air compressors

[Benelli]

Whats a good one to get? Have you had any problems with yours?

[hounddogs!]

Originally Posted by Benelli

Whats a good one to get? Have you had any problems with yours?

Installed an IR 60 gal - 3HP in June. No complaints.

[srr]

Your question lacks details but buy the biggest upright (80 Gallon two stage) you can afford. You can grow out of a compressor much faster than you can grow into one. I went from a 20 gallon "oil less" (noisy junk!!!) to a 60 gallon(worked well, not very quiet) to my current 80 gallon two stage. It's relatively quiet and hardly breaks a sweat no matter what I'm doing. Just keep your compressor pump full of clean oil and your tank drained and it will live for a long time.

[LEEVON]

I had a 15 gallon oil-less sears, what a piece of crap. I really wanted an 80 gallon, 2 stage IR, Quincy, etc.. but my budget allowed me to scour Craigslist until I scored a 60 gallon, single stage 220v campbell hausfeld for about $100. It had a bad pressure switch. Replaced the switch, changed the oil, air filter and tightened the belt and she runs like a champ.

[srr]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I had a 15 gallon oil-less sears, what a piece of crap. I really wanted an 80 gallon, 2 stage IR, Quincy, etc.. but my budget allowed me to scour Craigslist until I scored a 60 gallon, single stage 220v campbell hausfeld for about $100. It had a bad pressure switch. Replaced the switch, changed the oil, air filter and tightened the belt and she runs like a champ.

I think you did real good! Sometimes you have to make do with what you have.

[nebdrummer]

heres the one we picked up.. a replacement for a crap 60gallon single stage noisy old school one.

the cfm rating is the best ive seen for the price. only things bad, popped a head gasket, and had a leaky drain petcock. other than that, nothing but good from me. with this one, you can have the line completely open, and it still only takes about 30 seconds with an open line to build back to pressure.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...4327_200434327

[rob67]

I have a craftsman 33 gal 150 psi. I have used it for air tools and a spray gun. I had to replace the rings after painting the sheds. It was the biggest I could get without going to 220. I love it!
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[jasonroman]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

I had a 15 gallon oil-less sears, what a piece of crap. I really wanted an 80 gallon, 2 stage IR, Quincy, etc.. but my budget allowed me to scour Craigslist until I scored a 60 gallon, single stage 220v campbell hausfeld for about $100. It had a bad pressure switch. Replaced the switch, changed the oil, air filter and tightened the belt and she runs like a champ.

so does this mean i should take the 15 gallon dewalt i just picked up at home depot back??
im not really a mechanic at all, just looking to do some body work on my truck. and so i picked up a compressor and a da sander. planned to pick up an angle grinder too, but if the compressor is not going to power tools, guess i might have to take it back.?
imput

[crushermechanic]

that compressor is only good for a nail gun. you dont want the oilless they dont keep up well. i have a 30 gal 5hp craftsman and dont like it. it wont run much long. i use my truck compressor most of the time. it is 35 cfm at 150 psi. it will run most any thing i have.

[jasonroman]

Well I guess that's good to know. Nail guns uh.
Thought I would be ok to do a little sanding with da on body. Was gonna get a husky 30 gallon one but I figured for my little usage is be ok. Can't see spending 8oo just to sand a little.
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[cableguy0]

DA sanders are one of the most straining tools to use on an air compressor. They use a ton of air. I wouldnt even bother with anything less than a 60 gallon tank because anything smaller will likely burn up. Even a compressor with a big tank is going to run a lot with a da sander. I would just get a cheap electric angle grinder from harbor freight. They usually have the 4.5 inch on sale for like 15 bucks. It takes grinding/sanding disks as well as cut off wheels. You can always get an electric grinder and get the adapter pad to use stick on sand paper like these http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...iscs-3841.html

[red69ss]

http://www.sears.com/ue/tool/110109_...l=W3here's a link to a chart on sears website a lot of sites that sell compressors have these. here's another one on NT with some good info http://www.northerntool.com/catalog/...ircompressors/
As stated get the biggest one you can especially if you plan on using DA'S which consume a lot of air, I didn't see sand blasters listed on either of these sites but in my experience they are the biggest air hogs.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G17 this is the compressor I bought about 5 years ago it was $850 when I bought it ,the comparable ingersoll rand was about $1500 at the time if I remember correctly ,now there about the same price for a 5 hp and 80 gallon comp. I have been well pleased with this comp. it has never gave even one problem and it has never failed to keep up and I have truly tested it.

