compressor questions

[sevnd3z28]

Hi guys,I am looking into buying a compressor and have many questions that I am hoping get answers for so I can make a smart purchase. Keep in mind I am a total novice when it comes to compressors so any help is greatly appreciated here!

I am a hobbyiest who will be using it to run an impact gun,air ratchet mostly. I would also like to run an air grinder/cut-off tool as well but that is not my primary need.

There are 2 models I am looking at right now:

Craftsman Pro series,3.1 running HP w/60gal tank. 150 max psi w/12.9 scfm @ 40psi & 11.3 scfm @90psi. It is single stage,oil lubed,240V. $699 CDN.

Husky,2HP W/30gal tank. 135 max psi w/6.5 scfm@40psi & 5.5 scfm@90psi. It is a single stage oil lubed,120V. $599 CDN.

So for what I would be using it for,is the extra $100 worth it for me? Will the Husky unit do what I want it to? I am kind of leaning towards this one for a couple of reasons. It is US made as well as the extra bucks I save can be used to buy the necessary accessories I will need such as a quality rubber hose as well as fittings and what not.

Speaking of accessories....what will I be looking at as far as fittings go to get this thing plumbed? I am assuming there wouldn't be any included with the compressor?

Sorry for the long post,

Donnie

 

[rodm1]

Air grinder/cut-off tool take a lot of air I wouldn't go under a oiled pump 5HP for that. The impact and ratchet ether one will work fine but small. The Craftsman Pro is my choice because its 220v and 60gallon tank. It's an oil pump that is a plus. I had one and it worked ok for impact/ratchet use terrible for grinding. I feel they are both small but I like over kill.


Craftsman Pro
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916476000P?prdNo=15

 

[scott37300]

If you are only using the cut off for short periods once in a while the smaller compressor will be fine. It will not keep up making multiple cuts, you will have to wait for compressor to catch up.

Now with that being said for a hundred bucks to over double the CFM, that would be a no brainer for me! If you are already spending that much money spend the extra 100 bucks for double the CFM and double the tank size, little higher PSI if you need it,. Then you won't have to worry about needing a bigger compressor if you get a sander or want to use the cut off more.

 

[dwm]

If you were in the U.S., I'd say the Ingersoll-Rand SS3L3 should be in the list since it's currently $569 at Northern. I got one this month and have been using it fairly heavily with no complaints. Same CFM @ 90PSI as the Craftsman you listed.

I'd forget the Husky if your plan is for this to be your only compressor for a long while. 5.5cfm @ 90PSI is going to leave you waiting frequently and running at 100% duty cycle for some tools. Not for the air ratchet or the impact, but for grinders, sanders, etc.

You'll get nothing plumbing-wise. At a minimum you'll need a regulator. I'd recommend a filter with a drain valve too. Beyond that it's up to you; manifold(s), drip legs, automatic drains, hose reels, etc.

 

[R6 Racer]

Donnie the husky 60gal your looking at, I am guessing it's at Home Depot.
I was in the same situation a while ago. If your close to the states at all you can go to a HD there & get the same compressor for $499.99 reg price. The fact that its made in Mexico makes it a non duty item under the NAFTA !
You save $200.00 & get a decent compressor.
DON'T buy the 30gal. not worth it & under powered for any grinding or sanding!
I THINK the 30 gal is 2hp peak & about 1.25 running & the 60gal. is 5hp peak & 3.5hp running. Just trying to compare apples to apples.
To bad your not closer I'd have a great deal for ya. If you're interested pm me.

Good luck in your search
Steve

 

[Climber]

... Ingersoll-Rand SS3L3 should be in the list since it's currently $569(USD) at Northern. ...

Excellent choice!!!

As for accessories:

The outlet is 3/8", so from outlet
house with mail 3/8"NTP t- 3/8"NTP (HorrorFreight Item # 98941 $6.99)
goes to:
Ingersoll Rand Combination Air System Accessories — 3/8in., Filter, Regulator, Lubricator, Model# C38231600VS (NorthernTool Item# 404792 $169.99), investment into pro-lasting your air toys.
adapter 3/8"NTP to 1/4"NTP
Reel with house, for example from HF: 50 Ft. Steel Air Hose Reel with 3/8" Hose, Item # 45814 $34.99
and on end of house quick coupler (choose industrial or automotive)
5 Piece Solid Brass Quick Coupler Set, HF Item # 42444 $4.99
this are the basic setup for you to go.

NOTE: you can't put lube into air house if you planing to run paint spray gun, plasma cutter or any other tools used in area where oil contamination is unacceptable.

