Time to upgrade compressor

[cspcrx]

Have had a Husky 110v 20 gal compressor that has served me well for many years. As my air tool collection and use has grown I have quickly discovered it can not keep up with them. Looking to upgrade to a 220v 60 gallon. I do not do paint work just work on my cars and fabricate in my garage. looking at Lowe’s and Home Depot I have narrowed it down these two.

calair 60037BD for $1199 advantage seems to be it has continuous run of up to 8 hours and lower price but lower cam of 11.5cfm

Mega Compressor MP-6560VB $1317 advantage seems to be 18cfm but only a 50% duty cycle.

Both seem to get great reviews for sound levels and my father-n-law has a smaller calair that he loves and constantly comments on how quite it is.

any feedback on either from you all?
appreciate it!

 

[mike93lx]

What tools are you using that a 50% duty cycle would be a problem?

 

[GeoBruin]

10 vs 18 cfm is a huge difference. I consider those two different classes of compressor. Take a minute and read this post. It provides some context for your decision here.

Post in thread 'Need some air compressor advice'

Need some air compressor advice

I’m looking to buy a different air compressor; I have an older 25gal horizontal craftsman. I want to get a 30gal vertical. Any recommendations would be great, (and the ones to avoid). I have a limited budget so the less expensive the better. Thanks.

www.garagejournal.com

As for the duty cycle concerns, you're not going to do much better than 50% without spending a lot more money. For context, here's $3,000 Eaton that is frequently recommended here. It has all the bells and whistles including being pressure lubricated and it's rated for a 60% duty cycle. You don't see true 100% duty cycles until you get up to big industrial scroll compressors.

Polar Air Industrial 5HP 19CFM 1- Phase 2-Stage 80 Gal. Vertical Stationary Electric Air Compressor-w/Pressure Lube Pump,w/Isolator Pads - Eaton Compressor https://share.google/O83LfSx2jPawZgMeR

That mega Compressor is actually pretty interesting. I have no idea about the quality/reliability/noise, but the specs are pretty good. It's a single stage, so the max pressure will be limited, but if you don't need higher pressure, that's a lot of air delivery if the rating is to be believed.

 

[cspcrx]

What tools are you using that a 50% duty cycle would be a problem?

I use air impacts, ratchets, and die grinders the most. Plasma cutter every now and then as well. Seems the die grinders are what kill my current compressor. But is getting 100% duty cycle for less money make it a better choice?

 

[cspcrx]

10 vs 18 cfm is a huge difference. I consider those two different classes of compressor. Take a minute and read this post. It provides some context for your decision here.

Post in thread 'Need some air compressor advice'

Need some air compressor advice

I’m looking to buy a different air compressor; I have an older 25gal horizontal craftsman. I want to get a 30gal vertical. Any recommendations would be great, (and the ones to avoid). I have a limited budget so the less expensive the better. Thanks.

www.garagejournal.com

As for the duty cycle concerns, you're not going to do much better than 50% without spending a lot more money. For context, here's $3,000 Eaton that is frequently recommended here. It has all the bells and whistles including being pressure lubricated and it's rated for a 60% duty cycle. You don't see true 100% duty cycles until you get up to big industrial scroll compressors.

Polar Air Industrial 5HP 19CFM 1- Phase 2-Stage 80 Gal. Vertical Stationary Electric Air Compressor-w/Pressure Lube Pump,w/Isolator Pads - Eaton Compressor https://share.google/O83LfSx2jPawZgMeR

That mega Compressor is actually pretty interesting. I have no idea about the quality/reliability/noise, but the specs are pretty good. It's a single stage, so the max pressure will be limited, but if you don't need higher pressure, that's a lot of air delivery if the rating is to be believed.

Very good information. Perhaps the extra cost of the Mega with the larger motor and higher CFM is worth it. I am guessing the larger motor will allow for quicker recovery when you run it low?

 

[BillK]

I have quickly discovered it can not keep up with them.

What exactly do you mean by that ? Which tools can it not "keep up with" ?

