New or Used Air Compressor?

[facility1]

Some of the older compressors are better built, rebuild if you can get parts/kit and just run them. can depend on brand and size though.

 

[nealberke]

Buying used poses a risk if they did not properly maintain it and drain it, if it rusted internally and explodes it will go off like a bomb destroying much near it.

Buy new, maintain it and keep it for decades instead of buying a risk.

Thank you. I've wondered about this for years. I was visiting a tool forum many years ago when someone wanted to put a new motor and compressor on an old air tank. Even if you drain moisture regularly, rust occurs. At what point is a tank too rusty to save? I would only bet on say a 5 year old lightly used compessor for my needs. I'd stay away from anything used for years in a commercial / industrial environment or a "barn find".

 

[oil pan 4]

Thank you. I've wondered about this for years. I was visiting a tool forum many years ago when someone wanted to put a new motor and compressor on an old air tank. Even if you drain moisture regularly, rust occurs. At what point is a tank too rusty to save? I would only bet on say a 5 year old lightly used compessor for my needs. I'd stay away from anything used for years in a commercial / industrial environment or a "barn find".

I run them till they rust through and start leaking.

 

[OM617YOTA]

I've had several compressors rust through. None ever went BANG and took out a building like a grenade, they just start leaking.

 

[billt460]

I've had several compressors rust through. None ever went BANG and took out a building like a grenade, they just start leaking.

In that regard they're a lot like water heaters when they start to crap out.

 

[brandon9715]

I've had several compressors rust through. None ever went BANG and took out a building like a grenade, they just start leaking.

Yup, corrosion/rust will make small leaks first 99% of the time. Even if a big area somehow all rusted through at the same exact rate, it would let out a big puff of air and be done. The only way I can think of an air compressor exploding like a grenade is if the pressure switch failed so it kept running indefinitely. Even then, there will be a point that the motor can’t overcome the back pressure from the tank.

 

[oil pan 4]

Yup, corrosion/rust will make small leaks first 99% of the time. Even if a big area somehow all rusted through at the same exact rate, it would let out a big puff of air and be done. The only way I can think of an air compressor exploding like a grenade is if the pressure switch failed so it kept running indefinitely. Even then, there will be a point that the motor can’t overcome the back pressure from the tank.

Most of the air compressors I find at the scrap yard have no relief valve and have the pressure switch bypassed.

 

[MrBubba]

I've had several compressors rust through. None ever went BANG and took out a building like a grenade, they just start leaking.

 

[brandon9715]

“Almost 200 years of collective experience and none of us have ever seen this”

 

[MrBubba]

“Almost 200 years of collective experience and none of us have ever seen this”

Point being you and another on here are acting like it can't happen when it in fact can, and this is not the only documented case.

Buy new, maintain it, keep it for decades.