choosing an air compressor

[clawman]

What do you look for?

 

[pattenp]

A compressor that can handle the air tools I want to use.

 

[HotelMike]

What do you need? Do you have 240V? How much space do you have for the compressor?

 

[zTimbo]

I get by just fine with a 60 gallon 240 volt 3.7 hp from TSC, porter cable brand...It was the best deal I found..I think I gave $470 for it. I run die grinders and paint guns all the time, never had an issue. Dont' get me wrong, if I could've justified a bigger one I would have bought a bigger one but I'd rather spend the extra money on something else.

 

[creativecars]

First what is your usage and requirements.
ABC's of air compressors.
Tank size- storage for compressed air, needed for on demand usage and keeps compressor from running continuously.
Compressor- compresses air, feeds tank and air lines. need a compressor large enough and efficient enough. rated by CFM.
Motor- needs to have the power to turn the compressor, rated for voltage available.

 

[Lelandwelds]

A compressor that can handle the air tools I want to use.

What do you need? Do you have 240V? How much space do you have for the compressor?[/QUOTE

I would add "How much noise can you tolerate?"

 

[Cyberbear]

I prefer my brand name 80 gal., two stage for all my needs, present and future. Better too large than too small, she said.

 

[d300]

CFM is the defining characteristic of any air compressor. Yes PSI is important but your tools consume cfm at 'some' psi. Base your compressor needs on the tools that you plan to use.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I prefer my brand name 80 gal., two stage for all my needs, present and future. Better too large than too small, she said.

Ow! Ow, it hurts!, she said.

Too big = higher energy costs. Air is the most expensive utility you will use. Too small and too big both stink. ( But, yes, I mostly agree with you. If I can, I will trade money for time. )

 

[jgorm]

Stay away from the oilless compressors unless you love super loud noise. Bigger is always better. I saw Eastwood came out with a small screw compressor for would 1000. That it's the quietest option.

 

[2level]

Ideally, a smallish one and a big one, she said...

 

[Rich+]

For me it was the following:

1. Applications: As much as I would like to sandblast it would be the only high volume application I could see myself doing, so I decided my CFM requirements were medium/low
2. Power: While I have 240V available I wanted the versatility of 120V
3. Noise: Personal preference, but huge for me and ultimately decided for me to go with California Air Tools
4. Price: I found California Air Tool's 10 gallon compressor on sale during Black Friday, so I chose that instead of the 15 gallon model

 

[ez-duzit]

I get by just fine with a 60 gallon 240 volt 3.7 hp from TSC, porter cable brand...It was the best deal I found...

This is what I just got. 11.5 CFM @ 90psi. Tractor Supply has them for $490.

What to look for:
Cast iron compressor
NOT oil-less!
High CFM
High pressure
Large tank
Good/extendable warranty

 

[Lelandwelds]

Too big = higher energy costs. Air is the most expensive utility you will use. Too small and too big both stink. ( But, yes, I mostly agree with you. If I can, I will trade money for time. )

Stay away from the oilless compressors unless you love super loud noise. I saw Eastwood came out with a small screw compressor for would 1000. That it's the quietest option.

Too big is bad. Too small is worse.

Eastwood has ANNOUNCED a scroll not a screw. Very different compressors. Screws are maintenance intensive and noisy. Scrolls are not and have only one moving part. They wear in not out. If they can make it work, they have a winner. ( I would like one a tiny bit bigger but can always add 250 gallons of storage. Hard to argue with 100% duty cycle. I suspect this one will have to run continuously anyway.)