From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

Well, my air compressor died again. I was planning on running jobs all weekend, and the motor quit. Sigh. No it didn't burn up the motor like
the last time. I swapped the 5HP for a 7.5HP a while back. It looks
like the start cap died. Of course all the industrial suppliers close
early on a Friday afternoon. One (JUST ONE) shows Saturday hours, but
they closed 3 hrs ago. I don't know if they have the cap or not. can't
call until tomorrow. I ordered one over night Saturday delivery from McMaster, but it still won't get here until the early afternoon. Maybe.
Since my shop is by my house UPS often blows me off until late even
for red label.

Interestingly while the cap was a few dollars more from McMaster than
some other suppliers the over night charge with Saturday delivery was a fraction of the price, and of course McMaster actually already processed
it. Other suppliers wouldn't even process it until Monday.

I don't think the run cap is bad, but I figured to get one anyway.
McMaster didn't have one the right specs, so I ordered one from Zoro.
Zoro wants more than 3 times the amount for overnight, but regular
ground will get here Tuesday... maybe. They have not processed the
order yet, so who know.

I think I'll run out to my folks house and grab my dad's big compressor tomorrow morning. I've been meaning to bring it back to the shop for a
backup anyway. Might as well get it done. His CAME WITH a 7.5hp motor.

One interesting thing I noticed. For about twice the price of the motor
I am running McMaster lists a motor that claims to be 7.5Hp and about
half the FLA. How is that possible? Its got to be a type. At that
current would only be about 5HP if I did my mathing rightly.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 7/10/2026 5:26 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:

Well, my air compressor died again.-a I was planning on running jobs all weekend, and the motor quit.-a Sigh.-a No it didn't burn up the motor like the last time.-a I swapped the 5HP for a 7.5HP a while back.-a It looks
like the start cap died.-a Of course all the industrial suppliers close early on a Friday afternoon.-a One (JUST ONE) shows Saturday hours, but
they closed 3 hrs ago.-a I don't know if they have the cap or not.-a can't call until tomorrow.-a I ordered one over night Saturday delivery from McMaster, but it still won't get here until the early afternoon.-a Maybe.
-aSince my shop is by my house UPS often blows me off until late even
for red label.

Interestingly while the cap was a few dollars more from McMaster than
some other suppliers the over night charge with Saturday delivery was a fraction of the price, and of course McMaster actually already processed
it. Other suppliers wouldn't even process it until Monday.

I don't think the run cap is bad, but I figured to get one anyway.
McMaster didn't have one the right specs, so I ordered one from Zoro.
Zoro wants more than 3 times the amount for overnight, but regular
ground will get here Tuesday... maybe.-a They have not processed the
order yet, so who know.

I think I'll run out to my folks house and grab my dad's big compressor tomorrow morning.-a I've been meaning to bring it back to the shop for a backup anyway.-a Might as well get it done.-a His CAME WITH a 7.5hp motor.

One interesting thing I noticed.-a For about twice the price of the motor
I am running McMaster lists a motor that claims to be 7.5Hp and about
half the FLA.-a How is that possible?-a Its got to be a type.-a At that current would only be about 5HP if I did my mathing rightly.

I'm glad I went and picked up that air compressor. McMaster did ship
the run cap I needed om time, and they show I should have received it an
hour and a half ago, but UPS said, "Nah! f'k that guy. He can wait
until Monday."
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:26:04 -0700, Bob La Londe <none@none.com99>
wrote:

Well, my air compressor died again. I was planning on running jobs all >weekend, and the motor quit. Sigh. No it didn't burn up the motor like
the last time. I swapped the 5HP for a 7.5HP a while back. It looks
like the start cap died. Of course all the industrial suppliers close
early on a Friday afternoon. One (JUST ONE) shows Saturday hours, but
they closed 3 hrs ago. I don't know if they have the cap or not. can't >call until tomorrow. I ordered one over night Saturday delivery from >McMaster, but it still won't get here until the early afternoon. Maybe.
Since my shop is by my house UPS often blows me off until late even
for red label.

Interestingly while the cap was a few dollars more from McMaster than
some other suppliers the over night charge with Saturday delivery was a >fraction of the price, and of course McMaster actually already processed
it. Other suppliers wouldn't even process it until Monday.

