Should I own a 60 Gal Compressor?

[TX63CONV]

I am into old cars and currently have a project that I am working on. Here is what I have:

--5 gallon compressor that will run my impact gun and fill tires, etc
--20x20 garage with an alcove that will fit a 60 gallon
--tons of electric tools (cutoff, grinder, DA, etc)

I am mostly mechanical as the last car I restored, I handed the paint and body off to a pro. The current project is a Triumph GT6 that I'm in the process of repairing sheet metal. My goal was to learn to paint the car myself. I have read ALL the threads on multiple boards about painting a car at home so I'm not looking for insight on ISOs or single stage vs 2k.

My problem is that I am starting to lose steam on this project and questioning whether I should invest in a 60 gallon. I plan to at least finish the sheet metal and epoxy prime the car but may look to sell it or store it. Actually, I am running out of time between work, family and the other cars that I have which constantly need maintenance.

TSC has a black friday deal on a Porter Cable 3.5hp 60 gallon compressor. $400 is not chump change but it will also not break the bank for me.

I feel like if I need to air up some tires, or swap wheels, filling up a 60 gallon would be a waste. Thoughts on my dilema?

 

[Woodman920]

I've got an 80. Never regretted, never looked back. Once you fill it, it's filled. No waste. I used pvc for air lines. Inexpensive and work great. 480psi rating.

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[BearsFan315]

using my 60 gal for restoring my 1929

does a great job so far, but not painting anything with it...

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

CFM is more important than tank size. Also factor in uses. Tools like impacts use air for several bursts of several seconds but sanders use air constantly for several minutes at a time.
I couldn't imagine running an impact with a small 5 gallon compressor. Can you even change a tire without waiting on it?
My 30 gallon produces about 6 CFM. It's OK with impacts, but I have to wait a few times when rotating tires. It can be almost unbearable with a cut-off wheel or angle grinder (if I have more than a piece or two to do). Sand blasting proved to be much more waiting than working.

 

[creativecars]

You already have a compressor that will air up tires, toys and run a tool every so often. Now I would not invest in a compressor that puts out less than 15cfm, even with a 60/80 gallon tank a da, big grinder or sand blaster will make it work quite a bit.
A 2 stage pump is your friend... this is not a just 2 cylinder compressor.

PS... DON'T use PVC as suggested!

 

[Rex_A_Lott]

I had a 20 gal for a while and it was frustrating. For me it was worth it to step up to the bigger outfit, 50 gal, but then again, I didnt have all the electric tools you have. Good Luck

 

[mike.zeiderman]

Went from a pancake to a 60 and never looked back, I have 3 Jeeps I work on, plus woodworking, the efficiency is amazing, so amazing that I often think about how much easier things would have been if I had gotten sooner.

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[TX63CONV]

For my needs, I am NOT going to be using it 8hrs a day multiple days. There are days (like this weekend) where I didn't get in the garage at all.

Eventually, I will have a larger shop and probably should wait to upgrade to a large compressor then. I'll have to figure something out when I get ready to prime.

My 5 gallon has a leak--which by the way I can zip off lug nuts on my 3/4 ton like Kyle Busch's pit crew--so it wont hold air over a couple of days. Any issue with letting a big 60 gallon sit for weeks at a time full of air?

 

[469 runner]

You will never regret owning a larger capacity compressor. So many tools can be run off of air. The thing is, once you have a decent compressor you will find so many more uses for it. My friend likes to bring his locomotive horn over every so often...LOL.

 

[D45]

My 33 gallon does everything I need it to

With the advent of some powerful and long lasting cordless tools, I rarely use my compressor anymore

I DO NOT miss tripping over the cord or not having enough air

 

[ratdoggy]

For my needs, I am NOT going to be using it 8hrs a day multiple days. There are days (like this weekend) where I didn't get in the garage at all.

Eventually, I will have a larger shop and probably should wait to upgrade to a large compressor then. I'll have to figure something out when I get ready to prime.

My 5 gallon has a leak--which by the way I can zip off lug nuts on my 3/4 ton like Kyle Busch's pit crew--so it wont hold air over a couple of days. Any issue with letting a big 60 gallon sit for weeks at a time full of air?

Mine sits charged all the time..I also have it in the basement on rubber pucks and I ran the piping through the sill into the garage. Also put a chuck in the basement...
Don't use PVC for piping at all

 

[Falcon67]

TSC has a black friday deal on a Porter Cable 3.5hp 60 gallon compressor. $400 is not chump change but it will also not break the bank for me.

I feel like if I need to air up some tires, or swap wheels, filling up a 60 gallon would be a waste. Thoughts on my dilema?

