Temporary Air compressor

[RickP330]

Hello All,
Quick background - I am in a new apartment with a 1 car garage. Not alot of space and no 220VAC for my 5hp quincy (so it sits in storage). I will be here for at least two years and need at least minimal air. I was looking on craigs list an those clowns want near to full price for used cr@psman 20 and 33 gallon compressors. If I am going to do that - I am just buying it new so I can at least return it when the motor burns out. At $220 it might not be that bad. I was considering purchasing an electric polisher, but for that much money I might be able to get one of these small air compressors.

Please - don't hold back what do you think I should do?

Thanks
RickP

 

[2oolhound]

I live in a non industrial city and when I was looking for a compressor I found them over priced. Looking on CL in cities that had a more industrial base within 100 miles revealed loads of moderately priced compressors. It was a buyer's market over there. Of coarse you need to be going there already to make the savings worthwhile.

 

[IndyGarage]

Most single phase motors will run on both 220 and 110 - just rewire the inputs.

It might be possible to use it - but it'll draw quite a few amps.

If I needed a temporary, I would buy one of the nailer type compressors like these:

Makita
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VPK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Dewault
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HZJLV2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Ingersoll Rand
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035HYJN4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also like Porter Cable and Bostich - I'd get an oiled pump, rather than oilless and pay attention to the noise levels - then maybe get an external tank to hold more air - or even use your Quincy's tank.

 

[Lightfoot]

I may be reading something in to your post that's not there, but if you already have an air polisher, the small compressor will not keep up with it.

 

[hosz]

It took a few weeks, but I found a 12 gal. 1 hp oil lubed air compressor on CL for $45 in brooklyn. CT seemed to have the most over priced stuff - some guys were asking more than what it cost new. Central NJ has a better selection and more realistic prices. I found the best prices and selection to be in central PA but wasn't worth the gas money to make the trip.

 

[vartz04]

I have the 21 gallon HF one got it used for $50 but new its only $150 with a coupon. works fine for little stuff/impact use. Id get one of those. Don't spend a ton if its only for temp use.

 

[RickP330]

I may be reading something in to your post that's not there, but if you already have an air polisher, the small compressor will not keep up with it.

Yeah, I think you are right too. The electric polisher I was looking at was also around $220 and I have a ton of other air tools I could benift from having an A/C.
I think I had 20 amp breakers on each leg of the 220V There is no way in heck I am going to get away with plugging that thing into a wall outlet.

 

[RickP330]

I also like Porter Cable and Bostich - I'd get an oiled pump, rather than oilless and pay attention to the noise levels - then maybe get an external tank to hold more air - or even use your Quincy's tank.

Yes, those reserviors aren't going to be enough I don't think and that's a great idea to use my 80 gallon tank, but I don't have that A/C in my current garage and the logistics just won't work...
RP

 

[IndyGarage]

Yes, those reserviors aren't going to be enough I don't think and that's a great idea to use my 80 gallon tank, but I don't have that A/C in my current garage and the logistics just won't work...
RP

You'd be surprised at how much air they can deliver - especially that Makita one I linked to; 5.2 CFM is a bunch of air.

I often run my impact wrench off one of those small tank machines (although mine isn't as nice as any of the ones I mentioned). The pump has to regen a lot, and you can't run it continuously, but it's enough to remove the wheels off a car and or do repair work.

 

[pipsters]

You'd be surprised at how much air they can deliver - especially that Makita one I linked to; 5.2 CFM is a bunch of air.

I often run my impact wrench off one of those small tank machines (although mine isn't as nice as any of the ones I mentioned). The pump has to regen a lot, and you can't run it continuously, but it's enough to remove the wheels off a car and or do repair work.

The CFM a pump delivers isn't what makes the tool work. The tool works off stored air.

 

[Joe B.]

At least around Chicago the resale value of a 20-30 gal. Craftsman compressor is amazingly high. If I were in your position, I would buy one and keep it clean. Then sell it when you need to upgrade. You won't be out much cash at all over the years.

Granted, you may want to look for something quiet if other people live in your building.

 

[68rustang]

None of the inexpensive small ones will keep up with many air tools. That being said I bought this one from HF on sale for ~$90:

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-8-gallon-125-psi-portable-air-compressor-67501.html

I bought it as a temporary solution for working on the new (old) house until I could run wire for my big one. Runs nailers and small impacts just fine, doesn't leak. All around it is a decent unit and it cost less that the wire I need to run 220 to the garage

I believe it is the same pump as the larger 20/21 gal units.

 

[IndyGarage]

The CFM a pump delivers isn't what makes the tool work. The tool works off stored air.

The tool works off air - it doesn't care if the air comes directly out of the pump or not.


Those small tank compressors will do much more than most think they can.

 

[transittech]

Does your apartment have an attached garage and is the fuse panel in the garage? If I were in your shoes and I had a panel anywhere close, I would install (have installed by an electrician) a 220 volt circuit breaker and outlet close, and run a big drop cord to the compressor.

Unless I missed something...

 

[transittech]

Just looked it up, google says 40 amps. D'oh!

 

[RickP330]

Just looked it up, google says 40 amps. D'oh!

LOL, love the Homer. Yes, garages are attached, but I have a corner apartment and the garage is attached to the apartment next door not connected to my unit. The Circut breaker panel is not accessable from my garage and it only has 1 outlet. I pop that breaker and the gig will be up LOL. I'm not paying for that electric and if I'm running a A/C all day and they find out they might not be that appreciative While I need a source of compressed air I think I am going to consider buying an electric polisher for the moment. I'll start a new thread
RickP