Lets talk about compressors

[cgv69]

Here's the scoop, I need a real compressor to run an impact wrench, air ratchets and drill and hopefully a cut off wheel, die grinder and maybe even a DA sander and media blaster (Tools listed in order of most likely to least). An HVLP gun would be really nice too.

I have been putting off this purchase and making due with a portable twin tank IR compressor mostly because my garage has no 220v available and the only power in the shop is one, 15A GFCI 110v line that powers not only the outlets but the lights as well (not very safe IMO). Ideally I want to install a 100a sub-panel to the garage from which I can run multiple 110 and 220v lines in the shop. Not only does that open up my compressor options but welder and table saw options as well but the reality is time and money has pushed that project off for years now.

So all that said, I have been seriously considering getting the biggest 110v portable compressor I can which right now I'm leaning towrds the Quincy Air Master model Q12126VP or maybe the IR garage Mate? I'm thinking that either of those models should work well enough for my needs but maybe not all of my wants but being portable and running off of 110v are big pluses.

On the other hand, I know I will still be limited by either of those compressors (or any 110v compressor) and knowing that I can buy a much larger compressor for not much more money doesn't help. The real expense of stepping up to a larger compressor however will be the sub-panel and additional wiring.

So I know bigger is better and most of you will say buy the biggest one you can afford but as a hobbyist homeowner who's not rebuilding or restoring cars, will I really benefit that much from a larger 220v tank, enough to justify a ~$500 jump in price?

And while we are spit-balling here, lets assume for a minute I already have 220v available, do I really need a 2 stage model or is a single stage model good enough for a 1 man hobby garage?

 

[98TJ]

Get a 2-stage. You'll save money by getting it to begin with.

We're in a rental right now and I don't have 220 in the garage so I installed a breaker in the panel and hard wired the compressor to the breaker.

If you're going to spend money, spend it once.

 

[blacK20]

Are you going to be the only person using the air at any given time? If yes, I know the garage mate will pretty much run any average mechanics air tool as long as there aren't two tools pulling the trigger simultaneously.

 

[91bronc300]

You don't have to put a subpanel in your garage. Just install a 30 amp breaker in your house box and run a branch circuit out to the garage and put in 3 or 4 30 amp outlets. Most people only have one outlet on each 240V circuit in their home but that doesn't mean you can't have more (unless it's your range or dryer circuit, most places it's against code to do that on those specific circuits). Just make sure the breaker for the branch circuit is the same amperage as each individual plug and you can run several plugs on the same circuit. Consider it your preliminary project. Once you have ample 240V available in your garage you have a lot more options. If you're the kind of guy that says he'll be running impacts, and ratchets and etc you should just buy a 5 HP (maybe 7.5 HP) two-stage and be done with it.

 

[kartracer55]

FWIW, I went for the large single stage 5hp, 20cfm@90psi over a 5hp 2 stage. Reason being the continuous air delivery available.

If you are only running air ratchets/impacts, the garage mate will definitely be adequate. You need to start thinking about a bigger unit when you look at running grinders and sanders

 

[cnc-me]

Sounds like you are gonna need a 5 H.P. and that takes 220V to run.
Get a two stage, higher pressure in the tank, means less cycling of the motor,
they also run cooler and quieter.
Besides, anything past about 100 pounds, a single stage compressors efficiency
falls way off.

 

[cgv69]

Thanks for the input so far guys. Here's a few follow up responses...

Get a 2-stage. You'll save money by getting it to begin with....If you're going to spend money, spend it once.

I know where you are coming from and generally I agree with that line of thinking but in this case, the price difference between getting a smaller 110v compressor and a larger 2 stage model will be at least $1k and in this case that's the difference between buying a new compressor in the next couple of months or having to put it off for the next couple of years.

Are you going to be the only person using the air at any given time?

Yes, one man shop and I can't foresee any situation where multiple tools will be used simultaneously.

You don't have to put a subpanel in your garage.

I realize that but here's the thought process. The main panel of my house is in the basement on the complete opposite side of the house. I am in the process of finishing the basement so if I want to run anything now is the time. If all I needed in the garage was that one 220v circuit then yes, just running that one circuit would be the way to go but I need at least 2 other 110v circiuts in the garage too. At that point it just seems easier to me to run a sub-panel and then I can add whatever circuits I need in the garage as needed, when needed. I already have the sub-panel and some of the breakers. The biggest expense will be the wire and inspection costs.

FWIW, I went for the large single stage 5hp, 20cfm@90psi over a 5hp 2 stage. Reason being the continuous air delivery available.

Not sure I'm following you there? Why is a single stage better then a 2 stage for continuous air delivery?

If you are only running air ratchets/impacts, the garage mate will definitely be adequate. You need to start thinking about a bigger unit when you look at running grinders and sanders

See that's just it. Right now ratchets and impacts would be enough but I can see some die grinder, cut off tool, DA sanders in the future.

 

[txusa03]

Sorry, not an expert so I have nothing useful to add. I don't know anything about compressor and hoping maybe someone will point me in the right direction. It will be used mainly for framing nail and occasional air impact to loosen stubborn bolts.

Is this unit any good based on description: Puma 8-Gallon Direct Drive Portable Air Compressor has 1725 RPM motor to run quietly and allow pump to last longer. Copper finned aftercooler dissipates heat before entering tank.

That 1725 RPM, is that slow or fast compared to other compressor of this size? I heard that a lower RPM last longer (is this true) but not sure what is the low end and high end RPM range.

I have compared this with an Ingersoll Rand 4 gal and they have the same pump (look the same) but I like puma 8 gal capacity and lower price.

thanks for any feedback.

link: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200455336_200455336

 

[pipsters]

I have a Craftsman 120v compressor:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2115926

I evaluated it against a similar Harbor Freight model. The Craftsman was by far the biggest CFM output against those two, but no one seems to want to time their other compressors and post the info.

 

[kythri]

Don't get hung up on single-stage vs. 2-stage.

You can get an extremely good single-stage 220V 5HP model, and it's not going to cost you $1K more than a 110V model.

Look around CL, call local shops that service/sell compressors, etc.

All of your "hopefully" tools are going to require output that a 110V model just can't supply.