I have the Campbell-Hawsfeld version of that 60. It's painted car parts, blown off a lot of dirt, cleaned a lot of carbs, dried a bunch of washed parts and filled a lot of tires. Worth every dime IMHO. I use a long nozzle air gun to blow out the shop vs sweeping - handy for a lazy dude. So what if the usual job is to fill the constantly flat mower tires.

 

[SMKS]

There are definitely some sensible choices in between a pancake compressor and a 60 gallon.

But, there are some nice 60-gal units that go on sale for $399 with some consistency, such as the one mentioned in this thread already.

For me, being a one-man show, I put a little priority on having one with wheels that I can move easily if/when needed. I think my Campbell Hausfield is 33 gallons or so.

 

[shoot summ]

I had the Cman 33 gallon oil less, worked ok, ridiculously loud, wouldn't keep up with running any air tool that consumed much air.

Lucked into a Puma 60 gallon for $200, what a world of difference a real compressor makes. Once you have the air at your disposal it opens the door for more air tools. I replaced the head on the compressor a year or so ago with a larger capacity, slow RPM 2 stage, very quiet, lots of air production.

For me the only reason I wouldn't have a 60 gallon unit now, is if I had an 80 gallon...

I still have a pancake compressor for "portable" typically running an air nailer somewhere around the yard, or in the house.

 

[Gerald O]

I've got an 80. Never regretted, never looked back. Once you fill it, it's filled. No waste. I used pvc for air lines. Inexpensive and work great. 480psi rating.

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The above is Bad advice! DO NOT FOLLOW!
Seems this has to come up repeatedly. Most get it by now but as shown by the above post, there's always someone that uses and then recommends this dangerous practice.

PVC pipe and fittings should Never be used for compressed air applications.

http://www.lascofittings.com/compressed-air-and-pvc

"The American Society for Testing Materials has this draft proposal which will be added to the standards for PVC pipe and fittings.

"The products covered by this specification shall not be used in piping systems intended to store and/or to convey compressed air or other gases. Furthermore, these piping system products shall not be tested with compressed air or other gases unless recommended for such testing by the specific manufacturer, Additionally, the specific manufacturer making this recommendation shall provide a detailed procedure for such testing." - ASTM F17 - Project 90-95-01"

 

[md21722]

I upgraded over time from small tank single stage to larger tank multiple single stage to large tank dual stage. Once you get around 7.5HP dual stage with a large tank, air is no longer an issue. People stop upgrading when they're at 7.5-10HP dual stage with 200-240 gallons of air storage. Once you have that you'll understand. Compressors don't run often, there is no problem with water or condensate in the lines, ...

I always found 3.x HP 60 gallon compressors to be inadequate if I was trying to run a simple die grinder for any length of them. It runs, you run out of air, you wait...

Once you get up to high air and big tanks, all of this goes away and you'll love air. I can run air ratchets and impacts to do tire rotations and brake jobs and the compressors never even want to kick on unless I do a second job, and then only until the end of the 2nd job or somewhere in the 3rd job.

3.x HP 60 gallon single stage compressors are joke for serious users IMHO. That's why when I moved I dumped mine and upgraded... it will work fine for an impact, but if you need more than the quick blasts from an impact, its not worth the upgrade... until you get to the next level which is 5 HP dual stage...

IMHO, the 3.x HP 15A compressors with 60 gallon tanks don't do anything except look nice in the home garage. Most die grinders use 14-18 CFM so the compressor can't keep up...

The beauty of dual stage is that you almost NEVER run out of air. You'd have to be running 1HP or larger air tools to be without air. Air tools calls for 90 psi. Figuring in line pressure drop through hose and fittings, you need to set your regulator around 120 for an impact. Most single stage cycle at 90-120 and most dual stage cycle at 140-175. Based on this information alone you should only look at dual stage. If you are Joe homeowner and think 100 feet of 3/8 hose is great, you will need to pump the pressure up even more. Which means your impact will be at 50-60 psi running pressure before the compressor even kicks on! It won't work w a ****. These problems don't exist when your compressor is a dual stage cycling at 140-175.

If you search you will find many folks on here say the same, sometimes in fewer words, sometimes in more words.

Long post, but please take it to heart. It is cheaper to cry once, and pay once and go big the first time.

 

[brownbagg]

i got three 60 and one 90.

 

[eae197]

I'd go with the 60gal in a heartbeat. I also have a 2 1/2 gal for use with my nailers, air brush, putting air in tires, etc not in reach of the 60. Had a 30gal for several years and found that I would spend time waiting for air. I'm just a hobby type of mechanic, carpenter but find myself using air a lot more than I thought I would.

 

[Woodman920]

The above is Bad advice! DO NOT FOLLOW!
Seems this has to come up repeatedly. Most get it by now but as shown by the above post, there's always someone that uses and then recommends this dangerous practice.

