Compressor dumb

[usmcruiser]

I am looking to get a compressor and air tools for Christmas. But I am "compressor dumb".

I am looking to do heavy grinding, cutting, wrenching, sandblasting, and painting. I have been looking at Home Depot, Sears and other various places at compressors and have found some that I "think" might work. But the problem is I dont know what all the abreveations mean and how much air I truly need to run these tools.

Example:

Internet ID 165616
Brand HUSKY
Manufacturer Campbell Hausfeld
Model # WL6507
Air Delivery 5.1 SCFM @ 90 PSI
Carrying System Wheeled
Engine Horsepower 5.5 HP
Full Roll Cage No
Included Accessories Quick Coupler and built-in tool storage
Max Air Pressure Delivery 150 PSI
MFG Name Campbell Hausfeld
Motor Universal
Power Requirement 120 Volt
Regulator Yes
Tank Capacity 26 Gal.
Tank Pressure Gauge Yes
Type Air Compressor
UPC CODE 045564598570
Weight 95 Lb.
Wheels/Portability Yes
Working Pressure Gauge Yes


Okay so what does SCFM mean and what size tank do I need? Also I have heard the term cycle rate? what does this refer to?

Thanks.

 

[73lndcrsr]

SCFM - Standard cubic feet of air

I would only look at the 220v 6-7.5hp 60-80 gal units.

You want to look at the biggest user of air for your needs. I would think that would be the sand blaster.

Most of my air tools require 5-6 SCFM for normal running. I have not trie to sandblast

I have the Campbell-hausfeld 220v 6 hp, 60 gal tank with 13.5 SCFM @ 90PSI. I can run my small straight or angle grinder for about 5-10 minutes before the compressor comes on.

I had one like you describe and the grinder only ran for 30-45 seconds before the compressor comes on.

 

[73lndcrsr]

I do not know the term 'cycle rate'.

Sorry

 

[IDave]

I agree with 73 that your choice will disappoint you in the short run. Run a search, because there has been a ton of discussion on compressors, particularly in the Outfitting, but also Chat forums.

 

[theo]

Standard Cubic Feet per Minute, the volume of air at STP (Standard Temperature and Pressure) the compressore can deliver at a specified pressure. The higher the better.

Can't tell you if 5.1 @ 90 is enough for you. Can say we ran a smaller one than that in a 2-man cabinet shop for many years. It ran hard on paint days, though.

26 gallons is pretty small.

Doesn't cycle rate refer to how much time the compressor spends keeping up with demand?

 

[Scott R]

Same here 208V all the way, nothing less then 60Lbs and nothing short of 6.5 HP. I have a DeVilbiss 90gallon and its quite and keeps up with any air tool I have. DeVilbiss is the ODM for Craftsman and some Ingersoll products. So you can usually get the same compressor form DeVilbiss for a few bucks less. DeVilbiss is the child company of Porter Cable and Campbell hausfeild as I recall. Hate to pimp it up, but I have had a few other compressors in the past and these are great!

Don't forget to budget in a decent dryer and a regulator. (smaller compressors come with the regulator already installed)

 

[IDave]

Sandblasting is the highest demand, like 73 said. I burned up my first compressor (5.5 HP, 30 gal) doing relatively little blasting. (Anyone want it? I need to get it out of my barn).

 

[Steve C]

To do sandblasting with an 1/8 in tip you need a minimum of about a 5 HP INDUSTRIAL (note emphasis) quality sandblaster. Such as these:

http://www.tptools.com/prod_list_di...sors&mscssid=S1M5J9L1AK6X8GLXRMLF0W9WV5CCFR1F

or this:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...oductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=767&R=767

Many of the HP numbers you see at the mass marketers are hyped. The concept of duty cycle or cycle rate has to do with the amount of time you can run it without it overheating. For example, some compressors may be capable or running 15 minutes per hour. Run it more than that and it will overheat.
The high quality compressors can be run continuously without overheating.

