Air compressor question

[wellcraft]

Hi gays, new to the forum.

I'm looking for a bigger compressor, currently I have a 30 gallon compressor from craftsman that I purchased almost 15 years ago and never has been able to keep up for some of the spray painting I occasionally do and some of my other air tools, in fact I have some tools that I haven't been able to use since new because of the cfm's.

I would be using this when need it in my cars, paint 2 cars I have, paint 2 boats, sanding, do some sandblasting when need it, mainly small parts but I know I will be sand blasting 2 boat outdrives from one of my boats, those are big pieces as I don't want to take them apart.

So that is the reason I would like to upgrade, I had a budget of no more than $1k but quickly realized that it isn't much for what I want plus in order to get more warranty I would have to spend almost $200 more for a case of oil and filter. I have a small shop in my house and I will be keeping the compressor inside so I want something that isn't too loud. I don't depend in the compressor in a daily basis, it would be use mainly for those projects and whatever else I need to do in the future.

What I would like to get, 60 or 80 gallon compressor, I want something that I don't have to upgrade ever, so the bigger the better. Low rpm's to keep noise down as it's going to be inside of my small shop, 100% duty cycle, 2 stage, 1 phase motor, backed up by a good manufactures warranty (been reading some negative reviews about Quincy lately about this). Would like to stay as close as $1k budget but if I have to increase the budget some more I would but I'm trying not no if possible.

Went to different box store to look at the 60 and 80 gallon air compressors. Lowes has the kobalt 80 gallons https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-80-Gallon-Electric-Vertical-Air-Compressor/1000528985 but by the reviews it looks like is very loud and 75% duty cycle. The ingersoll rand from tractor supply https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ingersoll-rand-80-gallon-5-hp-reciprocating-air-compressor seems to have a not so good pump or motor if I remember correctly when doing my research. Went to northern tools and saw the quincy https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200451863_200451863 , and their north star line https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200596486_200596486 but was told that if there is any problem with the unit I would have to take it to a service center for service which it *****. Te other option is champion https://www.tptools.com/Champion-Heavy-Duty-5HP-2-Stage-80-Gal-Air-Compressor,6249.html?b=d*8065.

What I see is that most of them cost over $1500 and that's why I'm here looking for advice, would a 60 gallon be enough or would I be definitely better with an 80 gallon?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Citation]

Just a thought...
My father has a Husky very similar to the Kobalt. It's a Campbell Hausfeld (sp?) compressor. It's not overly noisy and to some extent that can be addressed by making a DIY muffler. It's probably sufficient for your needs but for 2x the money the Champion is a better compressor. So here's my question. Do you have the space and electrical service for two compressors? If yes i would suggest getting the Kobalt and then adding a second compressor if you find you need more air. A pair of those Kobalts plumbed together would have no trouble keeping up with anything you have wanted to do. That would cost you about $1800. You could also cheap out on the second compressor. Lowe's now sells a Kobalt/CH 60 gallon, 3hp, 2 stage compressor for $500. For $1400 you would have something like 24 cfm and 140 gallons of air. The upside is you are still cheaper than your most expensive option. You can also add as you need. BTW, if you are adding pluming the compressors don't have to be located near the another.

 

[rpcraft]

I have seen a 2 stage 60 gallon dewalt for 999 at a local retailer near me that if would probably be all I need but I was hesitant because the 60 gallon tank just did not seem like enough overall (especially for the price) but I found another 60 gallon unit for about half the price and it had slightly less CFM and HP but I have a spare tank that I can use to double my volume so I am a little less worried about that final CFM rating now. I just have the tank hidden in the attic with a remote bleed valve running down to meet up with the other one on my compressor

 

[Citation]

BTW, this is the 60 gallon I was talking about
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-60-Gallon-Electric-Vertical-Air-Compressor/1000542193

At $510 it makes for a very attractive alternative to many of the other "3hp" compressors on the market.

 

[rpcraft]

Doesn't look too bad. I'd just determine if it is rated for continuous run if you are going to do something like sand blasting and similar functions.

 

[Lonstar]

I made the mistake of buying a 3~ HP compressor a couple years ago. I didn't bother educating myself about them before buying. The compressor (Iron Horse) was rated at "6.5 HP peak" without listing the actual HP, and has a CFM rating of 11.** @ 90 PSI. It's fine for general use, but when I run a die grinder or anything that requires a constant flow, forget it. It doesn't provide the needed CFM and fills slow, I have to wait on it. Tried using an air sander on a small-ish metal box to prep for painting.....ended up using an electric sander after I got tired of waiting for the compressor.

Citation offered a very good suggestion - 2 compressors. One for main use when continuous flow isn't needed, a second to kick in when you need continuous air at the rated CFM. Problem is, when you need a high amount of CFM, 2 compressors are only going to deliver the CFM of the highest rated of the two or a little more.

From what you say in your post I believe you already know what you need, no one here can offer a magic answer that will change that. I've learned that generally speaking, a compressor is a compressor - ** HP with a matched compressor pump gives you ** CFM. The only compressor you listed that will meet the needs you state is the Champion. You need a minimum "real" 5 HP 1750 RPM motor and a dual stage compressor. If you want to overdo it, get a 7.5 compressor. In my humble opinion, 60 or 80 gallon isn't really that much if a factor, HP and a decent pump is. The numbers are the numbers, there's no magic pill.

 

[Citation]

I made the mistake of buying a 3~ HP compressor a couple years ago. I didn't bother educating myself about them before buying. The compressor (Iron Horse) was rated at "6.5 HP peak" without listing the actual HP, and has a CFM rating of 11.** @ 90 PSI. It's fine for general use, but when I run a die grinder or anything that requires a constant flow, forget it. It doesn't provide the needed CFM and fills slow, I have to wait on it. Tried using an air sander on a small-ish metal box to prep for painting.....ended up using an electric sander after I got tired of waiting for the compressor.