 

[cspcrx]

For example was using my cut off wheel could only cut for about 30-45 seconds before compressor had to kick on and the tool did work well. Would have to stop letting the tank fully fill and shut off before trying again.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have a hard time believing that the MEGA is truly a five HP. A single phase 5 HP motor is going to be somewhere around 28 amps. That being said, I have pretty much the same thing as the Calair; It's a Sanborn rebranded as a Masterforce and sold at Menards. It runs everything ok, but requires patience (which I don't have) when using a cutting wheel or die grinder for an extended period of time, for shorter time periods it's fine, but can't keep up after it starts running. I wound up buying it's little brother 120 volt 30 gallon belt drive and hooking them together. The two of them can keep up; they will even gain a little bit but not much. I also ditched the regulator a long time ago so I am probably using a lot more air than what would be considered normal.

 

[impactims]

Have you looked into Snap on’s air compressor offerings?

They are very nice.

 

[Rinspeed]

The main issue with all compressors in the price range you are looking at is they all will have made in Asia motors and pumps. A 5 HP Baldor motor alone is around $900 so there is no free lunch. Just pick one that has decent reviews and hope for the best. Good compressors start at $3K and quickly go up from there.

 

[GeoBruin]

Very good information. Perhaps the extra cost of the Mega with the larger motor and higher CFM is worth it. I am guessing the larger motor will allow for quicker recovery when you run it low?

It's not just the size of the motor, it's the combination of the motor and pump. The system is just designed to out out more air. When it comes to running continuous flow air tools like like a die grinder, you want the highest flow (cfm) you can get, or you will outrun your pump as you have experienced.

Here is a link to a video I made testing the Instantaneous air demand of several common air tools.

As you can see, even 18 CFM doesn't cut it if you wany to truly run the tool continously. But for most of us, we stop now and then to check our work, let trigger finger rest, or just take a drink and cool off, during which time the compressor has a chance to fill the tank. But as you have noticed, you will very quickly outrun a small compressor and you will definitely feel the difference between 10 and 18 CFM.

I have a hard time believing that the MEGA is truly a five HP. A single phase 5 HP motor is going to be somewhere around 28 amps.

It's not 5 HP. Just like that 6.5 HP shop vac from Home Depot that runs on a 120V plug is not 6.5 HP. We stopped caring about HP ratings long ago. But we know the rated air delivery at a common pressure (90 psi) so we can understand the relative output of these and most commonly available compressors.

 

[sparky 1971]

It's not just the size of the motor, it's the combination of the motor and pump. The system is just designed to out out more air. When it comes to running continuous flow air tools like like a die grinder, you want the highest flow (cfm) you can get, or you will outrun your pump as you have experienced.


It's not 5 HP. Just like that 6.5 HP shop vac from Home Depot that runs on a 120V plug is not 5 HP. We stopped caring about HP ratings long ago. But we know the rated air delivery at a common pressure (90 psi) so we can understand the relative output of these and most commonly available compressors.

I understand that. The Mega compressor in the link claims to be five HP and 18 cfm. There's no way it's five HP and , no matter what the HP is, it's probably going to require a better more expensive pump than the extra hundred bucks to get 18 cfm (I will admit that I may not be correct in that assumption). The Mega amperage in the specs doesn't work out to anything on the NEMA chart but would work out to approximately the 3.7 HP that others claim. The Calair compressor works out to what would be 3ish HP and is probably more realistic with the CFM but it's probably over rated as well, as is my compressor that claims to be 3.7 HP. The two compressors are more than likely pretty much the same thing with actual real world specs being similar enough that if it were me doing the buying, the end result would come down to total price after shipping and possibly the warranty.

 

[cspcrx]

Appreciate the perspective provided. Should have mentioned my goal is to stay around $1100-$1300. Want to purchase from Lowe’s or home depo because I have gift cards there. That’s why I came up with these two that stood out to me.

between these two which would you recommend?

 

[GeoBruin]

Appreciate the perspective provided. Should have mentioned my goal is to stay around $1100-$1300. Want to purchase from Lowe’s or home depo because I have gift cards there. That’s why I came up with these two that stood out to me.

between these two which would you recommend?

The one with much higher (advertised) displacement.

