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Axel Haakonsen (Axel)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 01:12 pm: | 
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It is time to make the leap into air tools for next year, and of course one of the most, if not the most important part of an air tool system is the compressor itself. I don't see myself doing much painting, but figure I would run mostly an 1/2 inch impact wrench, and a couple of air ratchets, one tool at a time, of course.
So, what kind of compressor are those of you who have already made the leap running? How large do I need to go? 1 cylinder or two stage, and what's the difference anyway? |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 01:30 pm: |
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Talk about timing.....
http://pub145.ezboard.com/fgunsandroversfrm1.showMessage?topicID=1438.topic
-L |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 01:44 pm: |
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PS: that link is more concerned w/ sand-blasting, but given that it is a heavy-duty use situation for a compressor, it should help give ya something to chew on.....
-L |
Will Roeder (Will_Roeder)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 02:07 pm: |
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Ax,
Ive got a Craftsman 30 Gallon, 6 HP system and its been pretty good....Not the best quality, but ive had good luck with it, and i got it very cheap. With any compressor, I would expect to replace it every few years if yo uuse it a LOT.
Also look at the Ingersol stuff, they have high quality stuff.
IMHO, with an air compressor, you would be better off getting a high quality one the first time around, and you will probably save money in the long run...
For the type of work I use mine for (and what i am assuming you would use yours for) the ~6 HP, ~30 gallon set up is a great size IMO
just my $.02
WR |
Mark Albrecht (Markalbrecht)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 02:14 pm: |
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I have a similar set up to Will's and it works just fine for wrenching on the truck. Also have done some moderate spray painting with it (did OK) and used for filling tires, air mattresses, inflatible pools, and various balls. Word to the wise: make sure your intended electrical system is up to the load or you'll be flipping the circuit breaker every time the compressor recycles. |
Matt Milbrandt (95discovery)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 02:22 pm: |
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I just did this a couple months ago. I went with a 7 hp 60 gal unit that provides 10.3 scfm. I don't know if it is too big for what you are looking to do, but I have been very happy. After doing some research and looking at my options I bought a Campbell Hausfeld compressor. They have a decent enough reputation, and I have confidence that they will still be around when it comes time to rebuild it. I could have bought the compressor at few different places, but Home Depot had the best price. They sell it under the Husky name, but it made by Campbell Hausfeld. If I was buying something for work I might have gone with a different manufacturer, but for my home this has been perfectly sufficient.
Also, I installed it in my basement and ran hard line up to my garage. I can hardly hear when it kicks on, and it is close to my fuse panel so wiring the 240 plug was easy.
Matt |
Rob Davison (Pokerob)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 02:58 pm: |
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axel, in short get the largest compressor you can afford and as you know quality matters.
consider if it's 110v or 220v cause you might have to have a line wired out to the garage.
i am on my 3rd compressor in five years and i simply need a bigger one (when will i learn).
take a look at the tools you will be buying and Compare the CFM to the charts on the compressors, you'll quickly see why the big 2 stage cast iron compressors are superiour.
i personally am thinking an IR 80 gallon but that will cost as much as i paid for my car. i might just steal kyles.
worst case senario get a 30 gallon with cast iron pump (dont get self lubricating)this will get the job done, but the compressor will be going off frequently.
rd |
Derek Reed (Dmr)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 02:59 pm: |
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I'll second the 30 gal craftsman. I have the 30 gal model that is not "oil less". Its much quieter and I think fhas similar specs as the oil free models. It uses 120v and doesn't take up a whole corner of my garage. It easily keeps up with a 1/2 impact and a 3/8 butterfly wrench. It is probably a little small for heavy grinder and sander work.
I think it is a great setup for a small home garage. |
Alex Cabrera (Alexcabrera)
| | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 05:08 pm: |
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I have also researched and I'm proposing a gasoline engined compressor. They cost a few buck$ more but I think that the advantage over wired ie 120v240VAC is worth it.
Imagine a portable one that you might can take on a trail with you. It could be a life-saver and used to air-up after airing down etc.
Cast-iron is more durable and I've been told that the oil on the pump can prolong the pumps life. There are several on Ebay right now but I can hold off just a bit longer.
Be sure what the HP rating is. They claim 6 HP but might be peak so that it might be a 3or 4 actual HP's.
Also be sure what the CFM's are at ?PSI. The optimal ratings are in the manual for the tool that you need.
