Recommend an air compressor

[Nostril Cheese]

Hey guys,

I need to get a new compressor. The main uses would be driving an impact wrench, spraying lacquer, occasional nail gun work..

I'm thinking at least 30 gallon tank and hopefully somewhat quiet.

Anybody have any recommendations? Brands to avoid?

[rfuerst911sc]

Ingersol Rand.......that was easy.

[E38Driver]

^^^^ I second what he said. Try to find one with cast iron cylinders and you should get many years of service out of it. Be sure to drain the tank every time you use it to prevent rust from building int he bottom of the tank.

Dave

[aigel]

Stay away from the oil free - they are noisier and don't last. You can get clean air using a separator. I would get a 60 gal with the uses you quote unless it needs to be "portable" to job sites.

Personally I have had a 60gal oil less craftsman 2 piston which blew up several times and was finally beyond repair.

Now I have a 30 gal no name from Costco - single piston oiled. Had it for many years of light use.

G

[Seahawk]

Does the compressor need to be mobile? I am only asking because of the nail gun requirement...I have built and now repair a lot of wood fencing.

If not, second the recommendations above but also spec cubic feet per minute requirements. I have a nice, small compressor that worked great until I needed more CFM for yet another project.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Does the compressor need to be mobile? I am only asking because of the nail gun requirement...I have built and now repair a lot of wood fencing.

If not, second the recommendations below but also spec cubic feet per minute requirements. I have a nice, small compressor that worked great until I needed more CFM for yet another project.

Mobility isnt a huge requirement. Wheels would be nice for the occasional site work. What would you reccomend for an impact CFM-wise? Heaviest use would be for crank bolts/axle nuts, etc.. The impact is an IR btw, 30 years old. Oil it every time I use it.

The nail gun use is a bit in the future. Thinking of covering the parkway next to my garage. Done my share of framing in the past.

IR makes good stuff, but it's spendy. I was hoping I could find something for around $500. I kinda don't want to go the CL route.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Mobility isnt a huge requirement. Wheels would be nice for the occasional site work. What would you reccomend for an impact CFM-wise? Heaviest use would be for crank bolts/axle nuts, etc.. The impact is an IR btw, 30 years old. Oil it every time I use it.

The nail gun use is a bit in the future. Thinking of covering the parkway next to my garage. Done my share of framing in the past.

IR makes good stuff, but it's spendy. I was hoping I could find something for around $500. I kinda don't want to go the CL route.

I don't know, unfortunately. I don't have air tools other than the nail gun, paint sprayers and a bunch of wands I use to blow out farm equipment (radiators, etc.), fill big tires, car tires, etc.

I use a nice Dewalt that is almost 15 years old but I have no impact requirements so no advice from me.

Where the big CFM requirement came in for me was for a portable abrasive blaster that needed 9 CFM. With the Dewalt I was spitting into the wind.

[Nostril Cheese]

Did a little research, looks to be about the same, 8-10 CFM.

Will using separators still require draining the tank?

[Rapewta]

I owned an Ingersol Rand T30 for years. Way over-the-top for just a homeowner.
It required 220 VAC, 30 amp circuit breaker.
I sold it and got a 120 VAC 125 psi, 12 gallon. I don't suggest "Harbor Freight."
The one I use is a Craftsman I caught on sale and it is just fine for all the needs for a
simple homeowner.
I works on the air-impact tools fine. Fills the top ring of the summer pool up real quick.
Keeps the tires inflated and blows the crap out of the garage.
It is on wheels. Perfect for the layman with a tract-home.

[wdfifteen]

I have had a 1 hp Campbell-Hausfeld for 45 years and it did great until I dropped it off a fork lift. It even powered a two post hydraulic lift in my old shop. I replaced it with a modern C-H equivalent which is a POS and once I got the antique fixed again (thanks to a PPOT denizen's machining expertise - (Where to get custom machining done?) the new one sits while the old C-H rattles on. I have this C-H compressor (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-Hausfeld-60-gal-Electric-Air-Compressor-VT6275/203002178?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CBase&gclid=CPTd1b_CvcUCFUISHwod_2cAzQ&gclsrc=aw.ds) to run my blasting cabinet. It is such a POS that the weld at the bottom of the tank is leaking. The motor and pump run fine but the frikkin' tank leaks. I guess the only advice I can give is don't get Campbell-Hausfeld

[biosurfer1]

I couldn't disagree more on the Craftsman recommendation. I have a 60 gal oil-less and it is a noisy, hot, POS. My dad got a smaller portable one around the same time and it's garbage too.

