60 gallon compressor

[alohavw]

I'd like to say hello from the Seattle area. New to this board and enjoying the knowledge shared.

I would like to know what is the best 60 gallon compressor for the money? We just moved into our new home and would like to buy a compressor that will let me use it with a variety of tools. I would use it mostly with a nailer,Hvlp spray gun, tires and possibly minor sandblasting using an abrasive cabinet. I don't want to spend TOO much on one but I would like one that would fit my present and future needs. I like the IR's but how is the Kobalt or the Husky Pro? There is a HD in our area that has the 60 gallon Husky Pro for $399. and was seriously considering that one. It has 135 max. PSI and has the V cylinder that I've read that will help in cooling. Any other suggestions out there?

Thanks!
Rick

 

[shopforeman]

I would like to know what is the best 60 gallon compressor for the money?

Now that's a loaded question if I ever heard one!

I would use it mostly with a nailer,Hvlp spray gun, tires and possibly minor sandblasting

It's that last one that would worry me. Sandblasting takes a whole lot of CFM's

Watch those Home Depot units. They advertise 5 horsepower when the motor is only about a 3 horsepower. Lots of companies have misrepresented the CFM's that their compressor puts out too.

I would look for something that has al least a five horse motor. For sandblasting you might want to consider a two stage with 7+ horsepower if you budget allows for it.

If you search the forum you will find threads discussing air compressors. I think the "sticky" thread at the top of the tools section entitled, "Directory of Top Threads: Most popular and Informative", will refer you to more info.
Here's a link to some links I collected and posted elsewhere.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/153692/

Just my 2 cents.

 

[alohavw]

Thanks for your .02 cents, anything helps! I'm just pulling my hair out trying to figure out which one would give me the best bang for the buck.

Rick

 

[shopforeman]

No problem! I like the look of those husky's but I'm not sure they would make me happy. The HD near me had a 2 stage 80 gallon that I liked the looks of but the motor was missing off of it so I couldn't say what actual HP it was. It was advertised as 7.5 HP.

Choosing the right compressor is one of the most difficult parts of outfitting ones garage!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

No problem! I like the look of those husky's but I'm not sure they would make me happy. The HD near me had a 2 stage 80 gallon that I liked the looks of but the motor was missing off of it so I couldn't say what actual HP it was. It was advertised as 7.5 HP.

I have one, about three years old. They have changed this compressor somewhat, now a foreigh made pump identical to the US made pump on mine. Motor and pump positions are reversed on the new ones from mine, but this is a TRUE 7.5 hp unit and is claimed to put out 24 cfm.

The blast cabinet uses alot of air and a true 5 hp would be stretching and one of these single stage, pseudo 5 hp units that really are 2 or 3 hp just won't get it.

If in doubt, look at the motor amp draw to determine actual, honest to goodness continuous running horsepower. 7.5hp = about 31 to 33 amps, 5 hp = about 25 to 27 amps.

Charles

 

[alohavw]

I have one, about three years old. They have changed this compressor somewhat, now a foreigh made pump identical to the US made pump on mine. Motor and pump positions are reversed on the new ones from mine, but this is a TRUE 7.5 hp unit and is claimed to put out 24 cfm.

The blast cabinet uses alot of air and a true 5 hp would be stretching and one of these single stage, pseudo 5 hp units that really are 2 or 3 hp just won't get it.

If in doubt, look at the motor amp draw to determine actual, honest to goodness continuous running horsepower. 7.5hp = about 31 to 33 amps, 5 hp = about 25 to 27 amps.

Charles

Good to know.

 

[shopforeman]

If in doubt, look at the motor amp draw to determine actual, honest to goodness continuous running horsepower. 7.5hp = about 31 to 33 amps, 5 hp = about 25 to 27 amps.Charles

Indeed! What I posted earlier regarding the amp draw of a 5 HP electric motor was erroneous. Charles has it right.

In my searching I found this link to some motor basics which someone may find useful?

http://sawdustmaking.com/ELECTRIC%20MOTORS/electricmotors.html

 

[bmwpower]

What's your price range?

$500
$1000?
$1500?
$2000?
$2500?

I can think of "best of's" in each of these price ranges...

 

[Jeeper]

I would keep an eye on craigslist. You can find good 60 gallon ones for good price. I bought an 60 gal IR through a friend's relative for for $250.

 

[alohavw]

BMWPower,

Looking in the $400-$800 dollar range but am not going to keep my options closed on compressors up to ~$1500. I may sound like a sometimes but just want to make a choice that will benefit me and my needs.



Jeepers,

Thanks for the info, I look everyday with no avail.

 

[ColdDuckTime]

You know (just thinking out loud here), I wonder sometimes about compressor tanks. Seeing as how the point of it is energy storage, like a spring, in the case of continuous use kinds of applications (sandblasting is a pretty good example) what is the point in even having a tank? I know that people don't run a gun utterly continuously, but it seems to me that you could make a case for a really small tank (this is just to avoid a delay when you start it up) backed by a great big compressor.

