Air Tool Question

[Zetman]

Is it better to use 1/2" air hose over 3/8" and why? I want to up-grade my air compressor I have a 5hp 21 gallon tank and it is having a hard time keeping up with my work. Would 1/2" line help any? Zet

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Air Tool Question

it will get more air to the tool, but the compressor still has to produce, enough to keep up. so i say no.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Air Tool Question

Yeah.

Most compressors list their cfm and working pressure on them somewhere... if you don't have the CFM, you can't run tools that need lots of air. Major culprits for high air use are orbital sanders and grinders... anything that needs a lot of force and high RPM will suck hard though.

Using a larger hose probably won't help at all. You need a bigger compressor.

My own is a 50-ish gallon 12 CFM @200PSI model and there are things it won't run well, or for more than a few seconds.

Always buy as big a compressor as you can afford. You won't regret it

Erik

PS: Personally, my next compressor will probably be a 4000psi/22cfm model, for filling scuba tanks.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Air Tool Question

Is it better to use 1/2" air hose over 3/8" and why? I want to up-grade my air compressor I have a 5hp 21 gallon tank and it is having a hard time keeping up with my work. Would 1/2" line help any? Zet

It won't help. The diameter of the hose effects the pressure drop depending on the tool you are using. If you are using a tool that uses a large volume of air, you will get more pressure drop along the hose. It is very analogous to sizing the extension cord to the power of an electric tool. If you have a long run or a tool that draws a lot of current, you need a larger gauge wire.

In your case, you are just depleting the stored air in your tank to quickly and the compressor can't keep up with the amount that is being drawn from it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Air Tool Question

If you can find an old PURGED propane tank/cylinder like a 100 gallon size you can plumb it in with the air compressor for more air storage. This will increase the volume available and may help your situation without buying a second compressor.

The old tanks are normally available at a propane dealer and can be had cheap. The old BBQ tize tanks are all over and can be had for nothing but it would require too many of them.

Just keep in mind that 100 PSI in one of those tanks constitutes a serious explosion if it ever ruptured.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Air Tool Question

Yeah, I actually have a pair of propane tanks, linked side to side, that are in my garage. The previous resident used them to store air from a tank-free compressor pump.

I think I'll recycle 'em.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Air Tool Question

You don't want to use propane tanks for air. There are no drains on them and can get corrosion damage and eventually burst due to rust.

 

[jameskb2]

Re: Air Tool Question

I seen a guy build a compressor tank out of an old water heater once. I won't vouch for safety, but it worked. He stripped the tank out of the water heater, didn't use the whole thing intact.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Air Tool Question

You don't want to use propane tanks for air. There are no drains on them and can get corrosion damage and eventually burst due to rust.

You could install a water filter and a drain in the tank. 99+ % of the compressors sold do not have drains mounted at the bottom.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Air Tool Question

You could install a water filter and a drain in the tank. 99+ % of the compressors sold do not have drains mounted at the bottom.

That's why so many people are looking for tanks. compressors are fine, tank rotted out at the bottom.

 

[Zetman]

Re: Air Tool Question

Thanks again guys!! Zet

 

[Coors]

Re: Air Tool Question

That's why so many people are looking for tanks. compressors are fine, tank rotted out at the bottom.

Wish that was my problem(installed drain in 1987)

Compressor (ingersaw) wont give more than 80#

Crap, priced one lately?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Air Tool Question

Crap, priced one lately?

Ayuh,......

Watch the Yard Sales,+ Estate Auctions.........

You don't want to use propane tanks for air. There are no drains on them and can get corrosion damage and eventually burst due to rust.

Propane Tanks are rated to 250psi,.....
And,....
If, or When they rot out, it's a tiny hole in the bottom that leaks.....
The chance of Catastrophic Failure is Extremely Slim.......
I have several set up for Air, depending on the job at hand,....
You can snap 1 in anywhere in the system to benefit from the Volume.....

 

[Coors]

Re: Air Tool Question

Ayuh,......

Watch the Yard Sales,+ Estate Auctions.........


Propane Tanks are rated to 250psi,.....
And,....
If, or When they rot out, it's a tiny hole in the bottom that leaks.....
The chance of Catastrophic Failure is Extremely Slim.......
I have several set up for Air, depending on the job at hand,....
You can snap 1 in anywhere in the system to benefit from the Volume.....

I need a shop as big as yours, to hold it all.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Air Tool Question

One big caveat regarding added air storage for modest output compressors. Most of these units have a very weak duty cycle; ie, they only want to run for so many minutes out of every so many minutes.

I can guarantee that if most of them run continuously, while trying to refill large strorage capacity or just by continuous use from high consumption tools, they will self destruct.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Air Tool Question

Spot on on the duty cycle. Most retail store compressors are designed for home use are 20 to 30% duty cycle................at best. Adding storage will hasten the demise of the compressor head and or motor.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Air Tool Question

Wish that was my problem(installed drain in 1987)

Compressor (ingersaw) wont give more than 80#

Crap, priced one lately?

Nope. I will be in about 8 to 10 years though.

 

[bhammer]

Re: Air Tool Question

Some time ago, I bought some plug kits at a hardware stored and welded them to my main compressor and to the external take I had. If course, I hooked everything up and pumped it up outside justo to make sure of my weld job.

It worked for years before I got rid of the tank.

 

[Zetman]

Re: Air Tool Question

I know this is bringing up an old post but I've been thinking what if I bought a used air compressor and took off the motor and just used the tank as an add on to mine? would'nt that work to provide more cfm? Zet

 

[bhammer]

Re: Air Tool Question

It would. Try to find the biggest you possibly can and interconnect the two tanks with coper water pipe, schedule 80 pvc or almn pipe.

Brian