hireman
Active member
Building a 36x28 garage, have 4x4 foot slab poured for it behind garage off main slab. Looking to spend about a grand. Anyone have any really good experiences with something in this price range?
Need air compressor recommendation
- Thread starter hireman
- Start date
65f100
Well-known member
What tools do you need to run?
Determine the CFM of the highest duty cycle/highest air consumption pneumatic tool you will ever anticipate using, and then choose a compressor that will supply that output +20% more.
sweetk30
Well-known member
best advice i can give buy 2x bigger than you think you need now . and don't let price determin what you get .
or you will be under powered / lower cfm than you need / and looking to fix the problem with more money .
i am currently building a system for my shop . 2 compressors with total of just over 200gal of storage and all 3/4" lines .
main unit is 19cfm@175psi and second unit is 9cfm@175psi .
most everyone says why in the hell so much air . . . . i tell them why not . i know what its like to not have it when in the thick of a job and need it .
my big unit will swap out to a bigger motor and pulley later if need be and go to 25 or 35 cfm @ 175spi if i ever need more .
and i prefer 2 stage units with oil lube .
or you will be under powered / lower cfm than you need / and looking to fix the problem with more money .
i am currently building a system for my shop . 2 compressors with total of just over 200gal of storage and all 3/4" lines .
main unit is 19cfm@175psi and second unit is 9cfm@175psi .
most everyone says why in the hell so much air . . . . i tell them why not . i know what its like to not have it when in the thick of a job and need it .
my big unit will swap out to a bigger motor and pulley later if need be and go to 25 or 35 cfm @ 175spi if i ever need more .
and i prefer 2 stage units with oil lube .
md21722
Well-known member
Many people have started small and upgraded over the years. Most stop when they end up at 7.5HP dual stage with after cooler on 80-120 gallon tank. Be sure to get the after cooler, and drain the tank.
Scotland Offshore ABZ
Well-known member
One thing I would say is not to worry too much about the compressor. I would happily buy a Small IR compressor but a 1000L air reciever. The air reciever is your friend when it comes to huingry air tools. I have a 5000L air reciever and an IR GA series which cost me £60,000. But if I was just paint spraying or using a MG725 to take of wheel nuts on my own opposed to 4 people at once, I could get away with a much smaller compressor with a big air receiver.
Last edited:
bowhuntr311
Well-known member
I would guess you want something 60 or 80 gallon. 5HP minimum (7.5 even better). Dual stage is preferable to single stage, but also harder to find and more money. Cast iron pump over aluminum. If its gonna be outside I would suggest looking for an automatic tank drain. Most compressors recommend draining daily or every other day. What a pain to walk out back every time and drain it. Defiantly look into a cooler/dryer/separator/filter system of some kind. If your gonna paint anything its a must.
Like others have said find your biggest CFM tool and go 20% over. My guess if you wanna stay under the 1Grand mark you'll end with a cheaper brand you can find at a big box store. Now if you bump up to the 1500 mark you can run some top of the line brands.
Like others have said find your biggest CFM tool and go 20% over. My guess if you wanna stay under the 1Grand mark you'll end with a cheaper brand you can find at a big box store. Now if you bump up to the 1500 mark you can run some top of the line brands.
engineer2
Well-known member
I researched brands and liked:
Saylor Beall
Champion
Quincy
If you can budget for a refrigerated air dryer, you'll be glad you did.
Saylor Beall
Champion
Quincy
If you can budget for a refrigerated air dryer, you'll be glad you did.
md21722
Well-known member
A huge receiver only helps if you are using huge bursts of air for short periods of time, or if your compressor output is very close, but not quite enough to power your tool for a while. A shop that uses a pneumatic pump that uses 60 CFM to pump oil for oil changes, etc. in spurts wouldn't necessarily need a 20 HP air compressor if they have a large tank. But for most guys in home shops, the sandblaster is the single largest consumer of air and they may need to blast for a while so they need a bigger pump.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Your going to need $2,500 - $3,000 to do it right. But if you go that route you'll only need to do it once. A SATA 5000 takes 17 CFM continuously to spray a complete car. 7.5hp 80 gallon two stage will keep up. Anything less will not. Don't believe anything else anybody tells you. This is what's needed if you're serious. Sorry to burst your bubble but the truth is the truth and that's that.
ron in sc
Well-known member
You might want to consider a unit that has a 5 hp motor that runs at 1750 rpm, has an 80 gallon tank 220 volts
Many brands have a unit that meets above stated stats. I use one like that in my shop and about the only things it can not keep up with is sandblasting and cheap die grinder.
Many brands have a unit that meets above stated stats. I use one like that in my shop and about the only things it can not keep up with is sandblasting and cheap die grinder.
Davefr has the best advice. 1st figure out what you plan to use it for. Is this a professional auto shop with several users or just you?
