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03-26-2002, 02:23 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
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Air Compressors AGAIN! Real experiences please!
Ok, I know this has been discussed, and rehashed, and debated about 1000 times, but now its my turn to ask for help on this.
I've been doing some research on what I'll need for an air compressor for the truck restoration. I'll be doing all of the grinding, sanding, and cutting, and MAYBE some painting, but if I need anything sandblasted I'll want to have a professional do it. I might want to sandblast small stuff (like cross-members), but no major stuff... ...so I'm drifting toward a 5-7 hp, 60-80 gallon, 2 stage oil-lubed compressor that can put out 10-12 CFM at 90psi. More power the better. I don't want to get 1/2 way into a job and run out of air when I really need it. That puts me in the $800-$1000 range. Here's the problem. We're doing this at my dad's place, where nothing like this has ever been done before. He's always operated with these smaller portable 2-2.5 hp oilless units that are good for blowing dirt/grass off the tractor, painting the barns, and inflating tires. He's thinking about getting a new one RIGHT NOW, but he's still looking in that same small range convinced that it will handle everything I need to do to my truck. Right now he's looking at one of these dual tank 3 hp compressors that's rated for nail guns. On top of that his breaker box at his shop is full, and he doesn't have any 220v outlets wired! I'm trying to convince him to split the cost on a big one... So, who has used some of these smaller 110-115v 2-3hp compressors (which can only throw out 3-4 CFM at 90 psi at most-maybe as high as 6) and managed to get good results for what I'm talking about doing? Is it totally out of the question to use a small one, or am I right in thinking big? HELP before this whole restoration comes to a screaching halt before it starts! ------------------ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed! '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast). Seattle, WA. *See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com! [This message has been edited by new69owner (edited March 26, 2002).]
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'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. |
03-26-2002, 02:42 PM | #2 |
SLICER AND DICIER
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Quuen Creek
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I had the small one. Running a orbital sander or grinder, would totally kill it in about 2 min. I sold it and bought a 60 gal upright rated at 9cfm@90psi. Best thing I ever bought, I sanded the entire truck and never ran out of air. If you are doin all the work yourself, the small one will just frustrate the HELL out of you.
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01 Tahoe 22's 2/4 drop and tv's 68 chevy money pit 51 chevy belair 95 Honda 900RR 05 GMC Siearra (company truck) |
03-26-2002, 02:52 PM | #3 |
Just an Old Mr Goodwrench
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Green Ridge, MO USA
Posts: 259
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I would agree . . . nothing more frustrating than waiting for air to build up . . . plus you'll shorten the life of the unit by running it that hard. Go for the bigger compressor and wire a 220 breaker - if your panel is full, you can buy a small panel to add on to the one you have . . . jump from your main lugs to the new panel & you're set - just make sure you kill the power to the panel before you start . . . 220 bites Lee
------------------ 1969 Custom 20 Longhorn 1970 CST 20 Fleetside 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe 1991 Jaguar Sovereign 1992 Mazda Miata 1969 Triumph Bonneville 1964 Harley Sportster
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1969 CST 20 Longhorn 1970 CST 20 Fleetside 1991 Jaguar Sovereign 1992 Mazda Miata |
03-26-2002, 02:57 PM | #4 |
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http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00916731000
That is what I have and I am totally happy with it. Sanding, grinding, Cut-off wheel, works great.
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1971 C-20 2wd, LB, white/copper 1964 Impala conv. 1957 Bel Air Wagon 1948 Chev 3100 1930 model A coupe 1929 model A speedster pickup |
03-26-2002, 03:07 PM | #5 |
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nosurf: I saw this one. What concerned me was the fact that it was oilless and the CFMs at 90 were a bit low. Oh, and also it was damn loud!
Do you do any painting? I've had 3 body shop guys tell me they wouldn't touch it if it was rated below 11 CFM at 90 psi. What size grinders and sanders to you use? How many RPM? I'm not worried about wrenches, but die cutters, grinders, sanders and chizels worry me (in terms of CFM @ psi). ------------------ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed! '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast). Seattle, WA. *See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com!
