40 gal compressor instead of 60?

[stormlover]

Sorry to start yet another compressor thread but I'm considering a 40 gal. compressor because of space constraints. There are not many options. I could go 60 gal but I will have to either raise my cabinets or remove one entirely to fit. This is my dream garage and I messed up by installing all the cabinets at a 5' level last year and didn't account for the fact that most 60 gal. compressors are 63 to 70" in height.

Usage will be general bike and car repair (44x24 garage and bumpout for shop). Main tool usage will be impact wrenches and airing up tires. Sporadic use of a die grinder and pneumatic cut off wheel. Don't plan to paint & do not have sand blaster. The plan for piping layout is two dedicated hose reels on either end of the garage, an overhanging recoil hose over the bike stand, and another two or three drops for tools. At a minimum I think I need 10 or so CFM at 90 PSI.

This two-stage 5 HP Puma will fit but is $200 or $400 more than a single-stage 60 gal Puma or Quincy. I realize you really don't get into the quality stuff until getting into the 2K tier models. http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Puma-TE-5040V-Air-Compressor/p13941.html

Model Number: TE-5040V
UPC: 636084028571
Manufacturer: Puma
Motor
Running HP: 5 HP
Voltage: 208-230 Volt AC
Phase: 1-Phase
Amp Draw: 23 Amps*
Recommended Breaker: Consult Certified Electrician
Pump
CFM @ 90 PSI: 14
CFM @ 175 PSI: 12.8
Max PSI: 175 PSI
Pump Material: Solid Cast Iron
Pump Type: Two-Stage
Pump Drive: Belt Drive
Oil Type: Oil Lubricated
Oil System: Splash Lubricated
Low Oil Shut-off: No
Oil Sight Glass: No
After Cooler: No
Tank
Tank Size: 40 Gallons

I could go with the 3HP motor and save $150 but my thinking is with the lesser storage of the 40 gal tank, the 2 stage will recover faster. Does more HP trump bigger tank size? That is, once you hit continuous demand tank size is irrelevant because the pump will only make so much air. Everyone recommends going big with tank size but that's partly because larger tanks give smaller compressors and motors time to recover. So, I guess the main question is whether or not the smaller 40 versus the 60 is a deal breaker for my application?

For example, will I blow through a 40 gal tank simply blowing leaves off the driveway?

 

[atikovi]

Can't you add a second tank most anywhere in the garage and connect them with an air hose? That would effectively be like one big tank. Add a second 40 gallon tank and you would have an 80 gallon setup.

 

[jakemac]

What about going with a horizontal tank, instead of vertical ?

 

[Koobs]

I have a single stage 40gal upright speedaire compressor. I use it for everything, and never run out of air. Just my two cents.

 

[stormlover]

I didn't see many horizontal options. Most of them are portable with cheesy looking wheels and are comparatively expensive.

I didn't think about a 2nd tank. Brilliant

Thanks for the replies.

 

[PT Doc]

For 5hp and 2 stage, aren't those cfm numbers kind of low? Seems like they should be about 18 cfm for both psi.

 

[atikovi]

I didn't think about a 2nd tank. Brilliant

You could even put the second tank outside if you don't have enough space.

 

[JCByrd24]

That compressor is better than most 60 gallon entry level ones as you are truly getting higher CFM, not just a tank buffer. You are correct that continuous demand makes tank size irrelevant. For your use this 40 gallon tank will likley be a great asset over a 60 or 80 gallon, as you will likely have situations where you have to fill the tank from empty just to use it, you may not leave it full all the time. 40 gallons will fill more quickly and be ready to use. I wish you could get a true 10cfm (220v only) on a 30-40 gallon tank more readily, but has you found they are uncommon and therefore expensive.

 

[Tronyadorable]

It doesn't need to "recover".That machine will run @ 90psi and only burp a few times during use.I have a lil 3 horse 100 liter at the house.It'll run my 1/2 air drill all day long. If I let of the trigger for 30 seconds it's back up to 145.