 

[Climber]

Air Tool CFM Consamption

Air Tool Average CFM @ 90 PSI
Angle Disc Grinder - 7" 5-8
Brad Nailer 0.3
Chisel/Hammer 3-11
Cut-Off Tool 4-10
Drill, Reversible 3-6
Dual Sander 11-13
Framing Nailer 2.2
Grease Gun 4
Hydraulic Riveter 4
Impact Wrench - 3/8" 2.5-3.5
Impact Wrench - 1/2" 4-5
Impact Wrench - 1" 10
Mini Die Grinder 4-6
Needle Scalar 8-16
Nibbler 4
Orbital Sander 6-9
Ratchet - 1/4" 2.5-3.5
Ratchet - 3/8" 4.5-5
Rotational Sander 8-12.5
Shears 8-16
Speed Saw 5
*add 30% to average CFM to get required CFM

 

[sevnd3z28]

Thanks for the replies everyone,I appreciate all the info and help! I figured the Sears unit was the better one but being the cheap s.o.b. that I am,I was hoping folks would say the Husky would be good enough. I am still researching my choices but you guys have pointed me in the right direction.

Steve,I am only an hour from the Maine border but Calais Maine does not have a Home Depot or any other box store for that matter. Also I thought the Husky units were American made?

 

[dwm]

Don't forget to account for installation cost if you don't already have 240V available in your intended location.

There is one other perspective... buy a good 120V portable (say an IR GarageMate or one of the BelAir or Chicago Penumatics) for now and the big one later. You'll be fine with the air ratchet and impact gun with 5.5 CFM @ 90PSI. You'll even be OK with a grinder for intermittent use, say less than 60 seconds at a time. I lived with a compressor about that size for many years and the only time it reallly annoyed me was when using a sander or a grinder for something significant or using a blow gun for an extended period (blasting all the sawdust out of the nooks and crannies of the workshop in the springtime).

 

[Pjiman]

Ingersoll-Rand SS3L3 should be in the list since it's currently $569(USD) at Northern

Also ships free for this price. If you shipped it to Main you wouldn't have to pay sales tax and would get a compressor with the same 11.3 SCFM @ 90psi rating as the Craftsman for $125 CDN less. I have the 5hp version and have been happy with it. Good luck!

 

[dwm]

Ingersoll-Rand SS3L3 should be in the list since it's currently $569(USD) at Northern

Also ships free for this price. If you shipped it to Main you wouldn't have to pay sales tax and would get a compressor with the same 11.3 SCFM @ 90psi rating as the Craftsman for $125 CDN less. I have the 5hp version and have been happy with it. Good luck!

He might actually be able to get it shipped all the way to his home for free or cheap. Ingersoll-Rand does plenty of business in Canada, and the compressors are drop-shipped from Ingersoll-Rand instead of being shipped from Northern. Can't hurt to call Northern and ask.

 

[pipsters]

I was just in Ottawa and in a Canadian Tire in Hull they had a $650 vertical 60 or 80 gallon "Mastercraft" unit with an iron pump. I wanna say 5 rated HP. It looked pretty decent, better than the two you have listed. Not listed on their website for whatever reason. They had two of them set up.

 

[pipsters]

Oh also wanted to say make sure you account for adding a 220V outlet. I limited myself to 120V because of this. I ended up with a 25 gallon 5.8cfm @ 90psi Sears compressor that honestly is plenty for impact and ratchet use. It'll do limited grinding and cutting. Not much for long but for what I do it's fine. Plus it is a LOT smaller than the uprights you are looking at. For another $200 or 50%-60% more (I paid around $350-$375) or so I could've had a unit that was 2x-3x the air output but honestly I really don't need it, and I can take this one out back and work as well. Just something to consider.

If you have a Lowes within driving distance this is also a really good unit, in fact probably better than the one I bought, wish I had known about it then:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_221495-1498...=0&x=0&storeId=10151&ddkey=http:SearchCatalog

Keep in mind the US dollar and Canadian Loonie are at par with each other so it won't cost any different to buy in the US, plus our taxes will be a lot less than your HST or whatever it is now.

It's fun to have a big compressor but for most folks doing everyday things in their garage it's unnecessary.

 

[R6 Racer]

Just keep in mind that any compressor that you do buy in the U.S. will be taxed (HST) at the border!

Steve

 

[sevnd3z28]

alot of great info guys...I am wondering about the 120/220 deal. I don't know if I have the capability to hook up a 220v unit. I think I can but I am no electrician so I will ask you guys...My breaker panel is a 200 amp service and says 120v/230 or 240v,I can't remember right now. I have a open 40amp double pull? breaker....can I use this for a 220v compressor?

Hope I am making sense here....

 

[Climber]

alot of great info guys...I am wondering about the 120/220 deal. I don't know if I have the capability to hook up a 220v unit. I think I can but I am no electrician so I will ask you guys...My breaker panel is a 200 amp service and says 120v/230 or 240v,I can't remember right now. I have a open 40amp double pull? breaker....can I use this for a 220v compressor?

