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I have one of the Sanborn oilless I think RayP is referring to. Same problem, had the pressure switch go out (pressure switch still works, but you have to unplug it, as you can't turn it off) and then the crappy plastic onboard regulator blew up. Neither part is available in any way, shape, or form, so I just had to live with it as best as possible. I'd be real hesitant to buy for that reason alone. As for the one you are looking at, forget whatever the motor rating says. Motor HP is a useless way to buy an air compressor. Look at the delivery in cfm at the pressure the tools you use operate at, then look at the consumption of those tools. If the compressor can't deliver at least 1.5 times the consumption, you'll be sitting around waiting for it to catch up about 50 minutes out of every hour you are working. Low duty cycle tools like impact wrenches are not so big a deal, but a sandblaster, DA sander, etc... running at 80 or 90% duty cycle will test a compressors mettle. Most of the Lowe's, HD, Sears 60-80 gal tank compressors I have seen are in reality barely 3 hp (if you are lucky). They will have a motor rated at "7 peak hp", but will deliver about 12-14cfm at 90psi (about 1 1/2 real hp). They have learned that you can put a pee-wee sized pump with a peak rated (severely overrated) 3450rpm motor up high on a big tank with lots of plastic covering and folks think it's a big compressor.
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