Build a Giant Air Compressor for under $200 and 250 gal Upgrade P4

I build a Large receiver home air compressor for less that $200. I use a 250 gal propane tank, 16 cfm Swan Air Compressor and a 3 hp electric motor.
This air compressor is for the Langmire System 4 x 8 Crossfire XR Plasma Table, we are setting up.
Link: www.langmuirsy...
Other Videos is the Series.
Part 1: • Build a Giant Air Comp...
Part 2: • Build a Giant Air Comp...
Part 3: • Build a Giant Air Comp...
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[@billgaytes6845]

Just binge watched all 4 parts and loved it. You might consider putting an air cooler/water condenser in-line with the out of the compressor to the tank. You get dry air and don't rust up the inside of your tank that way.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks for the tips!

[@davidstark6507]

Good for you mister shows you got intelligence great job

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you David. HNY. Still working great today.

[@findthemhandy]

Stumbled across this build. Watched all 4 episodes. Loved that you repurposed parts and rebuild/ repaired where needed. Too many people ready to throw stuff in the landfill these days. Excellent work.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Works Great. Thank you for watching.👍👍👍👍

[@jacquespoirier9071]

very nice job on that compressor, The only thing I'd done over what you done is to add an aftercooler to trap the water before the air flow reaches the tank. It is very important that the tank stays cool to promote a final decantation of the water in the tank and avoid water decantation in your air network. very good video.

[@jlucasound]

Split some rubber fuel line and put it around the edge of the cutout in your dome cover. 😄 Beautiful Build!! ⚙🔧🛠🪛🔩

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Edge protection was applied. Thanks for watching.

[@dexterousx92]

*I must say, after watching the entire series, that this air compressor build is fantastic! Your great work really shines through in this budget-friendly project. I especially appreciate these types of builds.*

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you for the kind comment. The compressor works great.

[@joepie221]

Nice job Randy. Thats almost big enough to have its own wheels and hitch.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Joe, oh it’s plenty big enough for that. And that is a great idea.

[@toddstratton9197]

Cherry build. In the trade pipe dope is used as a lubricant over the Teflon tape its a package deal.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Yep. Thanks.

[@davidhamilton7628]

That's what gives me joy taking scrap and making something useful heck your compressor is beautiful to boot

[@RRINTHESHOP]

For I usually always start a project with something that should be recycled. Love it. Thanks for watching.

[@GregsGarage]

Man! Plasma table, saw mill, all rebuilt wood working gear... You are poised to do some pretty cool projects in the future!!! The compressor looks awesome!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Greg, Yeah we have a few projects in mind.

[@tonyshipman257]

Randy, I got my answer about the drain after watching video #4. Grin.. Very nice job. I hope it provides many years of good use.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Tony, yep there is a drain.

[@bearsrodshop7067]

I'll have to come back for all the PT's, but this is a super shop made project,,,When we bought the church property there's a 500 gal propane tank I don't fill, and have all most all the parts to build one. Be thinking after about it after I finish our 28 Nash cabriolet. Gota finish it to scratch off the "Bucket List" :)>. Spring is finally in TX, and your weather looks awesome too ! Bear.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Bear, Take care of Sammie.

[@turneynicholas]

The ability to repurpose something that's scrap into a useable tool is a dieing art

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Worked out great. Thank you.

[@paolonoal9950]

absolutely like the shape of receiver, with these (unusual) hemispherical ends. Cheers from Italy!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Looks Good, Thanks.

[@ScoutCrafter]

That is just beautiful!!!! What an awesome build Randy... I hope you can put an awning or something over that sweetheart of a compressor to keep the elements off of her... So nice!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Yep we are going to do something like that. Thanks John.

[@TimberTramp]

Man, I’d enjoy being an apprentice in your shop😂 my kind of projects!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks, I can use help alot of the time.