 

[Citation]

Have you looked for used? Of course that ends up being a your results will vary sort of thing but often you can get a "5hp-80gal" compressor for say $1000 or less. I've seen some for more like $500. I would suggest that you are probably going to be fine with even one of the "3hp" 60 gallon compressors (which typically are no cheaper than the 5hp-80gal used units). Also, I've generally split these 240 models into the "pro-sumer" models and "pro" models. Generally I see anything that uses a motor starter as "pro". Anything that sends motor current directly through the pressure switch is "pro-sumer". If you are looking at new, I would go pro-sumer as I think it will be plenty sufficient for your needs. Of course you can always spend more. Sometimes an older used pro model will be just as cheep as a pro-sumer. Alsoo, keep wiring needs in mind. You don't want a 10hp unit that can run on your wiring. Finally, the quite compressor stuff is legit but often little more than an intake muffler. You can make your own vs getting the ones from Polar Air. Heck, if you search there website they have a user manual that shows the internal construction.

Looking at CL in the Phoenix area here are a few thoughts

60 gallon, 3hp pro-sumer Husky for $375 - likely all you need.

Husky Pro Air Compressor - 60g - 3.2HP - 135psi - 230V - PRICE DROP!! - tools - by owner - sale - craigslist

Fully functioning & maintained Retail new is $899 + tax! Features: 60-gallon ASME tank 3.2 HP motor 135 PSI max pressure 230V operation Regularly serviced - belt, oil, water drain, and fittings...

phoenix.craigslist.org

80 gallon 7.5hp IR pro model $2250

Ingersoll Rand Air Compressor 80 Gallon - tools - by owner - sale - craigslist

No emails, No codes... I won't respond Cash Only, Pickup Only, 67ave/Bell Ingersoll-Rand Electric Air Compressor (2475N7.5) 24 CFM, 7.5 HP, 230/1 used sparingly at my home, runs great **nothing else...

phoenix.craigslist.org

80 gallon frankenpressor $1000. This one might be OK but it's a mixed bag of parts. The pump is a HF "5hp" pump. No idea about the motor. They claim 7hp but they don't have a motor starter circuit and they are running it off a dryer plug. I also don't like that it has no cage around the belts. Might be a good one to talk down and might be a good unit in the end. Just watch out for mix and match parts.

Husky 80 gallon commercial air compressor - business/commercial - by owner - sale - craigslist

Delivery available Husky 80 gallon commercial air compressor completely restored new 7.5 electric 230 v motor single phase original pump new controls 16.1 cfm at 90 psi absolutely perfect NO less...

phoenix.craigslist.org

 

[dnschmidt]

Die grinders and air, at this point in human history, are a joke. Milwaukee makes a right angle M12 die grinder that will do whatever your air right angle die grinder will do and everybody makes an electric straight die grinder having more power than any air powered die grinder I've ever used. In this category I've got Milwaukee, DeWalt, Hitachi and Makita. The only true high volume tools that haven't been superceded with electric or cordless are Air Hammers, Sand Blasters and Top of the Line spray guns. Of these three only the sand blaster and spray gun need an almost continuous supply of air whereas the air hammer is by nature intermittent.

 

[cspcrx]

The one with much higher (advertised) displacement.

That was my thinking as well.

 

[impactims]

Appreciate the perspective provided. Should have mentioned my goal is to stay around $1100-$1300. Want to purchase from Lowe’s or home depo because I have gift cards there. That’s why I came up with these two that stood out to me.

between these two which would you recommend?

I don't understand why you don't just raise the budget and get something better. The direction you are going will lead to you needing to replace again in a relatively short period of time and you will be wishing you had gotten a nice compressor. It's just money. Spend more of it and get a high-end compressor. You only live once. If you need to trim the budget in other areas to free up funds for the compressor, so be it. In the long run, this is the cheaper way to go because there will be no more replacing of the compressor. It just makes more sense.

 

[GeoBruin]

I don't understand why you don't just raise the budget and get something better. The direction you are going will lead to you needing to replace again in a relatively short period of time and you will be wishing you had gotten a nice compressor. It's just money. Spend more of it and get a high-end compressor. You only live once. If you need to trim the budget in other areas to free up funds for the compressor, so be it. In the long run, this is the cheaper way to go because there will be no more replacing of the compressor. It just makes more sense.

