Air compressor recommendation

[Bob_VT]

Okay I need to purchase a compressor........ I want small 25 gallon just for occasional use.....

Where do I go that will not break the bank? I have been watching CL, sears (not fond of them), Tractor Supply, home depot.... notrthern tool and harbor freight

HELP I am confused and not pleased with the "imported" quality I have seen

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

For home use, I'd say that 25 gallons is BIG! I just got this one from Harbor Freight on sale and it'll do anything I need to do around the ol' homestead.

 

[skargo]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

I have a 6hp 30 gallon Craftsman portable I used for years, worked great, just loud. If you were closer, I'd make you a sweet deal on it. I replaced it with a big IR.

 

[DJ]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Buy the biggest one you can afford that plugs into whatever circuit you have available. (110V-220V, etc.)

I've gone cheap and regretted it.:redface:

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Bob, the measuring stick is CFM delivery; you need to figure out/list what you want to use it for and get the unit that best suits those requirements.
It's a bit like sizing an electrical service if you are rewiring.
Don't go too small, but don't guess either...do the math. (I was all set to ram in a 200A service just because....by the time I did the calculation, 60 A would have been fine....but minimum allowed in our area is 100A.So I saved some $$ by checking)

Same with a compressor. There are a few air tools that are CFM hogs, and if you MUST be able to use those (some sanders are bad) you'll have to go bigger than you might have expected.

Here is a great link that helps with selection....

www.aircompressorsdirect.com/comparingcompressors.php

If that is not permitted, PM me and I'll send it via PM.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Well..... I like to do spraypainting, sandblasting (I know sand-B is hungry) and mechanics work..... I do have a nice 50 amp 220 circuit available from my hottub...... I doubt I will be doing any winter time projects.

I keep bumping myself $$$ up and then I back off and re-think the purchase.......

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

You need to compare the CFM output with the CFM requirements of the tools you plan on using and not just go on tank size or hp rating alone....Be sure to get an oil filled model. They are generally quieter and generally last longer.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Go for a 2 stage compressor. One that will build up to 175 psi. Even if you never use the pressure you'll love the additional air reserve.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Ingersoll, Emglo, Rol-Air, Curtiss.....So many choices, hey?

How much is in your budget? I built a portable(sorta) 30 gal horizontal that works well , I do kinda the same thing with it that you are doing as well.

It has 7 1/2 hp Marathon motor turning a 10hp 2 stage Ingersoll pump. I put those on top of a horizontal 1/4 inch wall 30 gallon tank, mounted that in a cage, which has scaffold wheels welded on for castors.
Sorry no pic
It pulls 38 A (220V single phase) at startup, runs at 18A until shutoff at 160 psi. Well worth the $, about 1500 bucks all told. Thousands of hours running time over the past 9 years since I built it for my old business. It would often run for 6 hrs a day constantly for weeks on end with nothing more than an oil change. It now lives in my shop and I never seem to need more air.
For long runs or or when using tools that require a lot of cfm, I use 1/2 inch gorilla hose, then sometimes 3/8 . I am always amused by folks running a big compressor and then wondering why the heck the tools they are using dont quite do what they should ( sandblaster) Why have a big compressor and a little hose? It often gets overlooked.

BTW - Small and occasional are relative terms

 

[drrpm]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Match the CFM of the tools you plan to use with the CFM of the compressor.
If space is a consideration, a verticle tank unit is generally easier to store when not in use.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Got a great deal on a 33 gal vertical craftsman that looks and acts brand new..... it should suit my needs here at home

 

[Link]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Got a great deal on a 33 gal vertical craftsman that looks and acts brand new..... it should suit my needs here at home

Darn Bob
12 months ago I gave away a 30 gal 240 VAC compressor because it was too big for my small shop.

$30.00 shipping and it could have been yours!
Enjoy your new one!

Link

 

[642mx]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Got a great deal on a 33 gal vertical craftsman that looks and acts brand new..... it should suit my needs here at home

Thats probably the same one as I have. I've had mine for 3-4 years and its been flawless.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Ingersoll, Emglo, Rol-Air, Curtiss.....So many choices, hey?

