.5 amp, 5 HP, 3450 rpm motor, with a 5 inch drive pulley.

is there anything this pump wouldn't run? i need something decent enough to run a blaster cabinet, maybe a DA sander, die grinder... not at the same time of course. not just run it, but not have pump non-stop to keep the tank full (my tank is somewhere between 60-80 gallons; came with the house i just bought).

Picked this baby up for $75 today. Now just gotta hook all this crap up.

Damn thing is 68" long...this compressor project is getting out of control.:D

So I did a little sweating tonight. :) I've had a little difficulty figuring out how to hook all this crap together. The pump outlet is a compression fitting for 5/8" OD tube, and the tank inlet uses a 3/4" OD tube compression fitting. I searched for a couple days for a union reducer to join the two, but came to the conclusion that such a beast doesn't exist (though a friend pointed out tonight that Swagelok makes one...after I've already gathered the fittings and cut the tube :laughing: ). Didn't get out of work on time to get the swagelok fitting, so I went ahead and took a swing at at sweating the copper fittings. I've never done it before, but it was actually pretty easy...assuming it actually worked. I started off by sweating the elbow to the 3/4" tube coming from the tank. Then I installed the 3/4" to 1/2" reducer.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00328.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00329.jpg

And here is the tube fitted and soldered in. The fitting on the pump is a compression fitting, though it doesn't use an insert. The fitting itself is meant to squeeze down on the tube.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00331.jpg

The tube goes into the fitting at a bit of an angle. I guess we'll see what blows out first...this or the soldered fittings.:p
I'm also thinking now that I should have put more of a bend in the tube to account for expansion.

Also put together a tree in the fitting on top of the tank. This holds the relief/safety valve, the pressure switch, and a liquid filled gauge.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00332.jpg

Now I need to start looking for a double v-groove pulley. The motor shaft is 5/8" with a 3/16" key. I'm hoping I can find something with a bit of "extension". The shaft on the motor is a bit short and the shaft on the pump is a bit long, putting the pulley on the end of the shaft.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00336.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00337.jpg

Does the belt slip? If not, I wouldn't bother running dual vee belts. If you run dual belts, the belts have to be pretty close to exactly the same length. You can try your luck at the implement store, but to get matched sets, it costs good money, or getting really lucky at the tractor store. You wouldn't think a little bit of difference would matter, but it does, they will vibrate and chatter like crazy. I went through this replacing the tripple matched vee belts on my lathe. A "B" section fractional HP belt is actually capable of transmitting a lot of power. I believe rated at about 8-9HP continuous duty for a "B" section.

My IR pump that is a hell of a lot bigger than that only has one b section drive belt.

Later,
Jason

I was planning on wiring it today, so I don't know if the single belt will work yet. I am going to try to keep it with the single belt...the cheapest dual belt pulley I have found is $45.

I'm also going to redo the copper line today. The one I made the other day doesn't look good, and I'm worried about expansion cracking the line at the tank. I'll make the new line with 90 deg bends.

Redid the copper line today. I borrowed a conduit bender from work, though it didn't have a very tight radius. I still ended up with only one bend, though the line looks a lot better. Also, as I was pulling everything back apart, I realized the fitting in the pump is really meant to use a flared tube...not sure what I was thinking about the fitting clamping the line in.:confused:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/random/DSC00338.jpg

I installed a remote drain valve in the bottom of the tank, installed the air outlet in the end of the tank, and finished bolting down the motor. Finally, got the wiring hooked back up and took her for a test spin. The compressor works great! It fills the tank up pretty quickly, and to my surprise there's actually no leaks. The single belt seems to be working fine as well. :smokin:

Got a video of it's first time running. Check it out if you're bored or if you've reached the end of the internet.;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPzGw-lz5Q4

has anyone used 2 of these on a 22amp motor yet?

Lowes is not selling an 80 gallon upright with a 21amp motor and says it puts out like 16cfm with a max pressure of 140psi... pump looks pretty close too. They are asking 650 for the air comp. I dont know if I could build one for less. A good 5hp motor is, what 250-300 dollars, the HF pump is 120, and you still need a tank and fittings, pressure switch, ect... if you had a big tank you could do a 5hp motor, 2 of the these pumps and for the same money end up with 20cfm+/-... But finding a good tank is tough I think.

has anyone used 2 of these on a 22amp motor yet?

Lowes is not selling an 80 gallon upright with a 21amp motor and says it puts out like 16cfm with a max pressure of 140psi... pump looks pretty close too. They are asking 650 for the air comp. I dont know if I could build one for less. A good 5hp motor is, what 250-300 dollars, the HF pump is 120, and you still need a tank and fittings, pressure switch, ect... if you had a big tank you could do a 5hp motor, 2 of the these pumps and for the same money end up with 20cfm+/-... But finding a good tank is tough I think.

We have good tanks on CL here all the time. I even have a spare 120g on the side yard for when I get a shop/bigger garage. My plan for it is a 5hp gas motor to run 2 of the HF pumps. (Backup/off-grid setup- i`d like to run it on `pane) You can get the HF pumps for $99/each on sale online ($5 shipping) cheaper than driving to pick-up atleast for me @12mpg. Check ebay for cheap electric 5hp motors (quality brand too).

Got a video of it's first time running. Check it out if you're bored or if you've reached the end of the internet.;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPzGw-lz5Q4

How has the 15Amp motor held up with this pump. In the video it looks and sounds like it is keeping up with the pump well. I've read up and down today and am just about ready to pull the trigger on the HF pump for nearly an identical upgrade.

I have an A.O. Smith 230A motor rated at 14 amps and 3450rpm. I think it will be too much motor for HF pumps rated for 3hp, but I have noted Stephenw's concern with this motor not pulling the 5hp rated pump at the rated speed.