PVC pipe and fittings should Never be used for compressed air applications.

http://www.lascofittings.com/compressed-air-and-pvc

"The American Society for Testing Materials has this draft proposal which will be added to the standards for PVC pipe and fittings.

"The products covered by this specification shall not be used in piping systems intended to store and/or to convey compressed air or other gases. Furthermore, these piping system products shall not be tested with compressed air or other gases unless recommended for such testing by the specific manufacturer, Additionally, the specific manufacturer making this recommendation shall provide a detailed procedure for such testing." - ASTM F17 - Project 90-95-01"

15 years no problem. 3:1 safety ratio. And about 1/5 the cost. What's your fear?

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[rsanter]

How often do you do work suchnthat your exsisting compressor is running constantly?
How often do you run short of air such that you have to stop and let the compressor recharge in order for you to continue?

If neither of the above are happening, then you don't need a bigger compressor

Bob

 

[Rmracing]

I have a ingersoll 60 gal 2 stage compressor and I'm glad I spent the money on it . I might not always need that much compressor but when I do it's there .

 

[md21722]

15 years no problem. 3:1 safety ratio. And about 1/5 the cost. What's your fear?

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You've never seen or heard personal stories of what happens when PVC fails. Shrapenal all over the shop, glad nobody was home when it happened.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Never ceases to amaze me . .
. . .
. . . . . . I've been on GJ for 4 years and every few months, out of blue, a guy pops in and says that PVC plastic pipe is "fine" for airline system !!

It's kind of like there are people out there that still think the world is flat !!

Back to OP's question . . . yes, you indeed NEED to get 60 gal 5 HP compressor or MORE !!

 

[Vette10R]

I purchased the 60 gallon Porter Cable from TSC last black Friday and I'm glad I did! I had an 11 gallon I did all .y work with and thought that was always good enougb. Now that I have the 60 I know I was wrong! Get all Milton V style ends and a hose real you'll be very happy with that compressor!!

 

[ratdoggy]

15 years no problem. 3:1 safety ratio. And about 1/5 the cost. What's your fear?

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I personally don't fear the PVC in your garage...You should
Do yourself a favor (and whoever walks in there) and replace it with the correct stuff

 

[thammel]

Get the bigger compressor. (I restored a TR6 and TR250 years ago) You will be constantly running out of air with cut-off tools, etc. Now, I did paint the TR6 with lacquer using my small 1 hp 20 gal compressor. This was fine, but for any air tool, you'll be waiting. No good.

Tom

 

[Woodman920]

Ok. That hurt. I'm pretty **** about how I do things. PVC air lines were offered as a good alternative. I'll buy the black pipe and switch out. I'll give it the safety factor but can't argue the stored energy. Thank you for tuning me up.

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[rburke65]

I bought a 5 hp, 60, 2 stage Champion compressor and I am real happy with it. Quite and it keeps up with my and blasting very well. I know you're looking at the money, but you'll never be sorry.

 

[ItsNemo]

5hp 60 gallon is the starting point on "real" compressors. They're worth it. I went from a 26 gallon oil-less up to my IR 60 gallon 2 stage 5 hp and the difference is incredible. I can use whatever air tools I want and never worry or wait for the compressor to catch up. I might only use it on weekends but I'm glad I have it.

I'm also surprised a 5 gallon could do anything with an impact wrench...my 26 gallon would fill a couple times while doing tires and that's with a fairly efficient 2135timax impact, my older cheap impacts would drain the 26 glalon tank with one wheel, a 5 gallon would do one bolt lol

 

[redmondjp]

To the OP - a 60-gallon unit will be perfect for your needs and you won't regret getting it. Jump on one of those Black Friday deals this week - you can't get a used version of the same thing on Craigslist for the price.

As stated above, the larger tank gives you more buffer to work with - I keep my 60-gallon valved shut and fully charged when not in use. Sometimes I can go a few weeks between run cycles on it (airing up a tire here, blowing a small part off there, etc.).

You won't need to move it - just get a 25' and a 50' hose (for outside-the-garage needs) and you're ready to work. You can go crazy and install piping, franzinator cooler lines, filters, air reels, and so on, but just to get started, a hose or two is all you really need. I lucked out and purchased an industrial-grade hose reel from a former employer, so I have about 60 feet of house on it - I can reach everything in my driveway and even my neighbor's driveway with it. That's the first thing I would invest in.

 

[ratdoggy]

Ok. That hurt. I'm pretty **** about how I do things. PVC air lines were offered as a good alternative. I'll buy the black pipe and switch out. I'll give it the safety factor but can't argue the stored energy. Thank you for tuning me up.

