Steelcraft 5HP 13 Gallon air compressor?

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Anybody have any info or ever owned one? I am looking to get a cheap air compressor just to have dedicated to my plasma cutter and came across a steelcraft 5HP 13 gallon compressor used for $100 obo, it looks in decent shape and its not a oil less type but I cannot find any information on who its made by or if you can get parts for them. I have found a couple of threads where people have said they were made by Ingersoll Rand so I called them to confirm this and they had no clue what I was talking about so that is a big no lol, I have also came across sites selling them new but they also have no info on the maker, figure its a product of china but I just would like to know if parts are available SQUARE WAVE 175 TIG   DUAL MIG 151
Reply:13 gal is not a lot of air in reserve unless it has a high capacity pump(cfm)  on it. It will not do you any good. Nothing wrong with oil style pump they are usually quieter than the oil-less compressor. Just need to get a filter to remove the oil that might come out. Which should be none or you need to rebuild the pump. 5 hp is not a 110 volt motor either maybe peak at start up of the cycle but not running.  Then it might be 2.5 hp if you are lucky.  The one question I have are you planning to use it on a plasma cutting table ( cnc)?Klutch 220si mig , stick, and dc tigHobart 140 AHP ALPHA 200X 2016Lotos LTP5000DSmith O/P
Reply:For $100? whats wrong with it?old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Never heard of it, I'd avoid.Some misnomers/lies about compressors.1. The tank size will not really give you all that much "reserve". The true need for the tank, on piston type pumps, is to lessen/remove pulsations from the pump. It's not really the "size" of the compressor.2. Watch the HP ratings on these cheap machines. Many of the "cheap" compressors, think Sanborn, use "special" in place of the actual FLA (Full Load Amps) rating of the motor. What they do is "rate" the motor HP when it loses 20% or more of it's RPM under load and use that amperage reading as the available HP. NOT correct. Most 1 HP motors at 110V will be around 12 to 15 amps. Just multiply for higher HP ratings. For 220V cut that in half.3. Make sure they list the CFM, or you can look it up, in this way : (1 hp. motor as an example) 3.4 CFM @ 100 PSI. or what ever Max psi they use. Remember higher pressure ratings are a "trick" to make a compressor look better, spec-wise.A decent compressor (piston) should deliver 3.5 or so, CFM @ it's rated pressure per HP. Screw (rotary) machines are usually higher, closer to 4.
Reply:Originally Posted by tinker001The one question I have are you planning to use it on a plasma cutting table ( cnc)?
Reply:I just bought one 5hp 30 gallon from CL while I get my real compressor back here. This one is old , around 1998 and the motor says 5hp but is wired for 120. So Im pretty sure this is the rated max power and not the real in use power. I bought it as is for 30 dollars because the pump cylinder and rings are bad. I already have the ring kit on its way so I will comment how it really works later. The tank is asme and the motor runs good. Some of this older motors you could wire them also to 220. The "rated" cfm is about 7 at 90 psi and 6.1 at 40 psi. If the rated cfm is anywhere close to reality, it will be good for my plasma cutter temporarily. In all these compressors can be have anything from 30 to 75 in CL. I saw one running good for 75 dollars but it was too long of a drive. 15 gallons for a plasma cutter is not too much. It may give you anything from 1-3 mins before the compressor have to kick back in and refill.I have seen 60 gallons in 200 ,but I dont have another 220 outlet for it in the garage, so for now this will do.
Reply:Originally Posted by Spar-Xno, just for cutting steel stock when i need to, I have put off going to look at it as I was hoping to see what others feel about compressors like this, I figured the HP rating was gonna be over rated like most do, as far as I know there is nothing wrong with it, they said it works fine and they were ok with me coming over and hearing it run. they told me it was rated for 6.9 cfm@ 40 psi and 5.7 cfm @ 90 psi, does that sound right for a true 5HP motor?
Reply:Originally Posted by Spar-Xno, just for cutting steel stock when i need to, I have put off going to look at it as I was hoping to see what others feel about compressors like this, I figured the HP rating was gonna be over rated like most do, as far as I know there is nothing wrong with it, they said it works fine and they were ok with me coming over and hearing it run. they told me it was rated for 6.9 cfm@ 40 psi and 5.7 cfm @ 90 psi, does that sound right for a true 5HP motor?
Reply:I have a 60 amp plasma . I use a 2hp 30 galon air compressor that puts out 5.9 cfm at 90 psi. I can run it 100% of the time with it. No waiting it works very well for it. The biggest thing is you will need to keep the air dry or you will go through tips on you plasma like crazy.  FYI the compressor you are looking at is no way a 5hp compressor. I have a 5hp compressor in my shop it pulls 15.9 cfm at 120 lbs.  If the compressor you are looking at is a direct drive I would not buy it. They are too loud, I would get one with a v belt drive it will be much quieter.