OT- air compressor

mike-ga

Member
I am looking to buy a larger air compressor for utilizing an impact wrench and occasional tractor painting. Would a 60 gallon 3hp single stage be ok?
 
I wouldn't buy anything small than a 5 HP. Tank size doesn't really have much the do with anything. If you are running a sander or something continuously pressure will quickly drop down to what ever the compressor is putting out. Cubit Feet per minute (CFPM) is what counts. When I sand blast I hook up two 5HP together and could use a third. Dual stage would be better. But nether of mine are.
 
Mike the biggest badest one you can get. Anything else will be a disappointment when you start running air tools.

I have a 7HP that I love!

Rick
 
What fuddy said,

What you are buying in a compressor is CFM, buy the compressor with the most CFM that you can afford.

That's the machines rate of continuous air flow. Only needed if you are going to use air tools, that use a lot of air.

I have had an old craftsman for years, with wheels so I can roll it around.
It's a 5 hp with 33 gal tank. It's worked ok for me
 
GERAINGER (tm) has several 2 hsp, recicrocating "PORTABLE" units. I have one of their "SPEEDAIRE" models that I have used for 30 yrs. or so.

Stop in one of "their stores" and check out or simple go along with a contractor-type friend.


Disclaimer: I am not contracted to solicit.


John,PA
 
That's what one of mine is. Craftsman 5 HP roll around. Great to have one like that. O'course you can roll it around. But also being 110v you can plug it up any where.
 
If you are doing just basic air tool work and the like you could get by with like a good 5 HP, 30 gal. tank type. If you have a big glass bead machine and run more than one tool at same time it wont keep up. You could tie in a second tank to a fixed unit and run your air lines all around shop. Careful of larger single phase units like 7 1/2 HP that you have correct wiring and breaker to handle it. Bigger is always better unless it needs to be mobile around shop.
 
You will need something like an Ingersol rand type 30. Don't waste your time with the 5hp units from the farm supply stores. You will be greatly disappointed. Suggest you go to a commercial tool store. If they will turn them on and let you hear them run, you will notice a huge difference in the noise between brands. A larger slower speed pump makes far less noise than a high speed unit. Make sure the motor is rated for an air compressor. If it isn't go to the next unit, the starting and stopping of an air compressor will take a toll on a regular motor.
 
cfm is the key. two ways to rate them. on light duty they are rated @ 40psi. ind. models are rated @ 90 psi. it sounds good if a pump delivers 10 cfm but if it is rated at 40 psi it wont run an impact tool for very long. and a sand blaster for only a few minutes
 
Thinking maybe about a Harbor freight 2 stage 5hp/60 gallon as a possibility. I will look into Graingers units, but they are probably out of my price range.
 
Of course that is the cfm's at "air brush applications 10 psi or so.

5.2 cfm's at 125 pounds pressure on gage. This is needed to get "rusted nuts" off mower blades, sometimes. :)


Hope this helps. CARTALOG new part number ????


John,PA
 
Motor: 115/220v. /1/60. 3450 rpm. single belt. Compressor: Open type, cast iron, flywheel with cooling fan. OEM flywheel and motor pulleys.

John,PA
 
(quoted from post at 10:48:20 04/15/14) You all are saying get one with a high CFPM rating. What is High for 220 volts single phase?

You need to specify a pressure along with CFM if you want a meaningful metric. I bought this compressor used years 10 years ago. It has a Wayne commercial two stage compressor with all the bells and whistles on it. I don''t know the tank size for sure but I calculate at least 80 gallons. I replaced the 5HP/3P Lincoln motor with a heavy duty 5 HP Century single phase. Based on it's ability to power my sand blaster the compressor easily produces 20 CFM or more @ 90 PSI. It is on a 30A, 240V circuit and max current draw is about 25A.

It came with a free standing industrial air dryer and I payed 500 for the pair. The motor cost me another couple hundred. A new unit like that will run you north of $2000 - no bells and whistles or air dryer:

[u:b26330664a]Industrial 5HP Two Stage Compressors[/u:b26330664a]


TOH

IMG_1393.jpg
 
Might look at Northern Tool as I have read some reviews and looking to buy a puma it costs half the price of the Ingersoll Rand and the reviews sound good also. but if money is no object I would have to agree with the idea of bigger is better. just my ole Okie Opinion
 
(quoted from post at 15:57:41 04/15/14) Might look at Northern Tool as I have read some reviews and looking to buy a puma it costs half the price of the Ingersoll Rand and the reviews sound good also. but if money is no object I would have to agree with the idea of bigger is better. just my ole Okie Opinion

IR and Puma make lots of different models. Here is one of the larger Puma single phase units - $1500:

Puma 5HP 2 stage

Or this 10HP/3P one that looks an awful lot like mine and costs $2500:

Puma 10HP 2 Stage
 
I don't know if you are referring to all 5hp or just Farm Store Brands. Thinking back my Craftsman roll around must be over 30 years old and never giving me any problem. Well I did chunk its regulator. I'm no longer a Craftsman fan. But at the time my Mother did work there (and retire there). It's airless and loud, but I can lift up my tractor and take the lugs off every tire with a 1 inch impact and never slow down. I can also run a D-8 sander all day long and never have to wait for it to catch up. I think you were attaching the China made brands more than the size. There I agree with you. But for most peoples use a 5 HP is a good size. Just wanted to clear that up. Go with a name brand and preferably not made in China. But you can be happy with a 5HP roll around with 110 Volts.
 
Well, sounds lime the smaller one may be an option, just concerned about too much running of motor and condensation if painting a lot.
 
As others have pointed out the CFM rating at a given pressure is the only real way to compare. The horsepower ratings are a joke. If you do the math a standard 115VAC outlet at 20A can run a 3HP motor maximum. A 5HP rating on a compressor like that makes me wonder what else they're lying about.
Oil-less compressors are all the rage these days but I really don't like them because they're loud and run hot. I needed another compressor for my cottage and shopped CL until I found an older Craftsman plenty big enough for my needs for $100.
 
lots of good advice.
I would buy the highest pressure, most cfm, most hp, that my shop wiring will handle.
$ worries don't count in this case. buy cheaper and I won't be happy with it.......every day.
If I have to eat PB&J for 6 months to pay for it...so be it.
It's been mentioned, but since you said impact wrench,
biggest air lines possible.
I have sorta a dual setup. regular lines everywhere, but have a connection right at the tank that I can plug a big airline into
with no reducers for tough impact jobs.
 
i have two compressors.

one is a harbor freight 20 gallon oil compressor. use it to air tires and have replaced a wheel bearing on my wife's buick with it.

i also have a old champion compressor with an 80 gallon tank that i have to assemble yet.
 

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