Buying used air compressors - yea or nay?

[lairdwd]

I'm looking at used air compressors, but it's hard to tell how much mileage these things have left on them.

From what I'm able to gather, air compressors are - in general - a repair prone piece of equipment with a high rate of failure. It's hard to tell how much life is left on a used one, yes?

 

[Eddie]

What size are we talking about? A service garage is probably iffy but, a homeowners is probably good if it is a recognized brand.

 

[Chris142]

If it uses oil I guess you can look at the oil. Is it clean? Low?

Does it fill up the tank in a reasonable amount of time?

Does the compressor and tank look like they have been sitting outside in the rain? Or does it look like it's been sitting unused in a garage?

Does it look beat up?

I bought a used compressor at a yard sale about 15 yrs ago. It's getting tired but I only paid $50 for it back then.

 

[jcwit]

Only problems I've had with used homeonwned compressors is rust in the tank causing leaks. Finally bought a Harbor Freight new compressor about 10 years ago and been fine ever since.

 

[Don_B]

I have bought several and they were all used; most recently a 5HP gas powered portable; yeah it had a leaky tank but I found a dead compressor (oilless POS) and swapped the engine and pump from the other one over and have 1/2 the normal going price of a typical used one and 1/6 what this same unit sells for new these days; I don't anticipate alot of use on my part for this portable, but enough to justify having my own; one thing I can say go bigger than you think you need; the only time my 80 gallon 2 stage has been too big is when I have needed portable power; but I have had many that were too small that I have wound up reselling. buying used gives you more compressor for your dollar. I do see bare tanks and dead compressors, as well as pumps by themselves on CL; if you are the least bit handy you can pt yourself a NICE unit together for cheap....

 

[Russ300H]

There are nice ones on Craigslist all the time. I bought a Dayton made Speedaire with 20 gal tank cast iron pump and dual voltage motor for under $100. Still in mint shape and quiet as a church mouse. They are high maintenance and break down frequently IF they are Aluminum pumps (oil or oiless) and light duty motors.

 

[Fallguy]

Nay, buy new.

Just catch this one on sale for $200 sometime. Use the 20% off coupon out of backs of popular mechanics, (Harbor freight full page ad) Harbor Freight and you have a $160 new air compressor. Compressor is working well for the person I bought it for.

http://www.harborfreight.com/35-hp-25-gallon-125-psi-air-compressor-99925.html

 

[jcwit]

Looks just like what I bought years ago, only difference I can see is mine only has one air outlet, which is ok as I only use one hose at a time anytime. Same HP and capacity works super and has never given me any trouble.

 

[TXBoltsFan]

Remember the new Harbor Freight coupon rules - You can't use the 20% off coupon for air compressors or tool chests anymore. Service carts are still okay, including the 4- and 5-drawer ones.