Air Compressor help !
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,654
Likes: 190
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Air Compressor help !
I want to post this here as I feel the C3 forum has very knowledgable members and it is Corvette related because I want to buy a compressor
to work on my '80.
This is what I want it for. AIr tool I will want to run are high torque ( 500ft/lb ) impact gun for those rusted on bolts we're so familiar with, ratchet, drill etc. and I would like to be able to run a grinder/sander non stop and glass bead cabinet, but if that is too costly then what do I need for the impact gun etc.
I was looking at a 6HP 33 gallon compressor at Sears on sale.
Any help would be appreciated .
[Modified by MotorHead, 4:20 PM 10/27/2001]
[Modified by MotorHead, 7:27 PM 10/27/2001]
to work on my '80.
This is what I want it for. AIr tool I will want to run are high torque ( 500ft/lb ) impact gun for those rusted on bolts we're so familiar with, ratchet, drill etc. and I would like to be able to run a grinder/sander non stop and glass bead cabinet, but if that is too costly then what do I need for the impact gun etc.
I was looking at a 6HP 33 gallon compressor at Sears on sale.
Any help would be appreciated .
[Modified by MotorHead, 4:20 PM 10/27/2001]
[Modified by MotorHead, 7:27 PM 10/27/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 14
From: Lancaster PA
Re: Air Compressor help ! (MotorHead)
Check out the CFM usage of the grinder you want to use and buy a compressor that will deliver almost twice as many CFM's. A compressor should not run non stop for a long period of time. The impact wrench is no problem because they don't run very long at a time, but grinders are real air hogs. Good Luck, Craig :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: Air Compressor help ! (MotorHead)
I have the 6hp 5.5gal Craftsman. It's great with Impact Gun, Air Ratchet, and even an Air Hammer. It works pretty hard with non-stopping sanding and grinding.
I'd be lost without it, but wish I had a bigger one. Especially since I had the 220 line put in for a welder a while ago.
More power!!! :smash: :smash:
[Modified by 78Vette-SA, 7:36 PM 10/27/2001]
I'd be lost without it, but wish I had a bigger one. Especially since I had the 220 line put in for a welder a while ago.
More power!!! :smash: :smash:
[Modified by 78Vette-SA, 7:36 PM 10/27/2001]
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,861
Likes: 712
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Air Compressor help ! (78Vette-SA)
I have an "Industrial Air" 5 HP two stage 80 gallon compressor. Have had it for about 10 years. Decades ago, I started with a tiny one, then got a 5 HP single stage with a small tank, then a 5 HP single stage Sears with a 20 gallon tank. Ran it to death with a glass bead cabinet and/or a sandblaster. Bought the BIG one and have been happy since. Air tools aren't a problem. Blasters use a lot of cubic feet/minute of air. Chuck
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Southlake Texas
Re: Air Compressor help ! (MotorHead)
everyone is right - almost any compressor will be fine when using impact sort of air tools since use time is short but when you transistion to the higher volume for grinding then to blasting the CFMs really put the hurt on a low CFM compressor. Depending on how the bead/sand blaster is setup it can consume 12CFM (cubic feet per minute) so when you make your purchase get the buggest CFM you can afford - big tank size is cool but for longer continous use it's the CFM rating to look at.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,902
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Air Compressor help ! (MotorHead)
I wish I had listened to this advise when I bought a house-----"Buy the biggest one you can afford!"---you'll grow into it:D Same applies to the compressor.
[Modified by 1970 Stingray, 5:31 AM 10/28/2001]
[Modified by 1970 Stingray, 5:31 AM 10/28/2001]
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Air Compressor help ! (1970 Stingray)
If you want to save your ear-drums... do not buy the "oil-less" type compressor. I recently heard a brand new (Sears) oil-less and it is very noisy compared to a brand new Campbell/Hausfield cylinder type compressor. Don't get an aluminum pump unless it has a cast iron lining. The noise gets very annoying over time, and I'm sure it can't help the ears.
Also, a heads up on Sears parts- I recently tried to buy parts for my Sears compressor, and the cost of piston rings and a flapper valve was over $200. The compressor was $199 brand new. They lost my brand loyalty.... I switched to C/H.
Another heads up.... if you use quick dis-connect fittings, stick to one source/brand. They may all look the same, but in general are not interchangeable.
And finally, plan on getting a air/water separator.
Also, a heads up on Sears parts- I recently tried to buy parts for my Sears compressor, and the cost of piston rings and a flapper valve was over $200. The compressor was $199 brand new. They lost my brand loyalty.... I switched to C/H.
Another heads up.... if you use quick dis-connect fittings, stick to one source/brand. They may all look the same, but in general are not interchangeable.
And finally, plan on getting a air/water separator.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,654
Likes: 190
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Air Compressor help ! (Tom454)
I just bought the top of the line Professional Sears Two Stage compressor
it has 1750 RPM motor and says "quiet operation". It says 5.1 SCFM@90PSI
It has a 20 gallon tank and states 175 max psi but it says because of the two stage it is eqivalent to a 50 gallon at 125 psi. This is one of those shrouded deals with no pullies.
There is another one there that is about the same price and has a separate motor and pump that can deiver 7.1 SCFM @ 90 psi and it has a 30 gallon tank. This one requires oil, has cast iron sleeves etc.
The sales guy said the two stage can supply about five times more air than the ordinary one I was going to buy.
Hey what do I know I'll try it and see :D
[Modified by MotorHead, 11:48 AM 10/28/2001]
it has 1750 RPM motor and says "quiet operation". It says 5.1 SCFM@90PSI
It has a 20 gallon tank and states 175 max psi but it says because of the two stage it is eqivalent to a 50 gallon at 125 psi. This is one of those shrouded deals with no pullies.
There is another one there that is about the same price and has a separate motor and pump that can deiver 7.1 SCFM @ 90 psi and it has a 30 gallon tank. This one requires oil, has cast iron sleeves etc.
The sales guy said the two stage can supply about five times more air than the ordinary one I was going to buy.
Hey what do I know I'll try it and see :D
[Modified by MotorHead, 11:48 AM 10/28/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Re: Air Compressor help ! (MotorHead)
Motorhead,
The direct drive compressors are fairly noisy, I have a 5horse devildbiss, and when you are grinding something it gets real annoying, real quick. If you have the extra money get a belt driven one. they are quieter, and built stronger. They will last a lot longer than the direct drive ones.
The direct drive compressors are fairly noisy, I have a 5horse devildbiss, and when you are grinding something it gets real annoying, real quick. If you have the extra money get a belt driven one. they are quieter, and built stronger. They will last a lot longer than the direct drive ones.