2hp air compressor / consensus

[radrush]

Is it the general consensus that if you want a decent quality 2hp air compressor that runs in the range of 6-ish CFM at 40 PSI and 5-ish CFM at 90 PSI you must be willing to spend in the neighborhood of $500 to $600?

This would be for non-professional use. Seeiously...I should probably get that RIDGID triple stack thing at HD but it's specs reek of being mostly wishful thinking. And for a couple hundred more I could pick up something that would probably out last me and had at least the potential for occassional auto related air tools.

Setting aside the various arguments of belt-drive vs direct-drive and oil-free vs oil-lube something like these:

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Puma-PK5020-Air-Compressor/p589.html

Or

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QFH5NCM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jakemac]

Look for a use one. I just picked up a 2hp 30gal early 90's Speedaire for $125. Once it's hooked up and running I'll have about another $60 into it. It took me 3yrs of waiting to find a bargain on what I wanted, but they're out there.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

there are plenty of used compressors to be had from auctions, yard sales, and craigslist. Generally around $100 will get you a good one.

 

[jakemac]

Good luck getting 2 HP out of a 110v, 15a outlet.

That's why you set your compressor up on a dedicated 20a circuit, or go 220V.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . agree that you'll want 20A circuit if you go with large 120v compressor, if that is what you end up getting. In fact most outlets in garage should be on 20A circuit anyway.

You'll have to decide if REALLY trying to only have one compressor. Most guys decide it's not possible. They have TWO COMPRESSORS, or more.

One compressor is small/medium size that is still mobile. 2nd compressor is their large one like 60 gal 5HP that is running on 240v.

+1 to buy a used SpeedAire or Craftsman horizontal 20 gal instead of dropping $500 on a new one. Watch CL and $100 to $175 is common to find nice oil-splash compressor like you've shown. Wait to spend $400 or $500 for your 60 gal 5HP later !!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Good luck getting 2 HP out of a 110v, 15a outlet.

AGREE !! Someone will have to explain to me how electric motors are rated because any "real" 2hp motor I know of needs about 16A @ 240V or 32A @ 115V

 

[theoldwizard1]

Look for a use one. I just picked up a 2hp 30gal early 90's Speedaire for $125. Once it's hooked up and running I'll have about another $60 into it. It took me 3yrs of waiting to find a bargain on what I wanted, but they're out there.

Yes, they are out there, but ones that are not beat to death are hard to find.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You'll have to decide if REALLY trying to only have one compressor. Most guys decide it's not possible. They have TWO COMPRESSORS, or more.

One compressor is small/medium size that is still mobile. 2nd compressor is their large one like 60 gal 5HP that is running on 240v.

I disagree !

A 1-3HP oil lubed compressor is a good "middle of the road" compressor. Usually that would have a 10-30 gallon tank and wheels, so technically it is "portable". Limitations:

• Too big to bring into a house for finish nailing
• Too big to load into a car
• Too heavy for one man (without ramps) to load into a truck
• 1HP very borderline on a 120V 15A circuit
• 2HP and up requires 240V

Despite those limitation, there is plenty of air for framing/roofing nailers, impact wrench, air ratchet, air chisel. Short (non-continuous) usage of die grinders and cut off wheel.

 

[jakemac]

Yes, they are out there, but ones that are not beat to death are hard to find.

That's why it took 3yrs of looking.

 

[jakemac]

I just take the amps listed on the motor and then add another 50% to account for the startup load when deciding what circuit breaker and wiring I need on the line.
Simple math for a simple guy.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I disagree !

A 1-3HP oil lubed compressor is a good "middle of the road" compressor. Usually that would have a 10-30 gallon tank and wheels, so technically it is "portable". Limitations:

• Too big to bring into a house for finish nailing
• Too big to load into a car
• Too heavy for one man (without ramps) to load into a truck
• 1HP very borderline on a 120V 15A circuit
• 2HP and up requires 240V

Despite those limitation, there is plenty of air for framing/roofing nailers, impact wrench, air ratchet, air chisel. Short (non-continuous) usage of die grinders and cut off wheel.

I have to agree with your list. I have a 1970 vintage Craftsman 1 hp two cylinder, 12 gal, 100 psi. Great little compressor but I used to just barely be able to pick it up, I can no longer do that. I end up using a strap and the gantry crane to put it on the tailgate of the truck. Its top heavy so I have to strap it down, real pain, but I do like it. I use it to push excess water out of our 1000 gal well tanks when they get too much water and not enough air head in them, and to use anywhere else remote from the shop. It draws like 17 amps so it just barely runs on a 120v circuit, but it works.