Not sure if you're trolling, but that's ridiculous. Without even commenting on the general lunacy of suggesting someone just disregard financial consequences and throw a bunch of money at something because "you only live once", it's particularly unnecessary in this case. The OP has stated that this is for their home garage. Either of those compressor, and in particular the higher rated machine will be perfectly sufficient for almost all home garage uses, and definitely those specifically indicated by the OP. Regarding the claim that they will end up replacing the compressor with a better one "in a relatively short period of time", there has been nothing said in this thread that indicates that will be the case.

I love spending other people's money on this forum but when someone comes with a request for something reasonable to get the job done and provides a reasonable budget, badgering them to spend more money just because you would is not helpful at all.

 

[Rinspeed]

Die grinders and air, at this point in human history, are a joke. Milwaukee makes a right angle M12 die grinder that will do whatever your air right angle die grinder will do and everybody makes an electric straight die grinder having more power than any air powered die grinder I've ever used. In this category

Lol, I have die grinders that are 15-20 years old and still work fine. I've thrown multiple battery operated tools in the dumpster in that time for one reason or another.

 

[nadogail]

Personally I have a feeling that most of us don’t have unlimited funds. I am part of that community of those who have to pick and chose our priorities, sometimes we have to do the best we can with what we have to work with.

 

[driftpin]

Where are you located? If you put that down I might be able to make a recommendation for you if you were anywhere close to Fort Lauderdale. I bought from a friend of mine who owns a compressor Sales and Repair business, a Saylor-Beall - VT-730-80-1 - Two-Stage Vertical Tank Air Compressor. Here is a comparable air compressor but I paid a bit more than half of the cost of this particular new unit. I got a Baldor five horsepower motor with it.

Saylor-Beall - VT-730-80-1 - Two-Stage Vertical Tank Air Compressor

3 HP, 11.1 CFM, 80 Gallon Tank, 1-Phase, Splash Lubrication - A pressure lubricated air compressor pump uses an oil pump to force lubricating oil to all of the friction points.

westechequipment.com

 

[Rockable]

You will never regret buying a compressor that is a little larger than you have gotten by with. You will always regret buying one that is a little smaller than what you need. Always.

 

[mike93lx]

Lol, I have die grinders that are 15-20 years old and still work fine. I've thrown multiple battery operated tools in the dumpster in that time for one reason or another.

There is more to a tool than how long it lasts. If it gives the user a better experience/is more useful, that has value.

I'll "gladly" trade lifespan for the lack of cords and hoses

 

[impactims]

Not sure if you're trolling, but that's ridiculous. Without even commenting on the general lunacy of suggesting someone just disregard financial consequences and throw a bunch of money at something because "you only live once", it's particularly unnecessary in this case. The OP has stated that this is for their home garage. Either of those compressor, and in particular the higher rated machine will be perfectly sufficient for almost all home garage uses, and definitely those specifically indicated by the OP. Regarding the claim that they will end up replacing the compressor with a better one "in a relatively short period of time", there has been nothing said in this thread that indicates that will be the case.

I love spending other people's money on this forum but when someone comes with a request for something reasonable to get the job done and provides a reasonable budget, badgering them to spend more money just because you would is not helpful at all.

I've made the mistake of focusing more on budget than quality and usefulness. It always came to bite me later on.

I learned the lesson to buy once and cry once the hard way. I was just trying to keep a fellow tool junkie from going down the same path I once went down.

If you call that "general lunacy" then so be it. I will gladly carry the title of "lunatic."

 

[cspcrx]

Appreciate all the discussion and exchange. Decided to go with the Mega. Found it online for a few hundred cheaper so going to try and get a price match. Read reviews on other sites and it really gets solid reviews.

appreciate it

 

[GeoBruin]

Appreciate all the discussion and exchange. Decided to go with the Mega. Found it online for a few hundred cheaper so going to try and get a price match. Read reviews on other sites and it really gets solid reviews.

appreciate it

I would love to see a pump up calc on that once it's broken in. Enjoy it!

