Quick Take
Putting together compressed air for a shop is rarely a one-size-fits-all purchase. The real question is what role the equipment plays in your workflow: Do you need a complete air source, a storage tank to add to a unit you already own, a bare pump for a custom build, or a gasoline-powered unit for sites without electricity? The four setups here cover very different budgets, and each answers a different part of that decision.
If you have a permanent shop installation and need continuous supply, the LRSD rotary screw is the complete package. If you already have a compressor and simply need buffer volume, the HPDAVV receiver tank is the storage play. If you want to build your own system, the Sanborn pump gives you a low-cost starting point. And if the job takes you away from wall outlets, the AllMetal gas portable is the one that moves.
Listed Price Comparison
Bar length reflects the relative price; a longer bar means a higher price.
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Sanborn Two-Stage Pump | USD 790.00 | |
| HPDAVV 270-Gallon Receiver Tank | USD 1,999.00 | |
| AllMetal 40 Gal Gas Air Compressor | USD 2,699.00 | |
| LRSD Rotary Screw | USD 6,599.00 |
Decision Matrix
- Permanent shop air: Choose the LRSD 15HP rotary screw if you want a single complete air source with VSD regulation and UL/ASME safety components, and your facility has three-phase power.
- Storage expansion: Choose the HPDAVV tank if your current compressor runs 22KW or more and you need a large receiver that's already assembled with multiple NPT ports.
- DIY compressor build: Choose the Sanborn pump if you want to assemble your own compressor around a reciprocating pump.
- Portable or off-grid jobs: Choose the AllMetal gas unit if you need 175 PSI at a job site, farm, or other location with no grid electricity.
Product Notes
HPDAVV 270-Gallon Receiver Tank
This is a storage tank, not a standalone compressor, and that's exactly its strength. It gives you 270 gallons of carbon-steel receiver capacity, rated to 160 PSI, with 1-inch, 2-inch, and 3-inch NPT connection options. The tank arrives fully assembled and can be installed vertically or horizontally, which helps with tight floor plans. The catch is the system it plugs into: it is meant for screw compressors with 22KW or more, so it works best as an expansion piece for an existing large air supply rather than as a first compressor. If you already have the air source and need buffer volume, this is the piece that adds it.
LRSD 15HP Rotary Screw
For a shop that already has three-phase power, this rotary screw unit is a complete air source in the group. It runs on 208-240V 60Hz three-phase power and uses VSD technology to adjust motor speed to air demand, which is useful for shops where air usage changes through the day. Maximum pressure is 125 PSI, and the package includes a UL-certified control panel and an ASME-certified oil/gas tank. The limitations are real: at $6,599 it is the most expensive setup here, and the three-phase power requirement means it is a fixed installation rather than a drop-in portable. Match the electrical service before you commit.
Sanborn 5HP Two-Stage Pump
If you're building a compressor yourself, this Sanborn pump is a useful foundation. It's a reciprocating pump rated for 17 CFM, and the model is identified as part of the SC23 / 040-0211 series. At $790, it is the lowest-priced item in this comparison, leaving money for the tank, motor, controls, and plumbing you still need. The limitation is scope: this is the pump only. You need to supply the rest of the compressor system around it, so it's not a ready-to-run unit out of the box. That makes it a better fit for a builder than for someone looking for a complete packaged compressor.
AllMetal AMAC40 40 Gal Gas Air Compressor
The AllMetal AMAC40 is the answer when there's no wall outlet at the work site. It pairs a 9HP Loncin OHV gas engine with a 40-gallon tank and delivers a maximum 175 PSI, with flow in the 14.5-20.6 CFM range. The 80% duty-cycle rating supports longer stretches of continuous use, and it is built for worksites, farms, and outdoor locations. The trade-off is that it's a gas-powered portable, so you'll need fuel on hand and a place outdoors to run it. At 250 lbs it is a heavy piece, so moving it between jobs takes some planning.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
Start with the role the equipment has to play. If your shop has the electrical service for a fixed rotary screw unit and you want a continuous, self-contained compressed air source, the LRSD rotary screw is the unit to plan around, even with its higher price. If you already have a large compressor and need reserve capacity, the HPDAVV tank will do that job without changing your existing pump. If you want to keep the starting cost low and enjoy building systems, the Sanborn pump is the foundation to start from. And if the job is portable or off the grid, the AllMetal gas compressor is the one that brings air with it.
