Air compressor size
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Air compressor size (Larry82)
Get the biggest you can afford. I do not like OIL less, they are too noisey, I prefer 220V and vertical is usually a better deal then horizontal. Air ratchets take alot of air, an impact takes less.
Once agian you might think you don't need anything large but get the biggest unit you can afford. Someday you will find even that is too small.
You do not need dual stage, single stage takes you to 135psi, you do not need 175. The volume is what counts not the pressure.
Once agian you might think you don't need anything large but get the biggest unit you can afford. Someday you will find even that is too small.
You do not need dual stage, single stage takes you to 135psi, you do not need 175. The volume is what counts not the pressure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Re: Air compressor size (norvalwilhelm)
:iagree: I have an oilless direct drive and it is ok, it'll run everything I need but it is extremely noisy. They are a great beginner or occasional use compressor but they wear out quickly( I've rebuilt mine once and it will soon need another rebuild if I keep it.)
With that said I am possibly upgrading to a VERY large(~20-30CFM @ 175PSI) compressor that is surplus where I work, all I need is a single phase motor.
I would suggest a 220V, 5hp, belt drive, oil lubricated, 60 gal. compressor. This compressor will be around 1.5 times the cost of a direct drive but it should last decades and will always be sufficient for your uses.
With that said I am possibly upgrading to a VERY large(~20-30CFM @ 175PSI) compressor that is surplus where I work, all I need is a single phase motor.
I would suggest a 220V, 5hp, belt drive, oil lubricated, 60 gal. compressor. This compressor will be around 1.5 times the cost of a direct drive but it should last decades and will always be sufficient for your uses.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: Ashaway RI
Re: Air compressor size (norvalwilhelm)
I bought a Craftsman 25 gallon 5.5 horsepower vertical oilless compressor about 5 years ago. You can run it on 220v or 110v. I use it for impact wrench, ratchet, cut off tool, air chisel, air nailer, paint sprayer and have never ran out of air.
:cheers:
[Modified by bertmeister, 8:38 PM 4/4/2004]
:cheers:
[Modified by bertmeister, 8:38 PM 4/4/2004]
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Zebulon GA
Re: Air compressor size (Larry82)
Larry82,
I am with norvalwilhelm,I have an older oiless and although it has paid for itself over the years it is and was from day one weak,as it was mentioned even an air ratchect will use some high cfm,besides tou can take some advice from experience once you have one you can come up with some
serious excuses I mean uses for the larger one....
Both me and a friend do paint and body work and both of us purchased the
husky 7HP 60 Gal from home depot and they have worked great for even all we do,besides you can catch the larger ones on sale such as the one I mentioned and really wind up most of the times less than another 100.00 than you would for the smaller ones.
Hope the advice helps and good luck!!!!
I am with norvalwilhelm,I have an older oiless and although it has paid for itself over the years it is and was from day one weak,as it was mentioned even an air ratchect will use some high cfm,besides tou can take some advice from experience once you have one you can come up with some
serious excuses I mean uses for the larger one....
Both me and a friend do paint and body work and both of us purchased the
husky 7HP 60 Gal from home depot and they have worked great for even all we do,besides you can catch the larger ones on sale such as the one I mentioned and really wind up most of the times less than another 100.00 than you would for the smaller ones.
Hope the advice helps and good luck!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 2
Re: Air compressor size (74 Vette)
If you aren't sweating the purchase price then the compressor isn't big enough. Mine is an 80 gallon horizontal, 5 HP Leroy Dresser. This is not 5 Craftsman or Husky HP, this machine purrs along at about 900 pump RPM driven by a 5HP 220 Single Phase motor that measures 14 inches across. It is a hugh two stage pump developing 175 PSI. It develops 17.5 CFM at 175.
I can run my portable spot sandblaster non-stop at 90 PSI and this compressor kicks on runs up to 175 and shuts off!
Here's a previous thread with some good info...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=463583
I post awhile back about shop air system design. But I can't seem to locate it ... lost in the archives somewhere.
Ryan
I can run my portable spot sandblaster non-stop at 90 PSI and this compressor kicks on runs up to 175 and shuts off!
