Used Generator & Compresor - Are they worth $$$?

[MossflowerWoods]

A buddy has loaned me a generator and a comprssor for my Temporary pasture fence project.

He happens to be out of work at the moment and I offered to buy them.

The air compressor is a Bostich 3/4 hp. He wants $75

The generator says 3300w and it will do 120 or 220. He wants $300.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
David

 

[MotorSeven]

That's some vintage stuff. The compressor at the high end but in the ballpark, the genset imo is too high. It's a tough call.....is he a true buddy or a excessive acquaintance? I just sold a $600 gun safe to a true buddy for $350. Sometimes the money is not that important when it comes down to your close circle of friends.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

That's some vintage stuff. The compressor at the high end but in the ballpark, the genset imo is too high. It's a tough call.....is he a true buddy or a excessive acquaintance? I just sold a $600 gun safe to a true buddy for $350. Sometimes the money is not that important when it comes down to your close circle of friends.

He is good as gold. And he was just fired on trumped up BS...

About 7 months ago, he originally offered me the generator for free (partly because I was unemployed at that time) and I said "That was not necessary".

I recently re-opened the conversation stating I wanted to talk about "BUYING" his generator.

He does tend to over estimate what stuff is worth though... A couple years ago I paid him $1000 for a Saturn car for my son which I later found out was only worth maybe $600...

I looked at TSC, Home Depot, and Lowe's and none were exactly what he was offering me. I like the 220 or 120 option, but...

I'm going to test it this weekend on my fencing project...

So in the end, what are they really worth? I want to offer him a generous payment, but not foolishly so.

David

 

[DanD78]

Motorsevn hit it. If you can afford it, it's not worth bargening with a true friend who is down on his luck. I have done the same for a friend and a brother.

Dan D.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Does anyone think the generator will run a small welder?

Is it rare tofind a generator that will do either 110 or 220?

 

[rtimgray]

I think that most generators over about 5,000 watts will typically have a 220v outlet (my 5500 does) - I'm sure it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and model to model.

I have a small stick welder that I got from Harbor Freight for under $100 that runs on 110 and I have run it off of my generator without trouble. I have to use 1/16" electrodes and it takes a few passes if you want to do some real welding, but that is not the case for most of my work.

One advantage to the pricing of the items is that you will get a chance to see how they work before you buy them. If they work good and are in good shape, you are (in some ways) better off buying used than new because you actually get to work them before you buy them.

Whatever you decide, good luck and take care.

 

[bearcreek paul]

TSC sells a champion 3500 w 4000 w 299.00 $ and It has good reviews,as for running a welder it should as long as your not drawing too many amps.

 

[George2615]

Does anyone think the generator will run a small welder?

Is it rare tofind a generator that will do either 110 or 220?

Lowes has a 3250W generator with 110 / 220 receptacles brand new for $429.00
I think $300 is a bit high for an old one. It will probably run a small welder at low setting.

Also at Lowes, new air compressors in the 3/4 -1 HP range run between $150-250. I guess it depends on how old the one you are looking at is to determine a good price.

As Paul said, TSC has a 3500W 4000W surge generator new for $299. and it does have both 110 /220 outlets

 

[Iplayfarmer]

From what I've seen those prices are about right for used stuff. Not bargains by any means, but I don't think he's overpriced them. It depends a lot on the condition.

I typically see generators sell for about $100/kw... I.e. a 3 Kw generator sells for $300. Air compressors are all right around $100, up or down depending on size and condition.

 

[Combustix]

The compressor price looks good, but I agree with motor7 if you want to help a true buddy out, who's down on his luck at the moment. Otherwise try it out and if all goes well you have a good deal and helped a friend

 

[MotorSeven]

True friend:
-always there when you need them no matter how far away or how busy they are, nor how much time has passed since you last talked
-under the right/wrong circumstances you would go to jail for them
-your would call them to get you out of jail:laughing:
-you have way more in common than your own blood brother
-when you are working on your project they shut up and do it your way & vise versa

Excessive acquaintance:
-usually a "friend" due to geographic proximity
-shows up when you least need them
-tends to display the "Water Heater" syndrome.....what is the water heater syndrome you say? Well I'll tell ya...they stand around and yap so much they could overload a 80 gallon water heater and pop it's two 50 amp breakers
-when you really need some help that requires dirt and sweat, they have that "thing" they have to go to...sorry man
-always want to do a project his way
-"he's a good guy....but...."

:laughing:

MFW, Sounds like a true friend, so I would not haggle much:thumbsup:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

MFW, Sounds like a true friend, so I would not haggle much:thumbsup:

X2

I buy and sell a lot of stuff. If I'm dealing with a friend, I don't haggle. He can name his price and I agree. I value the friendship much more than the stuff.

 

[travis potter]

on the generator the $300 is a gift to a freind You will have a hard time finding parts for the ( old) generator. A frenid bought one just like it last year for $100. I just bought a aircompressor at TS oil lubed for $99.

