Time to get an air compressor....looking for some info.

[IQRaceworks]

It's time to upgrade my small little 5gal pancake compressor to something that I can actually use to run air tools. My budget is $500.....and I'm trying to figure out what the best compressor is in my price range.

My biggest use is going to be running air tools like a 1/2" impact wrench, and maybe some other random air tools like an air chisel, die grinder, and air sander. I want a compressor big enough that will run that stuff and still be able to maintain good air pressure. It's just going to be for projects around the house/hobby farm.

I'm pretty green when it comes to air compressors....just looking for some general info on them....what type I should be looking at, what HP, and brands are good, and what I need to stay away from. I'd like to go with a 220v compressor, but I'm not sure I can find one in my price range. If may have to be 110.

Thanks!

 

[deaddawg58]

Check the hot deals thread, northern tool has one on sale in your price range.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My biggest use is going to be running air tools like a 1/2" impact wrench, and maybe some other random air tools like an air chisel, ...

Any decent. twin cylinder, oil lube with about 1hp compressor will handle these !

... die grinder, and air sander. I want a compressor big enough that will run that stuff and still be able to maintain good air pressure.

You just stepped into a different league. Grinder, sander, sand blaster all take a LOT of air ! Your going to need at least a 5hp. Bigger would be better.

... I'm not sure I can find one in my price range.

Good luck !

Look for a used commercial unit like a Quincy.

 

[GoodEnough]

What's the minimum size for doing a few lug nuts at a time?

 

[theoldwizard1]

What's the minimum size for doing a few lug nuts at a time?

Any 3-5 gallon pancake that can get to 100 psi will do that.

 

[chris142]

Dont get the 20 gallon quincy. I'm very unhappy with mine

 

[IQRaceworks]

What do you guys think about this compressor? It might be more than I need, but I'd rather have it too big, than too small.

220v, 13.4 cfm, 150psi, 60gal, .......looks pretty good for under $500.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C601H/203187350?N=c27pZ1z0v7nx#.UoEi4xA0OLE

 

[460Rustang]

Craigslist and Ebay,...I was all hot for a used Quincy, USA made, when a Kobalt 80 gl, used but really, "NEW" popped up for $500.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Dont get the 20 gallon quincy. I'm very unhappy with mine

Just curious, was is it that has caused you to be unhappy with the compressor ?

 

[kc-steve]

The way I decided on a compressor was to look at the air consumption of all the air tools I thought I might use in the future. Then analyze the different compressors for output at various pressures. You can do a little fudging if you have a limited budget, but realize that you might have to have some "break time" for the compressor to catch up. Also be advised if your compressor is running more often than not, it will put additional wear and tear on the system.

Hope that helps.

Steve

 

[460Rustang]

The way I decided on a compressor was to look at the air consumption of all the air tools I thought I might use in the future. Then analyze the different compressors for output at various pressures. You can do a little fudging if you have a limited budget, but realize that you might have to have some "break time" for the compressor to catch up. Also be advised if your compressor is running more often than not, it will put additional wear and tear on the system.

Hope that helps.

Steve

Agreed,........HP and GL don't man ****, CFM is where it's at......

 

[theoldwizard1]

What do you guys think about this compressor? It might be more than I need, but I'd rather have it too big, than too small.

220v, 13.4 cfm, 150psi, 60gal, .......looks pretty good for under $500.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C601H/203187350?N=c27pZ1z0v7nx#.UoEi4xA0OLE

Not bad, but I don't know if it would have enough CFM for die grinder, sander, or sand blaster. That 13.5 CFM is at 40 psi. It is 11.5 at 90 psi which is around where you will run most tools.

Like I said before, you are going to need at least 5hp.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Not bad, but I don't know if it would have enough CFM for die grinder, sander, or sand blaster. That 13.5 CFM is at 40 psi. It is 11.5 at 90 psi which is around where you will run most tools.

Like I said before, you are going to need at least 5hp.

And that is probably a number taken right off the head, run it through the after cooler pipe (if it has one), and then the regulator, piping air hose, the number keeps falling.