[Number21]

Originally Posted by jasonroman

so does this mean i should take the 15 gallon dewalt i just picked up at home depot back??

Definately.

[jasonroman]

Guess ill be headed back there in the morning. Waste of 4oo. Thought it would be good for my little learning process.
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[foxhole]

I run a pair of 5hp devilbis comercial units twinned up and never run out of air. but if i had to do it all over i would get one ten horse rotary screw compessor. They put out better air quality.

[jasonroman]

well i took back the dewalt today.
while i was there, i saw they had a husky. 60 gallon. 460 or so.
i didnt buy it tho, not sure if i need a decicated line to run compressor.
saw a couple used ones on clist from 3-500.
guess ill keep looking around. for now im gonna use the orbital sander and see what happens.

[nebdrummer]

make sure you keep an eye on the cfm rating at 90lbs. higher the better.

[jasonroman]

well for now im just looking around for a good one at a good price.
im guessing i will need someone to install a 220 power source in the basement prior to purchasing a compressor.
for now im doing some sanding with a dewalt orbital.... not the best or the fastest, but im slowly getting there.
thanks for advice folks....
im trying to not spend 800+ for a compressor. so ill just keep checking around

[kev2809]

not trying to hijack here, but i have a question that relates.

my compressor seems like its on its last leg. if i dont get it fixed, i need to find a really cheap one that can manage what i need it to do. i will be running a da, and various air tools like air ratchet, impact gun, and more importantly my spray gun. im not a pro by any means, but i am doing my own work. i need to primer my truck within the month...whats the smallest compressor can i get that can handle sanding down my truck and spraying it? (new or used) i really need to get something quick and cheap. thanks for any help!

if this isnt related, just let me know and i will edit and make a thread. just didnt want to clump up the board.

[jasonroman]

Well guys I have one more question before I go and buy another compressor. Maybe 2 questions 1 will the 3.2 HP 60 gallon from home depot work ok for running da sander and grinder ? It's a 6o gallon unit. Says 230 volt. Does this mean it needs to be wired 230 not 220? What's the difference?
Also wondering if for the little bit. Well maybe not little bit of sanding. Would a 110 30 gallon unit do the job?
I'm not a body man. Just a guy experimenting with my truck.
Up till now I have been sanding truck with orbital sander. Obviously not body work tools.
Got the hood and roof down to metal. And plan on just skuffing the rest of body with 100 or 150 before hitting it with some primer.
Suggestions?
Il post some pics when I get home later today.
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[jasonroman]

some pics of what i had and the mess im making.
as for compressor....that i want to buy....but cant get the right info on what i need to make it run....
3.2 hp
11.5 scfm at 40 psi
10.2 at 90 psi
15amp
240 volt

was told 10/2 and 30 amp braker
10/3 20amp braker
12/2 15 amp braker....?????

[electrician42]

heres what i got ....love it

[jasonroman]

gotta question...
should i be running a bigger hose than 1/4 in?
compressor seems to run more often that i think it should.
today i TRIED to use tools to take bed off truck and the wrench would not turn?
got a 100 foot hose 1/4 in.

i got a 60 gallon 3.2
think i have 3/8 out at tank, then reducer, then pipe...shut off valve...filter...regulater.....out to hose<<<<<...alll 1/4
this why the compressor didnt turn wrench????

[rob67]

I don't think the 1/4 is the problem. On my 50' of hose I have to set my output at 95 to get 90 at the end, and I also am running a water seperator and inline oiler.
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[rob67]

Also, the best way to adjust the pressure is to hook up the tool and pull the trigger, then adjust until you get the pressure you need. That is how I have done it anyways. Others may know better.
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