Air Compressor

[Todd L.]

What would be a good air compressor for in the garage? I would want it to be able to run air tools, with no problem and having the motor kick on every 2 seconds. Of course filling tires and cleaning the occasional filter. I would also like to be able to use it to blow the sprinkler system out, when needed.
What are good name brands, HP, tank capacity, and flow volume I should look for?

Thanks

Todd

[Bruce B.]

Re: Air Compressor

I have a Ingersol Rand cast iron 2 cylinder, 2 stage 7.5 HP 60 gallon compressor which does everything I need to do when restoring or working on my cars.
It has sufficient capacity to sand blast and run any air tool.
Check them out.
Bruce B

[Todd L.]

Re: Air Compressor

Thanks Bruce,
When you say it is a two stage, does that mean it is gas?
I forgot to mention I would want it to also be able to handle a blast cabinet.
Thanks.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Air Compressor

Todd,
A 2 cylinder 2 stage compressor works by the first piston compressing the air into the second cylinder which further compresses the air for higher efficiency of the system.
Thats all I know, except that mine works great.
Bruce B

[Steve L.]

Re: Air Compressor

I have a Campbell Hausfeld, 20 gal around 5V currently running at 120V but I may convert it over to 220V. It is a 2 stage. Homedepot used to sell it. I picked it up just as Homedepot was clearancing them out. It has been running flawlessly for years.

I have a small blast cabinet about 2ft on each side.

After the compressor stops at 125psi. It takes 10 seconds for it to restart with the blast cabinet. If I immediately stop using it, it will take 30 seconds to catch up until it gets back up to pressure. I run the blast cabinet straight from the compressor i.e. no air dryer, no regulator.

In practice, the compressor runs non-stop with the blast cabinet. You may want something larger.

It also runs close to non stop with a paint sprayer.

I'm almost tempted to get a second 20 gal tank as an accessory and hook it up in parallel.

[Peter J.]

Re: Air Compressor

Tod,
I have a Quincy, Model QT-5 with an eighty gallon tank. Previously I had a Craftsman 5hp single stage with a sixty gallon tank. I built an addition on my shop to get that noisy sob out of my small shop. It kept coming on repeatedly with a deafening roar.
They Quincy is so quiet I can't believe the difference. It catches up to my sandblaster while I stand right next to it and have a conversation.
Forget about big horsepower ratings and get a good quality two stage big tank model. The lower the operating rpm the better.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Air Compressor

I agree with the low RPM.
In addition most sand blast cabinets recommend that you regulate the pressure to between 80 and 100 PSI. My cabinets works better at 80 PSI then at 150 PSI and it is easier on the equipment.
More is not always better.

[Dick W.]

Re: Air Compressor

I have a Quincy QR 25, 5 hp two stage 17.4 cfm and a comparable Saylor-Beal, which is approaching 25 years old. The Quinch is quite a bit better compressor in my opinion. The key to understanding what you are buying is how many cfm will it produce at 150 psi. If you are running a blast bead cabinet, more cfm is better. Another thing you want is a cast iron pump, not aluminum.

[John H.]

Re: Air Compressor

I would also like to be able to use it to blow the sprinkler system out, when needed.

Todd -

I doubt if any compressor you can fit in your garage will have adequate reserve volume and flow capacity for blowing out a sprinkler system; the guys that blow out my system use an 80-hp Ingersoll-Rand they tow behind their truck with 1-1/2" or 2" hose. I have 4 heads per zone, and most zones have pipe runs of about 100' to 200' from the air valve.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Air Compressor

...After the compressor stops at 125psi. It takes 10 seconds for it to restart with the blast cabinet. If I immediately stop using it, it will take 30 seconds to catch up until it gets back up to pressure. I run the blast cabinet straight from the compressor i.e. no air dryer, no regulator.

In practice, the compressor runs non-stop with the blast cabinet. You may want something larger.

It also runs close to non stop with a paint sprayer...

If I recall correctly, a properly sized air compressor will run about half of the time when you are using tools that consume a lot of air.

