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30 gallon compressor question

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franksinatra

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I have read several threads comparing different 30 gal compressors. I simply want the best 30 gal for 7-800.00. My garage is too small for ANYTHING else. I do airbrushing and painting along with most other garage duties. I don't use anything with high cfm consumption. A sander once in a while, cut off wheel, etc. What does a 2 stage provide over single stage? Has to be oiled. Any brands people like? Any companies use Baldor motors or something similar? Any help would be appreciated. Oh, I'm located in western Minneapolis if that makes a difference. Thanks
 
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marinusdees

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Two stage will provide up to 175 psi without running forever=$$. One stage tops out at 125 psi. Will provide more, but not economically. Others will argue the numbers, they are not absolute.
PS A sander is typically an air hog. Cut off wheel can be if run for any length of time.
 
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sberry

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Most of the 30 gallon are not 2 stage and he likely doesn't need it. Cman has something called professional, some others have the same thing and I believe it can be had for about 400$. Save the 400 and if it ever shits replace it.
 
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franksinatra

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I had a Cman and it worked well for most every thing I ever needed. I was looking for something that would recover a little quicker. I was going to go with an 80 gallon but I bought a bigger boat than I should have. Lol I grew up in a body shop, but I only use most of my air tools for short periods. Does more HP provide faster recovery or may it allows the compressor to work easier? I have 220 available.
 
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matt_i

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You are limited to about 2hp on 120vac. And even that's sketchy, reduce the amp draw and wire size by jumping up to 240vac. If you've ever had a dual voltage motor that was wired for low voltage and then crossed over to high voltage its pretty amazing. I had a tablesaw when younger wired to 120vac. It was about a 1 second ramp to top speed with the lights dimming a bit. Changed over to 240vac it was at top speed *RIGHT NOW*.

Typically the higher hp is used for building more pressure, as in a 2 stage compressor (cylinders in series). But there are others with more cylinders, that are piped in parallel, that make more volume. I don't think any of them have an issue reaching 100psi.
 
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CompressorPros.com

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On 120 Volt, you'll get anywhere from 5-7 CFM max. Fine for small jobs, but if you are sanding, you'll run out of air quick.
 
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franksinatra

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I think that I'm understanding what you guys are saying. I should never need more than 130-140 lbs. Would most of you guys agree that a 5hp dual stage 240 volt compressor is what I should look for? Truthfully If there's a nice 120 volt that does close to what I'm looking for, I wouldnt be against taking a look at it either. If anyone has a brand or model in mind, throw it out there, I'm buying this weekend. Thanks for all the help. G
 
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pancho400cid

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I had a 30 gallon Speedaire that had a dual voltage (115/230 VAC nameplate voltage), 1.5 HP motor on it. It would routinely trip a 20 amp breaker when wired on low voltage. I had to change it to the high voltage set up.

My point being 120 VAC will only run small compressors, and do not buy one that is single voltage with running current more than about 50 or 75% of your breaker size to avoid nuisance tripping.
 
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larry_g

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A good estimate is 1000 watts = 1 hp = 4cfm @90psi

It doesn't matter what the voltage is. The 1000 watts allows for losses in the motor/pump system.

lg
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Citation

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OP,
How much are you looking to spend? 30 gallon units are typically the largest of the 120V models. You will typically be limited to ~5cfm@ 90psi. A 60 gallon vertical doesn't take up much extra floor space. At Home Depot and the like the 60 gallon 3hp models are about the same price as a top end 120V 20-30 gallon.

Off the wall idea, get two 8-10 gallon HF units and plumb them together. That will give you ~8 cfm @90 psi and 16-20 gallons of air for around $220. The drawbacks to that idea is that you must have two 120V circuits (one per unit) and the noise will be impressive. The upside is if you connect them with a cut off valve you can just run one unit when your loads are light.

When I finally get my new garage built I would like to take advantage of the two compressors I have (4 gallon twin tank + 20 gallon belt drive) so I could consider higher demand air tools. Sure at 3-5hp compressor would be better but I already own the other two and the needed connecting hardware.
 
