What's a decent size for a compressor?
I have a 60 gal 14.5 cfm single stage if i use a da with it, i can't sand very long with out haveing to wait. I bought a electric da so i don't have to wait. I paid a grand for mine back in 96.If i had it to do over i would go 2 stage and 80 gal
I waited, and waited, and waited at sears for the oil free 60 gallon to go on sale. Its lasted me 2 years here at home. Sure it doest get the abuse like the shop unit, but its better than it running all the time due to being so small 
Try looking for a used one. Honestly I have 4 compressors.
A sears 2hp 20 Gal -junk
An old sears horizontal 60 gallon 2 hp (Old school 2hp) - good
A campbell hausfeld 25 or 30 gallon -junk
And an old 120 gallon, (old school)5hp blue ugly thing that knocks and knocks, but it builds 180 psi in about 1-2 minutes, and will easily handle my father, my uncle and I running air tools at the same time.
The last one cost me $150 from an out of business body shop, and I have used it every day for 9 years no problems. I really think the older ones are well worth a shot...
A sears 2hp 20 Gal -junk
An old sears horizontal 60 gallon 2 hp (Old school 2hp) - good
A campbell hausfeld 25 or 30 gallon -junk
And an old 120 gallon, (old school)5hp blue ugly thing that knocks and knocks, but it builds 180 psi in about 1-2 minutes, and will easily handle my father, my uncle and I running air tools at the same time.
The last one cost me $150 from an out of business body shop, and I have used it every day for 9 years no problems. I really think the older ones are well worth a shot...
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
I had a 2 gallon one back in the day but now I have a craftsman 80 gal..80 because if a friend wants to share the compressor there's still enough volume. would have bought a ingersoll compressor but was too much for me at the time..
Buy A 2 Stage Compressor Anything else and it will either be too noisy, wear out quickly, or simply be inadequate for your future needs. I own about 10 air compressors. Three of them are 2 stage compressors. One of the two stage units is a 120 gallon 1950's vintage from a gas station that still works great in spite of a zillion hours on it.
Don't get suckered into the inflated peak horsepower rating of many single stage compressors on the market. Compare SCFM @ 100psi. for true air output. Look for a sale on a 2 stage instead.
If you buy a single stage compressor for a garage, you will always wish you had heeded my warning and bought a two stage!!
Examples of 2 stage compressors:
http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp...productID=1270
http://www.homedepot.com (search for HS7810)
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...+%26+Inflators
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._290946_290946
Don't get suckered into the inflated peak horsepower rating of many single stage compressors on the market. Compare SCFM @ 100psi. for true air output. Look for a sale on a 2 stage instead.
If you buy a single stage compressor for a garage, you will always wish you had heeded my warning and bought a two stage!!
Examples of 2 stage compressors:
http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp...productID=1270
http://www.homedepot.com (search for HS7810)
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...+%26+Inflators
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._290946_290946
Last edited by gto69judge; Apr 12, 2006 at 11:40 AM.
How about an 80 gallon!! 
Check out what my wonderful wife got me for my 30th B-Day!!
Yup, she's definitely a keeper. Now I gotta plumb this thing in and wire up a plug to it to use the 220 plug in my garage.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...=2&item=106520
Check out what my wonderful wife got me for my 30th B-Day!! Yup, she's definitely a keeper. Now I gotta plumb this thing in and wire up a plug to it to use the 220 plug in my garage.http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...=2&item=106520
