Looking for adivice on an air compressor

[Alvin]

Finally have money to go buy an air compressor and since I have no idea what to look for, thought I'd ask you guys. I'm looking at tank sizes from 20-30 gallon, and mainly 6hp motors. I'm planning on doing some sand blasting, some die grinder work, and some painting with it. Mostly chassis work, not body panels. Any recommendation on which brand to buy? Looked at craftsman and campbell-hausfield or whatever. Also have a coleman at work. Thanks for any feedback.

[Steven Sellers]

I dont know the answer but I am interested in this also

[oldsub86]

Bigger is better - esp if you plan to blast, paint etc. A larger tank takes longer to pump up but provides more volume of air. I would try to go to at least a 60 gallon tank. Also, I would say that the cast iron compressor units should be better than the aluminum ones in terms of longevity. Maybe look for a used one if the new ones are too pricey. I am running a big old deVilbiss that was made in 1947. I replaced the tank as I was a bit uncertain about the rust issue but I wonder if I really needed to. I maybe should have made a bigger effort to get it tested as a lot of the older stuff is better made than the new stuff. I have an 80 gallon tank now and when I sand blast it runs a lot.

[danho]

In my opinion a 20-30 gallon tank will not be big enough for what you want to do. 60 to 80 would be the way to go. Something that will put out the CFM that blasting and high consumption air tools require. Do some research now so you won't be dissappointed later.
http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...tegory_Code=C1

Dan.

[J.Lance]

Definitely shoot for a bigger tank. I have a 60 gal. single stage 240V and it doesn't keep up when I'm blasting (pressure pot) but does good with the HVLP. A 30 gal will even have a hard time with a die grinder if you're using it a lot. A D/A will completely run it out and I'm not sure if I'd even try a siphon blaster. First step is to check the air consumption of the tools you'll be running most often and then match that up to the appropriate output of the compressors you're looking at. If I had it to do over again I would have opted for a dual stage 80 gal. with output around 15cfm or more. I'll get by for now but the next time I'll know to spend the extra bones. FYI, a dual stage will typically run you twice as much as a comparably sized single stage or oil less. Also, be aware that an oil less compressor is noisier and some say less reliable than a oil lubed pump and motor. Good luck!

[old Rusty C10]

i have a speedaire compressor for my air tools and im not all that impressed. at work we had craftsman ones that were an awful lot better . the craftsman ones also dont seemt o run as hot

[Slammed67]

Craftsman oiless = very loud!

I have a 30 gallon/6HP? Craftsman that works very well, but isn't big enough for what I want it to do. It'll operate a siphon feed sandblaster, but it runs constantly. It won't operate a DA for more than about 10 seconds. Die grinder works okay, but the compressor runs constantly. I've had no problems spraying paint with it. I've abused that poor compressor and it's still running strong. I'm not sure what the duty cycle is on the motor, but I'm sure I've exceeded it considerably and it's still kickin'. For simple tasks like inflating tires, operating an impact wrench, blow gun, etc., it would be more that sufficient.

So I’d say if you can find one that’ll operate a DA with no problems, it’ll probably do most everything else.

[Ackattack]

I bought a 60 gal. 6-7 HP (don't remember now) 220v Husky compressor from Home Depot in August. It is oil lubed, and has worked flawlessly. Kept up easily when I sprayed in my bed liner.

[Alvin]

Well, it's not exactly what I was hoping to hear, but I'd rather not spend my money and wind up being disappointed with it. I'm thinking I'll hafta hold off on doing the blasting and painting jobs till later. We do have an old dual stage compressor, but I have no idea what kinda shape it is in (hasn't been used in at least 21 years). Thanks again for the feedback, I appreciate the quick responses!

[Tx Firefighter]

I have an 80 gallon 2 stage DeVillbiss.

I can paint a whole car and it will only cycle on 4 or 5 times for the whole job. HVLP gun

Using a D/A, it will run constantly.

Die grinder it will run say 60% of the time.

My bead blast cabinet it will run pretty much constantly and will shut off about 5-10 seconds after you release the trigger on the blaster.

It's big enough for pretty much everything I guess. If you get tired of it running, just stop using it for a few seconds and it will fill up and shut off.

I absolutely would not even consider anything smaller than a 60 gallon. 80 gallon is better. I got mine at Lowes for 720 bucks 4 years ago.

