Air compressors

[URWAY2SLOW]

My dad and I are looking to upgrade our current roll around air compressor to a stand up 60-80 gallon unit 230 volt or so. We do everything with our current air compressor from painting,sand blasting, impact wrenches, etc and its having a hard time keeping up. I want a compressor that has plenty of air and can run impact wrenches and other air tools without any problems. So far I have checked out IR units at Northern Tool $700ish and Kobalt units at Lowes $600ish. Still doing my research on them and want to know what people are using or recommend. I am trying to stay around the 400-700 dollar range.

Thanks..

[URWAY2SLOW]

nobody knows..

[DarksideFag]

check out Tractor Supply , thats where i got mine from , it runs everything in my shop , impact guns ,paint gun, DA, Air File. its made by Farm hand - i think a 60 gallon with 3 cylinders is around $600

[Kyle@PCM]

I bought my 60 Gal @ Home Depot. 230 Volt

$400 plus tax. If you don't see this at your local Home Depot, ask for it. They didn't keep it on the salesfloor cause it was "too big".

Just got it wired up a week or two ago, but it's been good so far.

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/9914/img1156mediumiq9.jpg

[DarksideFag]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/images/productImages/prod_600_by_600/3300718.jpg

[URWAY2SLOW]

Never heard of Farm Hand but that looks EXACTLY like the Kobalt at Lowes today except green..

What are the shops using like RPM and Mayhem?

[C-Foam '68]

I'm only running a 33 gal Craftsman right now (gets the job done for what I need on a regular basis), but I've been considering upgrading to a 60 gal sometime in the future as well. If I did go that route, I'd have to say Ingersoll-Rand would definitely be the way I'd go. Lowe's and Home Depot do have some great deals on their stuff, but the IR setups I've seen have been nice and worked very well.

[DarksideFag]

i used one exatly like that c-foam for about 4 years doing paint and body , as a matter of fact i still use it every now and then , it pumps fast and its very reliable , i just moved to the farm hand bacause of the 60 gallon tank

[Billyman]

Just some tid-bits:

The size (gallon) of the tank will effect really nothing more than how often the motor/pump has to run to keep the tank filled and the pressure peaked.

It is one thing to have a reasonable sized tank but if you have a shitty pump, it still won't keep up.

HP, pump volume, and max pressure coupled with even a modest sized tank will do more than get the job done.

You want to find something 30 gal or larger, 3 HP or more, two or more cylinders, 150+ max psi.

[69Nova383]

Home Depot has one for around 549 I think. It's an 80 gal. and works awesome. Keeps up with a sand blaster and all the air tools Ive got with no problems. Just make sure to get a good air/water separator.

[URWAY2SLOW]

Just some tid-bits:

The size (gallon) of the tank will effect really nothing more than how often the motor/pump has to run to keep the tank filled and the pressure peaked.

It is one thing to have a reasonable sized tank but if you have a shitty pump, it still won't keep up.

HP, pump volume, and max pressure coupled with even a modest sized tank will do more than get the job done.

You want to find something 30 gal or larger, 3 HP or more, two or more cylinders, 150+ max psi.

I heard max psi wasn't quite as important as CFM. Even though max psi plays a role for sure. What kind of compressor are you using at RPM?

[Billyman]

It’s an upright 60 or 80 gal industrial/shop model but the name brand escapes me at the moment (could be a BelAir). Single phase 220 volt, 5hp with around a 18 cfm compressor. We run it at 155 psi or so and the low pressure setting (ON) is around 120 psi.

The CFM rating will effect the run time of the compressor as it needs to cycle to keep up with the demand/refill the tank to max pressure. The size of the tank will effect the on/off time of the compressor and how often the cycles will occur. A low cfm compressor will have to run longer to fill the tank. A small tank will fill faster but empties quickly too. Outside of the tank size itself, you have to take in to account the plumbing from the tank. This plumbing is added capacity too. Most air tools are rated at 90 psi with a 3/8” line. Most shops, especially home ones, don’t use 3/8” air hose but use 1/4" hose. The high psi usage gives a reasonable offset so the air tools still work at their peaks.

At RPM, on that one compressor there are three lines (for tools) in constant use along with two air over hydraulic lifts (which takes vast amounts of air).

In my opinion:

For home use, a 30 gal or so--2hp+ @12 cfm/125 psi max would be a plenty.

[slither]

I know you said this allready, but Go atleast 230, I would highly recommend the IR unit your looking at. Try to stay away from anything 4+hp using 110v. I had a JUNK crapsman rated at 6hp a few years back. The 6hp is startup hp. The government actually stepped in and made it manditory to not mislead the consumer so it may be easier to buy what your looking for. IIRC, there is noway 110v can even make 6hp

[Billyman]

IIRC, there is noway 110v can even make 6hp

Yes it can but you're talking a helluvalot of amps and is no where near practical.

Seek out BelAire compressors:

http://www.abacamerican.com/belaire_home.html

[URWAY2SLOW]

Thanks for the info.. Anybody sell those belaire compressors locally that you know of? There website sucks for info like price and where to buy!

[T6Rocket]

I got a IR with 60 gal tank from Northern 2 yrs ago and have been really happy with it. I use 3/8" hose also.

I was out at Harbor Freight a few months ago, they have big-ass black 60 gal compressors sitting out front, not name-brand. They are listed as re-conditioned, but they look brand new. They were under $300 IIRC. That is a great option for that price.

Al

[Filapoosis]

Josh, I'm pretty sure the Bel-aire is going to be more money than what you want to spend. We have a Quincy we got locally at Patton's that is way more than what you're looking for, but I'm fairly certain they have something that will fit your budget. Mariann helped us, her number is 872-6411.

[URWAY2SLOW]

Thanks Jay, I think I saw them advertising at the Charlotte Auto fair. I will check them out.