Hope I am making sense here....

Take a face panel off and make a picture.
Be careful

Wires, panel and electricity don't have brain. Use your own!

 

[sevnd3z28]

Climber,I had the panel faceplate off a few days ago because I wanted to see if I could answer my own question. I knew the 40amp breaker was unused because I disconnected the wiring from a hot tub pump that was on that breaker when I got rid of the tub a couple of years ago....I am assuming that the circuit that the hot tub pump was on would be suitable for a 220v outlet? Any ideas?

Donnie

 

[Climber]

If your hot tub was 220v so YES you can go with it.
If you don't know, here is the picture of 40A 220 breaker. It's is double pole - means 220V

 

[sevnd3z28]

That;s exactly what I have....thanks for the pic and the info Climber!! So my next question is can I run a line with a 220V outlet from the panel and wire the compressor with a plug or is it best to wire the compressor direct to the panel?

sorry for all the dumb questions,
Donnie

 

[Kev442]

2HP is going to be disappointing with a cutoff wheel or sander. I just used my 2hp in a pinch with my 3" cutoff, got about 90 seconds before having to wait about the same 90 seconds for it to catch up. For $100 more, the 150 psi in a much larger tank is a slam dunk, that tank is worth $100 more all by itself.
When coming off the power panel, you must hardwire the circuit to an outlet. From that outlet, using the proper gauge wire, you can have a 10-12' power cord to the compressor.

 

[dwm]

Buy an inexpensive multimeter and measure the voltage if you want to be sure. But homes don't normally have 40A breakers on a 120V leg; it'd be a 240V leg (L1, L2 and ground).

 

[dwm]

I would assume Canada's electrical code is similar to the U.S. So Kev442 is correct. Grounded conduit and faceplate. My receptacle is right next to the dedicated breaker box (about 12" away). AWG6 would be smart but AWG8 probably meets Canadian code.

For the cord to the compressor, it only needs to be thick enough to handle the current drawn by the compressor (which won't be anywhere near 40A constant), and the pressure switch won't accomodate huge terminals. AWG12 is fine for a 3HP unit on 240/220/208 and typical AWG12 fast-on or ring terminals should fit the pressure switch. The compressor's manual should have this information.

 

[Climber]

Before you start hooking up, make sure NOT to read and code or safety instructions and regulations. So if you burn your house down you can say "Climber" told me!".

Let's assume you are buying IR SS5 air compressor. You open manual and find out Amps running and required for breaker. It's 5Hp motor (let's assume) will draw about 20Amp. At the start may be 24-26Amp. So 30A double pole breaker need to go where your 40Amp now.
NEXT:
Figure out where your toy going to. I think it will be by some of the walls. If you can put box instead compressor so you can see your lay out.
Mark on the wall where your receptacle / box going to be (see your code about height. May be 4-5 feet). Make sure you have access to it if ship hits the fan.
I would go with indoor fusible disconnect switch (see pic). The main reason is: vibration from compressor will loosen receptacle. But if want to go with plug-receptacle go with lockable. MUST BE same amp rete as a breaker. 30Amp in our situation (see pic)

NEXT
take cooper AWG8 (8 gauges) cable with physically 4 wires in it (don't save on wire) and connect box(or receptacle) to breaker.
RED (HOT) - one of the pole on breaker (no meter which one)
BLACK (HOT) - other pole on breaker (other then RED wire)
WHITE (NUTRAL) - to common
GREEN - to ground

NEXT
take most flexible cooper AWG8 (4 wires inside) and hook up compressor to box /plug.
If you connecting to box make sure use pressure connector (see picture) so vibration goes on to electrical terminals, it goes onto your box.

 

[Climber]

Sorry forgot pictures

 

[sevnd3z28]

you guys are great! Thanks for the info and Climber,thanks for the pics...big help!

Donnie

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

Just so you know, Princess Auto has a Sanborn on sale that would work for you:
http://www.princessauto.com/workshop/air/compressor/electric/8348955-3_7-hp-60-gallon-air-compressor

Very close to the Craftsman, for $150 less.

 

[Climber]

Do not go with small brand name. For the same quality go with IR.
as of today (Nov 21, 2010) IR is $599 USD.

Here is link:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/air-compressors-air-tools-accessories/air-compressors/ingersoll-rand-60-gallon-air-compressor-3496111

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

That IR will cost him a lot more than $599 by the time he gets it home.

 

[Climber]

Jim,
If you take your suggested compressor from crate and try to sale you lucky to get 50% for it.
You ALWAYS need to think about how much resale value your toys will be.