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'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. |
03-26-2002, 03:09 PM | #6 |
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Location: Delta,Pa
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im running a big red air machine at 160psi. i dunno what cfm its rated at but its an 80 gallon with 5hp i believe.never had a problem with anything but it was 900 bucks if im rememberin correctly got it from snap on
------------------ 72 chevy lwb 350 lunati cam ported and polished cast 2.02 heads proform hei edelbrock performer rpm and 750 carb balanced bottom end 9.5:1 compression ps,pb th350 with a tci 2500 stall convertor full man v-body kevlar clutches and bands as well as other goodies
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Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
03-26-2002, 03:16 PM | #7 |
Psycho-billy Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: about 40 miles west of Cleveland, Ohio
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Here's the two that I'm looking at:
This is the single stage: http://www.bright.net/~mcain/pic10.html This is the two stage: http://www.bright.net/~mcain/pic11.html This is the company home page: http://www.bright.net/~mcain/ This company is in Ohio so I can pick mine up and save myself the Shipping. BTW....They have some really good info on their site.....what to look for in a good compressor. Maybe if I show this post to them they will give me a discount [This message has been edited by 1972c10_ohio (edited March 26, 2002).]
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'72 C-10 350 w/Lunati Voodoo cam (207*/213*, .437/.454), Performer intake, 625 Road Demon Jr. and Hooker headers. Support your community, support yourself. Buy local, buy American (or Canadian). |
03-26-2002, 03:24 PM | #8 |
Wiseass secured himself a BAN
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Location: MOON!!!
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The most important thing to look for in a compressor is the OPERATING CFM. The tank can be 80+ gallons, but if the compressor is not big enough to replenish the air in the tank while it is being used then it is just like a small tank and comressor. Look for a compressor that has 12 or higher as the operating CFM. Most air tools can empty a 11 and below CFM with 60+ gallon tank in minutes.
67 Ben [This message has been edited by 67Fleetsidedream (edited March 26, 2002).] |
03-26-2002, 04:31 PM | #9 |
CCRider
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA
Posts: 2,232
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Don't let a big tank fool ya. If the compressor is not rated more than the air tools you are using then you might as well hook the tool to the compressor without a tank. And most tools are rated at 90 psi[some newer ones I have seen are rated at 85] Sometimes people have problems running out of air because they don't use a regulator. A die grinder is rated at 4 cfm at 90 psi but if you run it at a 120 psi you better have a real big commpressor. The main thing is save your money and buy best quality/biggest you can afford. I personally would not even look at an oiless if for no other reason because they are so loud.
------------------ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS
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72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS |
03-26-2002, 07:22 PM | #10 | |
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Here is the info that I got from the company that I listed in my earlier post.....
Quote:
[This message has been edited by 1972c10_ohio (edited March 26, 2002).]
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'72 C-10 350 w/Lunati Voodoo cam (207*/213*, .437/.454), Performer intake, 625 Road Demon Jr. and Hooker headers. Support your community, support yourself. Buy local, buy American (or Canadian). |
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03-27-2002, 01:46 PM | #11 |
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The compressor that we have used for the last three years is a made in USA Curtis, 5 hp, 2 stage, 220 volt unit. The model no. is 5EIHT6 and it is rated at 15.81 CFM running at 1100 rpm, and producing 90 psi.
It has a 60 gallon receiver. Pump up time from 0 psi to 175 psi is 7 minutes and 46 seconds. It will run everything that we have except extended sand blasting and it does not have the horsepower for that. We change the oil in the crankcase on a regular basis and have had no problems with it. We run the compressor 20-25 hours per week. We built a room for the compressor outside of the pole barn to keep the noise out because compressors are noisy. Prior to getting this compressor we had a 6 hp Sears and it would not do half of what this compressor will do. Jim
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03-27-2002, 01:52 PM | #12 |
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if you are going to be doing painting you will need at least 14 cfm any less and you will starve your spray gun. air tools will normally run on 10 -12cfm I am looking for a compressor to so don't cfheap out or you'll regret it.
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03-27-2002, 02:10 PM | #13 |
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I have a Black Max 80 gallon,2 stage,11 cfm from Sam's Club. I got it on sale for $750.00. Before that i had a Sears "oilless" compressor. DO NOT buy one of these. Bad move. Way more annoying noise than the Black Max. And was the biggest peice of crap compressor i ever had.