 

[rsanter]

Get the bigger compressor
Install right outside and build a little shed enclosure to around it.
Keep your garage space....and keep it quieter

Bob

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Get the bigger compressor
Install right outside and build a little shed enclosure to around it.
Keep your garage space....and keep it quieter

Bob

This. Place it near your electrical panel so it's easy to wire and then all you have to do is drill a hole in the wall for the pipe. My 25gal 100% duty cycle IR keeps up just fine with the same uses you mentioned so a 40gal should do the job.

 

[atikovi]

Had a 33 gal. Craftsman Professional a few years back and used it to strip a set of aluminum wheels in a blasting cabinet. Must have took 2 hours per wheel as after a few minutes I had to wait for the tank to recover. And the motor ran nonstop. Have a 60 gal. model now and although the motor runs nonstop when blasting, the tank has never run low enough to stop.

 

[stormlover]

This. Place it near your electrical panel so it's easy to wire and then all you have to do is drill a hole in the wall for the pipe. My 25gal 100% duty cycle IR keeps up just fine with the same uses you mentioned so a 40gal should do the job.

I could put it outside but I live at 7000' and winters can be harsh. Plus, my neighbors would bear the brunt of the noise.

I may not have planned wisely with the cabinet height but I did have the electrician wire for it when I was building the house. 30amp mix wire I think so 208/230V should work fine.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I could put it outside but I live at 7000' and winters can be harsh. Plus, my neighbors would bear the brunt of the noise.

I may not have planned wisely with the cabinet height but I did have the electrician wire for it when I was building the house. 30amp mix wire I think so 208/230V should work fine.

I lived in Flag for 5 years; wish I could move back. What part of town do you live in where you can have a shop with neighbors close enough to hear you?

 

[stormlover]

I lived in Flag for 5 years; wish I could move back. What part of town do you live in where you can have a shop with neighbors close enough to hear you?

That's only if I put the compressor outside. We're in Lockett Park which is behind the Museum of N. Arizona, adjacent to Cheshire. The house goes right to the setback so my neighbors back yard is right there.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

That's only if I put the compressor outside. We're in Lockett Park which is behind the Museum of N. Arizona, adjacent to Cheshire. The house goes right to the setback so my neighbors back yard is right there.

Gotcha. I lived over off of Country Club Dr. on the other end of town.

 

[wild cowboy]

Compressor will be just fine outdoors if you protect it from sun/rain/snow and use a low pour-point synthetic oil such a 0W-30, 0W-20, 5W-30, or 5W-20

The brand new Pennzoil Platinum Ultra 5W-30 about to hit Wally World would be excellent for Flagstaff.

I have lived in Surprise, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley and in east central Phoenix near Squaw Peak (which I understand has been renamed)

 

[machine_punk]

All of the parts for compressors are pretty interchangeable. How about buying the 60-gallon tank you want, then buy the compressor and motor you want?

Kev

 

[Joe B.]

Usage will be general bike and car repair (44x24 garage and bumpout for shop). Main tool usage will be impact wrenches and airing up tires. Sporadic use of a die grinder and pneumatic cut off wheel. Don't plan to paint & do not have sand blaster.

Doing the same kind of work, I get by fine with a 25 gal. Craftsman Pro compressor.

For you, I think a 30 gal. consumer grade compressor would get the job done. A premium 40 gal. would provide plenty of air and last forever.

I would just get the 40 gal. If you need more air, buy a second one and put it at the other end of the shop with both hooked up to the same piping.

 

[stormlover]

I have lived in Surprise, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley and in east central Phoenix near Squaw Peak (which I understand has been renamed)

Yes, it's now Piestewa Peak named after Lori Piestewa who was killed in combat in the Iraq war. Her son was in my daughter's class in grade school.

Thanks for all the help guys