Choosing an air compressor

[fim]

I am thinking of getting an air compressor for finish nailing, but want to also "buy for the future". I am a homeowner, DIY-renovator, and occasional woodworker.

Space is an issue, so the big tanks are out. I could conceivably see using a whole assortment of tools, but unlikely to really need the continuous use ones (sprayer is a maybe). Is there a good list of all the different tools and their compressor requirements?

How much maintenance is required of the oil ones? I've heard the oil-free pancakes and they are LOUD! What are some good features that I should look for?

Thanks

[LCHIEN]

I am thinking of getting an air compressor for finish nailing, but want to also "buy for the future". I am a homeowner, DIY-renovator, and occasional woodworker.

Space is an issue, so the big tanks are out. I could conceivably see using a whole assortment of tools, but unlikely to really need the continuous use ones (sprayer is a maybe). Is there a good list of all the different tools and their compressor requirements?

How much maintenance is required of the oil ones? I've heard the oil-free pancakes and they are LOUD! What are some good features that I should look for?

Thanks

If you look here (forum search) and on the net (Google) there are tons of recommendations for air flow vs tool type.
Sprayers generally need lots of air flow. You also don't want to cut the air too close you want the compressor to have not more than 50% on time so you want it to have almost 2x more CFMs than the tool takes.

Its easy to get carried away, I would suggest a pancake compressor for the nailers and go from there.

[wardprobst]

FWIW,
I have two- a 7.5 HP Campbell Hausfield super duty, two stage and a 20 year old 1 HP Craftsman. I used the Craftsman for years and it's still fine for nailing, spraying etc but it did have a very good compressor on it and a true 1HP motor. Loring is right- figure what CFM you need and then find a good deal.
DP

[maxparot]

I'll start with your last question first...
The maintainence on oil bath type compressors is based on the amount of use but for home use change the oil about once a year and clean and re-oil the air intake filters as needed depending on how dusty your environment is.
If you really want a tool versatile compressor for the future particularly with sanders and sprayers you'll need about 6 cfm@ 90 psi. I use mine for both woodwoking and automotive hobbies and I find a 3hp w/ 20 gallon tank to be the sweet spot.
If all you need is to drive nails and inflate tires a 2 gal 1 hp may be all you need.
Oilless compressors are noisy and are not considered heavy duty but you won't have oil in your air when spraying. But I never considered that a problem since when spraying the moisture trap removes the oil also.

[fim]

maxparot, I think you are right about the 6 cfm@90psi being a good starting point.

How do you determine the appropriate tank size? 20 gallons sounds like a lot. Also, are the oil-less models THAT loud? How much extra will oiled models cost? Will I have oil problems blowing air in the shop to clear dust?

Thanks

[Curly Qsawn]

I got a 125PSI, 25 gallon vertical portable. It works fine, but when the motor cuts in to fill the tank it blows the circuit on 15 amps. When I get around to upgrading, it shouldn't be a problem, but it does limit its usefulness right now. Had I known that before hand I would have gone with a smaller side stack oil free for easier portability and then added a larger (60 gal) in the shop later on. Since the larger one is out for you then I'd recommend something like the Ingersol Rand Garagemate (http://air.irco.com/IS/product.asp-en-12949).

[siliconbauhaus]

interesting compressor reviewed here

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/huskyq26rvu.html

[p8ntblr]

maxparot, I think you are right about the 6 cfm@90psi being a good starting point.

How do you determine the appropriate tank size? 20 gallons sounds like a lot. Also, are the oil-less models THAT loud? How much extra will oiled models cost? Will I have oil problems blowing air in the shop to clear dust?

Thanks

I have a small CH 3HP 4gal twin tank and a CH 5HP 15 gallon. For shooting nails the smaller unit works just fine. But if I attach a air blower to it, it has to cycle alot. This will hold true if your using a sander, air-rachet, or any tool that uses continuous air. You'll need a large tank along with the high cfm.
Just like all oil-less it is a bit loud but nothing outrageous. To me my shop vac makes more noise.
A couple things to keep in mind.
1) They draw alot of current when cycling. So make sure your breakers can handle it. I actually had to run some dedicated wires and breaker because it kept tripping the breakers.
2) Vent them after every use to prevent moisture. Otherwise the moisture could get in your tools. Along with venting I use an in-line air filter.

[Cheeky]

My first setup was the Porter Cable pancake 3-gun combo. The guns are great, the compressor worked fine, but it was just too loud to deal with....especially indoors (it's rated at 93dB). So I sold it, and picked up the Hitachi EC79 at lowes for $135 plus tax (it's listed for 169 on lowes.com but it's 149 in the stores, and i used a coupon).http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...C79&lpage=none

It's rated at 74dB, and is much easier on the ears. It's capable of running a couple framing nailers, and has a pretty good capacity in 6 gallons.

