help choosing a compressor

[dante81_98]

Ok, so I ran into some cash after my graduation and am looking into buying a compressor. I would love to get a big 2-stage compressor that would last me forever, but I just can't afford it. well, I could probably afford to buy the compressor, but the kicker would be the cost to have an electrician come out and wire it into the shed. See, if I get a big stationary pump I want it to go in my shed which is only wired for 115 right now.

The main tools that I plan to run off of the compressor are an air saw, angle grinder and cutoff wheel. I think everything I want to do can be done with those for now. So right now I think a smaller portable one that runs on 115 would suite me fine, but I could be wrong.

Here is what I have been looking at.

CRAFTSMAN - not sure if the cfm rating will work on these.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916670000&tab=spe#tab

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916778000&tab=spe#tab

EATON - not sure if this runs on 115 or not.
http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/733537/344943.htm

there are some at lowes that I was looking at too, but they are basically the same as the two craftsman.

so, what do you all think. what would be best for me.

thanks,
chad

 

[dante81_98]

well, the eaton is out. it is a 220v only compressor. i would be in the same boat as the others with that one.

 

[REFLEXX]

dante,

the oil-less ones are VERY loud. combine that with a small tank, you'll have some unhappy family & neighbors.

I'd scrimp & save to get a cast iron, 2 stage, 2 cylinder+, sitting on top of a 60+ gallon tank. even if it meant buying a 30 year old one, it would still be better.


I smoked a big oilless compressor by trying to quiet it down. Put it in a soundproof (and vented) box but it still overheated.

the new compressor is a 4cyl, oil filled, cast iron, 80 gallon. it's MUCH quieter, but still a fair amount of noise.

Since the eaton you were looking at was $775, here's one for the same money but much bigger:

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/172983.htm

or try to find something similar (old or new) in 115v

my 2.5c

REFLEXX

 

[rdnkjeeper]

I was in the same boat a while ago....I ended up buying a Sanborn 5hp 27 gal belt drive. Couldn't be happier with it. It is everything I wanted, plus when I get 220 wired in, I can change the motor to 220. Sometimes I wish I had a bigger tank, but I wasn't able to find anything bigger than 27 gal that was still portable.

 

[kartracer55]

The eaton is a 220. I hae an eaton 5hp... thier single stage with the 7.5 hp pump. The thing is a beast. Save up and runa 220 compressor, you will be kicking youself in the *** for a long time if you dont. Your talking about running some seriously big-load tools. If by angle grinder you mean 90 segree die grinder, then the 4.5 should suit you well... if you meana true 4.5inh angle grinder, your going to be looking at something in the 7.5 hp range. The 4.5 hp unit will def. run the tools youd like.

Just run the 220, and go for an eaton. Ive been very happy with mine, and they are much nicer than the stuff at sears


Jim

 

[dante81_98]

well, how hard is it to drop some 220v outlets? that is my only reason for not getting the 220 compressor. i mean it would cost more than the compressor to have an electrician come in and wire up some 220v outlets in the garage and shed. I have a detached shed that is partially sunk into the ground so it does not go over the fence line. If i get a big compressor, that is where it would go.

 

[kartracer55]

Usually compressors are hardwired in, instead of using outlets... Youll have to talk to an electrician to see if he could sneak some awg#10 through the underground conduit into the shed. If he could do this, then all he would need to do is leave you enough wire in the shed to reach where you want the compressor to go. Youd then just put in a small metal box (like for a lightswitch) and you connect the main line in th shed to a line that woudl s nake up through the pressure switch and to t he motor... its not that hard... wiring the compressor shouldnt take more than 20 minutes.

Jim

 

[dante81_98]

cool, well, i think my money will be better spent getting the wiring ready for more tools rather than buying the tools. i would like to get the 220 put in the garage as well.

thanks,
chad

 

[kartracer55]

Chad, Remember, run 10 gauge... or bigger. Dont run 12 or smaller because you will run into amerpage issues. Youll thank yourself later.

Jim

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

Another option to consider, get a Gas Powered Compressor.

 

[l_bilyk]

The tools that you want to use are available with electric motors and are quite good. Are you sure you need an air compressor? I don't even own an air angle grinder because regular electric ones are pretty damn good. No air saw either... I use a sawzall. Gutoff wheel... well the air ones are better, but I dont know if the difference in performance justifies the purtchase of a compressor. Air compressors are best for spraying, blasting, impact wrenches, air ratchets and die grinders.

Moving on...

There is no sub panel in the garage?

Go to your breaker panel and see if there are 2 empty slots first. If there are, running 220 in the garage should be fairly simple. Stick in a dual breaker, and just run oven wire to an oven style plug. Total should be about 20 dollars for the breaker, and about $3/foot for the wire.