Citation offered a very good suggestion - 2 compressors. One for main use when continuous flow isn't needed, a second to kick in when you need continuous air at the rated CFM. Problem is, when you need a high amount of CFM, 2 compressors are only going to deliver the CFM of the highest rated of the two or a little more.

From what you say in your post I believe you already know what you need, no one here can offer a magic answer that will change that. I've learned that generally speaking, a compressor is a compressor - ** HP with a matched compressor pump gives you ** CFM. The only compressor you listed that will meet the needs you state is the Champion. You need a minimum "real" 5 HP 1750 RPM motor and a dual stage compressor. If you want to overdo it, get a 7.5 compressor. In my humble opinion, 60 or 80 gallon isn't really that much if a factor, HP and a decent pump is. The numbers are the numbers, there's no magic pill.

Why would you say two compressors would only deliver the CFM of the highest rated compressor? As a pair they should deliver a CFM roughly equal to the sum of the CFMs.

 

[wornoutoldman]

I picked up one of these a few months ago.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-hp-reciprocating-air-compressor?cm_vc=-10005

It's a beast.

 

[Citation]

I picked up one of these a few months ago.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-hp-reciprocating-air-compressor?cm_vc=-10005

It's a beast.

Will that one claims 100% duty cycle. Looks like a winner based on specs.

 

[wellcraft]

Thank you very much guys for the advice. I do like the idea of 2 compressors as it would be cheaper but space is limited for me and I don't want to keep one outside but still would like to give it more thoughts. I had that idea long time ago as I was in need of a bigger compressor for a project I was working and my craftsman 30 gallons couldn't keep up, and back then I thought of joining 2 of the same.

My concern right now is duty cycle as I would like to be able to sand blast parts, paint my own boat and cars and my other concern is noise as it will be store in side of the small shop. My current 30 gallon compressor is very loud and I would assume a 69 gallon would be even louder.

My wife actually paid for one like the one Citation posted a link but in black wish I assume is lowe's older version for $400 on sale but it looks like duty cycle is 50% only as I read somewhere, we haven't pick it up yet as I'm still trying to decide what I will do.

I was searching last night and found the emax 80 gallon and polair air 80 gallon for not a bad price for the money with coolers. This are emax but I dont really know the difference between the black and yellow https://www.homedepot.com/p/compare...0=204353725&prodComp_1=205695008&keyword=emax and this is the polar air silent https://www.eatoncompressor.com/pis...n-compressor/5-hp-80-gallon-silent-compressor and a cheaper version from polar air https://www.eatoncompressor.com/pis...ingle-phase-80-gallon-vertical-air-compressor

Reading the lowe's reviews I see users mentioning about having the need to drain water and the tank getting warm, this for me is kind of stressful as I painted a car a while ago and it turned out really good. Well the paint started developing a lot of tiny blisters all over the car in a very rainy, humid and cold weekend and the only thing I could of think is that I was having a lot of water in my 30 gallon compressor and that cause this issue even thou I had water filters in there. Had to sand the whole car and do the whole thing all over again. The compressor was working most of the time and couldn't really keep up even using a hvlp spray gun.

Something I need to work around is the power supply I currently have which is 220v and 30 amp.

The IR from tractor supply seems to be a nice compressor but I read reviews from different owners in different forums complaining about having problems with the pump or motor (can't remember) after warranty. Have read also that the home use IR compressors from box stores are not build with the same quality parts as their commercial compressor and that was the reason they aren't really that great. I have no personal experience with that brand but that was my first option when I saw it. Sometimes I wan to jump on that compressor because specs are really good but honestly I'm hesitant, I see great reviews but have read bad reviews as mentioned before about the compressor from tractor supply.

 

[Citation]

A warm tank and water collecting in the tank is just inherent when using a compressor. I would suggest reading some of the threads on seeing up a compressor for painting. I'm sure people have suggestions for the best ways to filter out water.

The harder question is which compressor has the specs you need. The "5hp 80 gallon" compressors seem to span from $1000 models to the nice $3k Champions. The flow rate are similar and the IR says it's 100% duty cycle so there has to be a difference that's not in the specs. I think it's a bit like how 1/2 ton pickups are now quoted as having tow capacities that were previously reserved for 1 ton models. You have to figure some corners were cut. Bit if you aren't towing that heavily load far or often then perhaps the 1/2 ton will do. You are probably in the same boat with your stated painting/sanding needs. With a few work breaks you can probably do just fine with the lighter duty compressor.

 

[Lonstar]

Why would you say two compressors would only deliver the CFM of the highest rated compressor? As a pair they should deliver a CFM roughly equal to the sum of the CFMs.

You're right. I knew the topic was CFM, I typed CFM, but was thinking PSI. Up too late I guess.

 

[wornoutoldman]

The IR from tractor supply seems to be a nice compressor but I read reviews from different owners in different forums complaining about having problems with the pump or motor (can't remember) after warranty. Have read also that the home use IR compressors from box stores are not build with the same quality parts as their commercial compressor and that was the reason they aren't really that great. I have no personal experience with that brand but that was my first option when I saw it. Sometimes I want to jump on that compressor because specs are really good but honestly I'm hesitant, I see great reviews but have read bad reviews as mentioned before about the compressor from tractor supply.

That compressor uses a 2 stage motor that is made in India (yet proudly assembled in the USA) pretty sure that is where the cost saving comes from. I bought it to run a Vapor Blasting cabinet (huge air hog). I am prone to analysis paralysis on larger purchases and read those same reviews making me hesitant to pull the trigger, however, you can't come close to those specs at that price anywhere else.