Air Compressors

[lgoodso1]

Hi everyone, I have a question to all that have rebuilt there trucks, doing sandblasting ,painting, grinding and other things that needed an air compressor. I'm in need of a new compressor, because my old one is almost on its last leg, and wanted to know of a good unit for sandblasting, painting and grinding. I have seen on the forums the great work that so many have done on there trucks and know they are doing all the work themselves, so they must have decent equipment to work with and I was hoping I could get some input. Thanks

[Flames97]

I bought a craftman 5hp 80gal 2 stage for around $850 back in 2005. It works great. I've sandblasted with it, used an air grinder, impact gun, DA, paint gun, and a few other things. I have no complaints. To be honest I wouldn't want anything less.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks I will check it out, I just started on my 57 got it all stripped down to bare frame and my compressor started going, perfect timing when I need it the most can't complain tho I have had it since 96 but not big enough for what I'm getting started on.

[Flames97]

Defenetly check around at other brands, I've heard others getting good deals on Ingersoll Rand, Quincy is another name I've heard thrown around, don't have any personal experience with that one though. Bottom line there are deals out there.

[franken]

After doing the 3 pigs of air compressors over the years, I'd suggest buying an 80 gallon USA made vertical tank 240VAC single phase machine.

1725RPM motor, about 17CFM@175PSI (these are the important numbers)

People jabber about HP. HP is essentially torque multiplied by RPM, or speed. A 1725 RPM motor is about twice the size of a 3450RPM motor, thus twice as expensive. But when you buy used, people think one 80Gal compressor is the same as another...

Saylor-Beale, Quinciy, etc. NOT Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, Chinese crap.

IR has a rep for cooking motors. Do a web search.

Troll CL. There are plenty of good used tools.

[LEEVON]

I will say if you are going to do bodywork and sandblast, go bigger than 60 gallons / 3hp single stage. Step up to an 80hp two stage.

[lgoodso1]

Thanks, I have been looking into the 80 gal models, I've been reading about IR burning up motors in short periods of time and know I will be using mine daily, I would prefer to spend more now for long term use my last one lasted a long time but didn't get the use that I will be doing now

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Flames97

I bought a craftman 5hp 80gal 2 stage for around $850 back in 2005. It works great. I've sandblasted with it, used an air grinder, impact gun, DA, paint gun, and a few other things. I have no complaints. To be honest I wouldn't want anything less.

same here; except a few years early and bought on sale for $550
look at the sales brochures you get in the paper and sign up for the sears tool club

[Flames97]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

same here; except a few years early and bought on sale for $550
look at the sales brochures you get in the paper and sign up for the sears tool club

I hadn't signed up for the club membership, I did a year or so later, I should have paid more attention to that. Live and learn..
It is amazing how much cheaper things can get on sale.

[buggy5872]

I have a 1972 emglo 5hp 2 stage. I have had it since the 80's. Only thing I have ever replaced was the motor 2 years ago. Cost about 500 bucks but if it last another 40 years it will be money well spent. Get a good one from the start and you won't regret it. Look for one with a cast iron head. Everyone I know that bought one of those cheap ones has replaced it a couple times. My compressor would sometimes run for hours on end with no complaints. If you do normal maintenance it will last a long time.

[wahl4m]

i bought a used "curtis " horizontal 7 hp ,80 gal,2 stage /220,single phase from a local city auction, big industrial unit ,everybody there thought it was a 3 phase unit,cause it came with big mag starter and elec. box on wall ! gave $450 .00 did have an unloader problem {rods fell out of unloader and was laying on floor ,behind compressor } hooked it up in my shop put 2 cotter pins in unloader rods, works like a top ,even sand blasting ! would like to have another 80 or 100 gallon tank for lots of reserve ! looked at something similiar "new" but verticle tank $2300 .00/ dont pass on used /there might be a bargain out there ???

[lgoodso1]

thanks , I been looking at new and used will go for a 80 gal and hook up another tank to it for more reserve, just the prices are 2000 to 2500 new will keep searching for new or used hope the old one holds up alittle longer

[OhioChevy]

Eaton Air Compressor....80 gallon tank with 2 stage 220 volt unit with true 5 hp motor. You will never want for a better compressor than this one. Built and sold by the Eaton company located in Eaton, Ohio.