Air comps again.. for home garage.

[TatonkaII]

Previous post and searches didn't give me what I was looking for. I've been shopping around for a while for an air compressor but am unsure of what to get. There are no "specialized" shops in my area that seem to be able to give me a solid answer that seems credible in the least.

Heres what I need it for..griding, cutting, and impact tools. Most use will be only for 1-5 hrs at a time. I've looked at anything from 2-54.5/6 hp compressors... 135-150psi max. The only thing is, I dont know what is over kill, meaning how large of a tank to use and what rate "scfm" or what have you on 40 and 90psi ratings. The

stuff I've read on here seems to be for shop use, running constantly etc., which would be WAY too much. I need something as explained.


so what are YOU using in the garage? and what to avoid (cambell etc.)

Thanks,
Chuck

[camo]

i have a porter cable 7 hp oil type crankcase 60 gallon vertical tank.

9.7 cfm @ 90 psi
135 psi max

it is perfect for my use and i use it as you described. i paid about 450 for it.

when i was checking out the huskys at home depot it was a very similar setup.

[Brandon]

there is allready an air compressor thread in here - I posted mine and it's specs in it..

80 gallon 5hp, something like 15 cfm @100 psi, 13.5 @175 psi or something like that

[TatonkaII]

yes I saw the info, but something that big seems to be too much for my needs, or maybe it isnt?? I know very little, I just thought I may be able to get by on a smaller tank/set up..

so if i run it for a few hours.. i need a larger tank? again, is 60 gal what i need, can i get away with a smaller tank?
thanks
chuck

[glfredrick]

There is really no such thing as "overkill" with an air compressor. Whatever size you get up to about a 10 HP model will sooner or later tick you off becasue it doesn't make enough air for whatever you are trying to do. Get as much as your wallet and your space requirements allow and you might be happy for a week or two...

I have one of the Campbell Hausfield oiless 6 HP models on a 20 gallon tank. Was thinking just like you - enough to do the job - only run it once in a while... Now, I am about to be on my third piston and cylinder in less than a year - eats a bearing a month... Runs almost constantly to keep up with anything like a fabrication tool.

Now there is a savings jar started under my desk for a real tool. Something in the 80 gallon size with a REAL pump and a 100% duty rating.

[stone]

[qoute]I have one of the Campbell Hausfield oiless 6 HP models on a 20 gallon tank. Was thinking just like you - enough to do the job - only run it once in a while... Now, I am about to be on my third piston and cylinder in less than a year - eats a bearing a month... Runs almost constantly to keep up with anything like a fabrication tool.
[quote\]

i paid 20 bucks for the 2year unconditional warenty, they take umm back and smile!

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by glfredrick

There is really no such thing as "overkill" with an air compressor. Whatever size you get up to about a 10 HP model will sooner or later tick you off becasue it doesn't make enough air for whatever you are trying to do. Get as much as your wallet and your space requirements allow and you might be happy for a week or two...
.

exactly..

I had 2 compressors before the one I have now. It will run constantly (and HP ratings are worthless) with certain things (sandblaster etc..) but it has enough juice to use it even when running constantly. I don't have to wait like smaller compressors. My compressor is a vertical style and doesn't take up much space. My suggestion is NOT to get an oil-less one but they are cheaper so if that is all you can afford it is better than nothing..

They are MUCH louder and weaker..

[D60]

Originally Posted by glfredrick

There is really no such thing as "overkill" with an air compressor.

That is exactly right. It's just like a welder or a plasma, you can't get too big. My 80gal Craftsman can keep up with my die grinder, which makes me happy. During a recent wrenching session I was using the plasma and a buddy was using the impact............bottom line, there will always be times you're glad you got the larger unit.

[tdavis]

My 2cents

1) Go by the rated pressure and CFM. The HP rating is totally bogus.
2) Forget about the oilless compressors.
3) Look at 220V compressor if you have the power. Mine actually cost less than the 110v rated models with comparable CFM.
4) The bigger the tank, the longer the duty cycle - it also makes the recovery cycle longer.

You want 9-10CFM at 90psi, continuous duty. That will let you run a die grinder almost continously.

[TatonkaII]

there we go.. thanks Tdavis... i just needed a decent CFM rate. well, lets see what I can get, fathers day sales are still going on.

Chuck

[Brandon]

go two stage if you can too..

http://www.industrial-air-compressor...e_278218V.html

[Mcstiff]

Anybody ever hook a pump and motor to a natural gas tank?

[Brandon]

I just cut these with my die grinder/cut off wheel without stopping to let the compressor catch up. Put a grin ear to ear and made that big ol compressor worth it

[rusted]

Originally Posted by Brandon

there is allready an air compressor thread in here - I posted mine and it's specs in it..

<------ blind dumbass.

Where is this other thread? I can't seem to find THE air compressor thread.

[LazyDog]

IMO, you need something like 220 power, 80+ tank, 10+ CFM - anything smaller will just be a PITA. There is one gotcha with big compressors: do you have enough power to run the damm thing. A buddy of mine got a 10 HP unit and it dimmed the lights in the house when it was running.