1 Millionth Compressor Thread

[OGJordan]

Looked through all the compressor threads with no real concrete answer. I need to pick up a compressor, would like to use it for occasional painting of parts, but no complete all over paint jobs (auto). Will be used for regular air tools as well, but want to make sure I can paint a gas tank or something if I need to. Plan so far is the 60 Gallon, 3.5 hp class, hoping to stay around $500. My problem is all the consumer grade ones seem to be very similar. I'm open to Harbor Freight, Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, Tractor Supply, whatever. I know there are few manufacturers for all these, and my gut feeling is that they are all pretty much close in quality so it doesn't really matter that much.

But if there's a big problem with one or one is a real standout, I'd like to know. Any advice? And please don't say Spend $1200 and get a better compressor. I know there's better stuff out there, I simply don't need it.

 

[pipsters]

Guy I know paints cars and aircraft with a 120v craftsman unit. He brings it to the hanger and paints there. Results are great. Not sure you need a 60 gallon for small parts. Just sayin'. I don't paint so I can't add anything else to the discussion.

 

[Pro-Painter]

The size of the compressor need to be equal to or greater then the requirements of the tool.

Spray guns use between 5cfm and 20cfm depending on the type. HVLP guns use more air (volume) then conventional models, but use a lower air pressure. Most normal gravity fed HVLP guns require between 8-14cfm where most conventional guns require 6-10cfm.

Almost all cheap 60 and 80 gallon compressors are made by Coleman or Campbell hausfeld. At your price point, Brand don't really matter much. In fact, you are more likely to get a more powerful no-name compressor for $500 then a name brand unit because at that price your buying a name, not extra quality.

Ive personally used both the 60-gallon Kobalt and the 60-gallon US general compressors and I would rather have the US general. Performance is about the same, but the US general is smoother running, quieter, runs cooler, and just seems better built overall.


Ive painted a few cars with the cheap 10-14CFM 60-gallon compressors and it will do the job just fine. You will have to go slower, and/or take breaks to do a whole car (especially while sanding) but for small parts, they are perfect.

 

[YZ Rider]

If you're willing, check out some of the used compressors on craigslist. You never know what kind of score you might find. Up in my area 60 Gallons are pretty common and can be found for 100 or 200 bucks. Good luck

 

[kythri]

Are you opposed to used?

I got a monster of a deal on a monster of a CF 80-gallon by calling up a local compressor shop and buying one they took in on trade from a business that needed to upgrade. Paid less than $700 for it.

They had some smaller units (60-gallon) as well, so, you never know, there might be something super-awesome. I was looking for something with a higher CFM than a lot of the current crop of sub-$1000 compressors, and totally scored with this one.

 

[Mmfh]

In your price range I always look for used first. Sometimes a smoking deal can be found and a higher quality larger unit can be had for the same price as a new cheapie.

Here now on Craigslist is a 60 gal Quincy, 2 stage, does about 18 cfm @175psi. A person can pick that up for $500. Looks brand new, probably not used much.

Quincy is of the very top in quality and a compressor like this would last you probably as long as you last. One other thing about high quality compressors, they are much quieter than the cheapie units. Not only do they have cooling for the air and heavy cooling fins for the cylinders, they also usually run much slower to produce the same or more output.

This Quincy runs around 900 rpms. Cheaper units sometimes can put out the same amount of air, but they are spinning twice as fast to do it.

Less life and much more noise!

What ever you do, stay away from the Oil less units. Not only are they stupid loud, they will not last, even in a home owner environment.

Good Luck, have fun.

Mm

 

[OGJordan]

I've been cruising Craigslist for months. Problem is I've relocated to a dumpy area for the next 3 years, and there just aren't a lot of people online here. It's like I've went back in time 20 years lol. The used deal wouldn't be bad, never thought to call a compressor shop, thanks for the idea. Definitely won't do oilless, I have a small pancake compressor for nailguns and it's CRAZY loud.

 

[machine_punk]

I have one of the 'max 120 volt' units (120 volt/15amp), with a 30-gallon tank. It happens to be a Coleman Powermate (not what I would have chosen, but the price was right). But, I don't have access to 240 in my shop. I'd definitely shoot for an 'oiled' compressor, if I had a choice.

I haven't painted with it yet, but it keeps up with pretty much any air tool I throw at it. I was however, buffing/polishing with an air drill and decided that if the compressor was going to cycle that much, I might as well go with an electric drill to start with. I plan to paint small things too (small HVLP gun).

 

[amolaver]

while i certainly defer to pro-painter on the volume requirements, i'd think just as important for quality paint is the filtration you've got near the gun. desiccants/water traps/etc need to be budgeted for if you want quality results.

ahm