What air compressor?!?!

[esahic]

Hey guys I was wondering what would be the best air compressor for my needs. I would like a compressor to keep in my garage. I do work around the house and I work on my cars. I will be using it to sand down paint in cars using a DA, paint gun, impact gun, cutting tools, grinding tools, and all other small things.

I have a small 135psi 6 gallon, but that isn't enough for what I need to do.

What are some suggestions on where and what to look for?

I was looking at the craftsman 33 gallon for $300.

 

[WILD-BILL]

Many of the tools you mentioned are real air hogs. I doubt a $300 33 gallon compressor would be able to keep up.

Something more along the lines of a 220V 2 stage with w/a 60 (80 even better) gallon tank would be better suited for those tools.

 

[esahic]

Well thats good to know. Are there any brands you recommend or to stay away from?

 

[kenfain]

What kind of money are we talking about?

 

[esahic]

Well I'm not looking to break the bank, but i'd like to buy what I need the first time. I have 2 classic cars I want to restore so this compressor will be used for mostly sanding and paint. Also the occasional impact gun for those hard bolts.

 

[FMC1959]

Many of the tools you mentioned are real air hogs. I doubt a $300 33 gallon compressor would be able to keep up.

Something more along the lines of a 220V 2 stage with w/a 60 (80 even better) gallon tank would be better suited for those tools.

What he said, sanders & grinders can easily need 10-18CFM. Can't speak to top of the line compressors, if your need is like average home dude, a 60-80CH would probably work.

I have a 30 gallon CH (meets my needs) and it fills 3-5 times a week, on a busy weekend, it might start-up double that. I have had it about 12 years, no issues (if you change the oil & drain the water).

Paying more will get you heavy duty to commercial use. How much sanding do you do? If you are doing sanding on a regular basis, our compressor will be cycling often, you will need something med to heavy duty.

 

[kenfain]

Compressors come in all sizes, and you get more air tool staying power with a commercial unit. A new one will cost a minimum of about twenty three hundred. Lots of folks buy the homeowner models. They'll set you back around eleven hundred. Some people buy a used commercial unit for around four hundred or so. So if you can't say how much you can spend, at least ballpark the amount of cfm required.

 

[Super Sport]

For that type of work, I would go with a 60 gallon 220v. I'm not sure the OEM for each of the big box stores, but I'd bet most are made in the same factory. When I was looking, the Kobalt ones seemed to have the best reviews, so that is what I planned to go with.

I've heard pretty mixed reviews on the entry level IR's as well, and I don't feel that they're much better quality than ones at the box stores.

 

[WILD-BILL]

Well thats good to know. Are there any brands you recommend or to stay away from?

Not really, I'm no compressor Guru

What I can say is I bought a Craftsman 7hp (probably a BS rating) 220v 2 stage 80 gallon compressor around 10-11 yrs ago. It's a real monster for a home unit and has been more then capable of keeping up with anything and everything I could through at it.

Soemthing similar should do you fine

 

[FMC1959]

If you shell out the bucks for a commercial quality unit, you won't be disappointed. [But]

I use mine with impact gun, blast cabinet, nailers and staplers, cut-off wheels, a little bit of everything. But I have a day job. A couple of nights a week and on the weekends, I like to do whatever I can in my shop and around the house, but only so much work can be done, and even less using the compressor. Translation, light to medium duty at best. Go into a busy body shop, the compressors on the sanders cycle every minute, sometimes they run straight for 10 minutes or more to keep up. They do this all day long, 5 days a week, year round, that's why you pay big money for a commercial unit. My thinking is after your 2 cars are restored, you will probably have light duty use like most homeowners.

You can get a 60 gal Campbell H at TSC for $399 This will handle all of your needs for 10-20 years.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/campbell-hausfeldreg;-60-gallon-cast-iron-air-compressor

And like Super Sport says, I bet that 1 or 2 OEM's probably make for most of the brands, until you get into the higher end stuff. For $400, this is a heck of a deal

 

[90zcar]

Well this is a touchy subject for me. In June of 2013 I finally decided to get rid of my 15 gallon ****** noisy craftsman and upgrade. I decided to go with a IR ss3. It is an upright 60gallon tank. 220v
It does great for what I need it for. Light sanding with a da, impact gun and various other things.
Here's where the fun starts. A couple months after I got it I noticed oil running down the side of the tank and I traced it up from somewhere on the underside of the pump. I called IR about it finally back this past June and they were very nice on the phone. They sent a tech up to my house and he re sealed my sight glass and oil drain bolt because they were wet around the area. Well shortly after I noticed the oil leak again. I called in august and they sent a tech out again and he couldn't find the leak. He said sometimes there is a flaw in the sand casting of the pump. He said he wasn't gonna mess around anymore and just put in for a brand new pump. They ordered it and came out earlier this week and installed a brand new pump.
So all and all I am a little upset at what happened but I had top notch customer service from Ingersoll Rand


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[PT Doc]

Air suckers for sure are da sander and die grinder. Go with the largest you can afford.