 

[IbNoelS]

A buddy has loaned me a generator and a compressor for my Temporary pasture fence project.

He happens to be out of work at the moment and I offered to buy them.
The air compressor is a Bostich 3/4 hp. He wants $75
The generator says 3300w and it will do 120 or 220. He wants $300.

Does anyone think the generator will run a small welder?

Is it rare to find a generator that will do either 110 or 220?

If I am remembering it correctly Amp times Volts = Watts
So as long as your welding is under 25~27 Amps max it should work as long as the 3000 watts is not the surge figure.

Does the generator have a circuit breaker and/or fuse protection?
If yes then if it is overloaded it will trip and you will have to reset it or replace the fuse.

Most generators have both 110 & 220 voltage

 

[crbr]

What did you finally decide?

A buddy has loaned me a generator and a comprssor for my Temporary pasture fence project.

He happens to be out of work at the moment and I offered to buy them.

The air compressor is a Bostich 3/4 hp. He wants $75

The generator says 3300w and it will do 120 or 220. He wants $300.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
David

 

[creekbend]

Only a thought? If you decide to purchase the products new because of concerns in regard to the capabilities of the used equipment, have you considered this approach? Since you have suffered from several physical problems recently, why don't you ask him to help you on some of your projects? If you can afford it, offer to pay him the going labor rate in your area in regards to the tasks performed. By utilizing this approach, this will aid your friend in providing support for him and his Family. Your friend will still be able to sell his items to further subsidize his income, and you will have the additional help in finishing your projects. I vision this as a Win-Win situation. He retains his dignity in regards to working again-even though it would probably be limited work, you have new and dependable equipment that you are satisfied will perform the job, and your projects will be completed sooner. Another thing to consider, if you decide to implement some of possibilities that I suggested, you can reduce the wages by telling him that the wage is tax free;etc. This should provide you sufficient leverage in reducing the wages paid, and still pay an honest wage. This way, you both are happy and content. As a result, the both of you will be able to sleep at night while retaining a "Clear Conscience". Just my thoughts. It was never my intention to persuade you from your initial path. I am just offering these suggestions as a possible different avenue to consider. Hopefully, your friend will regain permanent employment in the near future. The best of everything to You and your entire Family.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

What did you finally decide?

crbr,

The compressor seems to work well enough. It drives nails when it is running.

The generator is inconsistent. I can't seem to get a stable throttle response, I'm always tinkering with it. Plus my Skil saw for cutting boards will not run consistently and it bogs the generator down, or the aw bogs down due to the AC is not consistent. after about an hour it just quit running and I could not get it started again.

I kept getting up and walking over to the generator to fiddle with the throttle try to stabilize it's running, and the girls would wander off.

I am not a tinkerer, I am a set it and forget it guy.

I think I'm going to go buy a new generator later today...

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Only a thought? If you decide to purchase the products new because of concerns in regard to the capabilities of the used equipment, have you considered this approach? Since you have suffered from several physical problems recently, why don't you ask him to help you on some of your projects? If you can afford it, offer to pay him the going labor rate in your area in regards to the tasks performed. By utilizing this approach, this will aid your friend in providing support for him and his Family. Your friend will still be able to sell his items to further subsidize his income, and you will have the additional help in finishing your projects. I vision this as a Win-Win situation. He retains his dignity in regards to working again-even though it would probably be limited work, you have new and dependable equipment that you are satisfied will perform the job, and your projects will be completed sooner. Another thing to consider, if you decide to implement some of possibilities that I suggested, you can reduce the wages by telling him that the wage is tax free;etc. This should provide you sufficient leverage in reducing the wages paid, and still pay an honest wage. This way, you both are happy and content. As a result, the both of you will be able to sleep at night while retaining a "Clear Conscience". Just my thoughts. It was never my intention to persuade you from your initial path. I am just offering these suggestions as a possible different avenue to consider. Hopefully, your friend will regain permanent employment in the near future. The best of everything to You and your entire Family.

Creekbend,

The truth is this guy is a dear friend whom I value greatly.

Unfortunately, I don't really have enough to pay him, and if I did pay him, I would need to actually hire him and pay taxes etc. because all of the money I do have right now is on my company's books, not in my accounts.

I pray he finds work every day. I know how hard it was on me going 11 months unemployed.

David

 

[creekbend]

Creekbend,

The truth is this guy is a dear friend whom I value greatly.

Unfortunately, I don't really have enough to pay him, and if I did pay him, I would need to actually hire him and pay taxes etc. because all of the money I do have right now is on my company's books, not in my accounts.

I pray he finds work every day. I know how hard it was on me going 11 months unemployed.

David

I understand. As I previously denoted in my post, I was only trying to help by offering this suggestion. I will reiterate that I wish the best for You and Your entire Family, and that your Friend finds gainful employment soon.