Its a rare event that anyone ever has enough air (home shop).

 

[IQRaceworks]

Is there any better deal out there for a 220v compressor?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C601H/203187350#.UoFtaOKLXk8

It seems like if I want to go any more CFM.....the prices all jump from around $500....to around $800+ for a 5+hp compressor. That's just not in my price range.

Keep in mind, this is just for a shop...occasional use, maybe some air tools every now and then....maybe a few hours a week. I've been happy with a 2 gal pancake compressor for the last few years....so anything better is going to be an huge upgrade for me

 

[allanjs]

Is there any better deal out there for a 220v compressor?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C601H/203187350#.UoFtaOKLXk8

It seems like if I want to go any more CFM.....the prices all jump from around $500....to around $800+ for a 5+hp compressor. That's just not in my price range.

Keep in mind, this is just for a shop...occasional use, maybe some air tools every now and then....maybe a few hours a week. I've been happy with a 2 gal pancake compressor for the last few years....so anything better is going to be an huge upgrade for me

That's not a bad compressor for your needs. The last I knew they were made by Campbell Hausfeld and just painted over the tags. These do come up for sale used as quite a few guys upgrade. I have the same model (I believe) and just recently upgraded the pump to a 3 cyl. Eaton. Huge difference in noise level and recovery time. Check your local Craigslist.

 

[Jtcrep]

Buy used old iron and put the work into it. Something designed to last forever is worth the time to find and maybe fix. Go for a big name like IR cause parts are easy to find. Compressors are super simple to work on or rebuild, a great learning experience if you don't already know what your doing. I rebuilt an IR t-30 that I bought for $200. Now I have the equivalent of a $3500 compressor that will last my lifetime. Good luck!

 

[IQRaceworks]

Yeah, I've been looking around on Craigslist for some used stuff.... but all of the "American iron" equipment is so old and beat up, it's not worth my time to mess with rebuilding it for the price that want for it.

If I has a professional shop that I made my living from, I would probably be more inclined to find something old and rebuild it....and turn it into an awesome compressor that will last forever. But for a "hobby shop".....it's so much easier to just buy a compressor, plug it in, and be done with it. For the amount of time I will use it, I'd be surprised if I didn't get 10 years or more of use out of it.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Yeah, I've been looking around on Craigslist for some used stuff.... but all of the "American iron" equipment is so old and beat up, it's not worth my time to mess with rebuilding it for the price that want for it.

If I has a professional shop that I made my living from, I would probably be more inclined to find something old and rebuild it....and turn it into an awesome compressor that will last forever. But for a "hobby shop".....it's so much easier to just buy a compressor, plug it in, and be done with it. For the amount of time I will use it, I'd be surprised if I didn't get 10 years or more of use out of it.

This was found on craigs, for less $ than I could by a big box store unit at a 1/3 of its capacity. One owner, run on synthetic its whole life, came with gallon of Royal purple and a box of oil filters. Got to hear it, see it run before purchasing.

No, I did not find it, the first time I looked, it took a while, but you can find some really nice stuff, at good prices, but you have to be a patient hunter and move quickly when it does surface. American made, parts still available, even aftermarket parts, its that popular, and 30cfm @175 psi to boot.

 

[RStewart]

Look at auctions of machine shop/fabricators/garages going out of business. Most sales are as is but bargains can be found.

 

[Bronson]

Is there any better deal out there for a 220v compressor?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C601H/203187350#.UoFtaOKLXk8

It seems like if I want to go any more CFM.....the prices all jump from around $500....to around $800+ for a 5+hp compressor. That's just not in my price range.

Keep in mind, this is just for a shop...occasional use, maybe some air tools every now and then....maybe a few hours a week. I've been happy with a 2 gal pancake compressor for the last few years....so anything better is going to be an huge upgrade for me

I also need a new compressor, and was wondering, If the OP bought the compressor He linked, would it be an advantage to add a accumulator tank inline? Like a bigger version of what You could carry from tire to tire? Would the additional volume be worth the effort/expense of adding a second tank?