Air Compressor

I need air tools.

I don't need an over the top setup, that's like 1000 gallons and powered by a v8. Im just looking to run an impact wrench, air ratchet, and maybe some grinding tools here and there. I have been considering this craftsman one... http://www.sears.com/craftsman-33-gallon-vertical-portable-air-compressor/p-00916472000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

The reviews seem decent, a number of them make mention of it being very slow to fill.

Ive also looked at this one... http://www.harborfreight.com/2-horsepower-29-gallon-150-psi-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-68127.html

Slightly smaller tank, but more powerful motor, and has good reviews.

I don't really do anything fancy, and am just an average at home, working in my garage kind of enthusiast. Will these suit my needs? Im sure this topic has been brought up before, but im looking for examples of what you guys are using, and what your purposes are.

Thanks Nick

I have had that sears version. It will work, you will hate it. It's loud - wake the dead, annoy the neighbors even with the garage door closed loud, runs hot, condenses a lot and will not keep up with a grinder or sander (or even a paint gun). The oil-less compressors are like that. Hold out for a 2-stage pump that needs oil. The HF looks like a 2-stage. Someone else will have to chime in on quality.

HP, gallons, etc are irrelevant. You need to look at the CFM rating of the compressor and of the tool you want to use. Ideally the compressor will be equal to or greater than the rating of the tool. The CFM rating on that Craftsman one wont run anything you listed as wanting to run without alot of wait time for tank refilling.

Hmm, I see. So what would be a more appropriate alternative?

If all you want is to run an impact, those two you are showing will suffice. The problem is the air ratchet and grinder. Those take a lot of CFM and they are the kind of tool you use for long periods of time, so even if you have a big tank, once it's empty, the compressor won't be able to fill it back up while you're using them. You would basically need a 5hp continuous 220V compressor. And that's a lot more expensive.

FYI CFM is cubic feet per minute. you need a big unit to compress a buncha air at 120 psi smaller unit will work for 50 psi.

So im really looking at something like a 60 gallon that will do 10+ cfm?

I have a Craftsman comrpessor like that (not sure if it's exactly that model -- might be one higher, but it's the same 110v single-stage oilless design). It is definitely obnoxiously loud, but it doesn't have a problem keeping up with my air ratchet or grinder. Check the CFM specs on the specific tools you want to use.

If you have a small compressor it may run out of air for your tool. You may have to wait for the compressor to catch up.

I was just looking at the cfm ratings for some of the stuff I would be using, most seem to be between about 4 and 6.5-7. Maybe ill look into one of those husky 60 gallon compressors at lowes or so.

So much more goes into selecting the appropriate set up then I had originally thought.

oldtin wrote: I have had that sears version. It will work, you will hate it. It's loud - wake the dead, annoy the neighbors even with the garage door closed loud, runs hot, condenses a lot and will not keep up with a grinder or sander (or even a paint gun). The oil-less compressors are like that. Hold out for a 2-stage pump that needs oil. The HF looks like a 2-stage. Someone else will have to chime in on quality.

Yeah, I have a similar Sears compressor, and yeah, it is pretty loud. I'm mostly happy with it, but yeah. Loud.

I have a similar Craftsman compressor and it has trouble running my cut-off wheel for any length of time. It runs my impact wrench ok.

oldtin wrote: .... The HF looks like a 2-stage. Someone else will have to chime in on quality.

Most of the HF compressors won't last long if they work at all. You can't get parts for them either if something goes bad on them.

In reply to nlmoschitta:

Do you have a 220V outlet? If so defiantly get a compressor that makes use of it. When you find more air tools later on you will thank yourself. Like already said get a twin stage, oiled 30 gal/2hp plus tank. Most of the old compressors are rebuild-able so you can find some good stuff on craigslist. Stay away from the rusty tanks and Chinese made stuff if you can.

jere wrote: ... If so defiantly get a compressor that makes use of it. ...

