Compressor recommendation

[Spook50]

Looking around for an air compressor I can buy after my upcoming deployment, and was curious what you guys' experience has been as far as what you like and what you'd steer clear of. I want to run air tools, and be able to blow out my sprinkler system for maintenance. I'll have two 220V 50A circuits in my shop, one for the welder and another for extra equipment (had the air compressor in mind actually), so a 220V pump can easily be done.

What're your thoughts?

Sent from my Motorola DynaTAC 8000x

 

[Cuerno Largo]

check out Air Compressor Parts : Variable Frequency Drive : Variable Speed Drives : Piston Air Compressors : EatonCompressor.com

I just replaced my old pump that had been rebuilt twice with one of their pumps. Impressed so far and I have exceeded in original purchase price and repair parts what it would have cost to go with one of their complete units.

Originally I bought a Kobalt 80 gallon with 5HP.



PM Dirtsquirt on here. His info has always been spot on. I guess he is the guru of compressors on MUD.

 

[bigndn]

Blowing sprinklers out are easy. 40 psi with a 6 gpm 30 gal Husky does mine just fine. What are your heavy air needs or do you just want a toy??

 

[Spook50]

Blowing sprinklers out are easy. 40 psi with a 6 gpm 30 gal Husky does mine just fine. What are your heavy air needs or do you just want a toy??

Well s*** if you can blow sprinklers out and run most air tools with a 30gal compressor, that'd work for me. I had just been under the impression that a 60gal was recommended for something requiring alot of volume like a sprinkler system and stuff like air impacts.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Air impacts don't use a lot of air. Sand blasting and air grinders use LOTS of air. Was using a 1/2" impact last night with a little 3 gal compressor...

Me? I like old 220v air compressors that use slow motors and are powerful and quiet. My brother is almost finished rebuilding one for our shop. He posted pics in this thread under username icesoft: https://forum.ih8mud.com/workshop-h...-anyone-who-knows-insides-air-compressor.html

Nick

 

[bigndn]

After experiencing an oil-less compressor for the last 8 years, when this one goes tits up, I'm getting a 2 stage oiled. Quieter and faster.

 

[Spook50]

Air impacts don't use a lot of air. Sand blasting and ait grinders use LOTS of air. Was using a 1/2" impact last night with a little 3 gal compressor...

Me? I like old 220v air compressors that use slow motors and are powerful and quiet. My brother is almost finished rebuilding one for our shop. He posted pics in this thread under username icesoft: https://forum.ih8mud.com/workshop-h...-anyone-who-knows-insides-air-compressor.html

Nick

I do plan on doing some sandblasting in the future. Would a 60gal be recommended for this, or could I get away with using a 30gal for lighter blasting? If the 30gal can do it, I'd be perfectly happy with that. Save some money up front too

 

[splitshot]

I do plan on doing some sandblasting in the future. Would a 60gal be recommended for this, or could I get away with using a 30gal for lighter blasting? If the 30gal can do it, I'd be perfectly happy with that. Save some money up front too

30 is fine.

Just stay away from the diaphram pump models.

 

[Spook50]

30 is fine.

Just stay away from the diaphram pump models.

Yeah I was planning to go with a piston style. I think the Craftsman 30gal I saw had a piston style pump.

 

[splitshot]

Hey, I have been wanting to upgrade for years but this small unit has pulled off everything I've asked of it. Just need some pateince on recovery time with those rare projects.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I do plan on doing some sandblasting in the future. Would a 60gal be recommended for this, or could I get away with using a 30gal for lighter blasting? If the 30gal can do it, I'd be perfectly happy with that. Save some money up front too

30 gal will sand blast...just not for very long. You're gonna be standing around waiting on the compressor to pump up more than you're gonna be blasting. As long as you understand the trade-offs a 30 gal works ok.

Nick

 

[se2000]

I ran for years with a old 1/2hp pump and a 30 gal tank. I ran air tools, changed tires, sand blasted and painted my car.
When I got rid of that, I could get rid of my long wait time as I got a 5hp 2 stage cast iron compressor. No more wait time.
On the old one, I used some tricks, I added a lot of pipe to add capacity and make it more convenient. also has some old freon tanks that could be attached to over double my storage.
So it depends on your needs, wants and budget. I say go big if you can. The big compressor is quieter than the 1 stage, both were oil type. Stay away from anything oil less.