The better, more expenive route is to install a small sub panel (about $50, depending on make) and run sub panel wire to it ($4-5/foot)

My compressor is wired in with a plug. It's bolted to the floor, but if I ever need to unbolt it and move it, I dont have to touch the wiring.

 

[dante81_98]

well, the reason for getting the compressor is more than just those two tools. I will probably do some minor spraying and impacts always come in handy when you are working on trucks. i have not found a suitable air saw replacement. A sawzall is just to big and has to much throw for some of the things I want to do with it. Also, I might have been mistakin in my terminology. I have a the larger electric angle grinder. I am talking about the smaller 90 degree grinder. Once again, some areas are just to tight for this type of tool.

I am still on the bubble if I want to pursue this or not. The cost keep adding up and I don't feel comfortable doing the wiring myself. I will be getting some estimates on installing the wiring the right way the first time.

Thanks again for your help.

Chad

 

[JasonK]

I just ran electricity to my garage. I ran 60 amps out of my house to my garage, yes, not a lot, but covers my needs.... if you have an open spot in your fuse box you can run elct. to you garge also. It's really pretty easy, I spent about 300.00 also...

 

[kartracer55]

Do it... and buy a compressor a bit larger than you need, because you will always grow into it. Electric tools dont hold a candle to pnuematic impacts, ratchets, and die grinders. Those 90* die grinders with a roloc style pad on them will make weld and paint prep a breeze.

Go for it!

Jim

 

[dante81_98]

Well, the electrician will be out next Wed to give me an estimate. I was told over the phone $350 including parts for normal difficulty. She said that would be right for the one in the garage, but the ones in the shed will not be normal difficulty. Does $350 minimum sound reasonable? Also, I will have more than one electrician come out and take a look.

Thanks,
chad

 

[evildky]

it shouldn't colst more than a coupla hundred bucks to add the 220 line unless it's really tough to route

 

[l_bilyk]

Well, the electrician will be out next Wed to give me an estimate. I was told over the phone $350 including parts for normal difficulty. She said that would be right for the one in the garage, but the ones in the shed will not be normal difficulty. Does $350 minimum sound reasonable? Also, I will have more than one electrician come out and take a look.

Thanks,
chad

Is that for a sub panel, or just a plug?

 

[dante81_98]

i guess just to add a plug to the garage.

 

[dante81_98]

if i cannot get the shed wired for 220 right now, what about this compressor.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00919568000&tab=spe#tab

it says that it puts out 5.7 cfm at 90 psi. which is just less than what an air saw is rated at and more than what the 90 degree die grinder would need according to some of the product specs. i know that is not enough to be using things for long periods of time, but it would work right? also it runs off of 120 and is oil lubricated. what do yall think?

thanks,
chad

 

[ellsworb]

I don't really mind noise. When i'm in the garage, first thing I do is put in ear plugs BEFORE i pull ANY of my tools out. Just a habit I get from flying all the time. For what it sounds like you want to do, i think you'd be VERY satisfied with the Pro Craftsman 3.5 HP 25 Gal Vertical. I also like the vertical better because its easier to stash in a corner. You can still wheel it around IF you need to. Anyway, just my $.02

 

[kartracer55]

Fi your going for a small unit, get the IR, because it will be way easier to get parts for it that froma craftsman. Also, dont get your hopes up about using the die grinder on that thing. Those specs that say 4 or 5 cfm are complete BS... its Average CFM draw... they take the full load and divide it into a period of time. IT doesnt really tell you much, you will be waiting for air all the time. My friend had a small speedaire that put out likt 5.7 cfm, and It puts out enough aire to use the air ratchet for one, maybe two bolts tops. Good for intermittant impact use, but you can expect to have to wait a little while for tougher bolts. It will runa die grinder for all of like a minute tops. Just get the 220 run, because after you get this compressor and try to use the tools you want to, youll be kicking yourself for waisting your money on this and youll wind up running the line anyway.

This compressor is not meant to do what you want. Its for intermitant impact gun use, nailers, blowing up tires, blow guns, that sort of thing.

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

Fi your going for a small unit, get the IR, because it will be way easier to get parts for it that froma craftsman. Also, dont get your hopes up about using the die grinder on that thing. Those specs that say 4 or 5 cfm are complete BS... its Average CFM draw... they take the full load and divide it into a period of time. IT doesnt really tell you much, you will be waiting for air all the time. My friend had a small speedaire that put out likt 5.7 cfm, and It puts out enough aire to use the air ratchet for one, maybe two bolts tops. Good for intermittant impact use, but you can expect to have to wait a little while for tougher bolts. It will runa die grinder for all of like a minute tops. Just get the 220 run, because after you get this compressor and try to use the tools you want to, youll be kicking yourself for waisting your money on this and youll wind up running the line anyway.