 

[u3b3rg33k]

10 vs 18 cfm is a huge difference. I consider those two different classes of compressor. Take a minute and read this post. It provides some context for your decision here.

Post in thread 'Need some air compressor advice'

Need some air compressor advice

I’m looking to buy a different air compressor; I have an older 25gal horizontal craftsman. I want to get a 30gal vertical. Any recommendations would be great, (and the ones to avoid). I have a limited budget so the less expensive the better. Thanks.

www.garagejournal.com

As for the duty cycle concerns, you're not going to do much better than 50% without spending a lot more money. For context, here's $3,000 Eaton that is frequently recommended here. It has all the bells and whistles including being pressure lubricated and it's rated for a 60% duty cycle. You don't see true 100% duty cycles until you get up to big industrial scroll compressors.

Polar Air Industrial 5HP 19CFM 1- Phase 2-Stage 80 Gal. Vertical Stationary Electric Air Compressor-w/Pressure Lube Pump,w/Isolator Pads - Eaton Compressor https://share.google/O83LfSx2jPawZgMeR

That mega Compressor is actually pretty interesting. I have no idea about the quality/reliability/noise, but the specs are pretty good. It's a single stage, so the max pressure will be limited, but if you don't need higher pressure, that's a lot of air delivery if the rating is to be believed.

important to note that eaton appears to be suggesting it's the mag starter that has a 60/40 duty cycle, since they also offer continuous run mode: https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/manuals/emax-bdd06c2751a9551ecdc27249eb8a13e4.pdf

also even if we're concerning ourselves with not the starter - is your duty cycle 60% at max pressure? or at any output? a LOT of motors/starters have starts-per-hour limits that often get oversimplified by not-so-technical writers.

at 90PSI you're only at something like 50% rated power, so one could argue that it's like driving a car. your econobox may not be rated to tow a 30,000lb trailer up the Loveland pass or survive a 24hr endurance race, but you also don't have to pull over and turn it off every 45 minutes for half an hour driving with the cruise on down the interstate.

TLDR: if you're looking for something that'll last, go big and slow. and pressure lubed.

 

[Schurkey]

I bought the wrong air compressor...TWICE.

First was a 20-gallon De Vilbiss, 110 volt. It ran my air hammer for about three seconds and then the pressure was too low. Removed the regulator, 'cause I needed all the pressure I could get.

Next was a "5-horse" 220-volt 60 gallon. Ran continuously when I used my die-grinder. Removed the regulator, 'cause I needed all the pressure I could get. Got hot, had lots of water in my air.

Ended-up with a "5-horse" 220-volt two-stage 80-gallon. NOW the thing shuts off now and then. Runs cool. Little or no water in the air. Now I actually have 90+ PSI at the tool, with the tool running. (Regulator set to 135-ish, but I have lots of air-hose between regulator and tool.)

 

[impactims]

I bought the wrong air compressor...TWICE.

First was a 20-gallon De Vilbiss, 110 volt. It ran my air hammer for about three seconds and then the pressure was too low. Removed the regulator, 'cause I needed all the pressure I could get.

Next was a "5-horse" 220-volt 60 gallon. Ran continuously when I used my die-grinder. Removed the regulator, 'cause I needed all the pressure I could get. Got hot, had lots of water in my air.

Ended-up with a "5-horse" 220-volt two-stage 80-gallon. NOW the thing shuts off now and then. Runs cool. Little or no water in the air. Now I actually have 90+ PSI at the tool, with the tool running. (Regulator set to 135-ish, but I have lots of air-hose between regulator and tool.)

Goes to show that there is no sense AT ALL in trying to get by with inferior equipment in the name of trying to save money. All you end up doing is making life harder and spending more than you would have if you had bought the proper compressor in the first place.

Take your situation as an example. What if you had bought the 2 stage 80 gallon off the bat? Life would have been better and your investment would have been less. I see this all the time yet some call it LUNACY to suggest getting the “good stuff” to start with. I call it lunacy to try to scrape by with inferior quality equipment thinking that it is better in the long run.