Maybe someone can confirm, but I believe that Quincy rates continuous duty as 6 cycles per hour. Can someone confirm this?

 

[rlitman]

My previous compressor was a 240V "6" HP single stage oilless Craftsman. It was next to useless with a DA. Die grinder, sure. DA, no way.

My current compressor is 7.5 (real) HP, two stage 80 gallon, and has absolutely no issues running a DA continuously (makes sense, because I bought it from a body shop).

If you must run a DA, then something between those two is a minumum. No 120V compressor will run a DA continuously. Most everything else on your list would be satisfied by a 120V 30 gallon unit (and could be satisfactorily accomplished with just a little waiting using your current compressor too).

If your only high draw tool will be a DA, it is probably cheaper to buy a super expensive brushless electric DA (look up Mirka Ceros; this is one of the few electric sanders that really is as good as a pneumatic DA, and being brushless, although it is electric, it is safe around water), rather than get an absolutely huge compressor just for this one purpose.

For me, I've also used my compressor with a .680" rivet buster (basically a small jackhammer that uses twice as much air as a DA), as well as a wet grinder for polishing and profiling granite countertops, so having a huge compressor works out well for me.

 

[esahic]

The DA and Paint Gun are the two I will need the most air for. I work on my cars on the weekend, so I will be doing sanding on it a couple hours a day.

 

[f575gtc]

I had a 220V 60Gal 12CFM single stage, it would run a DA continuously, but the pump would never stop.

 

[esahic]

You can get a 60 gal Campbell H at TSC for $399 This will handle all of your needs for 10-20 years.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/campbell-hausfeldreg;-60-gallon-cast-iron-air-compressor

That is not a bad price, Ive found a couple used ones and they are $300-$400 with about the same specifications.

 

[esahic]

Thanks for all the responses, Im getting a lot of good information. I just want to spend my money wisely and not buy something I will have to replace because its not good enough. What do you guys think about buying USED?

 

[Weedwaka]

Here's the thing. If you run out of air sanding or grinding you just wait for it to catch up. If you run out of air 1/2 way through final painting something you are really screwed.

I recommend a 2 stage 80 gallon commercial unit as mentioned above. Its way better to have too much compressor vs one that's running its balls off making tons of heat and water in the lines. If you need to buy it used to save the $$$ vs a homeowner spec unit its worth the trouble. They are that much better.

 

[FMC1959]

If the budget is there, this will do anything you want now to restore your cars, and once that is done, should last next to forever.

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-2V41C60VC-Air-Compressor/p855.html

If you want 80 gallon, click this link and choose 80 gal tank on the filter. These guys have really good selection and good prices.

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/quick_search.php

 

[Joe green]

Look up quincy air compressors. They are very nice, pricy but worth it

 

[PBCampbell]

Air suckers for sure are da sander and die grinder. Go with the largest you can afford.

Maybe someone can confirm, but I believe that Quincy rates continuous duty as 6 cycles per hour. Can someone confirm this?

"Duty Cycle" is per 10 minutes. 20% duty cycle means that you shouldn't be running for more than 2 minutes per 10 minute cycle. That would be 2 on, 8 off. 100% duty cycle means no cool down is required.
I'd suggest that anything less than 5hp is going to be a bit frustrating to use with an air sander and you'll enjoy it more if painting a whole car. I'm not sure why so many suggestions for a 2 stage, but if funds allow it may prove useful having the higher pressure in future endeavors where the extra oomph can be used. I don't know if it's true, but it used to be believed that a single stage recovered faster than a two stage. Don't shop by receiver size though a larger can give you more of a cooling effect. Don't forget to budget for filters and water/oil seperators as well.

 

[f575gtc]

Well a 2 Stage will allow for higher PSI so instead of stopping the tank at 125PSI and and having a kick on at 95psi or so. You can stop the tank at 155psi, have it kick on at 120PSI, and regulate down to 90PSi so you have more volume in the same amount of space.

Also I have never seen a single stage 5 HP pump produce well over 15CFM @90PSI where as many 2 stage pumps can produce that with a 5 HP motor.

 

[rlitman]

You can get a 60 gal Campbell H at TSC for $399 This will handle all of your needs for 10-20 years.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/campbell-hausfeldreg;-60-gallon-cast-iron-air-compressor

Gosh no. That's 3.2HP and 11.5CFM. A DA needs 16. An HVLP gun needs 10-15 too. Look at the CFM before you look at anything else.

I spent $600 on mine used. It was a GREAT price, but I've read about better "steals" here too.

I'd say to expect to spend $1200-2500 on a new compressor good enough to run your DA and spray gun. It'll take up a lot of space, require a separate outlet and circuit to feed it, and not be portable at all, so you'll need to plumb it in. That all adds significantly to the investment. Used units can be had for less than half the price of new, but come with risks. If you're up to the possibilities of doing a repair, used may make sense (made sense for me).

