Air compressors revisited

[Hohn]

OK, I REALLY want an air compressor, and after reading the posts of wiser TDR types, I have concluded that the Sears or Campbell Hausfeld just isn't worth the (waste of) money.



I need to have a compressor that runs off standard 120V. What's the most powerful compressor that runs at that voltage?



So far, the best one I have found is a Champion that puts out 5. 9CFM @ 100PSI. That's better air delivery than a lot of compressors rated for more pressure.



BTW, what's the advantage of higher pressure? I mean, if the thing can only deliever 4 cfm @90 psi, does it really matter that is can run a higher psi?



It seems to me that a lot of compressor makers are pushing the higher pressure values (150 and 175).



Yet, the companies that have the BEST reps (I-R, Champ, etc. ) march along at barely 120psi. Is the higher pressure just marketing hype to try to push an inferior compressor (as I suspect) or is there actually something to it?



I would also consider a small gas-powered compressor. They have a lot of air delievery, and are truly portable. How often do you have to refill the fuel tank? Do they idle down to save fuel, or what? I guess I am just trying to figure out how practical a gas portable would be for me. How loud are they?



Thanks again. I want the most compressor I can get on 120V or gas and still be (kinda) portable.



PLEASE submit recommendations, thoughts, experiences. .



HOHN

 

[TPCDrafting]

The gas powered ones I've seen/used are as loud as a snow blower (or more) running at full throttle. Kind of annoying if you ask me, but their portability is usefull. I bought a 120v Husky kit from Home Depot about 6 months ago. Granted I'm not an everyday user in the shop, but I use it for general construction and car maintenance around the house. It fills up to 125 psi, not sure of the cfm. I believe for what I use it for, it works good. The Kit came with a 1/2" impact wrench, 3/8" drive socket wrench, air chisel, which I haven't had a use for yet except to destroy stuff, an air spray gun for painting/staining, air chuck, blower attachment and some other stuff. I've also used nail guns from 18 gauge to 16d nailers. All has worked well so far, it's not top of the line equipment, but it's better than nothing at all! The whole kit was just under $300. If you're a serious wrench head or full time framer, this size may not be for you, but Husky makes bigger ones! Keep in mind the tools mine came with operate at 100 psi max. and the finish nail guns a little less, so real high pressure isn't necessary, but it likely gives you more time between cycles. When I did construction in college the boss had one with two small side tanks with the elec motor/belt to compressor setup. The motor ran all the time and the compressor would cycle, it was a real good setup and could keep up with several framing guns all at once. Can't remember the name.

 

[jmadden]

I'm not an expert, but as I understand it... the higher pressures basically just allow you to run the tools longer before the compressor cycles again. Not sure what the ratio would be, but some of the advertising literature on the compressors usually provides an example (i. e. , 25-gallon tank @ 150psi is like having a 40-gallon tank @ 125psi... these specific numbers are ficticious, I made them up only to serve as an example).



jm

 

[Dbonzi]

Keep in mind that if the air compressor only pumps to 120 and shuts down, they don't kick in until 80 psi. If you grab your impact wrench and pound on a really tight bolt or nut 90psi isn't going to do it! If you figure you loose 5psi per 25 feet of hose connected to the system. I would definitely get one that pumps up to 175psi.

I have a cambell hausfeld and it works fine. Its about 12 years old, 5hp two stage 240 volt. It works as great. I have done about 50 complete paint jobs with it and this includes all the sanding and grinding ect on all of them.



Good Luck with your decision

Dennis

 

[Badunit]

The Craftsman compressors are very loud. I have one of the loud and cheap Craftsman's and I wish I had something else.



You stated that you want a powerful 120V compressor. You can't go much over 5HP on a 15 amp circuit (with only the compressor on it) and that will be your limiting factor unless you have a higher amp circuit.



Other than that, I can't help you.

 

[Un-Hemi]

Any compressor that runs a direct-drive oil-less system will be noisy. Definitely get a belt-drive oil-in-the-crankcase model. Most compressors that run up to 125 psi are single-stage compressors. Some are changeable from 110 to 220 volts. The ones that run up to 175 psi are always (and I may be putting my foot in it here) two-stage, and they are mostly 220/240 volts. I have one of those 80 gallon monsters here at home. At the hangar, I have a Husky 110 volt 30-gallon upright on wheels with a belt drive two cylinder compressor that I bought at Home Depot. So far, it's been fine for what I use it for. It's quiet and clean.



The CFM rating of the compressor is determined by the displacement of the cylinder(s), and the speed at which it runs, not the pressure.



Compressor CFM ratings are like electric motor HP specs. Highly fictitious in some cases, and with compressors ya get to tangle with both!



