YACT (Yet Another Compressor Thread)

[anaxagoras]

I am a crazy enthusiast, this will be for my home. I have your standard arsenal of air tools, cut off wheels, die grinders, I just added a sand blasting cabinet to the mix, and I plan on doing some light HVLP work in the near future, after that who knows. I primarily work on cars.

I'm not really sure what i need in terms of gallons or in terms of CFM. Perhaps someone has an idea? I don't have a lot of cash to blow, my budget is around $2,000. I'm heavily leaning towards Eaton because it seems to be the best bang for my buck. While I would prefer made in the USA, It's not a deal breaker as long as I get quality.

I'm looking at the Eaton:
7.5 HP 80 Gal 26 @ 175
10 HP 120 Gal 35 @ 175

Would either of these be sufficient for my current and future needs? I'd prefer the cheaper one if it will provide me with adequate growth, but I want one compressor that last me for the next 10-15 years. Or are these complete overkill? Are there any other/better options given my requirements and budget considerations?

I've been scouring craigslist but so far have not found any deals that jump out at me. I looked at piecing together my own, but it looks like it will end up being more expensive.

 

[Packard V8]

JMHO, but those units would be way overkill for a one-man home shop. Unless you plan on running a big sandblast cabinet for long periods of time, a true 5hp industrial compressor should be plenty.

thnx, jack vines

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

DAMN that is a lot of air for a small one man show with light HVLP work....

Do Want, but WAY over kill

Adam

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Can you even get 10hp without 3 phase?

 

[Fubar]

Can you even get 10hp without 3 phase?

That's the pump, the motors 7 1/2.

I built one of those. Do it, you'll love it and you'll never need another compressor. Plus, you never know when you might need more air and you'll kick yourself for buying a smaller one.

 

[rsanter]

the 80 gal one will do everything you want
actually a 60 gal will get the job done as well

bob

 

[mrholeshot]

I waas using an 80 gallon in my home garage. I don't do any sandblasting and I hated the noise it made (you don't mount them outside here) and having to pump-up 80 gallons of air any time I wanted to use air. It was overkill for what I do. I bought a Kobalt 30 gallon 2 cyl oil type compressor and have been thrilled to death with it. It's very quiet and will do about anything I need to do working on my own stuff. I have a Craftsman 33 gallon as a back-up. I never thought I'd say this but you can go to big on a compressor. I actually use my compressor 3-4 times a week in reality. While I'm use to 175+psi the 155psi my kobalt has doesn't seem to be an issue. Unless I was sandblasting anything bigger is useless for me. The other advantage over the 80 gallon is it's portable.

 

[RacerX]

Do it!!!
I was looking at the Eaton 7.5Hp 80 gallon unit until I ran across a nearly new Ingersol Rand on my local Craigslist for $1000. It's the same 7.5Hp and 80 gal. 2 stage and fairly quiet. Does most everything I need although I can make it run for a while when blasting.

Get the big unit and you won't look back. Be sure and change the oil regularly as if you don't use it constantly moisture will accumulate in the oil and also get an automatic drain for the tank and you'll be set.

Thats my 2 cents worth based off of personal experience and the knowledge that commercial tools are way better than regular consumer grade **** found in the big box stores.