If your really going to be a power user be sure to get a dryer/oiler so that you don't ruin your air tool. I've seen many a good tool seize from lack of lubrication and water corroded.
Disclaimer: My experience comes from working/helping with my old man who owns his fleet of tractor trailers. His choice air tool is a 1 inch drive extended anvil to open the most stubborn wheel lug nut loose. Damn that sucker rocks!!! |
Brian Friend (Brianfriend)
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 12:27 pm: |
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Just a note on cambell housefield. I have one airless paint sprayer and have had no problems, and I have a cheep 20gl 5hp air compressor. I think I paid about 250 for it and it included air tools. I didn't expect it to be of the best quality but I figuresd it would last a few years. One week before the one year warranty gave out the thing froze up. I took it to an authorized repair shop and cambell refused to warrenty the product because I had over used it. They said that the compressor was for pumping up balls and stuff ocasionally. Pissed me off bad....especially since it came with air tools. I had to sick my attorny on them. |
Ron
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 01:17 pm: |
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33 gallon 6.5 hp crapsman. It works fine, I bought it because it was a super sale (175 out the door with an air ratchet and line etc ). Make sure you get a really good 1/2in gun. IR2131 or IR2131QT are my favorites. The thunder gun and the old school IR (246 I think) are too loud but are pretty effective. You may have to wait a second or two to build enough pressure to get the really stuck nuts off with the smallish compressor but this is the exception.
Ron |
Mark Albrecht (Markalbrecht)
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 05:03 pm: |
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This is sort of off point, but while you're buying the compressor ... I've always found it useful to run a three foot section of hose from each air tool to a quick disconnect and a quick disconnect at the end of the main hose (from the compressor) to attach them to. This way you don't have to battle the big hose as much when you're moving around. Also use plumber's teflon tape at all junctions to cut down on air and air pressure loss. |
Axel Haakonsen (Axel)
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 08:15 am: |
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Thanks for all the info. I am leaning more and more against a big stationary unit in the garage. There is already an electrical stove out there which my wife and mother in law uses once a year when they make their tomato sauce (Italian family), so I could use the 230 outlet that is already there to run a compressor for the rest of the year, I suppose. The idea of a gas powered portable unit is a good one too, but Santa Claus brought a 15lb Powertank this Christmas, so will provide all the portable air (CO2 actually), I need.
Happy New Year!
Axel |
Ken Dunnington (Ihwillys)
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 10:18 am: |
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I've got a 60 gallon/5 HP 220 volt setup. Very basic twin cylinder single stage. For much sanding, grinding, etc it is barely adequate. I have to give it cool-down periods, and I also point a fan at it so it continues to receive airflow after it has recharged the tank when working it hard. It was cheap, like $100 IIRC. You should be able to find these everywhere, and plenty of them used and cheap, that's why I've got mine.
I once painted a car using a borrowed portable 30 gal two stage 110 volt that, atleast from memory, was as good or better than my current compressor.
I would not buy an oil-less.
Ken |
Alex Cabrera (Alexcabrera)
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 01, 2003 - 09:01 pm: |
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cool.. hope you have a Happy New Years!
I'd like to second Ken D's post. Do not get an oil-less compressor. Thats like getting an engine that runs on no-oil. It will die soon enough. |
Curtis N (Curtis)
| | Posted on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 12:42 am: |
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Ax,
Easy way to look at it:
- most consumer compressors come from one or two Build quality is pretty even with few exceptions that will loom large on your wallet.
- oil free compressors build more heat and last the shortest. These are always the cheapest. They are also the most noisy.
- oiled compressors work like your engine as far as lubrication is concerned. They last the longest, build less heat, wear the motor the least, and make much less noise
- More CFM is rated to the output of the compression cylinder and the motor that drives it. Nothing else. More CFM is better, but you only need to meet (or exceed) the CFM of the tools you use.
- A larger tank means less compressor cycling, but also means more time refilling. Generally more gals. = better. However the motor will always recycle the same RPM's per unit of air used. The converse is that the engine wears better with less cycling. 20-30 gals. is ususally fine for most copntractors and mechanics running one device at a time. Tanks larger than this are usually meant more multiple air tools running simlutaneously.
I use a Campbell-Hausfield 30 gal. oiled compressor with a GE motor. All high quality and has run for over four years as opposed to my CF 20 gal. oil-less.
Good Luck and Happy New Year,
Curtis
Curtis |
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