Looking for some advice about air compressors!

[Speed-Wobble]

15 gal 200psi
5.0 cfm @ 40
4.0 cfm @ 90
Oil-less
1.5 running hp

Or

20 gal 125 psi
5.1 cfm @ 40
4.1 cfm @ 90
Oil lubricated
2 hp

The impact gun i want requires 3.7 cfm @ 90, are both of these too small? As im told you dont want to be too close to the min cfm required. Also really on the fence with oiled or oil less. Both are roughly the same price. Would the higher psi one be better even though its oil less? Any suggestions? Terms of usuage: nothing crazy, wouldnt be constantly in use, more less once in a while, tires, brakes, nailer (no painting/sanding) exc... Thanks

 

[ItsNemo]

Neither...you'll end up wanting a new one before long. Out of the two I'd take the 20 gallon oiled though.

 

[DaleHarrold]

I agree, neither. Oil-less are way to loud and will give you a headache. Recovery time is key for high volume air tools. There are a lot of economical units available but there are some good used beasts, do yourself a favor and invest in a good one, use it, enjoy it and you can pass it onto your kids.

 

[Speed-Wobble]

Thanks fellas' ��

 

[Speed-Wobble]

That was suppose to be a thumbs up, not a question mark

 

[MopardudeWI]

I agree also, neither. Minimum depending on what your doing you should get something in the 30 gal range and oiled. Still small enough you can move it around and find a space to store it and big enough for the home hobbyist type of stuff. Your gonna pay $400-$600 for one compared to the $200-$300 I am guessing your gonna pay for the 15-20 gal range.

 

[JJThrasher]

Of the two I'd go oiled. I bet that oil-less one will run for a month trying to squeak 200 psi. That said I'd recommend at least a decent 30 gallon. Personally I run the 60 gallon Kobalt from Lowes. At $500 its good.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-7-...al-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor/3370356

 

[MopardudeWI]

Personally I run the 60 gallon Kobalt from Lowes. At $500 its good.

How do you like that? What do you use it for and how much do you use it? I have buddies that ask me all the time about those and I never know what to say. They are so cheap for the size but yet Lowes has a decent warranty on them. I never know what to say and I don't know anyone that has been brave enough to buy one.

 

[JJThrasher]

Been using it over 5 years now. Works great. Its maxed when I sandblast ****. Heavy grinder or drill use puts a tax on it. Impacts and air hammers run great. I use it at least weekly. Daily in the good weather. I've pushed it 1-2 hours of continuous running before and it took it like a champ. I change the oil once a year and drain the tank when I remember. I have hookups for running up to three tools at a time off of it. Its in a 1200 sqft shop. Most I've done is me and a buddy both grinding off of it and it worked. Worked hard, but it worked. I've considered a seconded one just as a nice to have kinda thing for when I'm working on the big jobs. It can handle the 1" impact alright, I just need a larger hose for it right now.

 

[vavet]

An impact gun is not going to be used continuously. Sanders and grinders need a lot of air. Drills do too, but not as much. Impact guns...not so much.
Either of the models you listed will be fine. Of to two, I'd go for the oil type. I have an oilless and have regretted it for the 16 years I've owned it. It's very loud.

Bigger is better with compressors. You'll probably find new uses for it. If you're only buying it for the impact gun though, you should reconsider. You can buy a battery powered impact gun for probably same money as the compressor, and you won't be tethered by the air line. So..consider future needs.

 

[MopardudeWI]

Yea sandblasting maxes out any hobbyist type of compressor. I was renting shop space for awhile that had an 80 gal industrial compressor so I bought a 100lb blaster, but the compressor was old and was not taken care of and the blaster maxed that machine out but it was usable. Right now I don't have a big compressor for the new shop I just got. Right now my blaster is at my cousins house, he has an 80gal ingersol from tractor supply. It pushes it pretty decent but it pretty much maxes that compressor out too.

 

[larry_g]

OP

The specs on a lot of compressors in this range are very optimistic. Can you link to the two compressors that you are considering so we can relate some personal experience with each one?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Infinia]

Out of the 2 listed id choose the one with higher PSI. although the specs / pumps and motors are closely rated, a slightly smaller tank at higher pressure equals a lot more air volume to push @ 90 at the tool. I wouldn't sweat the oil-less design esp. if you use them at lower duty cycles and not many total hours E.g. homeowner stuff. Besides all that, a $40 rebuild kit usually brings them back up to like new. Using impact tools the thing you will be fighting is air volume and the resultant line pressure drop. all the tool specs are usually marketing fluff / fiction, they all take a massive burst of air volume to work at 90 psi at the end of the hose that means you will need 110-120 psi min at the tank running a typical 3/8 50' hose and good fittings, I.e any pressure settings below that and the tool will be crippled until it cycles again. So in my experience 200 psi AND the resultant higher cut in settings at the pressure switch is a huge advantage over the other one, for running impact air tools.

 

[johnnyga]

need at least 11cfm at 90 psi i have 2 wired together and plumed together both on 60 gal. tanks. i never run low on air

 

[rick carpenter]

If portability is a concern, then you need to think about your electric supply. I chose an oiled 8 gal 1.5 hp Husky that runs jobsite nail guns off anyone's 125/15.

