Air tool woes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**LEEVON** · 03-21-2011, 04:49 PM

I have a nice 60 gallon / 5hp / 220v compressor. I bought it lightly used, replaced the pressure switch, belt, changed the oil and now it's in top shape, quickly fills the tank up to about 120 psi where I have the cut-off set and does everything else a compressor should quietly and efficiently.

Directly from the tank I have a 3/8 ball valve to about 75' of quality 3/8 goodyear hose. The problem is that my air tools are so weak they are useless. They have no power, I can stop a ratchet or drill with my hand. It's not that the tank is quickly depleted because I could run a cut-off wheel for a couple minutes before the pressure goes down to around 95psi where the compressor kicks is.

I'm wondering if the size of fittings/hose I have are too restrictive? Could the 75' of hose be too much? It feels like the hose fills up and "absorbs" much of the pressure, I get a short blast of power, then weakness. It seems like a volume (CFM) issue more than pressure and supply?

I think I'm answering my own questions but before I throw $$$ at it I'm wondering if you all have any thoughts?

03-21-2011, 04:49 PM	#1
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,893	Air tool woes I have a nice 60 gallon / 5hp / 220v compressor. I bought it lightly used, replaced the pressure switch, belt, changed the oil and now it's in top shape, quickly fills the tank up to about 120 psi where I have the cut-off set and does everything else a compressor should quietly and efficiently. Directly from the tank I have a 3/8 ball valve to about 75' of quality 3/8 goodyear hose. The problem is that my air tools are so weak they are useless. They have no power, I can stop a ratchet or drill with my hand. It's not that the tank is quickly depleted because I could run a cut-off wheel for a couple minutes before the pressure goes down to around 95psi where the compressor kicks is. I'm wondering if the size of fittings/hose I have are too restrictive? Could the 75' of hose be too much? It feels like the hose fills up and "absorbs" much of the pressure, I get a short blast of power, then weakness. It seems like a volume (CFM) issue more than pressure and supply? I think I'm answering my own questions but before I throw $$$ at it I'm wondering if you all have any thoughts? __________________ '86 GMC C30 Crew ~ '86 C20 Crew ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '74K10 ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids Last edited by LEEVON; 03-21-2011 at 04:52 PM.



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