Who here owns an air compressor?

[Rightwinger]

I'm considering adding pneumatics to my semi-vast array of tools, and I will be shopping for an air compressor in the near future.

Anyone have any reccomendations/advice?

 

[TechnoKid]

Ingersoll-Rand


'nuff said

 

[dug777]

what he said....

 

[DrT]

me too

 

[TechnoKid]

I'll add a bit more.

Oil-drive will usually last you longer, and are usually quieter than oil-free compressors.

Get the biggest tank you can fit, pref at least 25 or 30 gallons, the more your reserve is, the less the compressor will cycle at a given and maintained PSI.

Try to go for 240V, it will likely give you less troubles as far as some big amp motors tripping a 20/15amp 120V line.

Use an air filter to help lengthen the life of your tools. Oil your tools as needed.

 

[Rightwinger]

What's a good budget to work with? I dont plan on rotating my tires daily, I'll mainly be doing light stuff with the occasional flat tire removal

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: Rightwinger
What's a good budget to work with? I dont plan on rotating my tires daily, I'll mainly be doing light stuff with the occasional flat tire removal

What tools do you have and what are teir CFM ratings. An impact wrench to pop lugnuts only uses around 5.6CFM.

My main compressor (IR) cost ~$2000. My portable dewalt was ~500.

 

[KK]

I got a craftmans compressor for two hundred something.

 

[Rightwinger]

No tools ATM, like I said - I'm considering the pneumatic addition if I can:

A: Find the space for all the related equipment in my garage
B: Convince myself its worth it in the long run

I think I might like the portable option in case I decide to work under the tree and the hose isnt long enough

 

[GeekDrew]

Yeah... any decent portable compressor you could pick up at Sears or some hardware would probably do the job. It doesn't sound like you're actually going to be using it a lot. If you were going to be using it frequently, or if you were planning on using it for tremendous loads or need a lot of air pressure for something... that's another story.

I think that the portable one in the machine shop is an OLD Craftsman... can't remember how many gallons the tank has, tho. It's relatively small... well... relatively (I know it's more than 15 gallons). It's worked for over 20 years, for being used almost daily, hauled between three farms. The only things we've had to do is replace the pressure switch once, and replace the power cord once. Otherwise, it works like it was new. Looks like crap, but runs like a charm.

 

[QuitBanningMe]

Originally posted by: Rightwinger
No tools ATM, like I said - I'm considering the pneumatic addition if I can:

A: Find the space for all the related equipment in my garage
B: Convince myself its worth it in the long run

I think I might like the portable option in case I decide to work under the tree and the hose isnt long enough

It would help to know what type of projects but for general use I would just get a Crafstman 33gallon/6hp for ~$300. It will most likely run anything you want to run and then some.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I probably have the same craftmans unit as KK. Its the 30 gallon 5.5 or 6hp can't remember upright deal. Its goes on sale all the time for around $250. Its okay for every now and again use but being an oil free unit it is loud and I do mean LOUD!!!!! It runs more then I would like too. If you plan on using things like cut off wheels and other high speed whirly tools its really doesn't cut it. It will do it but the pump will run all the time and it can't really keep the pressure up. You need lots of SCFMs to do that stuff. Its certainly better then nothing but I would gladly go back and spend another $100 or 2 and find a bigger oiled one just for the noise level if nothing else.

 

[BadNewsBears]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
Ingersoll-Rand


'nuff said

Ditto. Loewes has the best price. 100% duty cycle, best compressor on 110v, run mine on mobil 1

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: KK
I got a craftmans compressor for two hundred something.

I have a Craftsman,semi-portable,it has wheels,but is heavy enough that
when I want to put it into my Van I grunt,LOL.

Its oil-free,direct drive.
Its over 10 years old,and still works great!

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product....okie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916724000

here is a small one,that should be fine for you,to use on occasion. $189.00!!

 

[Rightwinger]

I went to sears and bought a 33 gal 6 hp oil free unit with tools for $300.

They only had one vertical unit so I took that - any benefits to vertical over horizontal and vice versa?

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: Rightwinger
I went to sears and bought a 33 gal 6 hp oil free unit with tools for $300.

They only had one vertical unit so I took that - any benefits to vertical over horizontal and vice versa?

only in ease of moving/storing,preference.

I am happy with my oil free Sears compressor,having owned it over 12 years.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I've just got an old Craftsman oil driven 6hp with 33 gallon tank. Thing runs like a horse. They're only about $300.

Pawn shop is a good place to score an air compressor, BTW. Just make sure you know the SELL price before going in.

 

[Analog]

If you want a good one, get a 2 stage.

 

[hippy]

Who here owns an air compressor?

I own two. My shop compressor is a 120 gallon horizontal tank with a 2stage 7.5hp 21-3 cfm pump and a 23amp motor... it will and can handle anything you put at it for as long as you want. Only problem is that it weights about 700 lbs and is a biotch to move around.

I also have a single stage 2 something HP pancake oil-less piece of crap... it is good for luggin around but my wife can blow way more air than it can without breaking a sweat.

Stay away from oil-less... Lots of noise and power consumption and very little Put Out. IMHOP

 

[Rightwinger]

I just set the regulator to 100PSI and attached the blow gun.

I've NEVER cleaned out the computer faster!

 

[Black88GTA]

I have a 5.5HP 30 gallon Craftsman - friend had it for 6 months, used it maybe 4 times, and then gave me a deal on it. I paid $140, and it came with a nice long air hose.

I love it - it's great for everything I need it for. I don't use it that much though. It's an oil-free motor, and as others have said, it is pretty loud.

Try looking for a used one.

 

[Eli]

I've been looking to get one.

Don't even think about an oil-free model.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
Ingersoll-Rand


'nuff said

Thread over. I have 2, and they are awesome. An 80 gallon stationary and a 11 gallon 5hp Honda gas powered one. Indespensible.

The Gas one was $350 IIRC on clearance from HD, they are normaly about $600-700. If youa re "just thinking" then get a smaller (20 gallon or less) electric powered one.

As Eli said, do NOT go oil free. He knows of what he speaks.

Also, if you are looking for inexpensive but decnt tools Harbor Freight has some from Central Puematics which are damn good for the price, but are nothing compaired to the durribility of anything by IR. Of course, at $15 for an impact, you could buy 10 of them and still be cheaper than one from IR with the same Torque rating. Or you could just go crazy.