115/120 volt compressor

[kunkernator]

I may be investing in a compressor soon, but have no way of installing a 220/240 plug (I have NO way of doing this, I am in a rental). For standard household voltage compressors, what exist in large sizes? I need something that can power impact wrenches, die grinders, cut off tools, air hammers, the whole shebang. Suggestions? I would like to not break the bank, and I would also like a reliable one with a large tank.

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

Does the house have a drier/ washer with 220?


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[Danglerb]

Only a few tools, sand blasters, sanders, have high continuous air use. Ratchets and impacts have high use, but it only lasts a couple seconds at a time, they run off the tank, not the compressor rate.

My own choice was a 33 gallon 120v vertical Craftsman oil less. That oil less part makes it REAL noisy, don't like that much at all restricts me to middle of the day nobody home times. Vertical both good and bad, good less of my little space used, bad cost more, less portable and very few cheaper used options.

Cheap rental with aluminum wires and you may not have a "good" 15 amp 120v outlet. I had an electrician come out and put 4x duplex 120 sockets in the wall next to my breaker box for like $100, no real difference in cost to have done a 220 socket, but I see no reason to go beyond 120v for a home compressor.

My compressor is about the most power draw safe on a 15amp 120 circuit, with a 33 gallon tank it runs loudly for about 4 min to fill the tank and shut off at 165 psi. Air tools generally get useful above 90 psi, and mine gets there in a couple minutes and cycle on when the pressure drops to 125 or so. Whats important from that is how long can you use your tools before it cycles, how long to wait for it to pump up etc.

Get premium quality couplers that don't leak, really helps keep compressor run time down.

 

[kunkernator]

Does the house have a drier/ washer with 220?


Posted from Garagejournal.com App for Android

Yes it does, what were you going to suggest?

Only a few tools, sand blasters, sanders, have high continuous air use. Ratchets and impacts have high use, but it only lasts a couple seconds at a time, they run off the tank, not the compressor rate.

My own choice was a 33 gallon 120v vertical Craftsman oil less. That oil less part makes it REAL noisy, don't like that much at all restricts me to middle of the day nobody home times. Vertical both good and bad, good less of my little space used, bad cost more, less portable and very few cheaper used options.

Cheap rental with aluminum wires and you may not have a "good" 15 amp 120v outlet. I had an electrician come out and put 4x duplex 120 sockets in the wall next to my breaker box for like $100, no real difference in cost to have done a 220 socket, but I see no reason to go beyond 120v for a home compressor.

My compressor is about the most power draw safe on a 15amp 120 circuit, with a 33 gallon tank it runs loudly for about 4 min to fill the tank and shut off at 165 psi. Air tools generally get useful above 90 psi, and mine gets there in a couple minutes and cycle on when the pressure drops to 125 or so. Whats important from that is how long can you use your tools before it cycles, how long to wait for it to pump up etc.

Get premium quality couplers that don't leak, really helps keep compressor run time down.

Is 33 gallon about the max I would find for 120v? Oilled would be nice, do they exist for a higher cost?

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertRatAutomotive

Does the house have a drier/ washer with 220?


Posted from Garagejournal.com App for Android

Yes it does, what were you going to suggest?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Only a few tools, sand blasters, sanders, have high continuous air use. Ratchets and impacts have high use, but it only lasts a couple seconds at a time, they run off the tank, not the compressor rate.

My own choice was a 33 gallon 120v vertical Craftsman oil less. That oil less part makes it REAL noisy, don't like that much at all restricts me to middle of the day nobody home times. Vertical both good and bad, good less of my little space used, bad cost more, less portable and very few cheaper used options.

Cheap rental with aluminum wires and you may not have a "good" 15 amp 120v outlet. I had an electrician come out and put 4x duplex 120 sockets in the wall next to my breaker box for like $100, no real difference in cost to have done a 220 socket, but I see no reason to go beyond 120v for a home compressor.

My compressor is about the most power draw safe on a 15amp 120 circuit, with a 33 gallon tank it runs loudly for about 4 min to fill the tank and shut off at 165 psi. Air tools generally get useful above 90 psi, and mine gets there in a couple minutes and cycle on when the pressure drops to 125 or so. Whats important from that is how long can you use your tools before it cycles, how long to wait for it to pump up etc.

Get premium quality couplers that don't leak, really helps keep compressor run time down.

Is 33 gallon about the max I would find for 120v? Oilled would be nice, do they exist for a higher cost?

Then it shouldnt cost much at all for them to run a line into the garage for you to use 220. That's what I did for my home.



Posted from Garagejournal.com App for Android

 

[jamesc]

I think that 220 dryer question was about the idea of making a cord to plug in a 220 compressor into your dryer outlet, if the dryer is far from the garage then forget it but if it is close then you could make a cord to use the dryer outlet. and get yourself a 220 compressor.

I have a 120 volt husky compressor, its 26 gallon oil less, its okay for small jobs, I would expect to use a die grinder or any continuous use air tool with it as it just wont keep up. got enough for impact wrench and filling tires, nailers.

 

[bsaint]

The biggest you could go safely unless you have an outlet right next to your box and your power is a solid 120v, is 1.5 hp single phase Jenny or Rolair.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

Definitely get an oiled, so much quieter. I have this one from Northern Tool. There is an upright version too. I run a pair of Motor Guard filters, Motor Guard regulator, and a cheap IR oiler off it. I am very happy with mine, and the price is nice too.

 

[crewchief888]

die grinders, sanders and cut offs for the most part are air hogs, not too many 110v compressors will be able to keep up.

i use mostly electric corded tools at home for this reason.

i have a 9cfm gas compressor in my service truck, it has trouble keeping up with grinders and sanders.