The only advantage I see to buying low quality equipment only to replace it over and over is that in doing so, you are stimulating the low cost equipment economy.

 

[FTG-05]

I've made the mistake of focusing more on budget than quality and usefulness. It always came to bite me later on.

I learned the lesson to buy once and cry once the hard way. I was just trying to keep a fellow tool junkie from going down the same path I once went down.

If you call that "general lunacy" then so be it. I will gladly carry the title of "lunatic."

Quality is remembered long after the price tag is forgotten. People who buy things based on price tag *alone* are short sighted.

 

[dnschmidt]

I bought the wrong air compressor...TWICE.

First was a 20-gallon De Vilbiss, 110 volt. It ran my air hammer for about three seconds and then the pressure was too low. Removed the regulator, 'cause I needed all the pressure I could get.

Next was a "5-horse" 220-volt 60 gallon. Ran continuously when I used my die-grinder. Removed the regulator, 'cause I needed all the pressure I could get. Got hot, had lots of water in my air.

Ended-up with a "5-horse" 220-volt two-stage 80-gallon. NOW the thing shuts off now and then. Runs cool. Little or no water in the air. Now I actually have 90+ PSI at the tool, with the tool running. (Regulator set to 135-ish, but I have lots of air-hose between regulator and tool.)

Twenty years ago you were absolutely right as there were no alternative to air tools. Now, no head porter that I know of using pneumatic die grinders since both corded and cordless die grinders are both easier to handle and have more power. Same is true with impacts and DA sanders. About the only tools that actually need massive compressors, and I have one, are air hammers and professional level spray guns. At one time I used air drills. I now use Milwaukee and Bosch cordless. Same is true with most tools having superior non-pneumatic equivalents. In autobody the Mud Hog and the Air File (Hutchins Hustler) are two additional tools requiring major air supply. Those that follow this board know that my advice on air compressors is always GO BIG OR GO HOME. That's still my position but I will admit that my Quincy is seeing a lot less action that it use to.

 

[cvairwerks]

Die grinders and air, at this point in human history, are a joke. Milwaukee makes a right angle M12 die grinder that will do whatever your air right angle die grinder will do and everybody makes an electric straight die grinder having more power than any air powered die grinder I've ever used.

Wanna run that electric tool while down in a fuel tank trying to do a structural repair?.... Air still beats electric for a lot of things, especially when you are running the tools for hours at a time. Try running that battery tool for 20-30 minutes straight, under load and see how much it can get done. See how hot it gets... My palm drills will nearly make ice when used heavily and for long periods of time.

BTW, most of my air tools were made in the 1960's and used on a production line for more than 40 years and still run and operate like when they were bought new.

Twenty years ago you were absolutely right as there were no alternative to air tools. Now, no head porter that I know of using pneumatic die grinders since both corded and cordless die grinders are both easier to handle and have more power.

Got an electric die grinder that will turn 20,000 to 90,000 rpms? We still use them....
How about a palm sized drill that will turn 3200 rpm and weighs less than 2 pounds? How about a right angle drill that will do 3000 rpm and under 2 pounds?

Air still rules for a lot of tools in a lot of worlds...

FYI, no one makes intrinsically safe electrical tools at this time... to have that capability, they are either air or hydraulically powered.

 

[LopezBart]

Air still rules for a lot of tools in a lot of worlds...

I worked at FMC back in the 1980s; watching workers hog out failed (Xray) welds on BFV turrets w/ air-powered circular saws w/ carbine milling cutters putting out several hp was an eye opener.

 

[finn]

I don't understand why you don't just raise the budget and get something better. The direction you are going will lead to you needing to replace again in a relatively short period of time and you will be wishing you had gotten a nice compressor. It's just money. Spend more of it and get a high-end compressor. You only live once. If you need to trim the budget in other areas to free up funds for the compressor, so be it. In the long run, this is the cheaper way to go because there will be no more replacing of the compressor. It just makes more sense.

I’m somewhat dismayed I didn’t pull the trigger on a replacement for my aging Champion earlier this year. What was running $2400 then is $3000 now.