I don't think the run cap is bad, but I figured to get one anyway.
McMaster didn't have one the right specs, so I ordered one from Zoro.
Zoro wants more than 3 times the amount for overnight, but regular
ground will get here Tuesday... maybe. They have not processed the
order yet, so who know.

I think I'll run out to my folks house and grab my dad's big compressor >tomorrow morning. I've been meaning to bring it back to the shop for a >backup anyway. Might as well get it done. His CAME WITH a 7.5hp motor.

One interesting thing I noticed. For about twice the price of the motor
I am running McMaster lists a motor that claims to be 7.5Hp and about
half the FLA. How is that possible? Its got to be a type. At that
current would only be about 5HP if I did my mathing rightly.

It is a special "air compressor motor" and is rated in "air
compressor horsepower". Don't know how they figure it or get away with
it, but it is common. Just like vaccum cleaners.
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Sat, 11 Jul 2026 15:13:31 -0700, Bob La Londe <none@none.com99>
wrote:

On 7/10/2026 5:26 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:

Well, my air compressor died again.a I was planning on running jobs all
weekend, and the motor quit.a Sigh.a No it didn't burn up the motor like
the last time.a I swapped the 5HP for a 7.5HP a while back.a It looks
like the start cap died.a Of course all the industrial suppliers close
early on a Friday afternoon.a One (JUST ONE) shows Saturday hours, but
they closed 3 hrs ago.a I don't know if they have the cap or not.a can't
call until tomorrow.a I ordered one over night Saturday delivery from
McMaster, but it still won't get here until the early afternoon.a Maybe.
aSince my shop is by my house UPS often blows me off until late even
for red label.

Interestingly while the cap was a few dollars more from McMaster than
some other suppliers the over night charge with Saturday delivery was a
fraction of the price, and of course McMaster actually already processed
it. Other suppliers wouldn't even process it until Monday.

I don't think the run cap is bad, but I figured to get one anyway.
McMaster didn't have one the right specs, so I ordered one from Zoro.
Zoro wants more than 3 times the amount for overnight, but regular
ground will get here Tuesday... maybe.a They have not processed the
order yet, so who know.

I think I'll run out to my folks house and grab my dad's big compressor
tomorrow morning.a I've been meaning to bring it back to the shop for a
backup anyway.a Might as well get it done.a His CAME WITH a 7.5hp motor.

One interesting thing I noticed.a For about twice the price of the motor
I am running McMaster lists a motor that claims to be 7.5Hp and about
half the FLA.a How is that possible?a Its got to be a type.a At that
current would only be about 5HP if I did my mathing rightly.

I'm glad I went and picked up that air compressor. McMaster did ship
the run cap I needed om time, and they show I should have received it an >hour and a half ago, but UPS said, "Nah! f'k that guy. He can wait
until Monday."

On my compressor the pump, motor, and controls were all fine, but the
bottom of the 100 lb propane cyl I had been using as a tank for the
lat 30 years perforated so the pump ran full time and only managed to
pack in about 60 PSI. Down to ising the 6 gallon one now.Thankfully
only need it for tires and occaisionally blowing things clean - like
carb jets etc.
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:112uf6c$2ci3b$1@dont-email.me...

Thanks, you reminded me to drain and filter the oil in my compressor.

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On Sun, 12 Jul 2026 17:17:25 -0400, Clare Snyder <clare@snyder.on.ca>
wrote:

On Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:26:04 -0700, Bob La Londe <none@none.com99>
wrote:

Well, my air compressor died again. I was planning on running jobs all >>weekend, and the motor quit. Sigh. No it didn't burn up the motor like >>the last time. I swapped the 5HP for a 7.5HP a while back. It looks
like the start cap died. Of course all the industrial suppliers close >>early on a Friday afternoon. One (JUST ONE) shows Saturday hours, but >>they closed 3 hrs ago. I don't know if they have the cap or not. can't >>call until tomorrow. I ordered one over night Saturday delivery from >>McMaster, but it still won't get here until the early afternoon. Maybe.
Since my shop is by my house UPS often blows me off until late even
for red label.

Interestingly while the cap was a few dollars more from McMaster than
some other suppliers the over night charge with Saturday delivery was a >>fraction of the price, and of course McMaster actually already processed >>it. Other suppliers wouldn't even process it until Monday.

