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- 36,137
- Location
- ABQ NM
Saw an ad this evening in the local Pennysaver for a 3hp 60 gallon Kellogg-American compressor. Asking price was $200. I've been watching for a real compressor, because my little 5hp (yeah, right) 18 gallon Auto Zone buzzmaster really isn't made to power my pneumatic sander. Called the guy up to confirm it was a real 3 hp, and it was indeed a 220v two-stage industrial compressor. He said it was old, but in good working shape, with a relatively new motor. I don't have 220v power to my shop, but it's coming soon, so I figured this would be a good start to the new, upgraded shop.
Drove down to the guy's house tonight...he had it running when I got there, and it purred like a two-stage kitten. It was in super shape, and didn't look nearly as old as he made it sound. As soon as I saw the compressor, though, I realized I had forgotten to ask a critical question. Dummy me, I had just assumed that it was a vertical compressor. Turns out it was a horizontal compressor, and not 60 gallons but 80 gallons. There's absolutely no way I can squeeze a compressor that size into my overpacked shop. I also don't have a good space outside the garage to build a compressor shed big enough to hold it. As much as it killed me, I had to turn down the deal.
Still ended up visiting with the guy for nearly an hour. I do believe he could talk the ears off a stalk of corn. Real nice retired Air Force guy who told stories inside of stories inside of even more stories. Something like: "That saw over there, I got from my brother in law. Well, he used to be in the autobody business in Montana, and up there they had a hardware store called...uh, I don't remember. Anyway, that hardware store was next door to the diner where I met my wife. I was stationed up there in 1979, and we were running a ...." and on and on and on.
Drove down to the guy's house tonight...he had it running when I got there, and it purred like a two-stage kitten. It was in super shape, and didn't look nearly as old as he made it sound. As soon as I saw the compressor, though, I realized I had forgotten to ask a critical question. Dummy me, I had just assumed that it was a vertical compressor. Turns out it was a horizontal compressor, and not 60 gallons but 80 gallons. There's absolutely no way I can squeeze a compressor that size into my overpacked shop. I also don't have a good space outside the garage to build a compressor shed big enough to hold it. As much as it killed me, I had to turn down the deal.
Still ended up visiting with the guy for nearly an hour. I do believe he could talk the ears off a stalk of corn. Real nice retired Air Force guy who told stories inside of stories inside of even more stories. Something like: "That saw over there, I got from my brother in law. Well, he used to be in the autobody business in Montana, and up there they had a hardware store called...uh, I don't remember. Anyway, that hardware store was next door to the diner where I met my wife. I was stationed up there in 1979, and we were running a ...." and on and on and on.