Thanks.

It's been doing great. Had to tighten the belt once. From the sound, I don't notice any drop in rpm all the way to the 110psi cutoff.

Mine's a true 5hp motor though...24 amp.

Mine's a true 5hp motor though...24 amp.



I misunderstood. I think I will still try the 3.??hp motor and gear it down slightly. Thanks for your write-up on this.

Little update...

Purchased the 2 year extended warranty for 19.99.

Compressor dies at 2 years 7 months.:laughing:


I haven't torn into it yet. Just noticed in the last couple weeks it was taking longer to fill the tank. Today I went and pulled the inlet filters off and one side wasn't sucking in.

I also noticed the HF part number for the "5 hp" pump has changed...and the price has doubled.:eek:

pull the offending head probalbly a broken reed valve no biggy.

Yup.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo420.jpg

Lot's of rust on the downhill side of the valve too. It's pretty humid around here most of the time.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/mudtoy67/Mobile%20Uploads/Photo421.jpg

Looking at the parts list is sounds like you have to buy the entire reed valve assembly. We'll see how much harbor freight wants for that...

$40 shipped for two kits. Not bad.:)

Two and a half years out of the compressor new...10 months out of the rebuild.:homer:

Same problem, reed valve on exhaust port broke. If I order two new valve kits it's another 40 bucks. At that point I'll be 2/3 into what I paid for the pump in the first place. Hmmm...:confused:

I just bought the cast iron twin cylinder air compressor pump from harbor freight today! not sure if it's the same one as you put on your tank. The part number is 67698 and I will be mounting this monday in my restoration shop on my 60 gallon kobalt tank! my motor is a 7hp with 3.5hp running 1.25 rating. this motor will be more than enough to push this compressor to 145psi as I was running my OEM pump to 165psi just fine without any slow ups. the way i've learned to take on harbor freights specifications is just how cheap audio amplifiers rate max/peak watts. they always put out huge peak numbers but in reality they are not accurate at all.


also do not try to use a 20% off coupon in store for the pumps. I almost got thrown out today because they would not accept my coupon. They are stating that the replacement pumps are considered compressors and therefore are excluded from any coupons.

No, yours is the "new" model. They bumped the max psi by 5 and painted it black.:laughing:

I am wondering if I could mount the 13 3/4" flywheel from my oem pump onto this hf pump instead of using the 14 1/2" it came with. has anyone ever changed flywheels before and is it possible even?

They're so close in size why even change?

i ended up mounting the pump today and using the 14.5" flywheel it came with. As it seems, I will be running the pump somewhere around 1300rpm based on my calculations which is higher than their recommended 1050rpm rating. i took the 14.5" flywheel x 1050rpm pump speed, and divided by my ac century motor speed of 3450 to get a motor pulley size of 4.41" dia. now the motor pulley dia. I have is closer to 5.61" dia. so working the calculation out it seems that with my pulley I will be turning the pump at 1300rpm which I am not sure will be beyond the capacity of this pump or not. I might not be accounting for load and whether or not the motor will actually be pumping at 3450rpm or if this is a free spin speed and under load maybe slows down. any ideas or suggestions on this before I fire it up for first time?

specs of my motor



7HP Peak, 3.5 HP Running 208-230V/16A

M182711

$256.22

You should be able to get new pulleys for the motor at just about any hardware store or online from mcmaster carr.

i ended up mounting the pump today and using the 14.5" flywheel it came with. As it seems, I will be running the pump somewhere around 1300rpm based on my calculations which is higher than their recommended 1050rpm rating. i took the 14.5" flywheel x 1050rpm pump speed, and divided by my ac century motor speed of 3450 to get a motor pulley size of 4.41" dia. now the motor pulley dia. I have is closer to 5.61" dia. so working the calculation out it seems that with my pulley I will be turning the pump at 1300rpm which I am not sure will be beyond the capacity of this pump or not. I might not be accounting for load and whether or not the motor will actually be pumping at 3450rpm or if this is a free spin speed and under load maybe slows down. any ideas or suggestions on this before I fire it up for first time?

specs of my motor



7HP Peak, 3.5 HP Running 208-230V/16A

M182711

$256.22

I have a 4.5" cast iron 2 groove pulley. It fits a 5/8" motor shaft. It will put the pump at the high end of the recommended range with a 3450 rpm motor. I'm running the same pump and switched to a 4" motor pulley.

I'd sell it for cheap, say $15 plus shipping.

been a few days since i've had it up running in the shop. with my 3.5hp motor and the stock 5.75" pulley it was pumping air like crazy, but once it hit 120psi my ac motor couldn't keep up with the workload and would kick the reset switch. so downsized to a 4" pulley and it works great with my 3.5hp motor for now. a little slower than I expected but until I can get a 5hp motor on and get the pump back up to 1300rpm this will do. so far 1 week into it and the pump is very nice and quiet and doesn't get real hot. I will keep everyone updated and post some pics possibly.

Hope you have better luck with the new pump. I gave up and ordered two more sets of reed valves and head gaskets.

I'm about to buy that 5hp Harbor Freight model also, maybe by the end of the month. I'm also interested in updates on the quality of this pump. I have a 5hp 22amp Northern Hydraulics Motor to push it. Do you have stock air filters on it?

I am running the stock air filter and assembly on both heads. works well so far but it doesnt' look the the filter housing and filter are a good design. will be upgrading to grainger sets.

The reason I asked was that I saw somewhere that somebody used it for a while, and after it broke down he noticed that the piston was shot because it had crap all over it, while the filters were still relatively clean. So, in his case the filter failed from the start. It maybe had holes in it or not sealed correctly/well.