Small, cheep, air compressor questions

[bob large]

So I need a cheep (no more than $200) air compressor.

I’m going to use it to run air tools. (Most of my tools say 3 to 4 cfm)

So I guess I’m looking at an oil less pump (cuz of the price). And something that is between 4 and 10 gal tank?

But everything I can find is in the 2.5 CFM to 4.5 CFM @ 90 PSI range.

Would that be enough for normal air tool use? Or would it be excruciating to wait for the pressure to come up?

The first thing I need to use the compressor for; is to run a die grinder. Probably about 6 hours worth of use, right off the bat. (I have to clean up an engine block, to get it ready for painting.)

I’m looking at this one at the moment; link (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200323213_200323213)
Any other recommendations?

[TLCObsession]

Find a good used one for $150. I have seen several under that price, oiled, cast iron, some 240V. Try Craigslist or garage sales.

[eschoendorff]

You are not going to run a die grinder very effectively at 4.5 cfm @90psi. You will need a bigger (read more $$$$) compresor to get satisfactory results. I am learning the hard way with a 33 gallon oil-less Husky unit rated at 5.7 cfm @90.

[ScoutIITD]

You are not going to run a die grinder very effectively at 4.5 cfm @90psi. You will need a bigger (read more $$$$) compresor to get satisfactory results. I am learning the hard way with a 33 gallon oil-less Husky unit rated at 5.7 cfm @90.

I wonder if two small cheap compressor plumbed together would work. Maybe added a larger tank to help too.

[Kartracer55]

Figure AT LEAST 2x what an air tool says to run it.

Your best bet would be to get a used one, as they have said.

[bob large]

thanks, i'll see if i can find a used one.

but it is an idea to hook up two cheep units...

i might looking into the prices of the power tanks, liquid co2 kits. would be nice to have a portable setup.

[PTSchram]

The noise of oil-less compressors is enough to make me decide to never use an oil-less comprssor.

Ain't no way a small cheap compressor is gonna run a die grinder, they're air hogs bigtime!

[4x4mike]

2 small oil-less compressors = 1 medium POS. I got a new in box 3 years old compressor on craigslist for 80 bucks. Some old lady was selling it and wanted it out of her garage. It was too heavy for her to move and had no use for it. I guess her son "stored" it there some time ago.

I see stuff on CL all the time. For 6 hours of grinding look for at least a 30 gallon tank. If you don't you're looking at about 8 hours of grinding.

-Mike


Edit: the compressor was a 33 gallon cast iron Husky compressor. Quiet and strong. I never use my 20 gallon oil less any more.

[bob large]

how about a co2 tank? any thoughts?

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/product.php?productid=57&cat=11&page=1

[PTSchram]

how about a co2 tank? any thoughts?

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/product.php?productid=57&cat=11&page=1

Dooood! You're gonna run that out of gas and then you'll wish you'd spent some more $ on a decent compressor.

I know we're all on a budget and the $ are tight. A compressor is one of those only once or twice in a lifetime purchases. Spend a little more $ and be happy with what you have and its ability to do the job.

I used a Sears compressor for near on 20 years. It was barely adequate. Since then, I got a modest sized compresosr from Home Depot (best price, features, warranty, etc.) It doesn't run very often and is able to keep up with me-I take breaks long before it does.

If you badger them enough, they will honor the internet pricing, AND, they often have no interest deals for purchases over $250.

You know you want a real compressor, do it!

[bob large]

hell ya, i want a nice compressor! and i would love to spend 1000 buck on a nice one.

but right now i just need something so i can use my die grinder. which i need to do in about a week when my block comes back from the machine shop.

and i just spend a bunch of money on the engine so 200 bucks is all i got to spend.

[Kartracer55]

Have you considered an electric die grinder? Not a Dremel but an actual electric die grinder?

Soemthing like this?
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MAK-GEO600.html

Buying 2 cheap pancake compressors is only going to piss you off and maybe even pop a breaker. They wont be able to provide you with the air you need and youll be kicking yourself for wasting 200$ on them.

You gotta trust us on this one. Its been beaten to death, guys have tried every which way imagineable and what it comes down to is there is no replacement for an adequatly sized compressor. Your going to NEED a larger compressor. I dont even think you will be able to run a grinder for more than a couple seconds with a little carpentry compressor. Rotary tools are Pigs on air.

Can you swing another 100$?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&pid=00916728000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Youll be playing the catch-up game with this thing but at least it will run it. Youll find that its loud and youll get pissed off with it.

Honestly, Id save your money and go for an electric die grinder. Then when you can justify a decent compressor, go for it and be happy with it.

Jim

[D60]

but right now i just need something so i can use my die grinder. which i need to do in about a week when my block comes back from the machine shop.

Dude, a die grinder is in the top 3 of air consumers. NO, that compressor you linked to will NOT do it. Trust me, I've got this pancake unit, it's allegedly rated at the same cfm:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38898

and I might get 10 seconds of die grinder use before it falls off SHARPLY (read: not enough to spin) and then you're waiting forever for it to come back up. The same is true for an air body saw. Even moderate use of my IR2131 (installing 8 lug wheels) causes you to pause a bit. I just happened to try some of this while my 80 gal compressor is down.

However I'd reco the one above for light duty use only because it's oiled, and quiet relative to oil-less units. But not for you in this case.

If you wanna run a die grinder you need a 60gal unit minimum. And of couse tank size alone has nothing to do with it but pretty much any production compressor with a 60gal tank will have a motor/pump matched proportionately.

Karts' suggestion of an electric die grinder is excellent.

Or, increase your budget and buy at least something like this:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00918419000

and while that compressor is not the greatest, truth be told it'll probably still be serving you in 10 years. So, spend $100 or $200 on something you'll want to upgrade in 6 months, or spend $550 on something that'll last MUCH longer

[AFAxj]

Not sure if Lowes still has this deal but I got a 22 gallon for $200. Other than that...craigslist

[gddyap]

craigslist all the way. I picked up a 110V, horizontal 25gal, oil lube compressor for $100. 6-7 cfm. A drywall contractor was going out of business and selling off all this stuff. I cleaned the air filter, painted the tank, and changed the oil.

[Kartracer55]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Air-compressor_W0QQitemZ160020014439QQihZ006QQcategory Z22662QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Its a gas compressor but shit... for 75$? Its within 200 miles of where you live

[bob large]

Well I picked this up today. Found it through craigslist. Dude had is listed for $25, I gave him $30. Runs, everything works, did have some rusty water in the tank.

So what should I do to get to ready for use?

Change the oil?

Anything else?


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5041/dcfc0003jgoe7.jpg

[Kartracer55]

If it had rusty water... Id pull the plug in the inspection port and take a look. That thing does not look like its been taken care of all that well so id be careful with it. I definetly wouldnt want to be working right next to it, ya know? Who knows how well the tank is holding up.

Great find for 30$. Now youve got 170$ in beer money:flipoff2:

Jim