Need advice on an air compressor
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Need advice on an air compressor
I am planning to buy an air compressor and need some advice on what to look for. I will use it for several purposes: with a brad nailer ( I enjoy wood working), for air tools to work on my 69 coupe, and to blow out my lawn sprinklers in the fall. The three main specs I am concerned with are horsepower, psi and capacity. As an example, I have seen a model that is 3 gallons, 2hp and 150 psi. Another is 6 gallons, 7 hp and 135 psi. How do these features relate, and what should I be most concerned with?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (6t9l4t6)
In my opinion, you need to look at the CFM rating at both 40 and 90 psi to determine which compressor will meet your needs. For instance, my 1/2" air impact wrench takes 3 cfm at 90 psi. If your compressor can't deliver enough air volume to drive the tools you'll be using, then you're in for a frustrating experience. If you ever plan to use the compressor for painting or sandblasting, buy the biggest unit you can afford. I know of lots of folks who've had to upgrade compressors when they realize that the small unit they bought wouldn't accomodate their needs, but I've never heard anyone say "Dang, I wish I'd have bought a smaller compressor" :D
Shannon
Shannon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (6t9l4t6)
I'm no compressor expert, but I agree with sb69coupe, pay close attention to the cubic feet per minute CFM rating.
Most tools seem to be rated that way. Many of the tools I've looked at seem to "require" 5 to 6 CFM @ 90 PSI. I say "seem to require" because I've read some Web articles saying I should have a compressor rated at 12 CFM @ 90 PSI to winterize my sprinkler system. I've used my small compressor (rated 3.5 CFM @ 40 PSI; 2.5 CFM @ 90 PSI) to winterize. I haven't had any problems with freezing, but you get a little colder up in N.J., so ANY water in the system could be more trouble. I have not tried to run any tools off of my compressor, so I don't know if I'll have any luck there.
Anyway, FWIW, I would guess HP would be related to how quickly you can fill your tank, while gallons is how much the tank holds. Both of these probably contribute directly to CFM.
You may want to check the archives too, there've been posts about compressors before.
Good Luck.
Most tools seem to be rated that way. Many of the tools I've looked at seem to "require" 5 to 6 CFM @ 90 PSI. I say "seem to require" because I've read some Web articles saying I should have a compressor rated at 12 CFM @ 90 PSI to winterize my sprinkler system. I've used my small compressor (rated 3.5 CFM @ 40 PSI; 2.5 CFM @ 90 PSI) to winterize. I haven't had any problems with freezing, but you get a little colder up in N.J., so ANY water in the system could be more trouble. I have not tried to run any tools off of my compressor, so I don't know if I'll have any luck there.
Anyway, FWIW, I would guess HP would be related to how quickly you can fill your tank, while gallons is how much the tank holds. Both of these probably contribute directly to CFM.
You may want to check the archives too, there've been posts about compressors before.
Good Luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (6t9l4t6)
Sears has em on sale right now ... 30 gal, 6.4 scfm @ 90 psi ... $300 includes a few air tools ... this size would probably be adequate for a DIY ... but I'm ignorant of requirements for winterizing sprinklers ... take a look. Also, I think Lowe's home improvement also has a similar size unit on sale now for about same $.
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/deta...=null&bidsite=
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/deta...=null&bidsite=
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (6t9l4t6)
I am not an expert, but several years ago I was told that a 2 stage was better than a single stage. The 2 stage has better recovery or something, but it will cost more which might not make a difference if you are not going to be using more than one tool at a time. Talk to the salesman about it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (6t9l4t6)
I had a Craftsman 110v single stage 30 gallon, 5hp upright compressor for about 5 years and it provided good service. It was capable of supporting most any pneumatic tool. I also used it to paint my car about 4 years ago with an HVLP gun. However, when I purchased a blasting cabinet, it become woefully inadequate running at almost a 100% duty cycle, which causes the air to heat up and overwhelm the filters and serperators with water. Last spring I upgraded to a 60 gallon, 6hp 220v 2-stage and it is night and day compared to the single stage. Not only does it have more cpacity in terms of air volume and flow, but it recovers much quicker (as already mentioned), isn't nearly as loud, and since the duty cycle is much lower, doesn't p[roduce as much moisture in the system.
