compressor question???

[saxmo]

I have a 5hp belt-driven upright air compressor with a 26 gallon tank. It states 5.8cfm@90 psi. It just isn't enough to run my air file and high speed sander, etc. It will run 'em, but I spend more time waiting than working..... I was wondering if getting a larger tank would cure my problem? Does tank size control cfm? I just happen to have an old 100 gallon propane tank that I do not use..has anyone ever tried doing this conversion? I just don't want to put another $800 into a compressor, if I can just modify what I have... Thanks for any help

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Your compressor does not put out enough cfm to run the air tools you are trying to run. An air file takes a lot of air and I would guess that yours needs over 10 cfm @ 100 psi. There should be a spec for the tools that give you the needed cfm for each one.

An extra tank may help somewhat but I doubt if you will be able to tell because of the fast usage of air that the tools use.

Jim

[454_72_4X4]

I think the bigger tank would just extend the time between "waiting and working". You'd probably get to work a little longer but then you'd have to wait longer for the compressor to catch up again. not sure about that though.

Just a pointer on the propane tank thing though. (I have a air tank I made out of an old 30lb propane tank).
If it's ever had propane in it you can never get the propane smell out of it. Whatever they add to the propane to make that nasty smell "sticks" to the inside of the tank and just doesn't come out. You'll always have the smell every time you use it.
Bad as I hate to say it you'll be better off buying a bigger compressor, (or maybe a tv and a comfortable chair to sit in while you wait!?!)LOL.

[Chevy67Tk]

Originally Posted by 454_72_4X4

I think the bigger tank would just extend the time between "waiting and working". You'd probably get to work a little longer but then you'd have to wait longer for the compressor to catch up again. not sure about that though.

.

Yea what he said it’s a give and take thing.

Please don’t use a propane tank, yes most are rated at 175psi but they are not built heavy enough to take the constant cycling of high to mid range pressures and the air will promote corrosion in the tank that is thinner than a regular compressor tank. I have seen what happens when one of theses ruptures and it’s not pretty.

[chickenwing]

I think you can pick up a decent unit in the 4-5 hundred dollar range. If your tools exceed the rating of the compressor you are pretty much doomed to waiting. If they are within the rating of the compressor... Any chance your compressor is just due for a new set of rings?

[saxmo]

the compressor is 8 months old, but I believe that I have enough safety and other issues covered in this thread to convince my spousal unit that stepping off the purse strings is a good thing!!! I found a good compressor at tractor supply (ingersoll rand) that puts out 15cfm@90psi and it has 80 gallon tank. It costs $750. I know it'll run all my stuff. Sounds like a good price to me... is there another place to look?

[chickenwing]

Nicely rated compressor. You have found more than I have looked for.

[pierce]

Check to make sure it's a 2 Stage compressor, it gives you much faster air recovery for running faster tools like grinders, sandblast cabnets, etc. than a single stage, I can get you a good price on any size unit, pm me, check out this unit...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=134799
Rob

[72gord]

O.K. now I have a question: If a compressor is rated at 15cfm@90psi (just for example) wouldn't recovery time be the same whether it is two stage or single stage? Isn't 15cfm, 15cfm? I thought single stage and two stage had to do with psi? 135 for single versus 175 for two stage. Thanks in advance for helping clear this up.

[saxmo]

that is a good question. I was wondering too. Because I sadly misquoted the rating.. and I was wondering if this compressor is better than a lower cfm'd 2 stage?

TSC Compressor

[hgs_notes]

Two stage is purely for raising the pressure output and does not change cfm. On the other hand though, a higher tank pressure means more standard cubic feet of air for a given volume of tank. 175 psi in an 80 gallon tank is more air than at 135 psi.

I inspect these things for a living and also worked a few years at a compressor manufacturer.

HG

[Tx Firefighter]

Most two stage compressors run at higher pressures than single stage ones do.

My 80 gallon 2 stage turns on at 160 and shuts off at 180. Most of the single stage units I've seen max out lower than that.

There are some things in life that man needs to have a big one of. A compressor is one of them.

[saxmo]

well, i just got off of the phone with a good friend who does custom hotrod painting..and his exact words were "if it isn't a 2 stage it is JUNK, it is like trying to push a cab and a half with a 4.3 liter motor" I have never known him to mince words.. as you probably can tell...lol.. i bet he would get along well with txfirefighter!

[da-burb]

I got a (hue-jass) compressor from pierce too. Great deal and very easy purchase. Now if I can only get it out of my work place and home where I can start to put it to good use. (80 gal, 7.5 hp, 2 stage, 27.1CFM@175psi)

[Blue68]

You don't mention whether you have access to 220v or not. When you step into the larger compressors, and most if not all 2 stage, you are at 220 volt.