I don't think the run cap is bad, but I figured to get one anyway. >>McMaster didn't have one the right specs, so I ordered one from Zoro.
Zoro wants more than 3 times the amount for overnight, but regular
ground will get here Tuesday... maybe. They have not processed the
order yet, so who know.

I think I'll run out to my folks house and grab my dad's big compressor >>tomorrow morning. I've been meaning to bring it back to the shop for a >>backup anyway. Might as well get it done. His CAME WITH a 7.5hp motor.

One interesting thing I noticed. For about twice the price of the motor
I am running McMaster lists a motor that claims to be 7.5Hp and about
half the FLA. How is that possible? Its got to be a type. At that >>current would only be about 5HP if I did my mathing rightly.

It is a special "air compressor motor" and is rated in "air
compressor horsepower". Don't know how they figure it or get away with
it, but it is common. Just like vaccum cleaners.

Doncha know, air compressor and vacuum cleaner horses are those little
mini ones that some people keep as novelty pets - the have about the
same pulling power as a toy poodle.
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Gerry" wrote in message news:i4m85lhfl2pio9rcdv312gf5vv9dk366so@4ax.com...

On Sun, 12 Jul 2026 17:17:25 -0400, Clare Snyder <clare@snyder.on.ca>
wrote:

On Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:26:04 -0700, Bob La Londe <none@none.com99>
wrote:

One interesting thing I noticed. For about twice the price of the motor
I am running McMaster lists a motor that claims to be 7.5Hp and about
half the FLA. How is that possible? Its got to be a type. At that >>current would only be about 5HP if I did my mathing rightly.

It is a special "air compressor motor" and is rated in "air
compressor horsepower". Don't know how they figure it or get away with
it, but it is common. Just like vaccum cleaners.

Doncha know, air compressor and vacuum cleaner horses are those little
mini ones that some people keep as novelty pets - the have about the
same pulling power as a toy poodle.
------------------------------------------

An air compressor motor needs to draw more current and produce more torque when it starts than when it's at speed. The data plate current and
horsepower are for running continuously without overheating. Likewise a
human may produce 1/3 to 1/2 HP briefly, but more like 1/6 ~ 1/8 HP continuously.

https://industrialmonitordirect.com/blogs/knowledgebase/motor-hp-ratings-industrial-vs-consumer-peak-power-explained?
"Consumer units often show lower continuous current despite high peak ratings."

A car starter motor is an extreme example, they pack around 5 HP into the
size of 1/4 HP or less, without even a cooling fan or vents, relying on thermal mass and short duty cycle.

1 HP is the work one horse pumping water from a mine can average in one day and night, 550 Lbs raised 1 foot in 1 minute. A field artillery horse was expected to pull 750 Lbs cross-country.

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 7/13/2026 5:02 AM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Gerry"-a wrote in message news:i4m85lhfl2pio9rcdv312gf5vv9dk366so@4ax.com...

On Sun, 12 Jul 2026 17:17:25 -0400, Clare Snyder <clare@snyder.on.ca>
wrote:

On Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:26:04 -0700, Bob La Londe <none@none.com99>
wrote:

One interesting thing I noticed.-a For about twice the price of the motor >>> I am running McMaster lists a motor that claims to be 7.5Hp and about
half the FLA.-a How is that possible?-a Its got to be a type.-a At that
current would only be about 5HP if I did my mathing rightly.

It is a special "air compressor motor" and is rated in "air
compressor horsepower". Don't know how they figure it or get away with
it, but it is common. Just like vaccum cleaners.

Doncha know, air compressor and vacuum cleaner horses are those little
mini ones that some people keep as novelty pets - the have about the
same pulling power as a toy poodle. ------------------------------------------

An air compressor motor needs to draw more current and produce more
torque when it starts than when it's at speed. The data plate current
and horsepower are for running continuously without overheating.
Likewise a human may produce 1/3 to 1/2 HP briefly, but more like 1/6 ~
1/8 HP continuously.

https://industrialmonitordirect.com/blogs/knowledgebase/motor-hp- ratings-industrial-vs-consumer-peak-power-explained?
"Consumer units often show lower continuous current despite high peak ratings."

A car starter motor is an extreme example, they pack around 5 HP into
the size of 1/4 HP or less, without even a cooling fan or vents, relying
on thermal mass and short duty cycle.

1 HP is the work one horse pumping water from a mine can average in one
day and night, 550 Lbs raised 1 foot in 1 minute. A field artillery
horse was expected to pull 750 Lbs cross-country.