If I had to do it over again, my home compressor would be a LARGE two-cylinder, single stage compressor on a horizontal tank..... two of the reasons being; that it doesn't heat the air as much, and nothing I have uses over 130 psi... . but the one I have will live longer than I will. BTW, that monster is a Speedair 5Z397A.



You won't regret buying one that is larger than you think you need. One that's too small... . well... .



And ya can't use a gasser in the basement... for long. And they're noisy.

 

[FATCAT]

You get what you pay for ...

Don't ever forget that ... you buy cheap, you get cheap.



Speedair or Ingersol Rand ... don't go with anything else.

 

[willyslover]

do you have a electric dryer... ??? if you do make an extension cord of 10 gague wire with the dryer male end and what ever end for the female that the compressor has... now you can have a 220v compressor that will have some balls...



if you run a compressor that is to small it will run it's ass of to keep up with your needs and wear out quickly



air tools are two classes. . intermitant and constant



intermitant. . air hammers / air chisels, air impacts [hammers],and such are pull trigger let off type of users need low air so a small compressor with 20 or 30 gal tank will do ok.



constant. . DA's , air boards, air grinders are pull trigger hold on for long periods and consume tons of air and need a large compressor with large tank



I must admit I am of the "get the largest you can group" as I have a ton of air tools .

 

[Philip]

For your stated use and power requirements. The only thing you need to look at is how quite of one you can get. Being 110 volt only. You are not looking at compressors that are above the throw away class. Buy the quitest one you can find. When it dies trash it. Then buy a another one.



On a protable compressor that is gas powered. Most due not idle down. All it does is unloaded the valves on the compressor. It has the same amount of noice as a riding lawn mower does. As far as being protable. Do you have a cherry picker to load one? You will not load it by hand. For the price of a portable gas powered compressor. You can by a good 2 stage electric compressor.



For air requirements. Most air tools list the cfm need to operate it.

But here is a few I remember of the top of my head.



Most good impacts=5cfm+ (anything that has Chicago in its name is not good)



Dual action sanders=10 cfm



Air files= 6 cfm



air grinders=6 to 10 cfm



air buffers=6 to 10 cfm



Bead blast cabinet=15cfm+



bucket type sandblaster= 10 cfm



If you want to wait for air to build up all the time. Then buy a small one. The bigger one will let you keep working a lot longer. The life of it will be longer also.

 

[KSyme]

Regulate the supply down to tool mfg. recommended psi. Excess psi. to tools kills the life of tool. More psi. in tank regulated down to useable psi. gives more volume of air, compressor cycles less.

 

[Hohn]

It sounds like the overwhelming consensus is to bite the bullet and get a 240V compressor. I guess that getting the 240V setup isn't that hard, since most houses already have it somewhere (dryer/range).



I would imagine that ANY 240V compressor is quite a bit better than a 120v model. i think i will hold out for a decent 60 or 80 gallon 240V comp from Speedaire, IR, or Champion.



I wish that the US would change its infrastructure to 400V wiring in the house. It would actually be safer, since the same work could be done on MUCH less current. Same thing for cars-- why still 12V? If we stepped up to like 70V, we could more efficiently run all the electronics on modern cars.



Thanks all who contributed.



Hohn

 

[Philip]

It is better to buy only one compressor in your life. A good two stage should last around 20 to 30 years with a home owner. Just keep up on the maint.

 

[Hohn]

OK, so now I am thinking that a 240V model is what I need if I want to do this only once and do it right.



From what I have seen, a 7. 5HP compressor is as big as you can get until you have to go to 3-phase wiring. Exactly what is three phase? I would guess that instead of having all the 60HZ cycles on top of each other, they are staggered every 120 degrees. How expensive is it to get 3-phase set up in your house. I mean, how do they run a 3-phase line for you?



I think that a single-phase model should be enough air for me (15+cfm@90).



Thanks again



HOHN

 

[Philip]

You can't get 3 phase run into a house by a power company. It is for a company type usage only. There is a way of making the 3rd phase. You would need what is called a phase converter. Do a goodle search and you will find loads of info on them.



But for the average home owner it is better to just use single phase equipment most of the time. There are exceptions to this rule. But the people that need 3 phase for home use know what they are getting into. Most of the time they are trying to run phased out equipment from factorys for home use. IE vertical mills/lathes and so on. 3 phase equipment is cheap on the used market.



Just pick up a good name brand single phase compressor. Then give it to your grand children when you are done with it.

 

[willyslover]

AND BEAT the helllll out of your Son if he looks at it with lust in his eye LOL

 

[Hohn]

Decision made:

the 80 Gallon Champion! It's single phase (240V), and puts out 16+cfm @175 PSI. That's plenty of air for my needs.



Not bad for $882 to your door direct from their website. IR is nice, but was $999, and then you have to pay setup and delivery.



Is that savings worth forgoing the quality of of the IR? I have been told that Champ is every bit as good as IR...



HOHN