If you're insisting on new, consider that you can buy a top shelf brushless electric DA, turbine HVLP, and small semi-portable compressor (120V upright, say 30 gallon or so), and have money left over from what you put aside for a beastly compressor. Going that way, you have guaranteed 100% duty cycle available on both, and less noise too.

For me, air was the right choice, but before you pin yourself into a big investment in it, consider that there are other options.

 

[esahic]

I found a used one on craigslist that I think is a pretty good deal at $350. It is a Campbell Hausfeld 60 Gallon, 7 HP, 11.8@40psi, 10.3@90psi, 135psi.

What are your opinions on this one? Will it do the job and is it worth it?

 

[f575gtc]

That is probably a SPCL motor and rated around 3.5hp not the 7 it claims.

You can do what you want with that, but you will be waiting around for somethings once the pressure drops under 90PSI.

With sanding and grinding, waiting won't be an issue if you are patient.

With spraying if you are doing a hood for example and you spray 1/2 of it and run out of air by the time the air compressor recharges you will have a dry edge.

I found my 60 gallon 13CFM@90PSI compressor for $200, it is an older 1980s model, but it has a true 5HP motor using 21amps and has a 100% Duty cycle.

 

[rlitman]

I found a used one on craigslist that I think is a pretty good deal at $350. It is a Campbell Hausfeld 60 Gallon, 7 HP, 11.8@40psi, 10.3@90psi, 135psi.

7HP and only 10.3CFM. Doesn't add up at all.

That is probably a SPCL motor and rated around 3.2hp not the 7 it claims.

You can do what you want with that, but you will be waiting around for somethings once the pressure drops under 90PSI.

With sanding and grinding, waiting won't be an issue if you are patient.

With spraying if you are doing a hood for example and you spray 1/2 of it and run out of air by the time the air compressor recharges you will have a dry edge.

I found my 60 gallon 13CFM@90PSI compressor for $200, it is an older 1980s model, but it has a true 5HP motor using 21amps and has a 100% Duty cycle.

What he said. It's a single stage, and probably around 3.5HP.
One nice thing about a dual stage, is you can let the tank cycle between 135ish and 175PSI, and regulate your lines down to 90 PSI. Doing it this way, the line pressure will not fluctuate during the pump cycle.

With a single stage like this, the tank will cycle between 90ish and 135PSI. Even if you regulate down to 90 PSI, at the bottom of your cycle, there will be a pressure drop. I don't think that will be a big issue with spraying, because you're regulating to something much lower than 90. Again, the CFM is the most important, and especially so with spraying.

Back to this compressor, I think $350 is way overpriced.

Here's a brand new Husky (also China manufactured, just like CH), for $489
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C602H/205389936

It's 11.5CFM, so slightly more powerful too. I wouldn't consider purchasing one of these used for more than $225 (if MINT).

 

[dogdog]

any such thing as a quieter compressor seems the bad review of the quincy units people says it's loud, online video of the husky also loud at 85 dba for both the 60 and 80 gallon...

 

[PT Doc]

Expect about 83dba with a universal brand silencer with a Quincy 5/80/18 cfm.

 

[David Jackson]

What Air Compressor? A friend of mine died recently; here are some photos of his air compressor. I know it is powerful; I broke a 4" Craftsman 1/2" drive extension in half trying to loosen an axle nut on my full time 4x4 pickup years ago; and Chester put his big gun on the nut and ... Whizz ... What was the problem he said?

I don't have any idea how this monster can be moved. It may not look all that big in my photos but I think the tank could easily be 8' long (but I have not measured it). The motor is 3 HP, that should tell us something!

 

[CompressorPros.com]

Body work always takes a ton of air. We typically figure 12-15 CFM for any sanding or grinding and up to 20CFM for HVLP paint gun. Sandblasting can be even more. I would suggest looking at at least a 7.5HP unit as you need to produce roughly 25% more air than your demand to allow the compressor to rest, for piston units

 

[oldtimehockey]

Could someone explain to me the difference between single stage and dual stage? This is a great thread. I am planning to upgrade from my little Speedaire. Keep the great info flowing. Thanks Folks!!!

 

[FMC1959]

Do some Google searches, plenty of explanations, here's one.

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

Single stage takes air from atmosphere, compresses it once, and feeds it to the tank. A two stage takes air from the atmosphere, compresses it with a large piston, then sends it to a smaller piston to be compressed further. This allows for highr pressures without massive loads on the mechanical parts of the system.

 

[esahic]

Im glad I asked, because I was just going to buy some 30 gal craftsman compressor and call it a day, but boy would I have been upset!

 

[cashishift]

Quincy

 

[FMC1959]

I found a used one on craigslist that I think is a pretty good deal at $350. It is a Campbell Hausfeld 60 Gallon, 7 HP, 11.8@40psi, 10.3@90psi, 135psi.

What are your opinions on this one? Will it do the job and is it worth it?

Don't look at the 7HP, this is essentially the same thing you can get new at TSC for $399.