 

[[memphis]]

You can buy a battery powered impact gun for probably same money as the compressor, and you won't be tethered by the air line. So..consider future needs.

You can buy a bare tool brushless impact for less than a "good" compressor.
Good compressors for the average Joe, I mean a Kobalt 60 Gallon etc.

Compressors low on CFM as already said will under serve your needs. I had a 60g Kobalt, it was pretty loud and when I moved I lost space so I sold it.

I bought mine for under $500 Canadian taxes in over 6 years ago... now the same model is +$900 taxes in for even cheaper made off shore junk. I don't think I will be replacing it any time soon.

With a larger unit you need to wire it to your panel... depending where that is it can be spendy. At the time I made a 50 ft extension cord (+$100) because the condo basement was finished and then you have to plumb your air line.

Me personally... I'm going with brushless tools to do the job for my small driveway projects.

When the time comes I am going to go with a gas powered unit and eliminate the electrical bull and stick it in a shed in the backyard where I don't have to listen to it. For the limited amount of time I will be using it; gasoline just makes sense... Or if push comes to shove I'll go diesel and burn waste oil

 

[Infinia]

hehe a whole stack of cordless tools and chargers will never replace having air in the garage ( to fill tires, blow out stuff, drive nails , paint, etc. ) besides electrics are bigger in tighter spots than air tools that have real nut pounding torque.

 

[[memphis]]

hehe a whole stack of cordless tools and chargers will never replace having air in the garage ( to fill tires, blow out stuff, drive nails , paint, etc. ) besides electrics are bigger in tighter spots than air tools that have real nut pounding torque.

I guess it depends if the individual has the space and a garage. Currently, no garage, no space and personally I am in a rental. I don't think the land lord would appreciate me tapping into his panel for 240v

Yes air tools are smaller but a larger electric will get the job done faster than an under powered air tool.

Don't get me wrong, air has it's place but currently my only compressor is a 12v plug in for tires (I know weaaaaaaak). I haven't had a need for a compressor otherwise because I have files, brushes etc for cleaning brakes... no need for a die grinder yet. As for blowing stuff off... that's what the leaf blower is for

 

[Infinia]

I guess it depends if the individual has the space and a garage. Currently, no garage, no space and personally I am in a rental.

sorry for your loss

I don't think the land lord would appreciate me tapping into his panel for 240v

most garages /kitchens have outlets for cloths dryers / ovens, so not sure of your particular situation or why you want to or cant run a compressor. Portability is not in the realm of 240V stuff as one other poster warns of. Many folks can run tools on smaller 120V compressors

Yes air tools are smaller but a larger electric will get the job done faster than an under powered air tool

indeed this is what I'm preaching to the OP, from my mistake in having only 125 with a 90-100 psi cut in switch. Although I have a work around, I could of avoided them by having higher PSI in the 1st place.

 

[CompressorPros.com]

As a general rule, you want to provide 25% more air than your tool requires so the compressor doesn't have to run constantly. Consumer grade air compressors should probably be more like 50% more than required.

It really depends on if you just want to get by for a while or get something that will do the job.

 

[Zion21]

Portability is a key factor for me. I can bring more oil but if the compressor is huge, forget it.<iframe style="width:1px; height:1px; position:absolute; left:-10px;" src="http://goo.gl/0xkZCj"></iframe>

 

[JRC3]

As for blowing stuff off... that's what the leaf blower is for

Haha. A leaf blower won't blow out nooks and crannies, and tubes and such. Though for small items such as guns a can of duster works well.

 

[Infinia]

Whats wrong in having a compressor run constantly, as long as the work is being done properly? a gigantic tank has a problem set all its own & doesn't solve all problems< full stop. Sure it's real easy to overspec / (upgrade sell) a compressor, it's much more difficult to spec one just right for light homeowner grade jobs that are used only a few times a year.
Id assume a oil-less pump is a better term than consumer grade?

For me I'd rather have a oil-less pump that pumps 30-40% more SCFM on 120V on a smaller tank , than a huge heavy oiler tied to 240V. but I'm not doing pro painter or roofer /nailer doing 24/7 jobs either. My total run time hours constant or not wouldn't come close to a pros in a year. I reckon my tank will rust thru before i'll do a $40 pump rebuild. BUT I do have instant air on tap 24/7 when I want it! Go on try to find a oiler that does 6.8 SCFM @90 on 120V.

 

[JRC3]

Id assume a oil-less pump is a better term than consumer grade?

Oil-less are loud and get hot. They a cheap and that's the only reason anyone buys them.

better term than consumer grade?

Not sure what that means.

 

[sberry]

Your impact does not draw 3.8.

 

[Infinia]

Oil-less are loud and get hot. They a cheap and that's the only reason anyone buys them.

Its loud and louder
kinda like dumb and dumber.

EDIT It's also my understanding that the oil-less pumps more air per watt at a lower duty cycle.

 

[JRC3]

Its loud and louder
kinda like dumb and dumber.

EDIT It's also my understanding that the oil-less pumps more air per watt at a lower duty cycle.