Look at the TP tools web site. They are the manufacturers of the SkatBlast cabinets and offer compressors from Champion, Quincy, and Curtis that are suitable for sandblasting. The cheapest 5hp is the lower end Quincy QT series, for $2k, but most run around $3k and go up from there.

I would go with one of these over a cheaper box store option.

I got a good deal on my ancient Champion ten years ago but the 1970 tank makes me uncomfortable, and I’m not interested in frankensteining a new tank, pulley, and bigger motor, plus a new belt guard. Making my tools projects is something behind me.

 

[tarbellb]

At this price point and air usage demand you are basically locked into Big Box store offerings

Just find the best deal on 220v machine

Mfgs change specs, sources, and designs constantly. It's not worth beating your head on the wall

Once you jump up into the high quality USA mfgs like Champion, Saylor, Quincy, IR, Atlas, etc ..
That's when doing your homework can really pay off

 

[cvairwerks]

I worked at FMC back in the 1980s; watching workers hog out failed (Xray) welds on BFV turrets w/ air-powered circular saws w/ carbine milling cutters putting out several hp was an eye opener.

We used to trim structural panels with Dotco air routers, turning 5/16" diameter bits at 30-45,000 rpm with no cutter guards. Set things right and you could throw chips 20-30 feet. One thing about those routers, once you pulled the trigger, you didn't set it down and let go of it until the cutter quit turning!

 

[dnschmidt]

How many home gamers are using air tools in an industrial setting for hours at a time on multiple shifts. I agree with you if you're building airplanes, but, auto restoration is about as heavy duty as anybody doing something at home does. The one thing that air will always rule is sandblasting and for that you need a 7 1/2 - 10 hp compressor (and possibly three phase power) which few people are going to be willing to shell out for.

 

[cvairwerks]

How many home gamers are using air tools in an industrial setting for hours at a time on multiple shifts. I agree with you if you're building airplanes, but, auto restoration is about as heavy duty as anybody doing something at home does. The one thing that air will always rule is sandblasting and for that you need a 7 1/2 - 10 hp compressor (and possibly three phase power) which few people are going to be willing to shell out for.

Got two aircraft restoration projects in the works now at home....Sanders and die grinders get used a lot when building fixtures and tools. I'll often work 12-18 hours in the shop at times and I find that I am way less fatigued after using an air sander or die grinder for a half hour compared to one of the electric ones.

I do use my battery powered stuff some, but not on the airplanes, but rather out, away from the house, around the property. The biggest problem is keeping batteries charged and in good condition for them. Got 3 different battery platforms and the chargers take up a lot of surface area in the shop as well as plugs.

 

[Schurkey]

Air vs. rechargeable battery? I had two "rechargeable" drills from decades ago. Every time I wanted to use it, I had to plan hours in advance so I could charge the batteries before use. The batteries would self-discharge from one use to the next. When the first drill was lost in a fire, I bought another, similar drill. Same problems, except I noticed--at first--how much longer the batteries lasted in use. After about ten re-chargings, things were as bad as before. Always dead, once charged, they didn't last long before I had to swap batteries. Jucking Funk.

In short, my experiences with "rechargeable" batteries was so negative that I'd rather keep my 80-gallon tank pumped-up 24/7/365 than go through that again. (The system is nicely sealed, so when I'm not using it...it rarely runs.)

Yeah, I'm told that batteries are better now. I wouldn't know from experience--I won't buy 'em. My suspicion is that if you use them every day--so they re-charge every night--they may be OK. If you use them twice a month, you're gonna have dead batteries, you'll have to plan every use well in advance, and you'll spend your days cursing the tools instead of accomplishing something. But that's me.

God bless "fresh-squeezed" air, and LOTS OF IT. As a bonus, the tools run cool...even cold. My aluminum-bodied die grinder has to be operated with gloves, or it's uncomfortably cold after awhile.

I don't know how many times I've heard of guys improperly "priming" the oiling system of engines they've just worked on--and they're complaining about burning-up their 3/8 "cordless" drill motor trying to turn the oil pump long enough to squirt oil over the fenders from the rocker arms.