Charles

 

[jakemac]

I have to agree with your list. I have a 1970 vintage Craftsman 1 hp two cylinder, 12 gal, 100 psi. Great little compressor ...................

I've been using the 1978 version of that compressor for 25yrs. It's a good choice for casual use. It's the one being replaced by the 1984 Speedaire I mentioned above. The Sears is still going strong, I just need more air.

 

[honcho]

The pics below are of my older, oil lubed, craftsman 2hp that claims 7.8 at 40 psi and 6.3 at 90 psi. I think the output rating is a bit optimistic but it works well for my needs. I also have a similar unit with a 3.5hp motor. Both motors will start on my 20amp garage circuit provided nothing else is on . An unloaded motor does have a surge, but it's been my experience that even 15 amp circuits will start the 2hp unit as long as it is not on an extension cord and competing with other items on the circuit.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I like your upgrades ! The missing power switch and the drain extension.

I never liked the outlet on the end.

 

[rick carpenter]

Good luck getting 2 HP out of a 110v, 15a outlet.

Makita offers the MAC5200 comp at 3HP, 13.8A (online lit @ http://tinyurl.com/nfsztww says minimum breaker size 15A), 115/120V...

http://tinyurl.com/nbds54t

EDIT: a little digging in the Q&A states it's rated at 2.1 running HP.

 

[jakemac]

Makita offers the MAC5200 comp at 3HP, 13.8A (online lit @ http://tinyurl.com/nfsztww says minimum breaker size 15A), 115/120V...

http://tinyurl.com/nbds54t

EDIT: a little digging in the Q&A states it's rated at 2.1 running HP.

That's all due to the "new math" that is being used to calculate HP nowdays to make newer machines look more impressive than they really are.

Truth in Advertizing showed up in the 90's and before the ink was dry on the law, manufacturers had already figured out how to get around it.

 

[stihlntime]

Around here you can pick up a Iron Horse (by Eagle) 60 gal 6.5 Hp 11.5 cm at 90.psi 150 max pressure all day long for 499.99 new. My son's has been in use for 7 years without any issues. He runs a 48" wide blast cabinet and double action sanders without any issues, he just added another tank for more capacity.

 

[radrush]

What do you guys think of this one? Not much info to go on but it looks fixable...or not?

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/tls/5123402901.html

 

[sberry]

Around here you can pick up a Iron Horse (by Eagle) 60 gal 6.5 Hp 11.5 cm at 90.psi 150 max pressure all day long for 499.99 new. My son's has been in use for 7 years without any issues. He runs a 48" wide blast cabinet and double action sanders without any issues, he just added another tank for more capacity.

If I was going to mess around with a real install would look to this. 500$ for plug and play and makes a decent amount, could paint a car with it in a hobby shop and never wear it out.

 

[sberry]

That might not be the original motor to the Clist unit, been worked on a bit. About 50 for that, maybe 75 for it if there was something you really wanted on it.

 

[jakemac]

What do you huys think of this one? Not much info to go on but it looks fixable...or not?

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/tls/5123402901.html

That's either a newer or repainted model of the one that Charles (in GA) posted earlier. Do you think that a 12gal tank will be enough for your use ?

The price is fair, a little high, but not too far over the top (for my area). If you go for it, try for $100 or less. If you have to pay the full $125, then make sure it doesn't need any work beyond an oil change.

It will probably pop a 15amp breaker on startup or if it needs to run constantly to keep up with your work. Even my 20amp breaker cries uncle from time to time if I have to over run my 1.5hp 12gal.

 

[rick carpenter]

That's all due to the "new math" that is being used to calculate HP nowdays...

All I [think I] know to get accurate specs is that you start with a known voltage from the receptacle... but you have to measure it!... then measure the running amps then calculate the unadjusted HP then multiply by motor efficiency. Correct?

Can you measure volts & running amps with a DMM?

 

[sberry]

You only can get about 6 cfm at best on a 20A circuit. Some of the ones they call pro with a 25 or 30 gallon tanks work a little better as its just more stored energy but you can still only pump so much before the breaker goes poop. On a 240 like one linked above it uses and makes about 2x that and can tailor a dedicated circuit it so it doesn't trip.
A Bud of mine bought one similar from Sears 30 yrs ago after limping a portable and it has done everything he ever wanted, tightened the belt and changed the oil once. Still works.