You have some flexibility with the professional cabinets in that you can install a smaller diameter nozzle set that uses less air, but the downside of that is it also takes longer to do the work. HVLP spray guns and air tools are notorious for the amount of air they consume.

I would be looking at a belt driven two stage compressor with a cast iron pump, splash lubrication as a minimum, 80 gal storage tank, and with at least 6 to 7.5 hp (220V). About 13-15 cfm at 100 psi is the minimum capacity I would consider for my garage...less capacity than that and you have trouble running air tools, blast cabinets, and HVLP spray guns without the compressor running most of the time.

One other thing...Do not even consider the non-lubed direct coupled units sold by Sears. It doesn't matter if it has a railroad tank car for a reservoir, it's ultimately going to run continuously before you're done with your work. Try to run a blast cabinet on one of those, and the compressor will last just slightly longer than a piece of chewing gum. Been there; done that...it didn't click at first; I rebuilt the POS with high dollar parts only to have burn up the synthetic piston rings again.

[Joe L.]

Re: Air Compressor

What would be a good air compressor for in the garage? I would want it to be able to run air tools, with no problem and having the motor kick on every 2 seconds. Of course filling tires and cleaning the occasional filter. I would also like to be able to use it to blow the sprinkler system out, when needed.
What are good name brands, HP, tank capacity, and flow volume I should look for?

Thanks

Todd

Todd------


A lot depends upon whether you have 220V power available and a circuit capable of delivering fairly high amperage. If you don't, you're pretty much limited to smaller, single stage compressors no matter that others might be better and more desirable. There are a few small compressors around that are 2 stage, but they're still not going to deliver "big time" CFM.

[Steve L.]

Re: Air Compressor

Joe, the Campbell that I have is a two stage, iron that can be wired either 220 or 120V. There is a HP difference for the 220V wiring. It's 20 Gal.

I believe that they are still selling this.

I agree, it is small for running a blast cabinet.

[Robert M.]

Re: Air Compressor

Todd;
I have a 2 cylinder Dev-Air 19.5cfm 7.5 hp/ 220volt compressor with a 60 gallon tank, it's industrial grade and cost me just under $1000.00 It's works great. I paint, use air tools run a blast cabinet and blow out my sprinkler lines with it. I had a campbell Hausfield 5hp unit with a 20 gallon tank and it couldn't keep up. If you check out some of the web sites specs on bead blaster they recommend no less than a 18 cfm unit. Bob

[Todd L.]

Re: Air Compressor

Thanks for the input, I still have reading to do to understand it all. I did see an ad on Craig's list for an Ingersoll Rand T30 10 HP 230 volt, 3 phase, 120 gallon tank, CFM 35 @175PSI.

Includes starter and auto water drain.

They are asking $1750.00

Is this a good price and are does it have the ratings need for good restoration purposes?

My neighbor is an electrician, I believe I could get my 230V circuit. It may cost me more beer/ BBQ than normal.

[Terry M.]

Re: Air Compressor

Thanks for the input, I still have reading to do to understand it all. I did see an ad on Craig's list for an Ingersoll Rand T30 10 HP 230 volt, 3 phase, 120 gallon tank, CFM 35 @175PSI.

Includes starter and auto water drain.

They are asking $1750.00

Is this a good price and are does it have the ratings need for good restoration purposes?

My neighbor is an electrician, I believe I could get my 230V circuit. It may cost me more beer/ BBQ than normal.

Getting 3-phase power may cost you more than you think. Most residential power is 1-phase and depending on how you receive your power, 3-phases may not be available. Your utility may charge you a bunch (as in tens of thousands) to bring 3-phase power to you.

There are converters that will make single phase power into three phases, but to do so with enough power to run a 10 hp motor is also quite expensive.

You will likely need a 10 hp single phase 220-240 volt motor for that compressor, so add in that cost and I think you can see the price is rapidly becoming no bargain. Talk to your neighbor about the cost of bringing even a single phase 220 volt power line to your garage/workshop. Tell him what you want to do. Depending on when your home was built, your electrical system may need some upgrades to deal with that power draw.