Would you swap to a smaller air Compressor?

[theoldwizard1]

Sounds simple, but if you tighten the bolt the wheel doesn't spin. I'll rig something later, but the company should have had a sleeve in the wheel that the bolt goes into.

What you really want is called a shoulder bolt or an axle bolt.

Not always easy find, especially in the appropriate size and length. Someone with a lathe could make one in a minute by starting a larger diameter bolt and then turning and threading the end to a smaller diameter.

 

[Slowbra]

I'm happy with my purchase of the 10gallon. I used it all weekend on a brake job and other odd car projects. It kept up and didn't hurt my ears

 

[Slowbra]

What you really want is called a shoulder bolt or an axle bolt.

Not always easy find, especially in the appropriate size and length. Someone with a lathe could make one in minute by starting a larger diameter bolt and then turning and threading the end down.

Thanks. I knew it had a name!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Make up a short length of air hse with 2 male coupling on it. Plug the 2 tanks together with the regulator on the old one cranked to the max (or removed altogether). A spare 30 gallons of compressed air for next to nothing !!

You can still haul your new one around, just pop the coupling, but be careful as that 30 gallons of compressed air will come out fast !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Thanks. I knew it had a name!

If you have a Harbor Frieght near you, check their selection of pneumatic or semi-pneumatic wheels, especially if they have ones with a bearing or at least a metal bushing. I hate hard plastic wheels and tires.

 

[cashishift]

When I was looking for a ~30 gallon oiled compressor.. finding one that ran below 3450 RPM was difficult..

Anyone know of any that run at lower RPM's to keep the noise down?

 

[G McKay]

I don't worry about noise out in the garage. But if it is that bad, have you ever thought about building an insulated cabinet around it? That would be my suggestion.

 

[larry_g]

Make up a short length of air hse with 2 male coupling on it. Plug the 2 tanks together with the regulator on the old one cranked to the max (or removed altogether). A spare 30 gallons of compressed air for next to nothing !!

You can still haul your new one around, just pop the coupling, but be careful as that 30 gallons of compressed air will come out fast !

Put a ball valve between the two male plugs and shut it off before unplugging and you will not have that problem.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Slowbra]

Great ideas, but the Craftsman was sold yesterday.

 

[afmrick]

I came across this thread again - I sold my 2HP/30Gal Craftsman this morning and bought the CAT-10020 to replace it on sale from Home Depot's website (Amazon was 2 months to ship). Should have it in a week or so. I'm really hoping this "downgrade" will be a great improvement!

 

[Slowbra]

I still love mine. Very happy other than the wheels that came on it.

 

[PT Doc]

If you envision using a die grinder, sander or sandblasted,then go bigger. Put it in a place that will keep,the noise down, or build an enclosure.

 

[afmrick]

It's amazing how quiet it is!
My initial impression is that the regulator and tank drain isn't as nice as the craftsman it replaced but, very happy with the purchase and this "downgrade." It may be the many years of oil-less noise torture but, I'm almost giddy about how quiet it is.

 

[Slowbra]

I feel the exact same way. Also, I've used a die grinder and sander with mine. It does keep the compressor going, but as little as I perform those tasks I am good.

 

[jonjon1]

I was never crazy about huge compressors, especially for home hobby use, I do EVERYTHING in my garage, I run a impact guns, da's, spray guns, etc and I have a cheap 60ga 6.5hp {thats what it says, more like 3-3.5} and I never have to mess with it, its a devilbiss pro, it just works...

If yours works and keeps up with what you do, then I wouldn't spend money on something just because...

 

[afmrick]

Oh, I forgot, my CAT came with shoulder bolts for the wheels so, no more wheel binding issues.

I haven't tried the die grinder out yet but, it's nice to know it will probably work!

 

[Slowbra]

Can you please take a picture of your wheel and the shoulder bolt? I called these guys to get what you have and they wanted to see a picture of what you have vs what I have to ensure I get the right replacement.

 

[afmrick]

Sure - I'll have to dig it out and take it apart (still unpacking from a move). Maybe this weekend?

