Air Compressor choice

[kablooie]

I'm looking to buy an air compressor. I would use the compressor occassionally to do general work on my cars, drill/grind odd projects, inflate tires, etc.

Got a $75 gift card to Harbor Freight the other day. Looking at this one http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=94667 with my gift card and 15% off the sale price, I pay $52.
I do have a 220v outlet in the garage and therefore a 220v version of this compressor is an option. However, what are the pros/cons of 110v versus 220v (especially since all other things are equal with the compressor).

The other choice I am looking at is a Craftsman compressor: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916728000P?vName=Tools&cName=Compressors+&+Air+Tools
1 HP less, but 1.5 CFM more. oil free unlike the other one. but costs $249!

What to do?

 

[Confedneck79K30]

you DO NOT want oilless... they are loud, short lived and not very efficient.... thats all i have to say on that... 3hp and 21 gallons wont get a lot done, definately wont run a die grinder so if you have any rust to repair you should buy an electric grinder at the same time...

 

[Avery4jc]

I agree... wait until you can step up to a 60 gallon (or larger) setup...

I've said it before and I'll say it again... my big compressor is the BEST thing I've ever purchased for the garage... once you go pneumatic you'll never go back!

 

[ryoken]

I will agree that they do scream like banshee's, but I wont agree on short-lived.. I've run the pee outta mine for 15 yrs untouched and it's never batted an eye...

That being said, if I had my druthers, I'd have an oiled...

 

[GsxrMike]

I got mine at home depot. It is a smaller compressor but it came with an air hammer, ratchet, impact, spray gun, fittings, blow gun, and a couple attachments for airing up tires. It was only $300 when I got it and it has gone down since then. It has worked great for about 2 years now. I even used it to sand blast my frame, I just had to let it catch up every couple of minutes (not fun). Make sure if you go either 208 volt or 240 volt that the motor on the compressor matches the voltage. 240 volt will not work on 208 for very long if at all and vise versa.

 

[cdoggwsu]

Make sure if you go either 208 volt or 240 volt that the motor on the compressor matches the voltage. 240 volt will not work on 208 for very long if at all and vise versa.

208 volt!?!? Not unless you've got a 3-phase panel in your house! Stick with a 240(220) or a regular 120(110). As long as you've got an open breaker that can handle the amperage it will be fine...unless you plan on opening a body shop in your garage. The only benefit that 220 will net you is a lower amperage requirement on the circuit, in case your panel is getting too full (ie a 220 circuit may only need a 10 amp breaker where a 110 might need a 20 amp). I also second the oiled compressors.

 

[One_Ton_k5]

208 volt!?!? Not unless you've got a 3-phase panel in your house! Stick with a 240(220) or a regular 120(110). As long as you've got an open breaker that can handle the amperage it will be fine...unless you plan on opening a body shop in your garage. The only benefit that 220 will net you is a lower amperage requirement on the circuit, in case your panel is getting too full (ie a 220 circuit may only need a 10 amp breaker where a 110 might need a 20 amp). I also second the oiled compressors.

I bought a Craftsman 1.6 HP 33 Gallon for general Garage use. It was about $250 and came with three free tools. (Ratchet, Impact, and Hammer)

Here is what I learned since buying it:

A large capacity tank is GOOD!

I wish I had gone with a 240v model because this one can blow breakers IF you are using an electric tool like a grinder or similar when it kicks on.

So either use a dedicated 120v circuit, or get the 240 for the reason I quoted above. (Less amps needed on 240v)

For general uses it works pretty good though. If you go cheap like I did, make sure you at least get one with a large tank or you won't be able to do anything with it....

That's my .02

 

[Confedneck79K30]

i run my 60gallon brunnell antique compressor off the same circuit as my water heater... 220 draws less amps, costs less to own, and if you buy oilless, you will return it

 

[tRustyK5]

My compressor has a 5 hp 220 volt motor. I was looking at the info tag and it draws 24 amps...so I'll be running 60 amp service when I get the cash to wire my shop (hopefully next month)

Oil-less are LOUD!!

Rene

 

[BadDog]

I agree, oil-less has no place in my shop. Get the oiled variety or you will regret it. Even the oiled compressors are overly noisy. And for any significant work, you're going to need a 220V 7hp (the way they rate them now) 60 gallon up-right. To me, that's the minimum config, and sometimes I tax that rather heavily.

But if you really want to do it right, and maybe have some "connections", look for an older low rpm unit. Much louder and more tolerable setting in the background going "chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga..."

