Thread: whats in your shop

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i am getting my garage together to have my own hobby shop. i would like to know what kind of air compressors you are using. i plan on doing some body work ie sanding and welding. anything that may be usefull

Two old cars and a lot of junk (according to my wife). Actually starting clearing some of the junk out yesterday, got 2 square feet done then went and got a glass of iced tea and sat down to watch the nhra drags, never when back. Guess I will tackle it again next week.

Don't do much compressor work currently in my shop, so I only have a 60 gal unit, 5 hp, 10.5 cfm @ 90 psi. Looking to upgrade to an 80 gal unit but will need more cleared space.

If you use the search function, type in the word compressor, you'll find dozens of discussions.

Given the work you describe actual air volume output and tank storage size is more critical than pressure, hp of the motor, or any other numbers game sellers of compressors utilize. As an example, I have a compressor that puts out 24 cfm at 90psi. It will fill the tank WHILE I'm using something like a da and not keep running constantly trying (in vain) to keep up.

Actually starting clearing some of the junk out yesterday, got 2 square feet done then went and got a glass of iced tea and sat down to watch the nhra drags, never when back.

Me too -

My compressor is too small - good for airing tires!!

I like the one Bob has described.
Most air tools use 7-10CMF ????
A 24CFM should keep up well with better than 50% duty cycle.

bob are you using 120 or 240. at sears online all i could find is 5.4 at 90psi with 120v. i would liek to stay with 120v

Originally Posted by streetisneat

bob are you using 120 or 240. at sears online all i could find is 5.4 at 90psi with 120v. i would liek to stay with 120v

Try Lowes, Home Despot, Tractor Supply just to name a few more easily found places. Sears runs more to the occasional user that is pumping tires, using an air brush or a siphon feed touch up gun or maybe a small air tool. I believe most of these are all made by Cambell Hausfeld but rebadged to someone elses name. My I-R for sure is. A 220/240 VAC supply is needed for anything North of 2/3 Hp

Originally Posted by streetisneat

bob are you using 120 or 240. at sears online all i could find is 5.4 at 90psi with 120v. i would liek to stay with 120v

Hard wired 220v. I have a 120v roll around "cheapie" in the vain of what Dave described for portable needs like air nail guns and such for home/yard projects where a couple lengths of hose from the shop unit won't reach. It hardly gets used. As SBC says, typical body working tools eat air at a fast rate.

Just for thought....a 5 hp compressor (not 5hp equivalent as Sears advertises) is a good starting point. Five horse motors draw someting like
22.5 amps at 120 vac......not exactly what your house wiring is designed for.

That's why any decent sized compressor is a minimum of 220VAC single phase.
Of course, your house doesnt have 460VAC OR 3 phase of any kind; both of which are more efficient.

mike in tucson

Inderstoll Rand Compressor is the way to. They hard to beat for the durabilty.

I've just upgraded to the same Eaton compressor Uncle Bob has, and I love it. For the first time I can sandblast or DA, and it shuts off while I'm still working, like he said. Before I had to wait for it to catch up.

BTW, there are 5 hp motors and then there are FIVE HP motors, they are NOT all the same. Our old compressor had a 6HP, and I bought a new 5HP from Eaton, and this motor is at least twice as big, maybe 3 times. It is a huge 220 volter, and the shaft is something like 1.25 or 1.5 inches in diameter. That baby really cooks. Motor alone is over 100 lbs.

Another reason I like Eaton is that their customer service is 2nd to none. After a month my compressor started blowing out oil (I think I did something wrong in the hookup ) They sent me a brand new unit, and said scrap the old one.

A big air compressor makes life SO much easier, shoulda had this one years ago.

Don

Mine is an older I-R and it is a 220, not hardwired though. Have been known to move it. Not an easy task, but sometimes a necessity.

Dang it - every time we get on this subject I get to thinkin', then sanity returns (my wife ) before I buy that 80 gallon unit. And she is out now.....

Originally Posted by Irelands child

Dang it - every time we get on this subject I get to thinkin', then sanity returns (my wife ) before I buy that 80 gallon unit. And she is out now.....

Quick, you can still get your order in before 5 PM. I know women, she REALLY WANTS you to have a new air compressor.


Don

A 110 volt compressor isn't going to cut it. Better make some provision to get 220V in the shop. I have a 7.5 horse twin stage compressor with an extra 80 gallon air tank in addition to the 80 gallon tank on the compressor and working by myself I can tax it quite hard.... Just study the CFM requirements of the tools you have now, then look ahead to the air tools you want to have and get a compressor a size bigger then your future needs dictate.


As for a grown man having to ask permission to get a bigger compressor------You're kidding, right???? Please tell me you are JFK

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

As for a grown man ..................

------You're kidding, right???? Please tell me you are JFK

Dave S
Yep just kidding - I just haven't found the 'right' new or used one at my price yet. The 6.5 load (2Hp?)rated 30 gallon I-R unit I have now puts out plenty enough pressure and CFM for my Iwata BC/CC and Devil primer gun as well as any air tools I have. It just doesn't have the duty cycle(50%) that I would like for compressor longevity. For my use I don't need a 2 stage $2000 unit but a big single stage with a 100% duty cycle for $1000 or less. Remember - I'm a retired OF and need to sell old treasures for new treasures.