Here's a previous thread with some good info...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=463583
I post awhile back about shop air system design. But I can't seem to locate it ... lost in the archives somewhere.
Ryan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Re: Air compressor size (reidry)
the 5.5 hp oilless are good starter compressor's :thumbs: also aren't that hard to take to a buddie's to help out... then you have a spare if you upgrade
to a 220v later
to a 220v later
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Re: Air compressor size (comp)
Get the most compressor you can afford. Look at the SCFM requirements of the largest air tool you anticipate using and get a compressor that comes close to that requirement.
I, like Ryan, have a commercial compressor (Champion 220V two-stage on a 60 gallon verticle tank) but the one I use most of the time is a small oil-free hotdog compressor. I do use it for air tools but there's virtually no reserve capacity so I can hit two lug nuts...maybe three and I have to let it recover. But the upside is that I can take the small compressor with me. This is really handy when you're doing projects away from home. If you can live with the compressor recovery time, look at the oil-free portable jobs. They are cheap enough that they make an excellent starter compressor.
I, like Ryan, have a commercial compressor (Champion 220V two-stage on a 60 gallon verticle tank) but the one I use most of the time is a small oil-free hotdog compressor. I do use it for air tools but there's virtually no reserve capacity so I can hit two lug nuts...maybe three and I have to let it recover. But the upside is that I can take the small compressor with me. This is really handy when you're doing projects away from home. If you can live with the compressor recovery time, look at the oil-free portable jobs. They are cheap enough that they make an excellent starter compressor.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Re: Air compressor size (gerry72)
I agree with the above. I have an Ingersoll-Rand commercial compressor. It was originally specd to supply air for controls on a steam boiler. It is 3 hp/220v with a 35 gallon tank. It is only about 4 cfm but bulletproof. Get the biggest one you can afford and get a big tank so it has plenty of capacity. Die grinders, air ratchets, and sandblasting all use lots of air over a long time. I wish I had a bigger tank.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Re: Air compressor size (norvalwilhelm)
If you really don't need the compressor, I'd recommend an electric impact wrench & cut-off. You'll get a lot more torque with less noise and wait time (and a lot less space). I have a Sears 30 gallon upright compressor with accessories if anyone in NY is interested in purchasing! Brand new!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Re: Air compressor size (Larry82)
Get as big as you can afford. Vertical, cast-iron, 60 Gallon+, > 100PSI. Check out HOME DEPOT for seconds. I saw a HUSKY 80 Gallon for under $400 a few months ago.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: Air compressor size (Larry82)
All good advice. I use a 5 HP, 20 gallon DeVilbiss upright unit (USA made). Only 200 bucks, but a quality unit. It is indeed a bare minimum size, but it has turned out to be adequate for my needs.
FWIW: I have no experience with the "offshore brand" units, but the workmanship on some of them doesn't appear to be as good as the domestically produced compressors...
FWIW: I have no experience with the "offshore brand" units, but the workmanship on some of them doesn't appear to be as good as the domestically produced compressors...
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Air compressor size (page62)
Get at least cast iron lined jugs on your compressor. I have Porter Cambell. Get the pro series they last 5-10 times what cheap aluminum cylinder wall ones do.
http://www.steadypower.com/catalog/p...a10060ef5c4d77
[Modified by gkull, 6:13 PM 4/5/2004]
http://www.steadypower.com/catalog/p...a10060ef5c4d77
[Modified by gkull, 6:13 PM 4/5/2004]
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Re: Air compressor size (norvalwilhelm)
Norval and the others a RIGHT ON. Get as much as u can afford. I have the 5 horse Sears. Does OK - just barely. 120v, single stage, oilless is just plain too noisy and really has to run to keep up with any real work. It is OK for air ratchets and such. Not so good for sand blasting or die grinders.
If I had the choice to do it again I would go 2-stage, 220v - no question about it. With the aluminum heady and running all the time, I have to wonder if my purchase may be sooner than I think...
If I had the choice to do it again I would go 2-stage, 220v - no question about it. With the aluminum heady and running all the time, I have to wonder if my purchase may be sooner than I think...