 

[usmcruiser]

those are all a little out of my Christmas price range.

 

[usmcruiser]

okay maybee way out of my Christmas price range

 

[Scott R]

okay maybee way out of my Christmas price range

Keep your eye on the newspaper, they come up all the time from shop and construction liquidations.

 

[Soul_Man]

Other considerations are getting one with cast iron cylinders and oil lubrication.

Oil free are louder, run hotter, and won't last as long.

BIGGEST thing is the CFM, as mentioned by the other guys. If you plan on doing any sandblasting, you will use a LOT of air. If your compressor output EXCEEDS the tool use, you'll be OK (for any continuous use tool like a sandblaster). The more it exceeds it, the better. If it matches it, that means the pump will run non-stop (100% duty cycle) and it will get hot, have a short life, and you will have more water in your air.

I would recommend a 2-stage, 175psi unit (MUCH more air storage than 135psi).

A big tank will let you run for a longer time before having to wait for it to air up.

I would use up all your Christmas money on the absolute best compressor you can get (high SCFM, large tank, as many HP as you can get (220v)). THen you can gradually buy tools over time. If you really want to use air tools you will hate yourself for having a small compressor.

I have a Craftsman Professional 20 gal tank, 175psi (2-stage), only about 5 CFM. It was fine for painting my jet-ski. Now that I have a lot of air tools, it just does NOT cut it. I am getting a Ranger ( http://www.asedeals.com/air_compressors.html ). I did a lot of research and I think this is the best for the money.

If I run a cut-off tool, die grinder or air hammer the compressor comes on after about 30-45 seconds of use. After about 2-3 min of use I am below 90psi and then I have to wait for it to run and fill back up. If all you are going to do is use an impact gun, or other short duration tools, you may do well with a smaller compressor. Anything that you will run continuously for any period of time (couple minutes even) you will need a big compressor.

DO NOT GO CHEAP ON A COMPRESSOR, you will use a good one for the rest of your life, and if you like air tools you will soon regret buying a cheap one. You can get a decent one for $7-800.

 

[Soul_Man]

Also, you asked about "cycle rate". I assume it is the same as duty cycle. A compressor with a "100% duty cycle" means it can run continuosly forever. A "50% duty cycle" would mean that it could run for 5 minutes, then be off for 5 min, then run another 5 etc. (the 5 min is an example, I don't think they ever mention how long but running it for 12 hours straight and then having it off for 12 hours wouldn't work, that would be running at 100% duty for those 12 hours....). The point is: for a given period of time, the % duty cycle is the % of that time the compressor can be on. 100% is the best: found on professional units with oil lube, all iron construction etc. etc. but they are pricey.

 

[usmcruiser]

THanks for the info guys. My birthday and Christmas arn't too far apart so I will justnot get any thing for Christmas and save my $$$.

 

[60wag]

I just put a Craftsman compressor up on Ebay a few days ago. Its in nearly new condition. 6.5HP 33 gallon, 208/240V single phase, TWIN PISTON - 11.5 SCFM@90psi. Its the high rpm oil less design so it is noisy but for the price, you can't beat it. I'm in Boulder so the cost of shipping wouldn't even enter into it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3859095971&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Bruce

 

[DocB]

The above mentioned compressor Soulman talked about (25 gallon Craftsman Pro, 2 piston) is a 110v unit and was recently in a 4wd mag rated as the best 110v compressor you can get. Looks to me like it would run air wrench, sander, air drill, air hammer and cut off tool for short durations and may run low for painting and blasting. But its supposed to be highly rated quality wise, and is now on sale at Sears. I run air wrench off a small 4 gallon twin tube unit by Ingersol Rand, like the roofers and framers use. I can run an air hammer in 20 second bursts. I can fill tires pretty fast. It takes up almost no room. I have been surprised at what I can get out of this little dude in short bursts. Not for heavy work like you are wanting to do, though.