As opposed to getting a compressor meekly and compliantly?

I am picturing stomping your feet, puffing out your chest, and holding your fist/ forearm across your chest while proclaiming to the wimpish little salesman, "I MUST have a 220V compressor. Bring it to me."

Get a good compressor, not one from Sears or HF. I went to Professional Tool and picked up a 60 gallon, 220V unit. I can't remember the CFM rating, but it's high enough that if I'm using my grinder and the compressor kicks on, it'll not only keep up with the grinder, but it'll still put out enough to fill the tank while I'm grinding. I've had it about 13 years and it's great. A buddy of mine got one of those sears oil less things. Loud, loud, loud. I think it lasted him 4 years.

I recently picked up one of these: Belaire 5026VP

It's surprisingly quiet. happy so far but only been using an impact

Do some research on garagejournal.com. Lots of info on compressors there.

I've yet to find a 60 gallon compressor that is made in China. Even the HF offering is assembled in the USA, although the motors are made in Mexico and the pumps probably somewhere else. Italy is a common source for pumps amongst many of the manufacturers. It is the least expensive two-stage I've found. I understand the same compressor is sold under the Belaire name and several others, but for more money.

The pump on the 3 hp 60 gallon Ingersol Rand comes from India, I understand, and it gets bad reviews for reliability, so YMMV considerably depending upon the compressor. The brand isn't necessarily an indicator of quality, unfortunately. IR's more expensive stuff may be better.

The HD, Sears and Lowe's units are rebranded from something else, usually Campbell Hausfield. A 60 gallon with a ~3 hp motor and 10 to 12 cfm will be good enough for just about anything you throw at it as a hobbyist, unless you get into dual-action sanders and sandblasting. Northern Tool usually has some good prices on compressors. I'm seriously considering the Puma 60, which gets high marks for being quiet and I haven't seen any dings against it for reliability. It is on sale for $500 at Northern right now. Northern also sells refurbished Kobalt compressors under the Morgan name.

Avoid relying on hp as a rating. Look at CFM, usually rated at 90 psi. Some manufacturers use peak hp (they all did at one time) which can be misleading. I have an old 20 gallon Black Max Sanborn compressor that claims to be 3.5 hp. Given that it is a 110v unit, that's not close to being realistic.

(This is what I always say about compressors on the basis I've done it every wrong way many times, and the right way once)

• There's no such thing as too much compressed air.

• "Oilless" compressors are the work of the devil. Much cheaper to manufacture, and suitable for inflating tires or running an impact in light use. They're deafening, and unrewarding to own and use.

• An American made industrial unit is quiet, reliable, and made for high duty cycle use for many years.

• For a little more than a new Craftsman/Ingersoll-Rand/DeWalt/Rigid/Etc. - given some patience and a little research - you can find something nice that will keep up when you finally get a bead blast cabinet and decide to try painting.

Personally I started with a series of giveaway ancient 1 and 2 cylinder 110 volt units. I bought a pawnshop 5hp/25 gallon oilless DeVilbiss in 1997, was given a 25 gallon oilless Campbell-Hausfeld in 2000, and finally, when the DeVilbiss was on it's last legs, managed to find a 220V, 60 gallon, 5hp, V4-cylinder, 2-stage Speedaire for about $400 on craigslist in near-new condition.

I needed to run 220 to the garage, but I needed to for TIG/MIG/plasma anyway.

I can run ~anything~ as long as I want. Bead blasting w/ a big nozzle gets it a little warm.

So - rather than chipping away at the problem in stages and ultimately spending more - get the last compressor you need, first.

Thanks for all of the advice, this is what I ended up with:

Nice choice it should do you well

In reply to SVreX:

I spelled it wrong the first time and that's what the spell checker corrected it as when I wasn't paying attention

DEWALT 30-Gal. Portable Vertical Electric Air Compressor is bestest of all to use