Your circular saw motor is likely 3450 rpm, not 4600, so the swap is straight forward if it is a dual voltage motor.Be aware that halving the voltage doubles the current draw so the breaker may have issues with it.

I'm leaning toward the skeptical side of this conversion. The circular saw motor isn't made to run long periods of time and usually doesn't have to start under a load. There may be problems with overheating. Anyway, give it a try if you want. Be sure it doesn't get too hot or it doesn't stall. It should have a heat sensitive breaker to be safe I would think.

thank you guys SO MUCH for all your help hopefully I will be able to try it I will consult one of my friends who is very knowledgeable with tools to get final approval, It is a skil saw and I have never had problems so far running it off a regular breaker but I will need to convert all the cords to regular guage right? and If I cannot use this do you guys know any other sufficient motors that would maybe do the trick without costing a fortune, I like this compressor and would really like to get it running again

If your talking about a hand held circular saw, no way. You should be able to get a used motor from a eltric motor shop resonable. 2 hp run a lot better off 220 volt. Steve

As mentioned above, you really need a 220 volt, 2 hp capacitor start motor. Motors that need to start under a load require a capacitor for starting. If you try to use a 115 volt motor the amperage will double per Ohms Law (E=IR). Years ago I did grab a 3 hp 220 volt Marathon motor from Harbor freight for the same application and it was less than 100 bucks, and free ship.

ladylake is right, I was thinking table saw motor. A hand held saw motor would be very difficult to adapt and would not last long in that application.

thanks guys, yes it is a handheld circular saw so I'm guessing it's no good for this right? the thing about this is there is no way possible for me to get acces to 220 volt outlets the only way I tested the current motor is by pulling out the dryer and borrowing its 220 volt outlet so is there any alternative? can I call a pawn shop for this type of thing?

Sell the dryer. I know, I know, just kidding.LOL.

lol I wish! but I found a motor I'm interested in and would like your input, it is 1 1/2 hp and looks like it's built for compressors it is 115/230 volt and 1,740 rpm I was wondering if this would be enough to get by

You can run that motor OK, it might have a little trouble starting on 115 but should work. No long extension cords and if you have to use one at least 12 gauge, no 14 or 16. The higher the number the lighter it is. Steve

Just my opinion, but if it has a 20 gallon tank i wouldn't put less than a 5hp electric motor with a capacitor start. I have a Cambell Hausfield 20 gal compressor and it came with the 5 horse motor 220/110 volt. I have mine running off 110 on a seperate circuit and have never had a problem. It's about seven years old. You can get compressor motors from notherntools.com pretty reasonable. JMHO

You can run most any motor if it is geared down enough to spin the compressor and not overheat. Lower gearing would allow you to use smaller motors but results in lower cfm from the compressor. If a high output is not needed you might be able to use a smaller motor unless you're talking direct drive. In that case you will need a comparable motor to the one you pulled off.

The most real HP you can get from 110 is 2HP and they will trip a 20 amp breaker trying to start a compressor, anything over that is overrated. Some universal motors like a router that spins at 22000 RPM (with brushes) might make more but would not stand up for a compressor. Steve

the one I pulled off is made by doherr electric and is 2 hp and 3450 rpm which resulted in about 12 scfm it says I don't need too high of an output mainly hvlp painting, ratchet maybe impact wrench or nailer every once-in-a-while would this motor be able to power those devices? the old motor gave the compressor a max. psi of 125

The pump, not the motor, determines air volume but the motor needs to be matched to it. 12cfm should be enough for your purposes but 125psi really makes the unit work and is too much for most power tools. 90-100psi and a larger tank is preferable.

so can I adjust that by buying a smaller motor or is there an adjustment on the panel it says 125 is its maximum psi so does that mean it can be adjusted

The square box with a couple of wires going into it is the pressure switch which I think can be adjusted to a lower pressure. A smaller motor wont make any less pressure it will just pump slower as you would have to use a smaller pulley on the motor so it could pull the load. Steve

Ithasa giant pointy black shaft with a twisty black knob on the end by the guages, would that adjust it at all im sorry but which part is the pulley? I know its kind of a dumb question but I see the current motor on its mounting brackets witha silver pole that is supposed to turn aroundanda round thing tohouse the belt which goes to the big metal part im assuming is the pump correct?

The pump and the motor determine cubic feet per minute. Gearing a motor down reduces the cfm just like it would reduce mph on a vehicle.

The twisty black knob is the regulator whcih olny adjusts the pressure in the hose. The pulley is on the end of the motor shaft, a smaller one would make the pump turn slower and be easyier on the motor. Steve

The speed the pump turns detwermines the actual delivered CFM. You can pulley a pumps speed down but be careful as they do not oil well at low speeds. Stay above the minumum spped for the pump.
Someone wrote, "I have a Cambell Hausfield 20 gal compressor and it came with the 5 horse motor 220/110 volt."
Well that is for sure not a 5 HP. It is a 5 HP peak HP andruns at about 2 HP max. Tis a sales gimmick. That motor draws enough amps for a nano second at start up to be called 5 Peak. But we do not have 5 HP compressors that run on 110 volt nor do you have the breaker or woring this would require in a normal home or shop. Everything above 2 HP runs on 220 volt from any reputable manufacturer.

hey guys, thanks so much for all your help, after reading all your answers I decided it would be best/ cheapest to just buy a new air compressor and I found a great one 35 gallon with a new motor and pump that delivers 8 cubic feet per minute at 60 psi for 100 bucks on craigslist, I decided to give the old one away, anyone in the colorado springs area interested can e-mail me at italylvr@hotmail.com thank you guys so much