It sure would take up less space.

 

[scotte]

i bought my 60 gal ir single stage 7/3 hp 7fake hp 3 real hp used off of craigslist for 300.00 it had about 5-10 total hours of runtime on it (the guy wanted to start a home based gunsmithing business then found out he couldn't stand his wife

 

[alohavw]

You know (just thinking out loud here), I wonder sometimes about compressor tanks. Seeing as how the point of it is energy storage, like a spring, in the case of continuous use kinds of applications (sandblasting is a pretty good example) what is the point in even having a tank? I know that people don't run a gun utterly continuously, but it seems to me that you could make a case for a really small tank (this is just to avoid a delay when you start it up) backed by a great big compressor.

It sure would take up less space.

Ok what would you recommend and yes you can "think out loud"

i bought my 60 gal ir single stage 7/3 hp 7fake hp 3 real hp used off of craigslist for 300.00 it had about 5-10 total hours of runtime on it (the guy wanted to start a home based gunsmithing business then found out he couldn't stand his wife

One of these days I might get so lucky

 

[ColdDuckTime]

Ok what would you recommend and yes you can "think out loud"

I'm not really sure that what I'm thinking about exists. Some sort of gizmo, non-piston if that works better, that you turn on and it runs (quietly) with no load once the air line pressures up...which quickly begins pushing air into the line with any drop in line pressure. I guess I'm envisioning a HVLP turbine sized thing...LVHP?

I just can't help but think there's a better model to all this than installing a hot water heater sized air tank (which must be filled before use) filled by an undersized pump. The thing is, your most extreme use drives the size of the system. If your use requires continuous duty of the pump, there's not a whole lot of point to the air storage.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I'm not really sure that what I'm thinking about exists. Some sort of gizmo, non-piston if that works better, that you turn on and it runs (quietly) with no load once the air line pressures up...which quickly begins pushing air into the line with any drop in line pressure. I guess I'm envisioning a HVLP turbine sized thing...LVHP?

I just can't help but think there's a better model to all this than installing a hot water heater sized air tank (which must be filled before use) filled by an undersized pump. The thing is, your most extreme use drives the size of the system. If your use requires continuous duty of the pump, there's not a whole lot of point to the air storage.

You are thinking of screw and vane type compressors. They are great units, but for regular shop use, impractical as they are designed to run, and the only time that happens is when you are blasting. Other shop uses such as removing wheels with an impact, drilling a hole with an air drill, blowing off something, simply doesn't use much air and you need a large tank type for this kind of stuff.

I have a blast cabinet. I also have a Atlas-Copco 105 CFM compressor on a trailer, 2 cyl Deutz Diesel engine. I've thought of running hose from it to my blast cabinet when I do lots of blasting, so I don't have to run the shop compressor so hard (they do get HOT). I bought the Atlas with the intention of buying a 60 gal or so sandblast pressure pot and hoses, nozzles, hood and such to blast my log house with (ground corn cob for media) but I haven't yet found a pressure pot and equipment I can afford.

Charles

 

[alohavw]

Well, with the help of BMWPower I've decided on this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-HP-INGERSOLL-...yZ106436QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Now I have to figure out where to purchase it at.

Thanks for all of you that have posted.


Rick

 

[JCByrd24]

Free shipping.... can't tell if it's the same exact one because work blocks ebay.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_211720_211720

 

[shopforeman]

Well, with the help of BMWPower I've decided on this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-HP-INGERSOLL-...yZ106436QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Now I have to figure out where to purchase it at.

Thanks for all of you that have posted.


Rick

You won't be sorry!

 

[shopforeman]

Free shipping.... can't tell if it's the same exact one because work blocks ebay.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_211720_211720

That one is only a single stage.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I have had a Campbell Hausfeld similar to the $399 Husky (made by CH) for 16 years, and I love it. It is one of the best values out there. I couldn't justify spending twice as much for a two-stage for my occasional use. It sounds like it would be a good "fit" for your needs.

 

[goodfellow]

I have a 60 gallon single stage PUMA. It's about par with the Husky and Campbell Hausfeld units. Unless you are doing a lot of sand and media blasting and constantly run high speed air tools (grinders and sanders), then these mid-range units are a good value. For the small home shop, you can't beat the price.

Heck, the 20 gal 3HP Sears unit I purchased in 1974 was around $300. So these mid-range compressors are a pretty good deal

 

[Major Ramifications]

Figure out how much compressor you need, and go from there. I would rather have a $400 compressor that suits my needs and $800 worth of other stuff than a $1,200 compressor that I don't need.
Like many people, I have an infinite amount of wants and a finite amount of money.

 

[alohavw]

Figure out how much compressor you need, and go from there. I would rather have a $400 compressor that suits my needs and $800 worth of other stuff than a $1,200 compressor that I don't need.
Like many people, I have an infinite amount of wants and a finite amount of money.

So true.

 

[bmwpower]

If you need to upgrade later due to a big blaster or the like, you can always sell the one you have and upgrade and you probably won't loose too much.