devvar
Member
I am in the market for a new, larger air compressor and am looking for feedback from others who might be in similar situations. I currently only have a 6 gallon pancake style that somehow keeps on running, even though I use it far beyond its capabilities. I use compressed air for my framing and roofing nailers (used intermittently throughout the summer, not my full time job), inflating tires ranging from lawn mower to semi truck and 50hp tractor, air powered bottle jack, 3/4 impact wrench, air hammer, needle scaler. Obviously more flow the better, but I have been getting by with 2.5cfm so anything will be a nice improvement. I have very limited electrical outlet availability on my property (none outside, no dedicated circuits available inside). I almost always need to plug into a 100' extension cord to get close to my work site. For these reasons I am considering a gas powered air compressor.
Option 1: buy a 120V, 2hp, 30gal horizontal compressor and run off my 8000W generator. Pros: cheaper overall, compressor can be used inside a shop or garage when I get those built in the future, could run off my house if needed. Cons: dragging 2 heavy, awkward objects to my work site, about 5cfm
Option 2: buy a 240V, 3hp, 30gal horizontal compressor and run off my 8000W generator. Pros: still cheaper than option 3, about 10cfm, can be used in shop or garage in the future. Cons: 240V not as readily available as 120V, dragging 2 heavy objects anywhere I need to use them
Option 3: buy a gas powered, wheelbarrow style compressor. Pros: about 10cfm, one device to move. Cons: Large to store, another gas engine to maintain, less useful in the long term
What would you all do? Is the increased air flow worth the increased hassle of 240V or gas powered compressors? Is 2x airflow and 5x storage volume enough of an increase over what I am using today that I won't miss more airflow?
Option 1: buy a 120V, 2hp, 30gal horizontal compressor and run off my 8000W generator. Pros: cheaper overall, compressor can be used inside a shop or garage when I get those built in the future, could run off my house if needed. Cons: dragging 2 heavy, awkward objects to my work site, about 5cfm
Option 2: buy a 240V, 3hp, 30gal horizontal compressor and run off my 8000W generator. Pros: still cheaper than option 3, about 10cfm, can be used in shop or garage in the future. Cons: 240V not as readily available as 120V, dragging 2 heavy objects anywhere I need to use them
Option 3: buy a gas powered, wheelbarrow style compressor. Pros: about 10cfm, one device to move. Cons: Large to store, another gas engine to maintain, less useful in the long term
What would you all do? Is the increased air flow worth the increased hassle of 240V or gas powered compressors? Is 2x airflow and 5x storage volume enough of an increase over what I am using today that I won't miss more airflow?