How much is in your budget? I built a portable(sorta) 30 gal horizontal that works well , I do kinda the same thing with it that you are doing as well.

It has 7 1/2 hp Marathon motor turning a 10hp 2 stage Ingersoll pump. I put those on top of a horizontal 1/4 inch wall 30 gallon tank, mounted that in a cage, which has scaffold wheels welded on for castors.
Sorry no pic
It pulls 38 A (220V single phase) at startup, runs at 18A until shutoff at 160 psi. Well worth the $, about 1500 bucks all told. Thousands of hours running time over the past 9 years since I built it for my old business. It would often run for 6 hrs a day constantly for weeks on end with nothing more than an oil change. It now lives in my shop and I never seem to need more air.
For long runs or or when using tools that require a lot of cfm, I use 1/2 inch gorilla hose, then sometimes 3/8 . I am always amused by folks running a big compressor and then wondering why the heck the tools they are using dont quite do what they should ( sandblaster) Why have a big compressor and a little hose? It often gets overlooked.

BTW - Small and occasional are relative terms

Ya probably have it belted at about 4 or 5 hp. 7 1/2 should be pulling more than that. Oh well, that's reserve capacity in case you get past the hobby stage.

I've run long lines of 1/2 inch (like a couple hundred feet) with a 100 lb propane bottle at the end for a surge tank. Works good if you're using hand tools. Wouldn't make any difference except making setup difficult for sand blasting.

 

[jkust]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Thats probably the same one as I have. I've had mine for 3-4 years and its been flawless.

I have had this one for three or so years too. It came with a full set of air tools but it was unable to remove the lug nuts off my van with the impact gun. I had to use a tire iron and it wasn't even that difficult by hand. Point is it really isn't the best for some air tools. I love it for what I usually use for and don't know how I lived without one for so long.

 

[642mx]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

I have had this one for three or so years too. It came with a full set of air tools but it was unable to remove the lug nuts off my van with the impact gun. I had to use a tire iron and it wasn't even that difficult by hand. Point is it really isn't the best for some air tools. I love it for what I usually use for and don't know how I lived without one for so long.

I doubt we have the same compressor... or something is wrong with yours. I've got nothing but Snap On air tools and the compressor powers my IMC500 just fine.

 

[jkust]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

I doubt we have the same compressor... or something is wrong with yours. I've got nothing but Snap On air tools and the compressor powers my IMC500 just fine.

I just checked it is the 2hp, 33gal, 150psi, 11.9 cfm, 3450rpm Craftsman. It looks more impressive than it is.

 

[ChevelleSSLS6]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

check pawn shops also. Sometimes a good speedaire comes through... I could have had it for $65 but my dad gave me his 1970s oiled Craftsman compressor with a bad shutoff valve (it'll just pump nonstop and the safety valve will go off and make me change my pants, haven't used it in a while as I have an old old old homeade one with old gray speedaire tank, westinghouse motor (serviceable!), and an old grocery store refridgeration pump.

I swear the older stuff is far more robust than the current crop of imported motors and pumps (craftsman, HF, etc).

 

[Bene288]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Ingersol are the best.

Hitachi doesn't make them too bad either.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Air compressor recommendation

Got a great deal on a 33 gal vertical craftsman that looks and acts brand new..... it should suit my needs here at home

I bought a craftsman 25 gallon about 20 yrs ago and used the hell out of it. Still works fine today. As mentioned before it's loud as it was the oilless design and I only switched when I bought an 80 gallon upright which is more than I'll need. Depending on what you're doing with it you'll probably be ok for life there. I gave the old on to my father who is still using it to this day, works like new.

Just make sure to regularly purge the water from the tank. That'll kill them faster than anything else. Mine had a petcock on the bottom in a terrible spot, so I plumbed a 90 degree elbow and an extension nipple then the petcock so it basically stuck out the front where I could get to it easily. Otherwise you'll be walking around with raw knuckles.

Enjoy.