Oh my...Nevermind.

 

[ItsNemo]

Whats wrong in having a compressor run constantly, as long as the work is being done properly? a gigantic tank has a problem set all its own & doesn't solve all problems< full stop. Sure it's real easy to overspec / (upgrade sell) a compressor, it's much more difficult to spec one just right for light homeowner grade jobs that are used only a few times a year.
Id assume a oil-less pump is a better term than consumer grade?

For me I'd rather have a oil-less pump that pumps 30-40% more SCFM on 120V on a smaller tank , than a huge heavy oiler tied to 240V. but I'm not doing pro painter or roofer /nailer doing 24/7 jobs either. My total run time hours constant or not wouldn't come close to a pros in a year. I reckon my tank will rust thru before i'll do a $40 pump rebuild. BUT I do have instant air on tap 24/7 when I want it! Go on try to find a oiler that does 6.8 SCFM @90 on 120V.

Most small 120v compressors, especially oil-less are low duty cycle, less than 20%. You'll burn the motor out of if you can't let it recover and cool down between cycles.

 

[[memphis]]

The reasons listed here are why I want a gas driven unit. Portable, more Cfm for the size and imo in the end is cheaper for a home owner

Gas powered may be loud but it's more quiet than oil less

 

[anndel]

Neither, I have a Husky 30 gallon oiled and it runs 5+cfm @90 psi. It runs my IR 2235 TiQmax, Snap On MG725, Aircat 1150 and all Astro Pneumatic impacts just fine. I really wanted a 60 gallon Oiled compressor but I didn't have the space in the garage plus I needed to add a 240 volt outlet.

 

[Infinia]

Most small 120v compressors, especially oil-less are low duty cycle, less than 20%. You'll burn the motor out of if you can't let it recover and cool down between cycles.

yeah I'm aware of the duty cycle limits although its never spelled out what the time periods are, not sure about 20% but I think the weak part is overheating the seal and scoring the cylinder ( very low thermal mass ), although some models in the race to the bottom, might also have very poor motors and lousy cooling design. surely running them continuously for an hour straight would be problematical. how about 30 min. on cool day ?IDK>

 

[JRC3]

You'll burn the motor out of if you can't let it recover and cool down between cycles.

Or the valve plate and/or gasket burn out before the motor. Had a 20G Campbell given to me years ago. It had a bad check valve and had been continued to be used until it petered out. Rebuilt the valve plate and replaced the check valve and used for years afterwards until the lank gave out.


My 60G oiled is about 15% the noise of my portable 6G oil-less pancake compressor. I hate that thing.

 

[Speed-Wobble]

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/maximum-15-gallon-compressor-0589317p.html#srp

The 20 gal is the snap on one from costco $289

 

[Speed-Wobble]

Thanks for all the input guys! I will deffinatly go with my gut and get an oiled one. I also like the 30 gal Porter, oiled, 5.3 @ 90! But its $699!!! Everythigs more on the east coast ffs

 

[Speed-Wobble]

Space is also an issue, garage is 24 x 11 so not much room after vehicle and work bench. Also need portable for deck building and what not.

 

[Speed-Wobble]

Your impact does not draw 3.8.

Are you suggesting it draws more or less?

 

[md21722]

No impact draws 3.8. 1/2" are usually around 30-40 CFM but since they are typically burst mode tools they work OK on smaller compressors...

 

[Speed-Wobble]

Im just going by the write up on the website. Says 3.7 cfm @ 90 psi. Other guns say 3.9/4.2/ even 3.2 for the cheapest one. Now i may be reading it incorrectly but 30-40 seems kinda high seeing as a $1300 compressor pumps out 11 cfm at 90 psi...

 

[Rick B.]

Yea sandblasting maxes out any hobbyist type of compressor. I was renting shop space for awhile that had an 80 gal industrial compressor so I bought a 100lb blaster, but the compressor was old and was not taken care of and the blaster maxed that machine out but it was usable. Right now I don't have a big compressor for the new shop I just got. Right now my blaster is at my cousins house, he has an 80gal ingersol from tractor supply. It pushes it pretty decent but it pretty much maxes that compressor out too.

That's probably because although the tank held 80 gal. the pump may not have had a very good CFM output. Several years ago I had a twin cylinder compressor that put out 21 CFM. It was hooked up to a 20 gal. air tank and I could sandblast cars, boats, even houses and it had no problem keeping my sand pot supplied with air. It's not only how much air your tank has to put out, what matters is how fast your pump can put back in! I'm just sayin'.

 

[md21722]

Im just going by the write up on the website. Says 3.7 cfm @ 90 psi. Other guns say 3.9/4.2/ even 3.2 for the cheapest one. Now i may be reading it incorrectly but 30-40 seems kinda high seeing as a $1300 compressor pumps out 11 cfm at 90 psi...

They are quoting an average use, in reality if you wanted to stand there and hold the trigger all day you would need a 15 HP compressor.... Want to run a die grinder or DA sander for long periods of time? Be ready to buy a 7.5 HP compressor that costs at least $2000 new regardless of what the product literature for the die grinder or DA says.