The combo deals are attractive because of the pricing, ie HD has a 5 gun PC compressor combo for $397. If I could do it all over again, I would buy the compressor seperate.

FYI, you may want to check homedepot for the ridgid 2gun/driver combo kit, as it was $118.80 (hd#162-499) 3 or 4 weeks ago.

[maxparot]

maxparot, I think you are right about the 6 cfm@90psi being a good starting point.

How do you determine the appropriate tank size? 20 gallons sounds like a lot. Also, are the oil-less models THAT loud? How much extra will oiled models cost? Will I have oil problems blowing air in the shop to clear dust?

Thanks

The reason for the 20gal is with a compressor that will supply 6 cfm @ 90 psi needs a buffer to stop it from creating pulses in the supply line. (a problem for spraying) The bigger the compressor the bigger the tank needed. Also a bigger tank acts as a time buffer when using tools that require more cfm. It allows you to use the tool intermitantly without overworking the pump.

[fim]

These are some great responses. I really appreciate it.
I have read about the PC combos, but a lot of people seem put off by the loudness of it. The Husky review is very interesting, and something I didnt consider before. I wasnt that concerned about the noise until reading all the complaints about it. I will have to hear it for myself.
Do all compressors allow for adding extra tank storage? It might make better sense to get a 3+hp compressor with a smaller tank now, then add the bigger tanks later?

For oil-lubed and oil-less, here's my take so far:

Oil-lubed pros:
- Quieter (still loud, but usually palatable)
- More reliable

Oil-less pros:
- No oil changes
- No worries about oil in lines (but condensation is still a problem)
- Less expensive

[Cheeky]

These are some great responses. I really appreciate it.
I have read about the PC combos, but a lot of people seem put off by the loudness of it. The Husky review is very interesting, and something I didnt consider before. I wasnt that concerned about the noise until reading all the complaints about it. I will have to hear it for myself.
Do all compressors allow for adding extra tank storage? It might make better sense to get a 3+hp compressor with a smaller tank now, then add the bigger tanks later?

For oil-lubed and oil-less, here's my take so far:

Oil-lubed pros:
- Quieter (still loud, but usually palatable)
- More reliable

Oil-less pros:
- No oil changes
- No worries about oil in lines (but condensation is still a problem)
- Less expensive

I would argue, some of the oil-less compressors are the quietest and most reliable around. We gave my brother a Thomas AirPac compressor (made in Wisonsin, oil-less) for Christmas, and it's quieter than any other compressor I've heard fired-up. They also have a stellar reputation. Hitachi, and Makita also make quiet reliable compressors, meant to handle constant use. And lastly, not necessarily less expensive (Thomas Pancake is over 3 bills).

http://www.thomasairpac.com/products...c_electric.jsp

[LCHIEN]

These are some great responses. I really appreciate it.
I have read about the PC combos, but a lot of people seem put off by the loudness of it. The Husky review is very interesting, and something I didnt consider before. I wasnt that concerned about the noise until reading all the complaints about it. I will have to hear it for myself.
Do all compressors allow for adding extra tank storage? It might make better sense to get a 3+hp compressor with a smaller tank now, then add the bigger tanks later?

For oil-lubed and oil-less, here's my take so far:

Oil-lubed pros:
- Quieter (still loud, but usually palatable)
- More reliable

Oil-less pros:
- No oil changes
- No worries about oil in lines (but condensation is still a problem)
- Less expensive

You could add a extra tank at the output of the compressor after the regulator just using quick connect hardware and stuff and those tanks made for carrying air to bicyles or such. But it would not work real well as the main tank is before the regulator allowing it to have stable output pressure air and not sagging in pressure as the after-regulator tank would.

You could also disassemble the compressor and parallel (Tee) a tank with the main tank but that would be a mess and not too portable.

I would consider either method a kludge.

[maxparot]

To use a secondary tank it would need to be of a capacity large enough to handle supply on its own and not consider the original tank as part of the systems capacity. Also the output to the tool needs to be from that secondary tank and a pressure regulator needs to be added inline. One last thing is that the connecion to the secondary tank should be at a point other than the input point and the compressor regulator should be removed or turn all the way up.
The real question becomes can you find a small tanked compressor with a cfm rating high enough to use with a big tank.

[fim]

Hmm. I had thought I could upgrade as my needs grow. It sounds like we just have to replace the entire thing with a new one. Does it make more sense then to get a small compressor now? Then if my needs require more, I can use the first one as a portable?