Should I own a 60 Gal Compressor?

[BD1]

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 see you will be replacing it . IF you do a search , ALL PVC manufactures do state that it is not designed for compressed air. OSHA also has documented results of what happened using PVC which THEY also state it is against OSHA regulations.

 

[redmondjp]

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.

IF the OP is going to use a sandblaster, die grinder, or air sander for long, continuous periods, then you are correct. But for intermittent use (say, 5 minutes at a time with breaks in between), the 60-gallon single-stage will be sufficient.

 

[Woodman920]

I like the rapid air system. Same cost as black pipe and I don't have to cut and thread. No worries about contamination. Thanks all. Sorry for diverting from the topic.

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[64coupedeluxe]

Look for a deal on craigslist, it's just a matter of time.

I restore muscle cars for fun and since I picked up my 80 gal Champion 2 stage 175psi compressor I have been having a whole lot more fun.

Feeds my harbor freight pot blaster so I can blast till the cows come home, or I have to refill the pot

I was looking to get a 60 gal as they are physically smaller but I have squeezed my 80 gal into the front corner of my attached 2 car garage and don't begrudge the extra room it takes over a 60.

 

[Joe0121]

IF the OP is going to use a sandblaster, die grinder, or air sander for long, continuous periods, then you are correct. But for intermittent use (say, 5 minutes at a time with breaks in between), the 60-gallon single-stage will be sufficient.

I could be biased I got a smoking deal on a 5hp 2 stage IR compressor.

 

[redmondjp]

I could be biased I got a smoking deal on a 5hp 2 stage IR compressor.

No, not biased at all! I have been using a single-stage 60-gallon compressor now for 26 years. I also have three (long story, CL addiction mainly) two-stage compressors (a Curtis, a Snapon, and a Quincy) and there is no comparison when using a high-flow tool like a cutoff wheel or air sander.

But as to answering the OP's question, compared to what he has now, a 60-gallon 3ish HP unit will be a big upgrade and truth be told, serves me just fine for 99% of the time as well.

 

[finn]

First off, forget the PVC airlines . PVC is not approved and the shrapnel generated when it fails can cause injury or death. Do a search on PVC airlines here if you are considering it.


I bought a "Sears Best" (actually a DeVillbis) 120/240 volt belt drive 20 gallon portable compressor back in 1980, which I recently resurrected for temporary use until I get around to replacing the filter/dryer in my shop air system. The old compressor probably is roughly equivalent in air delivery to the TSC unit you're considering.

It runs air tools, a sandblasted, and has painted a few cars over the thirty years it was my primary compressor.

It works fine for impacts and air chisels, but the duty cycle is limited with cut off wheels and sandblasters. You can work around that , though.

There is no comparison to my 80 gallon IR or Champion, but there's no question the old Sears compressor met my needs for 25 years as a hobbyist

I understand the compromises a hobbyist makes when also raising a family, and suggest you go ahead with your plan to buy the PC compressor you're eyeing. If $400 is a budget limit, stick to it and don't succumb to the bigger is better syndrome.

 

[dacuda]

i have 2,30 gallon portable i used for onsite work and an 80 gallon i use in my home shop.i do a lot of painting and you really need an 80 gallon to get it done.

 

[goingtoarizona]

Yes, go big and buy it once! Not sure how you managed with a 5 gallon and didn't throw it to the curb!

 

[77Mini]

I has a 20 gal and always wished I had bigger for certain things. Started having some problems with it so went out and bout a 60gal that will do 18cfm. I love it. Would never go back

 

[jcthorne]

A counter point.

I have used my 33 gal 5 HP unit for over 30 years. For many years I wished I had gone bigger. But that was long ago. Now with Milwaukee Fuel tools, I use very little air and the 5Hp unit is overkill in the extreme. If and when the old Cman unit finally dies, I'll likely replace with a 2HP 20gal ultra quiet unit.

These days, unless you are in the paint and body work, there is little need for lots of air. Cordless electric tools have just surpassed every other type of pneumatic tool. Even the die grinder.

I now only use air for filling tires and for the locks and air powered trolley jacks on my BendPak lift. Very rare I will use an impact hammer to separate a ball joint but a 20 gal unit will be plenty for that.

Invest in better tools, not a bigger compressor and you will no longer drag cords or air hoses around to work.

 

[Streetbu]

On the other hand I dislike cordless tools unless they are lithium. Regular NiCd or NiMh discharge when not being used. So for me air is the way to go....

 

[TX63CONV]

Bought the compressor and I think it will fit my needs just fine. I'm sure I will be back on here with further questions.