Still, needs an upright tank though, unless you have PLENTY of floor space. Frankly, I have no idea why they make anything but vertical once you get above the portable stage.

And mount a largish ball valve immediately off the side of the tank. Mine has a 1" valve that I keep turned off unless I need it. It also makes changing out fittings, regulators, or otherwise reconfig a non-event. Best of all, it keeps pressure off everything when not in use, and you can leave it "up" all the time. Mine hasn't been turned off in about 6 years (not that I recall anyway)...

 

[blazin_blazer]

i have the 30 gal craftsman, that came w/chisel,impact,&ratchet for $249..iirc...it does most chores but i do find myself waiting on it to pump up doing stuff that needs alot of cfm's....

1 of these is going in the shop within the next 2-3 months

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...10551_10001_35687_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

http://www.everyaircompressor.com/Iron-Horse-IHD7160V1-IRH1012.html

http://www.everyaircompressor.com/Iron-Horse-IHD6160V1-IRH1009.html

i have another 80 gallon tank that will get plumbed into the compressor...givin me 140 gallon reserve, plus my 30 gal craftsman will get quick connected in also, so 170 gallon reserve on the compressor that produces 11.1 to 16.5 cfm at 90 psi, should have me set as far as air goes...

i have an old 250 gallon propane tank, i've been toying w/ idea of tieing it in thru the wall and sit the 250 gal tank outside...that would be 390 gal reserve w/o the craftsman connected & 420 gal w/it connected....thats alot of air reserve...the compressor is 100% duty cycle so it shouldn't hurt it to pump up the 60, 80, & 250 gallon tank....and it should run awhile before the compressor actually kicks back on to pump em back up

 

[gibby2268]

Look around on ebay, ya might find something locally. I found a big honkin 80 gal 5 horse Saylor Beall compressor a couple hours away. This thing goes for about $2500 new, think I paid $300 for it. It runs anything I want including a sandblaster and begs for more.

 

[rjfguitar]

i have the 30 gal craftsman, that came w/chisel,impact,&ratchet for $249..iirc...it does most chores but i do find myself waiting on it to pump up doing stuff that needs alot of cfm's....

1 of these is going in the shop within the next 2-3 months

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...10551_10001_35687_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

http://www.everyaircompressor.com/Iron-Horse-IHD7160V1-IRH1012.html

http://www.everyaircompressor.com/Iron-Horse-IHD6160V1-IRH1009.html

i have another 80 gallon tank that will get plumbed into the compressor...givin me 140 gallon reserve, plus my 30 gal craftsman will get quick connected in also, so 170 gallon reserve on the compressor that produces 11.1 to 16.5 cfm at 90 psi, should have me set as far as air goes...

i have an old 250 gallon propane tank, i've been toying w/ idea of tieing it in thru the wall and sit the 250 gal tank outside...that would be 390 gal reserve w/o the craftsman connected & 420 gal w/it connected....thats alot of air reserve...the compressor is 100% duty cycle so it shouldn't hurt it to pump up the 60, 80, & 250 gallon tank....and it should run awhile before the compressor actually kicks back on to pump em back up

Having a wild amount of air space is nice, but you'll want to turn the compressor on a day BEFORE you plan to use it, if you are going to be pushing 11.1 cfm. 300 and something gallons would take around 45 minutes to actually fill with 11.1cfm @90psi.


Original poster...

Get a compressor with some balls.... meaning get something that has at least an 11-12cfm @90psi rating. Even that is somewhat small....a good 1/2" high powered air gun will devour 11cfm and then some. Airing up tires takes around 7cfm or so.

I have BOTH scenerios on hand... my shop has an 80 gallon tank, but a small 11-12cfm pump on it. It's nice having the storage because it makes the compressor "seem" bigger, but as soon as I run something large and it pulls the tank down, the compressor can't come close to keeping up. Plus, with my 80 gallon tank, it takes 10 minutes to build air...annoying when all I need to do is fill a tire real quick.

On my service truck I run a big Emglo 4 piston 17cfm pump, but with only an 8 gallon capactiy, not 80....8...

I prefer to use my service truck compressor, it fills the 8 gallon tank quick and have an immediate 140psi, and even though the tank is super small, the pump has the balls to keep up with almost anything I have and it never needs to "store" air to keep up.

Anyway...get a compressor with some pumping power, then worry about tank size...you'll be much happier.