Impact tools don't need much air and run for short periods. They don't need much, but higher pressure gives you more power. 135 lbs is usually fine.
Spinning tools like due grinders and drills use a lot more air. My 5 gallon portable will run those about 30 seconds before it kicks on, then I get another 30 seconds before pressure is too low and I have to wait. My 60 gallon 10cfm unit will run them a few minutes before it kicks n and it keeps up with them. 3 hp motor works fine.
if you want to use air grinders you'll prolly need more than than. I just use electric for most power spinning tools
For paint spraying my big compressor works fine, but I don't spray continuously.
You don't have to spend a fortune for most home garage use.
I scored my larger unit by getting a 60 gal tank with a 10.5 cfm pump and no motor for $70 on craigslist. Then bought a harbor freight continuous run 3 amp motor for about $125 on sale (the continuous run motors are a plus). So the whole thing was about $200. Then I added new fittings, gauges, bleed valve and rebuilt the pump just to get it all set and reliable. 3 years and no problems.
I see tanks cheap on CL occasionally with no motors. The HF motors have good reviews and mine has been great. If you go this route you have a choice of pumps and motors. HF has 3 & 5 Hp motors, single and dual stage pumps. I wouldn't get to concerned about dual stage. Most tools don't need or want the extra pressure. The advantage is the same tank will hold more air at a higher pressure so it's like having a larger tank and if the cfm at 175lbs is the same as another pump at 135lbs it's like having more cfm, but you'll pay more and you'll need a stronger motor which costs more, and most people never need it. For me, 10.5 cfm is fine. Occasionally 12-15 would be nice, but I wouldn't upgrade everything to get it.
Impact tools don't need much air and run for short periods. They don't need much, but higher pressure gives you more power. 135 lbs is usually fine.
Spinning tools like due grinders and drills use a lot more air. My 5 gallon portable will run those about 30 seconds before it kicks on, then I get another 30 seconds before pressure is too low and I have to wait. My 60 gallon 10cfm unit will run them a few minutes before it kicks n and it keeps up with them. 3 hp motor works fine.
if you want to use air grinders you'll prolly need more than than. I just use electric for most power spinning tools
For paint spraying my big compressor works fine, but I don't spray continuously.
You don't have to spend a fortune for most home garage use.
I scored my larger unit by getting a 60 gal tank with a 10.5 cfm pump and no motor for $70 on craigslist. Then bought a harbor freight continuous run 3 amp motor for about $125 on sale (the continuous run motors are a plus). So the whole thing was about $200. Then I added new fittings, gauges, bleed valve and rebuilt the pump just to get it all set and reliable. 3 years and no problems.
I see tanks cheap on CL occasionally with no motors. The HF motors have good reviews and mine has been great. If you go this route you have a choice of pumps and motors. HF has 3 & 5 Hp motors, single and dual stage pumps. I wouldn't get to concerned about dual stage. Most tools don't need or want the extra pressure. The advantage is the same tank will hold more air at a higher pressure so it's like having a larger tank and if the cfm at 175lbs is the same as another pump at 135lbs it's like having more cfm, but you'll pay more and you'll need a stronger motor which costs more, and most people never need it. For me, 10.5 cfm is fine. Occasionally 12-15 would be nice, but I wouldn't upgrade everything to get it.
Last edited:
CompressorPros.com
Well-known member
This guide may help you figure out what size compressor might work best for you. We do have compressors for around $1000, but you are going to be limited in CFM.
Sizing a Compressor
Sizing a Compressor
There's one other consideration. Sometimes you can get by with a smaller /less expensive compressor if you switch some tools over to electric.
I have this little Sioux DA. This little fella consumes a whopping 15 CFM @90 PSI and this is a tool you typically run at very high duty cycles. (ie continuous). My 5 HP/60 gallon IR compressor will barely keep up. It's the highest CFM@high duty cycle tool in my shop.
Switching from pneumatic to electric saves power, cost, reduces noise and wear and tear on the compressor. It's really a no brainer to rethink your tool strategy and try and use electric whenever feasible.
I have this little Sioux DA. This little fella consumes a whopping 15 CFM @90 PSI and this is a tool you typically run at very high duty cycles. (ie continuous). My 5 HP/60 gallon IR compressor will barely keep up. It's the highest CFM@high duty cycle tool in my shop.
Switching from pneumatic to electric saves power, cost, reduces noise and wear and tear on the compressor. It's really a no brainer to rethink your tool strategy and try and use electric whenever feasible.
Ironhorse74
MEMBER EMERITUS
Are you ever going to have a blast cabinet? They are big cfm gobblers. My opinion is you are better off with a good used commercial unit than a new home owners compressor for a grand. Keep watching Craigslist and you can find one. Make sure it is single phase,