Go to Sam's Club and check them out. 5 years i have had this compressor and not 1 problem.
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03-27-2002, 02:28 PM | #14 |
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I got a Quincy 5hp two stage with a 60 gal tank from Harbor Freight. Free shipping, no sales tax and made in Illinois. Beautiful !
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03-27-2002, 02:42 PM | #15 |
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I do alot of work with Campbell Hausefeld. I got a 2 stage 80gal 7.5HP upright. It catches up and waits on everything like sandblasting, grinding, etc. One thing to keep in mind is hidden costs like the wiring, regulators and plumbing. It's been a workhorse with no problems for about 7 years now.
------------------ 72 Chevy Blazer 69 GMC Longhorn 37 Chevy Coupe pics at http://home.fuse.net/pierce Cincinnati, OH
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03-27-2002, 03:26 PM | #16 |
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Well, I've checked on some of the brands people have mentioned, but some of them either aren't being sold any more or not available.
I did check up on some compressors at harbor freight, but a lot of them are single stage. Bottom line is I'm thinking correctly. The price range is going to be in the $800-$1000 range. There are simply no 2-stage compressors in any other range besides UP! I'm thinking either: 1. Ingersoll-Rand 2. Campbell-Hausfeld 3. Porter Cable I checked with the local distributor for Ingersoll-Rand. They can get me a 5hp 2stage Compressor (60 gal. capacity) that puts out 14.9 CFM at 90psi, and 14.7 CFM @ max (175psi). They're quoting me $1050. Its driving distance to my dad's place. I think this is the one I'm going to persue. ------------------ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed! '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast). Seattle, WA. *See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com!
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'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. |
03-27-2002, 03:33 PM | #17 |
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Sounds like an awsome deal, and it will be plenty to do anything you want.
------------------ Yeah, that's right. My name is Randy too! WWW.Randysrods.freeservers.com 1970 Chevy C-10 shortstep 30 Ford Model A Coupe 4 inch chop, 350, GMC 671 blower-Hell yeah it's fast! 87 Harley Sportster(couldnt get a 350 to fit) Self Propelled Lawn Mower Built in USA!!!! Virginia Beach, VA. |
03-27-2002, 05:27 PM | #18 |
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what is there an air compressor company in Quincy, Bernie ?
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03-27-2002, 05:30 PM | #19 |
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'72 C-10 350 w/Lunati Voodoo cam (207*/213*, .437/.454), Performer intake, 625 Road Demon Jr. and Hooker headers. Support your community, support yourself. Buy local, buy American (or Canadian). |
03-27-2002, 05:46 PM | #20 |
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Yeah, Quincy and
http://www.championpneumatic.com where the two that 1972c10_ohio had suggested to me via email. Quincy quoted me about $300 higher than the compressor 1972c10_ohio is thinking about buying from the private fabricator, or http://air.ingersoll-rand.com which is local and has a walk-in show room. Champion never got back to me. I think I've "looked" enough! hehe ------------------ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd w/ 350ci/400THM and a wood bed! '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd w/ ORIGINAL 350ci/4sp Manual and a wood bed (parts beast). Seattle, WA. *See pics of my trucks and project at www.webshots.com! [This message has been edited by new69owner (edited March 27, 2002).]
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'69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA. |
03-28-2002, 02:03 AM | #21 |
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i just bought a new craftsmen 80 gallon compressor, its rated at 16.4 cfm at 90 psi, it is great, i sandblaset my bed and never ran out of air. I paid a little over 800 for it at sears.
------------------ 68 swb fleet soon to be bagged and big block powered 68 lwb fleet in primer 35 chevy truck 97 dodge on 35 boggers 3 out of 4 aint bad! Jefferson city, MO |
03-28-2002, 08:37 AM | #22 |
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I've got a Campbell-Hausfeld. I wouldn't buy another one. I sure like those Ingersol units though. At work we've used those Devilbis units that Costco sells. They run all day every day for like two years before they start to use any oil and even then they still work great. For a DIY guy they would go a lifetime.
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03-28-2002, 01:35 PM | #23 |
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that compressor you mentioned sounds like a good compressor you shouldn't have a problem doing anything with that one
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