OT: New Tool for the Shop (Long - Photos)

Ken Christopherson

Well-known Member
Hello all! Well, it has been a busy week for me - been getting a lot of things for 'just come get it out of my garage' prices lately it seems (which is never a bad thing unless you are limited for space yourself).. So, I thought you would all like to see what I got my hands on this time. I have been using hand tools pretty much my whole life (at least at home), and on some of these tractors it is nearly impossible to get things loose that have never been turned in 80 years since new.. I've been wanting an air compressor forever but just never got around to buying one.

A couple days ago, a friend of mine gave me one he had sitting in his shed that was given to him by his neighbor... I put 240V in the garage and plugged it in to see what it did. To my surprise, the compressor ran, was extremely quiet, and made no abnormal noises! It was a 22 Gallon, 3HP Sanborn. But, I discovered a pinhole in the tank, and also a previous welding repair. While turning the tank to inspect it, I heard a LOT of clattering inside... RUST. I immediately unplugged and pulled the safety valve to prevent becoming a headline on the evening news, and got to looking for a new tank.

Found a 60 gallon Husky (Homt Depot) tank locally. Went to look at it and ended up bringing it home. Seeing as from the factory, the Husky tank comes with a 3.7 HP motor, I figured my 3HP would work ok (and my 3HP looks exactly like the ones on the Home Depot show floor)... After some new fittings, reshaping the lines, a new drive belt, and a little time and ingenuity, I plugged it in a viola! My first air compressor works like a champ! Pumped it up to 100 PSI in short order, and I have let it sit overnight - tank pressure has not moved at all. Looks like I done good, as I am only into this compressor for $107 in parts. Retail is $449. Even gave it a fresh bottle of oil to keep it all lubed, but the oil that I drained was like brand new.

Enjoy the photos, and the story! (Video included)
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Building A Compressor
 
I bought the same Sanborn off craigslist a couple years back. I was borrowing a small pancake compressor to run nail guns for our house addition and wanted one of my own. I found the Sanborn for $60. It is quiet and doesn't run very often on a nail gun. The only problem was carrying it down the basement stairs.

Nice job putting yours together. Should last a long time. My Dad bought a similar compressor 30 years ago. Brother has it now and its still kicking.
 
Been a long time coming! Now I just have to keep my eye out for some air tools. I've got a tire chuck and air nozzle to blow out carbs, and a couple HVLP guns... But, that is just a start. Impacts, die grinders, air hammers, D/A sanders.. Just a little more time and I'll grow it a little more! Oh, and the new project I picked up this last week: 1935 F20 with a 1938 motor.. Enjoy that too (to keep it tractor related)!
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Good to hear they are reliable. When I aired it up the first time I was surprised at how quiet and smooth it ran. I know the guy that had it before the person I got it from was an electrician, so it probably has very limited use.
 
Just be aware,, air tools with turbines in them take a LOT of air. Pace yourself a little so as not to over tax your compressor.
 
Also had that exact same Sanborn (more or less, mine was a Black Max), bought it new and ran it for around 15 years, sold it and as far a I know it's still going strong. I bought the 3hp because at the time I was renting and only had 110 in the garage, biggest 110 volt compressor I could find. I replaced it with a 5hp 220 a few years after we bought this place.
 
I bought a garage sale Sanborn in about 1990, used it hard until the tank leaked, bought a 60 gallon compressor. then got a tank off an oil less compressor for the little one. Had to cut off the mounting platform and weld to the new tank plus different plumbing and a blue ribbon Farmall paint job.
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Currently, I only have an air nozzle and tire chuck.. LOL. I guess I better grow my inventory of tools now! I doubt I will ever use this compressor for any large jobs. I don't have enough ROOM to do large jobs!
 
I like it! Glad to hear that these Sanborn compressors are durable. It seems that the motor is running nice and quiet, and the oil I drained out when I changed it was real clean. I hope to eventually get a line filter and drier so that I can do small painting projects sometime down the road.
 
Great to hear! I know this compressor is old, but the motor seems to be in real good shape. It was already wired for 220 (could be wired either way). Was told to leave it the way it is, as it will run much more efficiently set up with 220. Easy enough. Wired in a 220 receptacle in the garage and away we went!
 
Better go buy some air tools today, ain't going to get em any younger. I got a few in this box and a few more in another, maybe that's why I can't hear after 40 years of listening to air tools.
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Now getcha a impact wrench, handiest thing ever, run it slow and gentle and it'll tap-tap-tap things off, it'll really hammer when you need it.
 
I've got a few things on my list.. Impact wrench, die grinder, air ratchet, DA sander, and air hammer to name a few. I think I need a new toolbox! :-D
 

That compressor will work for most week end warriors. I would bump it up to 125 psi. Its gonna have a hard time keeping up with a DA sander it will work air wrenches but not to full capacity. That's OK break it lose manually then let the air wrench do its thang.

It will never be the real deal but most will never need the real deal. Its my pick till I could do better are needed better worst case it would make a good back up. I keep one around because my generator will run it if need be. For the short time I needed it, it would get me by. Mine had a serpentine belt my machine shop friend mad me a drive pulley double the size it will get'er done... Your pulley looks to be the size he made...
 

Congratulations!! close to adequate air is a big leap foward for a shop. My first compressor was 1/2 HP. it took forever. Next thing you need to do is to get it permanently plumbed into a little bit of pipe in order to have a place for your moisture trap and for a tap or two to plug your hose into. But do a lot of studying first on controlling moisture.
 

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