New Air Compressor

[green68250]

Hey,
Im looking to buy a new or slightly used air compressor to use mainly on my truck. I don't want to spend more than $300 if I can help it. What cfm and HP should I look for and do you have any favorites or any places that might be good to buy one. Thanks in advance.

Corbin

[gmcjimmy88]

The easiest method for choosing a comp. is figure out the operating pressure of your highest air tool. For example my D.A. operates at 90 psi.
Multiply your highest usage tool by 1 - 1.5 and that should be sufficient. For example To run my D.A. continously I should get a compresser that will handle 135 psi. That should keep enough in reserve to operate it continuasly. As for a brand that is up to your preference, use, and wallet.
If you plan on using it everyday for 6-10 hours a day get a good name brand (Craftsman, Ingersall Rand, ect.). If you plan on using it on the weekends and only a few hours a day then you could probally get away with a lesser cost/brand model (like harbor frieght brand or wal-mart). The main thing is 1 -1.5 times your highest tool. When I buy my new one here soon (hopefully) I will be getting something like 3 hp and 60 gals. I think that will work for my needs. What are you planning on using with your compresser? That is the key to the size. Good luck and I hope this helps.

[green68250]

This will be my first compressor so I dont have any tools yet. Ill get those when I get the compressor. I mainly intend to use an air ratchet and a grinder for right now. I found this one on craigslist, its a 4 horse and 30 gallon. Something like that new would be a lot more expensive so I might get this one but i dont know. Thanks for the help. I hadnt heard about the mutiplying by 1-1.5 thing before so that will come in handy in the future.

Corbin



http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/tls/296359990.html

[gmcjimmy88]

Cheack lowes and home depot they have sales sometimes on theirs and can get them at decent prices. The one I got is a husky brand and came with an air ratchet, impact, spray gun, grease gun and several smaller items like a tire chuck and blow gun. I think it was like $250 or something like that.

[gmcjimmy88]

No this one worked good installing my lift on my Blazer using the ratchet and impact. Now that I am using the da sander it just isn't big enough for run it full time. I have used it to strip 75% of the bed though. It is a good deal for what it comes with. It is when you start using higher psi higher usage tools it struggles.

[72hiboy4x4]

get the biggest one you can afford and be able to power in your shop. you will use it to capacity eventually, and it is less likely to wear out as soon.

My craftsman 4 HP 20 gallon has served me well for about 8 years. right now it is hooked to an aux. 80 gallon tank to give me more use time out of it.
the only thing I dont like about it is the noise level. Being a direct-drive model, its VERY loud when running.

[jbanks]

Anyone ever just build their own air compressor? Seems like they have the compressors for sale by themselves and you can put them on a tank with a motor and all. I haven't done a lot of research on the idea, but it seems plausible. Anyone done it? Tried it?

[theskytoucher]

My dad did it he found a tank in a junk pile at his work then he put the compressor and motor off another tank that had a hole in it!!! It works but it takes forever to build pressure!!! So my advice would be to make sure the compressor and motor you buy are large enough to efficiently fill the tank!!!

[cathynkeith]

I bought this one 5 years ago, came with 3 tools at christmas time, done everything with it. Never a moments problem.
Worked on everything so far, kinda slow on my blasting cabinet.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product. ... Cookie=Yes

[green68250]

Well I ended up going with a 26 gallon 2 horse Craftsman. It puts out 6.4 scfm at 90 psi and 8.6 scfm at 40 psi. I bought it today so tomorow I will see how well it works. Thanks for the help from everyone.
Corbin

[hillbilly67]

Anyone ever just build their own air compressor? Seems like they have the compressors for sale by themselves and you can put them on a tank with a motor and all. I haven't done a lot of research on the idea, but it seems plausible. Anyone done it? Tried it?

I built my own using a York (Ford) air conditioning compressor and a 1 hp motor. Mounted it on a 100 lb. propane bottle, works perfect. Fills it up from empty in 2 1/2 minutes. Biggest problem was getting the smell out of the tank, finally used "Simple Green"-no more stink.

Many have told me that the comp wont last, but after 5 years of hard use it's still going. So is Dad's-built in 1972!!!, on a 20 gal pull around.

[mrung0wa]

Good Luck my Brother.


Lawrence