[Bernie]

I got a Quincy from Harbor Freight a few years ago. I think they must have been changing models. It cost $900 or so with free shipping and is 60 gal two stage with 175 psi max. It's great ! I had a smaller one but there's no comparison.

[walker]

Stay away from the direct drive models and choose one with a belt drive. I have used a 3.5 horse model for die grinders and done blasting with a small blast cabinet and it works fine. During heavy blasting I have had to stop from time to time for it to catch up. Also, try to get one with a 175psi operating pressure, as that extra 50psi is a lot of air. I also have a 12 horse gas compressor with the 175psi on it and can tell you that high pressure and big tank do make a big difference. Smaller units are easy to store, very portable, usually operate on 115v at 15 amps, so can go with you to your buddy's house for special projects or whatever.

[67Fleetsidedream]

I have a Ingersol Rand 2 stage T-30. It is a excellent compressor. 24 cfm working pressure.

[lux hauler]

Below is a site with some good compressor info.
I got my compressor (60 gal. 5hp 2-stage) from them. I'm really happy with it.
Eaton Compressor & Fabrication

[ckhd]

I only have one brand I would consider. Ingersol Rand. Why? I have a 1939 compressor that gets used on a daily basis. I even let my brother run his air chisels with it. That sucker goes and goes and goes. I just make sure it has good oil in it, change it now and then, and I don't have to worry about it.

[ChevLoRay]

My uncle had an old Curtiss, and the compressor went bad. That thing was built in the late 20's. So, he put a compressor on it that came off of a C-60 Chevy truck (air brakes, you know). It ran anything he had to use air to run.

Watch the SCFM rating on whatever you buy. Look at the tools you'll be using. You want to be sure that the SCFM rating is sufficient to run the tool or attachment that is the most demanding. Sand Blasters, are notorious. I spend some time looking at a Grainger's catalog. They had a nice chart showing the ratings and needs for air tools.

[hgs_notes]

I worked for a few years at the Coleman Powermate plant. They build them 15 miles from my house. As of now, the tanks and pumps are built right there, not asian junk. The aluminum pumps are fine, they have cast iron sleeves and cool better than cast iron blocks. You should be fine with a 60 gal. Don't even concern yourself with HP ratings, they're all bogus. If you see a line by the same MFG and they have different HP ratings, just check the part number on the motor, I'll bet they are all the same. They just change pully sizes, etc. Just look at the CFM ratings, the higher the better.

Coleman also makes a 40 gal upright portable. It's belt drive but has a slightly lower cfm output, but might be what your looking for. Most of the other responses are also very good info. For blasting and sanding you need the most air you can afford.

HG

[Stroker]

We do have an old dual stage compressor, but I have no idea what kinda shape it is in (hasn't been used in at least 21 years). Thanks again for the feedback, I appreciate the quick responses!

Take a look at what you already have. Some of the old stuff was BUILT TO LAST!! Give it a good going over and make sure the tank, lines, and wiring are safe. Don't underestimate the energy that a tank of air can have if it ruptures. Spending a hundred or two on the old compressor might very well give you the best bang for the buck. Good Luck...Stroker

[jhwkns]

on ebay

[Alvin]

Here's what I'm dealing with:

It is a curtis 3hp air compressor, dual stage. That's about all i know. If anybody wants to guess at the tank size, I put the basketball there for size reference:



What do you think I should do?

[oldsub86]

If the compressor appears to be good, I would clean it up and buy a new tank to put it on. If the motor runs, it probably only needs to be cleaned up and possibly some new bearings.

[lux hauler]

Originally posted by Alvin
Here's what I'm dealing with:

It is a curtis 3hp air compressor, dual stage. That's about all i know. If anybody wants to guess at the tank size, I put the basketball there for size reference:

What do you think I should do?

If it can be used safely......use it.

[Alvin]

I turned the compressor over by hand and it seems to turn pretty easily. It still pumps air too. Guessing off of some web sites I saw, it should be approx. 60 gallon tank on it right now. I did some searching on eBay and found an 80 gallon tank (from 2000) that appears to be a pretty good deal, gonna try to win it, and swap everything over. I'll worry about re-habbing the motor or buying a new one later on. If I can't get a good tank, the motor won't matter. Thanks for the help guys!

[dinnut]

with some cleaning that thing will probably clean up very nice!
i didnt realize youve been a member since 2000. thats a long time!

[Alvin]

Yeah, I've stayed pretty quite most of the time (this is post 226), but now that I'm up to my ears in my truck project, and now this air compressor, I've got a bunch of questions to ask!