[@WrenchS13]

I managed to find a 250 gal tank for $100. cleaned and painted it up. it has a different setup for the bosses on top so I'm having to figure out how to go about plumbing the thing. I got a twin cylinder single stage compressor rated for a 5hp motor mounted the same way yours is. no motor yet because all i can find are 5hp peak hp motors at around $250 and I'm on a really tight budget. I do have the check valve mounted in tank and have a Square D pressure switch. I keep this video saved just to make sure I run everything correctly. I still need a good gauge and the pex line for the return. then I get to run a 220v line out to my carport. tight spaces to work in for running electrical. its been a fun project though. I mounted locking casters on the bottom of my tank feet instead of solid pipes so i can easily move the tank if I have to.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Sounds good so far. Casters are a good idea on a hard surface, it is heavy. Thanks for watching. this one is running great.

[@carlhitchon1009]

Nice work Randy. Love to see stuff made to work again.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

You and me both! Thanks.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On Randy! 🙌☘️👍 I just watched this series over the past two nights! That came out awesome! It’s inspiring me to work on an air compressor I have that needs fixing. Great video. Thanks!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you Jon. Fun build. Now get to work on yours. I love your channel.

[@willysrestoration]

Nice job! .. looks good .. Now all you need to do is build me one ... LOL! ..... I have to get me a larger tank with pump ..

[@RRINTHESHOP]

LOL. Works great my son loves it.👍👍👍👍

[@vim_usr2753]

I feel like what I really need in life is a damn tractor. Awesome build! Looks amazing.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Having a tractor is wonderful, I use it almost everyday. Thank you.

[@BrianEltherington]

Sweet build Randy. Those SS braided air lines can eat through anything they touch due to vibration. Discharge temps can get high when coming directly from the head, so Teflon lined discharge lines are usually needed.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you Brian. Yep the air temp in the cylinder at 125 psi is 540 F. the hose is rated at 450 F@ 1500psi. The air cools very quick by the time it gets to the hose and is only about 300 F or less. It is working great.

[@zapa1pnt]

I don't know if this was mentioned (too much to read), you should install an after-cooler/condenser water trap, to make sure water does not make it into your tank.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

There is a drain and blowdown.

[@zapa1pnt]

@@RRINTHESHOP: Yes, I know about that, but that only deals with what gets into the tank and always leaves a little bit. The after-cooler/condenser goes Between the compressor and the tank and keeps water from getting INTO the tank.

[@terryzak1742]

Absolutely beautiful work!!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you! Cheers! Works great.

[@jamesphillips2757]

Need a belt guard.

[@tjs_welding_and_fabrication]

If you are running a hypertherm for your plasma table make sure you put a gauge right at the inlet of the unit. Hypers dont like dropping below 100psi inlet when cnc plasma cutting. Very important to watch the gauge at the machine when cutting. Great build.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Roger that, thanks for the tip, We have the regulator right at there. Thanks TJS.

[@19672701]

Crazy cool! Should have plenty of volume. Great job Randy!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you Sean, I hope so.

[@LanceforMeesh]

This was a fun Binge Watch for me.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you. MC

[@outsidescrewball]

Nice build…lots of fun to come

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Chuck, good project.

[@woodscreekworkshop9939]

Ready for Christmas 👍🏼👀

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Yep just early. Thanks Yuchol.

[@peanutsmith1462]

Hey thanks for sharing I love the idea of the air compressor is there a video of where y’all installed it at your sons place

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks, I don't think I did video on that. It is right outside next to his garage/shop. Works great.

[@CraigLYoung]

Morning Randy 😃 looks really good 👍

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you Craig.

[@wnebergall]

Very well done Randy

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Bill.

[@neatoelectro3687]

Dang it PHIL! Always calling! hahaha

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Oh yeah, i forget turn off the phone.

[@longcaster]

That tank is huge. If you took the compressor off and put a saddle on and filled it with Hydrogen or Helium you could ride it around.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Oh, I think that was done in a few movies. LOL, Thanks.

[@LynxStarAuto]

Beautiful compressor, but I feel that pump lacks volume output. What is the CFM?