This compressor is not meant to do what you want. Its for intermitant impact gun use, nailers, blowing up tires, blow guns, that sort of thing.

Jim

What he said. A friend of mine has one of these 20 gal, 5.something CFM oil-less units. It's ****. Useless. You undo the lug nuts on one wheel and it turns on. And doesnt shut up for about 5 minutes. And it's damn loud for something so small. Grinder? Forger about it. Runs ouf of pressure in no time.

Having said that, stay faaaar away from low end ingersol products. I wouldnt really worry about parts because with low end compressors, once the pump goes, you just buy a new one. The damn motors or pumps usually cost as much as the whole compressor new.

 

[dante81_98]

I know that I would rather have the better compressor, but I am trying to work with a budget. Well, I guess I will have to nix this idea all together. No electrician out here will add a 220v outlet for less than $300, and that is the one in the garage. They said it will be more like $6-700 to run it to the detached shed. I guess I will be going to Home Depot to see what all is involved in doing this myself. Maybe then I could afford to get the wiring and get the compressor and tools so I can get this work done.

 

[kartracer55]

You can run it yourself... dig the trench and run the line in conduit, and just have him connect it.

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

Yeah you can at least irun the wires yourself. Your garage is detatched? That makes things more difficult. Maybe it would be best to install the compressor in the garage or somewhere by your house and just run an air line to the shed?

 

[dante81_98]

garage is attached, and the shed is detached. i want the compressor in the shed because there is an abundance of room in there and it would keep it quieter.

 

[l_bilyk]

And there is a power line going to the shed already?

How is it routed? Pics would help

 

[dante81_98]

I will see what i can do for pics this afternoon or tomorrow. There is power to the shed now. It goes underground and into the shed. the pipe that it is going through is just big enough for the wire that is already going to it. I will get some pics.

thanks,
chad

 

[l_bilyk]

What size is the wire? And what size is the pipe? Pics pics pics!

Depending on the size of the pipe, it might be cheaper/easier to replace the existing wire with a lower guage and install a subpanel rather than run ANOTHER pipe for just one socket.

 

[dante81_98]

i know it is 12 gauge wire and the pipe that it is going through is not much bigger than the wire. i am going to try and get pics tonight or tomorrow morning.

explain to me this subpanel business. what does it take? is it hard? etc.

thanks,
chad

 

[79rallysport]

I just found this thread on the miller motorsports messge board. seems others are sharing the exact info you need. click to see thread
Feel free to join in on the convo, they're real nice guys willing to help.
here is another one along the same lines

 

[l_bilyk]

i know it is 12 gauge wire and the pipe that it is going through is not much bigger than the wire. i am going to try and get pics tonight or tomorrow morning.

explain to me this subpanel business. what does it take? is it hard? etc.

thanks,
chad

In a nutshel, a subpanel is just enother breaker panel you install in the shed. So you would put in a 40-60 amp breaker in your MAIN panel, and then run a line to the shed where you install a small breaker panel with seperate breakers for the compressor and the light/outlets.

But before you can do anything, make sure that your MAIN panel has an open spot. Mine didn't. I just assumed I did, but didn't check beforehand.

 

[krooser]

Why buy new? Check out the local flea markets, pawn shops, shopper papers. Find out where the local auto swap meets are held.

I was in Minnesota last weekend for the Twin City Roadsters swap meet at the fairgrounds...musta seen a dozen compressors for sale.

One guy had a Campbell Hausfield 5 HP/60 gallon tank that was like new for $100.00...another had a Home Depot job about the same size but a little older for $75.00.

I was tempted when I saw a 10HP/80 gallon for $250.00...probably WOULD have bought it but it was 3 phase (and my compressor is OK right now)...

Look around...lots of guys are upgrading...

 

[dante81_98]

that is a good idea, and there is a swap meet next weekend.

I am going to look more into this sub panel idea.

Thanks
Chad

 

[l_bilyk]

^both of those would be good for you. Husky = CH = american made pump. CFM isn't too high, but the tank is big enough that you can run die grinders for a while before the pressure drops to the point where you need to stop.

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah krooser nailed it on the head. check your local town or county paper. We dont Read the N.Y. or L.A. Slime.... there is a shop thats closing up around here and they are listing a compressor, lift, jackstands, floorjacks, basically all the equipment from a repair shop, minus the tools. Keep an eye out.

Jim

 

[RonBou]

Here is the Craftsman unit I have. It is 115V but requires a 20 amp circuit. It does the job and will run cutters, sprayers etc.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...0916778000&subcat=Air+Compressors+&+Inflators