I can only use it during the day because it's SO loud. If I'm in the garage I have to wear ear protection or I can't hear myself think. It's on the short list to be replaced as soon as the funds are freed up. Just sad I wasted money on the damn thing.

[E38Driver]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Did a little research, looks to be about the same, 8-10 CFM.

Will using separators still require draining the tank?

Yes you still need to drain the tank. After the compressor it goes into the tank where the hot compressed gas cools down and any water then condenses to the bottom of the tank.

Dave

[Nickshu]

If mobility is not a huge requirement then I would go bigger. I made the mistake of buying a 30gallon mobile 110v Husky compressor. I made it about a year struggling with it and I now have an 80gallon three piston Husky compressor. If you are running a nail gun or impact wrench the 30 gallon will work fine. If you are running an air ratchet, any type of continuous spray gun, or sandblaster it will not do the job. If you plan on any of these in the future go big!! I have run hours and hours on my Husky with no problems, so I would recommend the brand.

[Nickshu]

Here's a pic of my setup. The Goodyear retractable hose reel is awesome. 50 feet of retractable hose makes up for any mobility lost with a fixed compressor. I have a filter/drier/regulator on the wall (seen in the pic) then I run a MotorGuard point of use filter/drier when needed.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

More than what you need but some options to consider

Ingersoll Rand 2340L5.200-3 5-HP 60-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor 208V 3-Phase

FREE SHIPPING — Quincy QT-54 Splash Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor — 5 HP, 230 Volt, 1 Phase, 60-Gallon Vertical, Model# 2V41C60VC | 19 CFM Below Air Compressors| Northern Tool + Equipment

DEWALT 80 Gal. Stationary Electric Air Compressor-DXCMV5048055 - The Home Depot

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

Here's a pic of my setup. The Goodyear retractable hose reel is awesome. 50 feet of retractable hose makes up for any mobility lost with a fixed compressor. I have a filter/drier/regulator on the wall (seen in the pic) then I run a MotorGuard point of use filter/drier when needed.

This is more or less what I'm picturing. The hose reel is a must have.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

More than what you need but some options to consider

Ingersoll Rand 2340L5.200-3 5-HP 60-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor 208V 3-Phase
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Funny but the compressor in that link doesn't have a three phase motor. The capacitors on the top of the motor are a dead giveaway.
Looks like they are just using a stock photo.
Here is the single phase version.
Ingersoll Rand 2340L5.230-1 5-HP 60-Gallon Two-Stage Air Compressor 230V 1-Phase
That looks to be a pretty good price for that compressor.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I wish I had your knowledge Bill. I still have to figure out exactly what voltage I have in the building, and where, and do I need a buck boost transformer for the Dewalt, etc. Leaning toward the Quincy anyway, supposed to be the last compressor you'll ever buy.

[Nickshu]

For the OP, for moderate home use you probably don't need the extra expense of a 3-phase compressor. It will run more efficiently but you will have to incur the extra expense of having special wiring run. Also these compressors are generally more expensive as they are for industrial use. My Husky 1-phase runs great, and all that's needed is a 220/240V outlet. I think it pulls 20 amps.

A 2-stage compressor may refill quicker, again they are more expensive. A 2-stage basically puts the compressed air thru a second cylinder to compress it further, so it pushes more air into the tank, hence most 2-stages are 2 cylinder. The 1-stage Husky that I have was about $850, with 3 cylinders (1-stage so all 3 pump directly into the tank) it does very well. I can continuously sandblast w/ the regulator set at 80psi and it will refill and shut off while I continuously draw air from it. Plenty good for 99% of home mechanics. I think this particular model is a great value for what you get. Most comparable compressors are north of $1200.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-80-gal-3-Cylinder-Single-Stage-Electric-Air-Compressor-C801H/203187346