[@michaelthomas4346]

What is this little baby pump on such a tank? Nice craftsmanship.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

It is what I had. Works perfect. Thanks.

[@tomeyssen9674]

Beautiful job. Enjoyed!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you Tom, I hope all is well for you and the family.

[@rpsmith]

Nice job! Thanks!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks for watching!

[@kempy666999]

Glad that this popped up in my KZbin feed. Very nice build 👍Just wondering if you are planning to put a guard round the flywheel, belt & pulley?

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Oh yes my son put on. Thanks for stopping in.

[@richardcurtis556]

Very neat; thanks Dad!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Works great. Thank you.

[@anonimous2451]

Lord knows money isn't free but neither is your time my good man. Awesome Re-purposing project and I am a Subbie now. By the way, will you be making some of those Pump Tensioner's for the marketplace? I would love to add that to my system. Makes belt replacing a snap breeze. I added a Derale cooling coil to drop those temp's and a water/oil separator before the tank fill so when it unloads, the separator unloads any accumulated water automatically. Takes the temps back to between 50 and 90 F dependent on the room temp's. I was going to add a water coil bucket but found I didn't really need it. But I NEED THAT TENSIONER in a very bad way, and I am no machinist my good man. Maybe I could cobble something together, but, I like the neat clean pro look of your design. Would you consider licensing it for production rights?

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you Anon. Send me an email and I will send you a drawing of the tensioner for you to build. [e-mail]

[@mikenixon9164]

Very nice.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Mike.

[@Engineerd3d]

That looks like an awesome unit. 😎

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you 3d.

[@TrPrecisionMachining]

very good job randy

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Tr

[@Benveben1983]

Nice works

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@5fingers1]

great job

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Terry.

[@kimber1958]

LOOKING GOOD, NO LOOKS GREAT

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Kimber.

[@AlmostMachining]

Looks great. Solid setup! Thanks for sharing :)

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Phil.

[@ronniejohnson317]

How long does it take to run it enough to turn on for refill. I have an old gas tank too.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

About 10 min. Not bad.

[@bcbloc02]

Painted to match your cement mixer. :-)

[@RRINTHESHOP]

For sure it is what I had on hand. Thanks Brian.

[@92xl]

Randy, great series on this build out. I too have a "spare" propane tank that I have been seriously considering repurposing into a compressor. My biggest concern is welding on a pressure vessel (to mount the compressor/motor package like you did) as it relates to the integrity of the shell. Did you have similar concerns ? If a 250 gallon tank with 150 psi on it comes unzipped at a spot that has been welded on. its going to be a bad day.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

92xl. I can not tell you what to do. The tank I used was in excellent exterior and interior condition. The welding to the tank were all exterior welds with no penetration of the vessel. The propane relief valve was set for 250 psig ( standard setting). That is propane @130F is 257psig. I lowered the pressure to about 130 psig. I set the pressure switch to about 110 psig. Use the existing tank connections. You could do this with no welding. Use a drop tube into the tank to remove the condensate. Make a compressor mount with rubber feet to saddle on the tank and strap down. Email me if you want to talk more, [e-mail].

[@jameshendrix8217]

a 3 or 4 cyl. pump would be perfect for this tank.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Sure if you that volume of output.

[@jimf.1644]

Any plans to upgrade the pump?

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Not currently, it is meeting all demands. Thank you.

[@TimberTramp]

Any concern with over rev’ing the pump?

[@RRINTHESHOP]

No resized the motor pully for pump rpm.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

That is a grand machine for sure. Just one question, did my wife pay you to paint those parts red?

[@RRINTHESHOP]

I wish she did then I could of made this for zero dollars. Next project I will hit her up for a sponsorship. Thanks Harold.

[@scottlundy257]

Sure is pretty just hope the propane guy doesn't come by and top it off . PS where is the belt guard ? other than that I will take it.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

No more fill port. Belt guard is be made by my son. Thanks Scott.

[@howder1951]

Looks good Randy, big , powerful and lots of capacity. Do you have anything specific in mind for de-watering or will the volume just take care of it? Enjoyed, cheers!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Tank drain and filter and separator in side the shop. Thanks Howder.

