air compressor question

[rfuerst911sc]

I have been thinking about getting a larger air compressor for the home garage. I currently have a 20 gallon 110/220 volt compressor running on 220. I run air tools,DA sander on occasion and the obvious filling tires. My current compressor does the job nicely. But I was cruising the net and found a used Kobalt 60 gallon that's 2 years old. Guys asking $250.00 which I thought was a good price. It's a 7 hp that delivers 11.5 SCFM @ 90 psi + 13.4 SCFM @ 40 psi. What do you guys think ?

[drcoastline]

Sounds like a good price but I don't know anything about Kobalt quality. Go to the Autobodystore.com Forum and do a search those guys talk about compressors and tools all the time. Probably get good direction there.

[MBAtarga]

That's a great price!

[porsche4life]

Most Kobalt tools are good....

Sounds like a steal...

[Rusty Heap]

buy it buy it now if it's only $250. You can barely buy the 7 horse electricl motor for that.

Once you go big, you never go back.

80 gallon tank in my shop, Home Depots biggest. 2 stage 175 psi.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100005910&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100005910&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D25X-_-100005910

[abisel]

For $250, you would not be loosing any money if the machine fails. Like it has already been said, the motor alone is worth that much.

I had a Campbell Hausfeld 5Hp, 240Volt compressor for 20 years and I just did replace it with an Ingersoll Rand.
FREE SHIPPING — Ingersoll Rand Electric Stationary Air Compressor — 5 HP, 18.1 CFM @ 90 PSI, 230 Volt, Model# SS5L5 | 10 - 30 CFM | Northern Tool + Equipment
In the evening, I put the old CH compressor outside next to the garage with a big sign saying "FREE COMPRESSOR, machine works but needs head gasket and pressure switch". By noon the next day, it was gone.

Got the new IR hooked-up with appropriate air-line plumbing and new Wilkerson filters/regulators all for around $1100. Lots of money I know, but this machine is all US built with no bells and whistles like electronic pressure switch and crap that could fail. Keep It Stupid Simple.

BTW the proper way to plumb air line is like this:



Wilkerson says to hook-up components from the coarse filters to the fine filters followed by the regulator last in the sequence. Lubricators are after the regulator too. http://www.wilkersoncorp.com/

Use black pipe, galvanized pipe or hard copper pipe. DO NOT USE PLASTIC. I used copper because of ease to make custom length runs, sweating the fittings is easy, and it conducts heat better than iron. Be sure to use a flex hose at the output of the compressor. I got a 2 foot 1/2NPT hydraulic hose from Grainger for $20.00. It ain't gonna fail.

[turbo6bar]

I doubt this is a true 7 HP compressor or motor, unless the owner replaced components. Today, compressor motors usually go from 5 HP to 7.5 HP with no sizes between. 3.5 HP sounds more inline with those CFM. At any rate that still sounds like a good buy.


abisel, I have the same IR compressor. It is a very nice compressor for the money. It does generate a good bit of heat during hard use, though, so I'm thinking about an upgrade to rotary screw. You can get good buys on low hour units from shops that go out of business.

[sailchef]

Not to steal the thread, but for the guys who have the smaller 20-30 gallon home style compressors without all the wall mounted plumbing, what is the best way to store them when not in use? drain open or closed? under pressure or not.

[abisel]

Originally Posted by sailchef

... what is the best way to store them when not in use? drain open or closed? under pressure or not.

Drain open and no pressure.

[rfuerst911sc]

It was a good price and someone beat me to it Oh well it wasn't meant to be .

[Rusty Heap]

why NOT run hard lines along the wall in PVC plastic. Pressure rating is not the issue, so I'm curious why? Glue Joints? mine has held up well all run in PVC.

[abisel]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

why NOT run hard lines along the wall in PVC plastic. Pressure rating is not the issue, so I'm curious why? Glue Joints? mine has held up well all run in PVC.

19880520 The Use of Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe in Above Ground Installations

Google search for other reasons why not to use PVC. There are a bunch of forums talking about it.

Not safe even though it will stand up to the pressure. If it is bumped and cracked, it will shatter and explode with shards of plastic hitting you in the face.