 

[Spook50]

I ran for years with a old 1/2hp pump and a 30 gal tank. I ran air tools, changed tires, sand blasted and painted my car.
When I got rid of that, I could get rid of my long wait time as I got a 5hp 2 stage cast iron compressor. No more wait time.
On the old one, I used some tricks, I added a lot of pipe to add capacity and make it more convenient. also has some old freon tanks that could be attached to over double my storage.
So it depends on your needs, wants and budget. I say go big if you can. The big compressor is quieter than the 1 stage, both were oil type. Stay away from anything oil less.

I would still like to get a 60gal if I can, but OTOH if I can still run all the stuff I want off a 30gal tank, I have no justification for the cost of a 60gal. Everything I've read says stay away from oilless pumps too, so that's one I'll definitely heed. I'm wondering if I'd do well to find a tank and then a separate pump of my choosing, or if I should just buy a whole assembly in a store.

 

[RavenTai]

tank capacity ( 30 gal, 60 gal etc) tells you nothing about what a compressor can run continuously, you are looking for pump output, SCFM, if you are looking or comparing used compressors be aware than HP and SCFM rating prior to 2004 were outright lies, and are not comparable to the somewhat more realistic ratings of recent years.

larger tanks give you a cushion supplying compressed air for intermittent tools, it also cools and collects water from the compressed air, but if you are using tools continuously with a typical compressor you will quickly exhaust the tank and be waiting for the pump to catch up, most annoying. a larger tank just means longer to run before having to wait and annoyingly longer for the larger tank to fill.


Evaluating True Horsepower and CFM Ratings of Air Compressors

 

[Spook50]

tank capacity ( 30 gal, 60 gal etc) tells you nothing about what a compressor can run continuously, you are looking for pump output, SCFM, if you are looking or comparing used compressors be aware than HP and SCFM rating prior to 2004 were outright lies, and are not comparable to the somewhat more realistic ratings of recent years.

larger tanks give you a cushion supplying compressed air for intermittent tools, it also cools and collects water from the compressed air, but if you are using tools continuously with a typical compressor you will quickly exhaust the tank and be waiting for the pump to catch up, most annoying. a larger tank just means longer to run before having to wait and annoyingly longer for the larger tank to fill.


Evaluating True Horsepower and CFM Ratings of Air Compressors

Interesting points. So with that in mind, for my applications I would do well to just go with a 30gal tank as long as it has a high enough output pump to meet my needs I'm thinking.

The search is on!

 

[Spook50]

Awesome. As a late Christmas gift (since I'm deployed and can't pick it up or accept delivery until I'm home, obviously) my folks are ordering me a 27gal Craftsman Professional compressor. Perfect for everything I'll use it for. Now I can't wait to get the electrical in my shop finished and the 220V circuits placed so I can actually use it!

1.9 HP - Running
120/240 Dual Voltage
Aluminum single-stage oil lube pump with cast iron cylinders
Max PSI Tank Pressure: 150
High-flow regulator
Quick coupler, tool and tank pressure gauges
Ergonomic handles and pneumatic wheels
27" L x 24" W x 48.5" H; 162 lbs.

They weren't sure if I wanted a vertical or horizontal so they told me to pick. I went with vertical since that'll take up a smaller footprint, and gives a better "sump" area for condensation to collect and be drained than a horizontal.

 

['74 UA FJ]

Newb compressor. Don't get into any real sand blasting projects. But it will run some air tools just fine.

 

[Spook50]

Newb compressor. Don't get into any real sand blasting projects. But it will run some air tools just fine.

Don't have space for a blasting cabinet, and I don't want to deal with the mess of blasting outdoors (plus I'm sure the neighbors wouldn't appreciate it), so blasting wasn't on my list of priorities.

 

[shfd739]

Newb compressor. Don't get into any real sand blasting projects. But it will run some air tools just fine.

Dang. I was thinking of getting the same compressor.

Im limited to 120volt in my garage. What is a good 120v compressor to consider? Or does such a thing not exist?