 

[sberry]

There are a lot of ways to piss away tool money but 500 on a new comp to sit in the corner isn't a waste. They do make a usable amount of air and last a long time. You can get on with life instead of buying another project.
Its easy to view some successes but you really need to get that for free and have some parts and if one is short on experience can easily toss good after bad and new is a sure bet.

 

[sberry]

I bought a little portable for 50 that came with a 1/2 gun which I figured to be and was scrap. I will pay the asking of 50 but got a wife and a boss type that will drag another 10 out of the poor guy, it works, comes with a pricey reel. I would have passed at 100, not cause it wasn't worth it but I bought it on spec to a roofing job a year ago. I didn't need it when I bought.

 

[Fast Hamburger]

I have a 26 gallon Quincy I bought new for $500 on sale. I bought it mainly because of it's quieter during operation.

 

[speed bump]

If you are going to spend $500-600 and have 220 available I would just wait until this compressor went on sale and not worry about it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...n-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-55391.html

Down the road you can find a sub $100 115v compressor to carry around to jobs if needed.

 

[radrush]

That's either a newer or repainted model of the one that Charles (in GA) posted earlier. Do you think that a 12gal tank will be enough for your use.

Charles (in GA) has a 1hp with a 12 gallon tank.

The one I posted a picture of has a Craftsman "Crown-Top" logo so I think it's older. I think it's a re-badged 220 2-horse Speedaire with a 20 gallon tank.

 

[jakemac]

Not Speedaire per se. Speedaire is like Craftsman in that the tools that Grainger sells under several names are made by someone else. That compressor and it's Speedaire clone were most likely made by Campbell-Hausfeld.

 

[radrush]

WOW! That's a lot of air. $13,599.99 Don't think I'll be getting that one.

 

[McLean]

This seems to be the trend of every "small" compressor thread on here. I recently bought the 29 gal HF oil lubed compressor and don't regret it one bit. It has done everything I have asked of it- impact guns, air ratchets, air/hydraulic rams, and even HVLP painting.

There are plenty of good 110v compressor options in the $500 range. Although, I would probably substitute the "HP" requirement and focus on the CFM output at whatever working pressure you will be using most.

I don't have any experience with either of the linked compressors, but the low db level of the CAT products is very cool IMO.


Completely agree with this sberry on this one:

There are a lot of ways to piss away tool money but 500 on a new comp to sit in the corner isn't a waste. They do make a usable amount of air and last a long time. You can get on with life instead of buying another project.

 

[radrush]

Here's another possibility:

https://tricities.craigslist.org/tls/5109903923.html

Only 1/2 horse power so probably 120V.

That seems like an awfully big tank for 1/2hp...

My question is, on an older model like this is it possible to change out the actual compressor motor or rebuild it if worn out?

What do you think?

If you look at the pics carefully, I don't that the electric motor or compressor motor are original.

 

[engineer031]

If you are looking used make sure you look it over well. Check the tank for oil if it has much oil in it it will need work done to it and I would walk away from it
Also check the amps on the motor dont go by what it says as most over rate the HP rating some will say 5 or 6 hp when all you really get is a 3 HP motor.
Remember it takes 4.5-5.0 amps at 220V to make 1 HP

 

[engineer031]

Look at the tag it was built in 1958 so more than likely you will need to rebuild the pump or replace it. The tank you should really look over for rust inside and it is only set at 65 psi so would that be enough air for you
I would look for something newer myself

Here's another possibility:

https://tricities.craigslist.org/tls/5109903923.html

Only 1/2 horse power so probably 120V.

That seems like an awfully big tank for 1/2hp...

My question is, on an older model like this is it possible to change out the actual compressor motor or rebuild it if worn out?

What do you think?

If you look at the pics carefully, I don't that the electric motor or compressor motor are original.

 

[radrush]

So I decided on this antique 2hp, 20 gallon Sears model.

Catalog clams 7.6 SCFM @ 40 PSI with 150 PSI max.

I bought it off Craigslist but I don't have a 230V outlet so I can't test it!

The guy that bought it new in 1973 put little stickers on it for when he fixed/replaced things on it.

I wonder where I can get one of those original pressure regulators. Anyone know?

 

[radrush]

Here's a couple more pics. She's a beauty.

 

[Burgerkong]

Here is one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DeVILBISS-HAR-505-H-00-Air-Regulator-/291542217496

 

[radrush]

Here is one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DeVILBISS-HAR-505-H-00-Air-Regulator-/291542217496

Thanks. I will check it out.

 

[radrush]

I had an electrician run a 240V 15amp line and tested the new-to-me compressor.

It ran right up to 150 PSI.

What other tests can I perform on this little compressor?