 

[mikegt4]

I also did the larger/smaller compressor dance. I had an old CH 2hp (7.5cfm @90) compressor for 30 yrs. until the tank rusted out. It had to run constantly to keep up with DA sanders and such. A few years ago I got a free CH 28 gal. portable upright compressor less motor and Air Pressure Switch. Apparently it fell over breaking off the switch and the motor had been removed and sold. With a motor swap from my old compressor and a new switch I had a running compressor. It only puts out 5.5 cfm @ 90 so it was less capacity although still "free".

Along comes a blast cabinet and the "free" compressor won't cut it anymore. I looked around for a good old American iron compressor (12-15 cfm) for a while until I ran across an Emglo gas powered compressor (15.5 cfm @175 psi) which fit the bill for my needs and avoided the cost of an electrical capacity upgrade out to my detached garage. It is so handy that I never use the old CH compressor any more. I have a small HD oilless pancake compressor for tire inflation duties but the Emglo is better even for that menial job.

Time for the Emglo from engine start (Honda starts first pull) to cutoff at 175 psi is about 30-40 seconds (8 gal. tank).

CH from 0 to 135 psi cutoff filling a 28 gal. tank is almost 8.5 minutes!

If I plumb the Emglo into the CH 28 gal. tank I can fill it plus the Emglo's own 8 gal. tank in about 3.5 minutes (somewhat restricted by the hose dia.).

Even with the Emglo's 8 gal. tank the motor only cycles about 50% while running the blast cabinet, about 25% running a DA. It is as portable as any 2hp/20gal horizontal compressor. The downside is that being gas powered I have to roll it outside to run it although sometimes I don't if I just need a short bust of air. Since I don't use air tools all that often it has worked out well for me. Someday I will probably just sell off the CH compressor and keep the pancake.

 

[ahab]

I had a 60 gallon IR. I didn't use it enough to justify the space and wiring a new 240 volt outlet.

So I downgraded.

If I need more air capacity I can borrow or buy a cheapo air compressor. (probably never have to)

Make up a short length of air hse with 2 male coupling on it. Plug the 2 tanks together with the regulator on the old one cranked to the max (or removed altogether). A spare 30 gallons of compressed air for next to nothing !!

The CAT pump is only rated for 70% duty cycle, and is oil-less, it is only designed to build up pressure for its 10 gallon tank, any more and I'd be weary of heat.

I went with an Ingersoll Rand twin stack:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_122381_122381
for its 100% duty cycle, reasonable noise, and all my other air tools are IR.
The IR also had $50 off at Northern Tool and local returns so I went with that.

Rolair's JC10, FC2002, or VT25BIG were also 100% duty cycle contenders. Makita's MAC2400 or MAC5200 are both 50% duty cycle.

 

[snorky18]

I moved a while back, and my work schedule has been so ridiculous I haven't had time to worry about getting my 240 volt compressor wired up.

But I got tired of not having compressed air.

And I have numerous projects around the house that require a nail gun... and I (and my wife) hate dragging 200' of air hose through the house, so I decided to get a 120V oil compressor. If I'm going to do that, it might as well be oil lubricated, and quiet. I decided on a Makita Mac 700, <$200 new, and I can have a (slightly louder than normal) conversation next to it.

The makita air is plumbed to my otherwise unused 60 gallon compressor. Aside from the fact that it takes 2x as long to fill up, there's no difference in performance. I don't use any air hogs, just 1/2" impact, air socket, etc.

 

[afmrick]

At long, long last - photos of the shoulder bolt that came with my CAT:

 

[Slowbra]

Thanks!

 

[afmrick]

De nada! Thanks for waiting so long.

 

[rick carpenter]

Can you please take a picture of your wheel and the shoulder bolt? I called these guys to get what you have and they wanted to see a picture of what you have vs what I have to ensure I get the right replacement.

You could do what I did. I replaced the 6" plastic wheel & 15.5x36.5xM10 shoulder bolt (like the pics in this thread) of my Husky 8 gal with a 6" ball bearing steel wheel with 1/2" diameter axle hole & 3/8"x3-1/2" cap screw axle. I cut 1/2" OD aluminum pipe ~1/8" wider than the bore. On the 3/8" cap screw I put in order, outside to inside: a 5/16" washer, the aluminum pipe, the wheel (on the pipe), a 5/16" washer, placed the threaded end into the axle support hole, a 5/16" washer, a 5/16" locknut, a 5/16" washer, and finally the nut.