Of course it depends on your needs, and my main motivation for upgrading to the larger 2-stage was the blasting cabinet, but I'd definitely recommend it over a single stage. It might cost about $100-150 more, but they last alot longer and aren't nearly as annoying (loud).
Of course it depends on your needs, and my main motivation for upgrading to the larger 2-stage was the blasting cabinet, but I'd definitely recommend it over a single stage. It might cost about $100-150 more, but they last alot longer and aren't nearly as annoying (loud).
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (6t9l4t6)
To ME, a 5-6 hp 30 gal compressor is fine for anything you mentioned....
BUT you can't sand blast with it....
now having said that....I highly recommend a belt driven oil sump type piston comressor, forget that direct drive reed valve junk....why???
NOISE!!!!! You/I can live with that belt driven thing...noisey, but doesn't kill the ears....that 'oil less' reed type thing my buddy has kill my hearing...have to wear earplugs....and the air delivery isnt' any better in spite of what he says.....
OH, a vertical tank model is more expensive but takes up less room...
GENE
BUT you can't sand blast with it....
now having said that....I highly recommend a belt driven oil sump type piston comressor, forget that direct drive reed valve junk....why???
NOISE!!!!! You/I can live with that belt driven thing...noisey, but doesn't kill the ears....that 'oil less' reed type thing my buddy has kill my hearing...have to wear earplugs....and the air delivery isnt' any better in spite of what he says.....
OH, a vertical tank model is more expensive but takes up less room...
GENE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (mrvette)
get the biggest tank you have room for. i have an older 2HP with a 20 gallon tank sears and when i was spraying primer on the 1/4's of my daughters car the compressor couldn't keep up. you also need to match the CFM rating of the compressor to the tools you will be using.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Okeechobee Florida
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (jackson)
Sears has em on sale right now ... 30 gal, 6.4 scfm @ 90 psi ... $300 includes a few air tools ... this size would probably be adequate for a DIY ... but I'm ignorant of requirements for winterizing sprinklers ... take a look. Also, I think Lowe's home improvement also has a similar size unit on sale now for about same $.
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/deta...=null&bidsite=
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/deta...=null&bidsite=
i am a craftsman club member and paid $285 for it and got the free air tools too...
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,460
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: Need advice on an air compressor (6t9l4t6)
1) don't buy any 'oil free' models. they all suck. they are the cheapest made peices of garbage on the market. they're noisy as hell and don't last if you use them more than once or twice a month.
2) as said above, get the largest tank capacity you can. you mentioned you do wood-working. i don't know what air tools you have for that but if you have or ever plan on a D/A sander, it will consume MASSIVE amounts of air.
3) don't buy oil free. HUGE waste of money.
4) two-stage is 'better' than one but generally just because it can use less power and run shorter periods to recover the tank.
5) stay away from oil free. run screaming into the woods before you pay money for oil free.
i do this for a living so i see all these compressors out there. alot of them (like oil free) i just won't touch. not a huge fan of I/R either, your paying for more name than compressor. cambell-hausfeld is a decent home model as is sandborn and you'll find many off brands are really just rebranded C/H (husky) or sandborn.
2) as said above, get the largest tank capacity you can. you mentioned you do wood-working. i don't know what air tools you have for that but if you have or ever plan on a D/A sander, it will consume MASSIVE amounts of air.
3) don't buy oil free. HUGE waste of money.
4) two-stage is 'better' than one but generally just because it can use less power and run shorter periods to recover the tank.
5) stay away from oil free. run screaming into the woods before you pay money for oil free.
i do this for a living so i see all these compressors out there. alot of them (like oil free) i just won't touch. not a huge fan of I/R either, your paying for more name than compressor. cambell-hausfeld is a decent home model as is sandborn and you'll find many off brands are really just rebranded C/H (husky) or sandborn.