Yeah, I figured out the HP: SPL or special is the polite way to say
retarded.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:11333ni$2276u$1@dont-email.me...

Yeah, I figured out the HP: SPL or special is the polite way to say
retarded.
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

------------------------
My air compressors have all been assembled from parts. I change pulley size until the measured run current is slightly below the nameplate value. The
air pump may run a little faster or slower than suggested.

I sort of wish I'd bought the HF vee twin pump instead of the vertical twin just because it looks more macho, like a Harley or classic aircraft radial. All my other machinery has the old sculptured cast iron look.

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 7/10/2026 5:26 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:

Well, my air compressor died again.-a I was planning on running jobs all weekend, and the motor quit.-a Sigh.-a No it didn't burn up the motor like the last time.-a I swapped the 5HP for a 7.5HP a while back.-a It looks
like the start cap died.-a Of course all the industrial suppliers close early on a Friday afternoon.-a One (JUST ONE) shows Saturday hours, but
they closed 3 hrs ago.-a I don't know if they have the cap or not.-a can't call until tomorrow.-a I ordered one over night Saturday delivery from McMaster, but it still won't get here until the early afternoon.-a Maybe.
-aSince my shop is by my house UPS often blows me off until late even
for red label.

Interestingly while the cap was a few dollars more from McMaster than
some other suppliers the over night charge with Saturday delivery was a fraction of the price, and of course McMaster actually already processed
it. Other suppliers wouldn't even process it until Monday.

The run cap showed up today about 10:30. Then I had to take my mom to a Doctor's appointment. I just got it installed about 20 minutes ago, and
the compressor fired right up. I did order a new run cap as well, but
it won't get here until tomorrow. The old run cap seems to work, so I'm
back up and running.

Good thing too.. I still haven't got the backup compressor running. It
uses an external mag starter... (it was sold that way) which I left
hanging on the wall in the old shop. I made the two hour round trip out
to my dad's shop to get it after I realized it, and then decided it was
to much work as other circuits were routed through the same box. That
and there was no physical off switch (which I guess I could add). I
decided to just buy a new mag starter and leave that one where it was
for now. That will probably take a week to get here shipping from
Florida. I went ahead and ordered a mag starter for the compressor I
have the real 7.5 motor on. Everything I've learned in the last couple
days says the contacts in the pressure switch aren't really rated for a
5HP motor much less a 7.5. I guess its a miracle they have lasted this
long. I'm still on the fence about adding soft starters.

I do think I'm going to add a quick couple between the shutoff valve and
the air dryer, so I can plug a portable compressor into the shop air if
I have to in the future and still run it through the air dryer.
Probably won't be able to run everything off of it, but I can probably
run one machine with air seals and still have enough air for tool
changes without over working the compressor. I added a quick couple
between the tank and the shutoff valve last time I worked on things so I
could use basic air with a hose if I had the shop air distribution
system down for repairs, or to add/change/repair the air dryer.

P.S. Part of my start up routine is to reach down with my foot and open
a ball valve sticking out from under the tank before I start anything up
to bleed off moisture collected in the bottom.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:1133iu8$2pjjc$1@dont-email.me...

I do think I'm going to add a quick couple between the shutoff valve and
the air dryer, so I can plug a portable compressor into the shop air if
I have to in the future and still run it through the air dryer. ----------------------------------
I don't run over 100PSI and normally less. At that level I've found 3/4" garden hose fittings and faucets handy for interconnections that may be reconfigured, or extended with garden hose to have air remotely such back in the woods. Valved tees, male to male adapters and female to female hoses for washing machines and hose reels are available during hardware store hours.
My outdoor air outlet is an inconspicuous hose bibb, capped to keep bugs
out. I've considered glad hands but "normal" people seeing one on the house might think me eccentric.

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From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 7/13/2026 2:58 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

I've considered glad hands but "normal" people seeing one on the house
might think me eccentric.

Do you actually know any normal people? I'm not sure I do.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.crafts.metalworking

On 7/13/2026 4:59 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:

On 7/13/2026 2:58 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

I've considered glad hands but "normal" people seeing one on the house
might think me eccentric.

Do you actually know any normal people?-a I'm not sure I do.

Every single denizen of The Holler has their eccentricities . Me
included .
--
Snag
I appreciated foreign cultures more
when they stayed foreign ...
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