air compressors
air compressors ok, i wanna buy an air compressor.
i use it rarely, change tires, bolts ect, pretty sure i will use it more once i buy it and have the proper air tools to do things quicker.
how many gallons is good for nominal house use? and might buy a paint gun to play around as well.
20?25?
i use it rarely, change tires, bolts ect, pretty sure i will use it more once i buy it and have the proper air tools to do things quicker.
how many gallons is good for nominal house use? and might buy a paint gun to play around as well.
20?25?
Air compressor size is like motor size.... big is good, but bigger is better.
I've got a 30 gallon verticle, but see myself upgrading to a 60 gallon oiled compressor in the future. The oilless ones are very loud, to the point that it sucks working while it's on. Oiled is much quieter and usually lasts longer, but costs more up front.
I've got a 30 gallon verticle, but see myself upgrading to a 60 gallon oiled compressor in the future. The oilless ones are very loud, to the point that it sucks working while it's on. Oiled is much quieter and usually lasts longer, but costs more up front.
Best Air Compressor for the money? Harbor Freight has one on sale right now at it's retail stores that is probably the best bang for the buck for home use. It is a 240 volt, 4 h.p. belt driven twin cylinder, upright unit on a 29 gallon tank for $339.99. It puts out a whopping 14.5 cfm @ 90psi which should handle most any home air tools. With that much output, the 29 gallon tank is plenty and has the advantage of pumping up quickly. It is very compact for it's capacity and should be fairly quiet too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92504
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92504
Last edited by gto69judge; Aug 12, 2007 at 01:17 PM.
On The Tree
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From: Seminole, OK
Do not buy an oilless compressor. They are way too noisy and dont last as long as an oiled. Also not all pumps are what they say they are. HF compressors might say they put out, say, 10 cfm but most likely its around 5-6. All import compressors are overrated on pump cfm and motor hp. I have an import, it is a Sanborn 60 gallon with a 5 hp motor. It does okay but not what it said it was. Just my .02.
Originally Posted by 383astro
Do not buy an oilless compressor. They are way too noisy and dont last as long as an oiled. Also not all pumps are what they say they are. HF compressors might say they put out, say, 10 cfm but most likely its around 5-6. All import compressors are overrated on pump cfm and motor hp. I have an import, it is a Sanborn 60 gallon with a 5 hp motor. It does okay but not what it said it was. Just my .02.
Forget buying a compressor based on advetised horsepower. Even how many amps it draws can be a misleading yardstick to measure by. Starting amps is irrelevant to compressor output and running amperage varies considerably depending on the load (air pressure when it is measured). Larger air tanks attempt to compensate for insufficient output and take longer to pump up and for the compressor to turn off after using air. Large tanks will not help for continuous operation of tools like DA's or air files but they are necessary for something that uses a large volume of air for a short time such as an old air operated car hoist like I have - I use a 120 gallon 2stage for that.
Be sure to buy an oil lubricated one unless you will only use it occasionaly and noise is not a problem for you. If you are planning on using it a lot, consider a more expensive 2 stage unit. Base your decision on delivered cfm at 90 psi and in this case, bigger IS better!
Originally Posted by Havok2
how many gallons is good for nominal house use? and might buy a paint gun to play around as well.
20?25?
20?25?
Originally Posted by gto69judge
That model is also rated at 16.4 cfm @ 40psi but I suggest that you disregard any rating at a lower pressure since 90 psi is what you need for air tools to operate properly.
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well, "decent" is completely subjective.
what are you going to be using it for? how much air delivery do you need? (cfm)
do you want a portable or upright style? do you have a 220v source available? etc
what are you going to be using it for? how much air delivery do you need? (cfm)
do you want a portable or upright style? do you have a 220v source available? etc
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Originally Posted by infinitebird
well, "decent" is completely subjective.
what are you going to be using it for? how much air delivery do you need? (cfm)
do you want a portable or upright style? do you have a 220v source available? etc
what are you going to be using it for? how much air delivery do you need? (cfm)
do you want a portable or upright style? do you have a 220v source available? etc
I've considered the 60 gallon units found in the big box stores, but I'm sure I could find something that would be a better long term purchase.
I currently have an oilless 30 gallon sears upright compressor and it's so loud I can't work while it's running. I definitely want to go with an oil lubricated, but don't want something that's going to be scrapped in a few years, so reliability is an issue. I'd say currently the 30 gallon spends 10-15 hours a month running. Not excessive, but enough to justify something reliable.
I would buy a Good Used Twop stage compressor before buying a New cheaper small compressor.
But keep in mind not all compressors are the same. The 7hp one Home depot or Lowes (roughly $800)although belt driven they spin high rpms to produce the air. The high rpms cause the cylinders to wear out. Prob fine for most people but continuous duty in a shop would not be ideal.
I searched for mine I have an Ingersoll Rand Two stage Have been very happy with it
If you keep your eyes open you can find one within your budget. Good Luck
But keep in mind not all compressors are the same. The 7hp one Home depot or Lowes (roughly $800)although belt driven they spin high rpms to produce the air. The high rpms cause the cylinders to wear out. Prob fine for most people but continuous duty in a shop would not be ideal.
I searched for mine I have an Ingersoll Rand Two stage Have been very happy with it
If you keep your eyes open you can find one within your budget. Good Luck
So an Ingersoll Rand is a decent light to medium duty home compressor? Cool, thanks.
Based on that logic, I found this IR 60 gallon unit that puts out over 11 cfm @ 90 psi (max for most all tools) and is less than $600 delivered. I think this may be the unit I end up going with.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._158284_158284
Thanks.
Based on that logic, I found this IR 60 gallon unit that puts out over 11 cfm @ 90 psi (max for most all tools) and is less than $600 delivered. I think this may be the unit I end up going with.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._158284_158284
Thanks.
I have a Craftsman 33 gallon oil less air compressor. I too agree the thing is too dam loud. We have looked around and found this little jem at Harbor Freight. I plan on selling my oil less compressor and buying this compressor. This is a 29 gallon which will be plenty, and look at the CFM's as they are very impressive at the 90 PSI.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92504
This compressor is on sale currently until 8/27/07 for I believe $339.00
PLUS Harbor freight sent out a coupon for 15% off which would be around $50 off. Not a bad price
Tim
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92504
This compressor is on sale currently until 8/27/07 for I believe $339.00
PLUS Harbor freight sent out a coupon for 15% off which would be around $50 off. Not a bad price
Tim
Last edited by 2001 SOM WS6 69 GTO; Aug 12, 2007 at 12:21 PM.
If you really think that you need a 60 gallon tank, here is a Puma Industrial duty unit for a reasonable price with about the same output as the IR unit.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34887
I still think you would be happier with the higher 14.5 cfm unit on the 29 gallon tank that I described before. The higher output will more than compensate for the smaller tank.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92504
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=34887
I still think you would be happier with the higher 14.5 cfm unit on the 29 gallon tank that I described before. The higher output will more than compensate for the smaller tank.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92504
Last edited by gto69judge; Aug 12, 2007 at 01:15 PM.