[@meocats]

Is it feasable to bury a large compressor tank in the ground for safety? If it explodes at least it won't fly like a rocket?

[@tomekpawowski2692]

If that tank explode underground it can potentially couse a shockwave just like earthquake that can potentially crack the foundation of your house or shop or your neighbours haus not mention the dirt and rocks fly everywhere. The pressurise tanks are never bearied underground so you can't do periodic inspection. If you worry about explosion put the tank in some kind of sheed outside

[@RRINTHESHOP]

👍

[@timothysparks9498]

You can place a propane tank underground, provided it is designed for that service. An underground receiver is no different as long as it is designed to be buried.

[@dinxsy8069]

Unfortunately there's some math Behind the CFM output of a compressor, something about it's rated at atmospheric pressure and not actual CFM you'd expect. So realistically the compressor is probably rated at 5/6 cfm

[@prototype3a]

You''l probably want to wire that pressure switch to control a heavier duty contactor. The contacts in those pressure switches are undersized.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Yep maybe in the future, Thanks for the suggestion.

[@xushenxin]

what paint do you use?

[@RRINTHESHOP]

I used Rust-O-Leum, Hunter Green. Thanks for watching.

[@andyZ3500s]

$100 ok I'm impressed

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks Andy.

[@tom18181]

Love it.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you Tom. Works Great.

[@DreadedOne509]

Christmas Pirate Bunny Compressor

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Oh yea love the green and red combo Thanks Ray.

[@classicstangbrn8964]

30 minutes to fill? That would drive me nuts.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

From empty 0 psi about 40-45 min. from 100 to 125 Pressure switch setting about 15-20min. And it is very quite, almost do not know it is running.

[@billyrector3578]

Nice job sir b I said that.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thank you, Came out great and is working well.

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

Nice work. What capacity, gallons per minute, do You expect?

[@RRINTHESHOP]

The compressor is 16 CFM @ 125psi, the receiver is 250 gal. and it is running at design rpm. Thanks Stefan.

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

@@RRINTHESHOP Made a quick conversion and got 430 liters per minute..... Air pressure tools need pressure but some of them also "consume" volumes.... A huge tank like that would manage a lot for a short time. The size of the compressor cylinders is not exactly big.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

@@Stefan_Boerjesson No the compressor is not huge, but the receiver is.

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

@@RRINTHESHOP That will work but the intermittence factor needs to be considered or checking pressure.... Else the receiver will be underpowered..... You know all that... At one job I had, building 3 wheel fork lift trucks, the customers reported that the steering/driving wheel was falling off. All tools where checked for proper torque, no faults. The fault was the main supply of air. The pressure occasionally dropped too much but no alarm stopped the work....

[@joeziahbabb]

Very nice, $200 & $1500 in labor though HA

[@RRINTHESHOP]

well better than 1900$ for the one lathe and 1500$ in labor.

[@joeziahbabb]

@@RRINTHESHOP indeed, assuming you have the skills to do it. Mine would look like its strait out of a post apocalyptic disaster. On a side note, the inflation of these types of tools is insane over the last 5 years....

[@camojoe2]

Cool build Randy. Did you hydrostat the tank off-camera after welding? Regards, Duck

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Yep I did most of that off cam. Took a while to do all that and it is boring. Thanks Joe.

[@paulalexander8305]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Thanks.

[@RGSABloke]

No sound Randy

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Only for a couple of parts, no mic was on.

[@2hotscottpro]

But that takes an hour to fill.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

From empty 0 psi about 40-45 min. from 100 to 125 Pressure switch setting about 15-20min. And it is very quite, almost do not know it is running.

[@charlesmiles9115]

😛😛😛❤❤☝☝☝☝☝☝☝

[@RGSABloke]

Comes on at 1:30

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Yep intentional, thanks.

[@midwestcatz5896]

30 mins ..... geez that thing is slow as all hell.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

It does what is required of it.