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Glad to hear you are leaving the dark side.....
I had PVC in my old garage too and converted years ago..Never again

 

[Falcon67]

Ok. That hurt. I'm pretty **** about how I do things. PVC air lines were offered as a good alternative. I'll buy the black pipe and switch out. I'll give it the safety factor but can't argue the stored energy. Thank you for tuning me up.

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You can read several discussions here but the gist of it is that PVC is not rated for air. The pressure rating/"safety factor" you might be referring to on the pipe is for water only. Water doesn't compress, so when a plastic pipe fails it just leaks. 50 psi of water will push a poorly glued fitting apart, then water just goes everywhere without much drama. 120 PSI of air is like a compressed explosive charge in the pipe and when it fails, its a plastic grenade.

This is the result of hitting a 1" PVC pipe @ 50 PSI of well water with a pick - almost nothing except wet.

A discussion on PVC in a shop
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/ruptured-pvc-air-lines-what-not-do-230253/

The OSHA letter:
https://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html

"Only one type of plastic pipe has been approved for use with compressed air. That pipe, Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS), is marked on the pipe as approved for compressed air supply."

 

[Orionrising]

Any of these 60 gallon ones really good all the online reviews are very mixed

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[Orange65]

Always amazed at the range of responses on this forum. They range from the guys who like to use a 10 lb sledge hammer when a small ball peen would do to the more realistic people. Doesn't sound like you need enough compressor to run a small factory- just something to run a few tools. A 3.7 HP 60 gallon should be enough. I have painted a couple of cars with a 20 gallon Sears oil less. I just couldn't run the DA much. The compressor built back up while I was refilling with paint. This was not an HVLP gun, though. The same compressor lived thru me porting a couple of sets of heads and an intake or two. If you don't use it that often, the expenditure doesn't justify not having to wait for a compressor to rebuild.

 

[ilovevocs]

go with a quality 80 gal and don't look back. As stated above the DA is the issue. I bought my IR 12 years ago and its till like brand new. Have never had an issue or regrets.

 

[ilovevocs]

Always amazed at the range of responses on this forum. They range from the guys who like to use a 10 lb sledge hammer when a small ball peen would do to the more realistic people. Doesn't sound like you need enough compressor to run a small factory- just something to run a few tools. A 3.7 HP 60 gallon should be enough. I have painted a couple of cars with a 20 gallon Sears oil less. I just couldn't run the DA much. The compressor built back up while I was refilling with paint. This was not an HVLP gun, though. The same compressor lived thru me porting a couple of sets of heads and an intake or two. If you don't use it that often, the expenditure doesn't justify not having to wait for a compressor to rebuild.

Some of us like having the right tools for the job. My shop is past the point of saving money but no less a money pit than a boat, RV, or a cottage.

I don't do my own work to save money, I do it because I enjoy it. Last thing I want to do on my day off is struggle with inferior equipment in an attempt to perform professional quality work.

 

[Falcon67]

> I have painted a couple of cars with a 20 gallon Sears oil less.

I've painted two cars with a 1.5HP 33 gallon Porter compressor. What the larger yet not-all-the-CFM-you-might-want unit will do 100x better is control water. The little compressors run hard when sanding, blasting or painting and that produces a TON of water. You'll spend as much time fighting water at the gun as letting the small compressor recover. A good 60 has the big tank to help pull some of that out, and if the runs and filters after the compressor are set up right you will get pretty decently dry air at your gun for minimal investment.

>I don't do my own work to save money, I do it because I enjoy it.
That. Using a $2100 mill to fix a $2 toy is just fun, nothing more to it.

 

[strutaeng]

OP, do you already own spray guns for priming your car? Primer specific spray guns tend to be less expensive than the high end ones for breaking up high solids clear. I would say a decent primer gun is $200-300+.

A big box 3HP 60 gal. 220V is $400 approx. CFM 12

Jumping to a 5 HP 80 gal. is probably around $800+ approx. CFM 16

If you already have all your other tools covered by electric or cordless, consider a turbine spray system. I've heard they are used by mobile auto repair/repaint specialists. They operate on 120V and take very little space. Maybe you can borrow or rent one. A 3 stage Apollo is around $700.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NU89B36/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good luck

 

[Joe0121]

Yes absolutely in fact a dual stage if you can swing the price is worth the Upgrade. You will need it to run a decent sandblaster and pneumatic tools like a die grinder and impact gun make life way easier. I really like the Rapid Air air line kits you can get from amazon for shop piping as well.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

My 33 gallon does everything I need it to

With the advent of some powerful and long lasting cordless tools, I rarely use my compressor anymore

I DO NOT miss tripping over the cord or not having enough air

I'm with you! After I got a cordless inflator and a cordless 1/2" impact wrench, my compressor hardly ever gets touched unless I'm completely filling a car tire, or using nail guns. Even then, I tend to hand nail most framing projects, and I have a cordless finish nailer as well.