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bry@n

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I have a Snap-On 30 gallon that can run on 120/240v. I have it set up for 240v and I'm happy with it. I am contemplating going to a 60gal. I would say look for a good used 30 gallon. If I didn't need a bigger tank, I would stay with what I have.
 
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sberry

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If I wasn't super sensitive about cost would be looking at a 60gal 2 stage 3 hp. Its sized like a mechanics compressor of old. Maybe Puma or HF about 800 or so and while its not for sandblast or real body work, will limp along a little with those but will run impacts and ratchets, spray paint, even fill a hi pressure truck tire.
It has enough head and enough tank to run tools at full power for a short while and has 2x the recovery of 120V units as well as 2x the biggest tank.
 
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sberry

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May not have the room or the need for all this either and a 120v/30G work fine for a couple people I know. Its got enough to whiz a bolt off. with a small die grinder.
If I was a bit more serious about it all may whiz up and sacrifice a tiny bit more space for basically 4X the power, wouldn't bother with a "best quality" but more capable size where a guy wont likely wear it out, can compensate for some hose with 2 stage a guy is always trying to play catch up from a lower pressure comp. No better way than higher pressure.
 
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sberry

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My Bud bought a used Cman 2 stage that worked for 400$, may have changed the oil once, used it every day, sand blasted a couple times for an hour but ran mechanics tools for 30 yrs and replaced 1 belt and I fixed some start contacts once. Tightened belt once recently for his widow.
I would certainly consider a new economy model in that class and if I really wore it out would consider it used up, buy a new. Chaces are it will never happen unless you were to go in to the auto body business.
 
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larry_g

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sberry said:
My Bud bought a used Cman 2 stage that worked for 400$, may have changed the oil once, used it every day, sand blasted a couple times for an hour but ran mechanics tools for 30 yrs
Click to expand...

That like comparing a 30+ year wrench to the current offering.. I don't believe that anything available today is comparable to a product sold 30+ years ago. Like the disclaimer in the investment world " past performance does not indicate future performance.."

lg
no neat sig line
 
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franksinatra

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Money isnt my issue, It is simply space. I need to move the compressor in my garage. Each bay is tight to begin with and only the winter months will allow me room to work on fun projects when the boat is in storage. Could someone give me a nice quality 30 gal compressor with a oil filled system? I found a few Sanborn 30 gal 1.9HP 120/240 on craigslist. I found the unit at Menards for 429.00 with 11% off. Any opinions?
 
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99LeCouch

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franksinatra said:
Money isnt my issue, It is simply space. I need to move the compressor in my garage. Each bay is tight to begin with and only the winter months will allow me room to work on fun projects when the boat is in storage. Could someone give me a nice quality 30 gal compressor with a oil filled system? I found a few Sanborn 30 gal 1.9HP 120/240 on craigslist. I found the unit at Menards for 429.00 with 11% off. Any opinions?
Click to expand...

That looks identical to the Porter Cable labeled compressor sitting in my garage. I like that unit for what I need it for. It'll run a sprayer okay as long as it's not a large area. Likewise, it'll run basic car repair tools like impacts and ratchets fine. It recovers quickly enough on 120v. It's also pretty quiet for what it is.

For moving it, it's very top-heavy. It'll move okay as long as there's nothing in the way and the floor is fairly free of debris.

Improvements that made it noticeably better were putting in synthetic compressor oil for easier cold-weather starting, a better tank drain, and changing out the junk factory quick-connect for a Milton V-style quick-connect.

That's a fair price for the compressor.
 
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67CarGuy

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I'm looking at a similar size for my shop... 20-30 gallons. I certainly prefer the upright tanks to the horizontal tanks. Have a horizontal at work and it's always a pain to wheel that sucker around. I'm always afraid I'm going to bang my shins on the tank when I move it...

I also second the mention of putting a drain on the tank. I know they pretty much all come with one, but the as-delivered drains are mediocre at best, IMO.

Good luck, and let us know what you choose!
 
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maxpower_hd

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I've used a Speedaire 30 gallon that worked fine in my garage. You did have to wait for it to recover when using it a lot but for irregular use or lower usage like you describe it works fine. I know Grainger sells them but there are usually tons of used ones out there. The one I have is an industrial quality with oil and it is really pretty quiet.
 
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strutaeng

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