 

[kunkernator]

Alright, so considering all the above, I MAY be able to get a 220v compressor if I make some sort of a switch box off my dryer. I do not want to have another line installed because I am in a rental, so it does not make sense to put money in to the house. I would still like a oiled 115v compressor because I feel like it would be more convenient.

The other option I am exploring is investing in to a line of cordless tools such as the M18 line, it would have impact wrenches, grinders, sanders, everything.

 

[pipsters]

I don't think adding an outlet to the dryer plug is legal. You'd have to use a long extension cord. Still a pain IMO.

I have the Craftsman Pro 25 gal horizontal oiled.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...p-00916475000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

With the $35 Visa coupon and 8% cash back from ebates its around $430.

Honestly I use an impact, air ratchet, 3" cut off and die grinder with NO PROBLEM with that Craftsman compressor. No you cannot use the cutoff for 5 minutes straight but me personally have no need to do that. About the only thing you can't really do is sand blast with it for an extended time, since that is a more continuous type thing.

 

[46 knuck]

could you run a small pig tale off your dryer outlet run it 3ft or so just above dryer unplug and plugin you then have 220 for what its worth

 

[firebox40dash5]

Is your panel in the garage? If it is (or close enough) and you've got 2 adjacent breaker slots, you could wire a 220v compressor for under $50ish, and could pretty easily strip your stuff back out when you leave. Other than the knockouts on the box, the rest could be reversible.

Not that I'm condoning playing Unlicensed Electrician, of course. Just sayin'.

 

[mikebramel]

Definitely get an oiled, so much quieter. I have this one from Northern Tool. There is an upright version too. I run a pair of Motor Guard filters, Motor Guard regulator, and a cheap IR oiler off it. I am very happy with mine, and the price is nice too.

This /\

Not going to get better on 120V

 

[#1SomeGuy]

I think that 220 dryer question was about the idea of making a cord to plug in a 220 compressor into your dryer outlet, if the dryer is far from the garage then forget it but if it is close then you could make a cord to use the dryer outlet. and get yourself a 220 compressor.

I have a 120 volt husky compressor, its 26 gallon oil less, its okay for small jobs, I would expect to use a die grinder or any continuous use air tool with it as it just wont keep up. got enough for impact wrench and filling tires, nailers.

I probably have that same one...I've used die grinders and such with it, can't do more than 30 seconds at a time or so but it still will run them. It's a noisy SOB though and only does about 4cfm. For $200 with the impact and air ratchet though it's super cheap. Probably going to upgrade to a 60 gallon 220v in the near future though, I've outgrown this little husky.

 

[kunkernator]

Is your panel in the garage? If it is (or close enough) and you've got 2 adjacent breaker slots, you could wire a 220v compressor for under $50ish, and could pretty easily strip your stuff back out when you leave. Other than the knockouts on the box, the rest could be reversible.

Not that I'm condoning playing Unlicensed Electrician, of course. Just sayin'.

Hmm, I will look in to this. I have not moved in yet, so I will have to find out where the breaker is.

I am liking the idea of the Craftsman compressors, both the pro horizontal and the red vertical.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You should have no problem running a 1hp "oil lubed" compressor on a 120V 15A circuit. As others have said, you won't be running sand blasters, sander, die grinders or cut off tools on 1hp without a lot of interruption and wait to rebuild pressure.

There are a few (VERY few) 1½ compressors out there, but they are hard to find.

Some of the "bigger" (2hp) 120V compressors (like the IR Garage Mate) are right on the limit of a 15A circuit. If there ate other loads on that circuit or if it is >50' from the panel to the outlet, you can bet the breaker will trip. If your garage has a 20A circuit, your in good shape. Even a 2hp is going to have problems with a die grinder or cut off wheel. Better quality tool use less (CFM) air.

Personally, I believe that a 2hp compressor should be run off of 240V. The Craftsman "clone" of the vertical IR "Garage Mate" has a dual voltage (120/240) motor. The IR is 120V only. Go figure !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Alright, so considering all the above, I MAY be able to get a 220v compressor if I make some sort of a switch box off my dryer.

What switch box ?

Take a 50' 12 gauge extension cord, cut both of the end off, wire a dryer plug on one end and a 240V outlet on the other (typically NEMA 6-20) and your all set. If it is a newer house, the dryer outlet will have a 4 prong outlet. That will easily supply 120V or 240V @ 20A. Simply unplug the dryer and plug in the compressor extension cord.

If you have to go 100' I would go to 10 gauge in both cases.

I would still like a oiled 115v compressor because I feel like it would be more convenient.

In theory yes. In practice, many house/garage circuits can not provide a "full" 15A that are required for a 2hp compressor. I have seen some garage circuit that would "hold" a 1hp compressor.

The other option I am exploring is investing in to a line of cordless tools such as the M18 line, it would have impact wrenches, grinders, sanders, everything.

In the long run, you will have both ! Currently I have the compressor and air tools and my son has a good collection of DeWALT 18V cordless tools.

 

[Voi]

About eight years ago I bought a black Craftsman horizontal compressor made by Devilbiss. It was oiled & over 30 gallons. I stacked a bunch of coupons during a Friends & Family sale & got it for a great price. Ran a HVLP off of it once & it held up great. A friend of mine has it now & it's still going strong.

 

[Danglerb]

This is all darts in the dark since we don't know how you plan to use air tools. I paid $179 for my 33 gal Craftsman and it came with a set of tools. It is noisy, but so is an impact wrench, and $440 compressor is IMHO a LOT more than I would care to spend, at least for my use.

Electric and cordless are real options. No way will I fire up the compressor unless I need to.