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#1
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air compressors?
I'm looking at getting a portable air compressor for my garage. Can anyone give me any info on what to look for as i will be using this unit just for tire inflation ,lug nuts,possibly brake calipers and removing shocks....etc. again any info on tank size, oiless?, psi, and how would you drain the tank when your done? it wouldn't be used a whole heck of a lot. thanx Bob
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#2
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RE: air compressors?
Easiest way is to check the requirements on your most demanding tool and go from there. If you plan on busting lugs or shocks loose, you'll probably need a full size compressor. I have a portable rated at 1.9 CFM @ 140 PSI, but if it doesn't bust a nut loose in the first two seconds...... forget it. No capacity.
Visit DOWNRIVER TACKLE in the Walleye Central Directory https://www.walleyecentral.com/wcdire...rs&textToFind= |
#3
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RE: air compressors?
For what you need it for, 3- 5 HP will work. The oiless can be very loud. I bought a 5 HP oiless Sears and took it back, because I knew I could not stand how loud it was 5 seconds after plugging it in. Smaller HP units maybe quieter, but if you have it in a garage and have to be anywhere within a 1/4 mile inside with it, oiless will drive you nuts.
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#4
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RE: air compressors?
Check out Harbor Freight or Northern Tool. 5 HP. W/30 GAL. tank or so, would do all you want. Remember short blast with an air gun is better then a long one. They will build up to around 150 p.s.i. Don't know if I would paint a car with it. But I have painted several pieces of equipment with mine also.
NEVER APOLOGIZE.... AS IT SHOWS SIGNS OF WEAKNESS HAWG ON, SEA YA |
#5
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RE: air compressors?
Fine homebuilding just published a six page review of portable air compressors. http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuild...ges/h00170.asp
It's all in how you're going to use it. For inflating tires, blowing out water lines etc a small 2-4 gal with 2-4 scfm work well. I would think would work with air rachet as well. They will operate air nailers but not pnematic sanders. I have a Campbell Housfeld that works well for small jobs. I also have two Porter Cable's that have lived well. |
#6
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RE: air compressors?
Bob,
If you are just going to air tires, use an air gun now and then and NOT use a sander or other tool taking lots of air - the 2-3 hp compressors will work fine. Having said that - if you do have a nice 5 hp with a large tank; it is quite possible that you will end up using the air a lot more than you might think. For example - I use the compressor to blow all of the dust out of the garage after cleaning. I use the air to blow the leaves off the deck. I use the compressor to blow the dirt down my driveway and the leaves out of the shrubs. You would never be able to do this with a smaller compressor. If you are going to be using the compressor in the same room where you are working - it is to your ears advantage to get a compressor with the following characteristcs: a. Low rpm - i.e. 1750 motor and compressor pump speed under 1000 rpm. Do do this and still get a good air supply, the compressor needs to be a large displacement compressor so it gets a lot of air compressed in each stroke. b. Oil type compressor Oiless compressor have much more clearance in all of their parts to allow for the parts to work properly under the stresses that they are placed. The oil lubed compressor have much tighter clearances and are many times quieter. Also, the oil type compressors are reputed to have longer service life. Remember, you get what you pay for. If you pay a small amount of money for a compressor it is likely that it will have inadequate air supply and it will have a short service life. That is not always the case - but it can be the case. For your needs, if you get a 3-5 hp compressor that will pump to 135 before shutting off and have a quick recovery; it will likely meet your needs for a long time. If you don't mind the noise and if you aren't going to be using it in a heavy duty - long term mode of operation you can get the oiless type compressor at a pretty reasonable cost. If you look at the DeWalt Compressors from Home Depot, they are a pretty quality unit. These compressors are made by Emglo - who make excellent pumps with long service life. Before making any purchase - I would encourage that you have the compressor demonstrated at the store. If not the actual model - one that has similar characteristics. If you have never listend to the difference - particularly have one demonstrated that is a. Oil type - high rpm b. Oil type - low rpm c. Oilless type high rpm d. Oilless type low rpm. I think that you will find the noise difference startling between a high rpm oilless compressor compared to a low rpm oil type compressor. p.s. If you do decide to spend the money and go with a larger stationary compressor - get one with a vertical tank. The pump sits on top of the vertical tank, and thus the compressor makes a very small foot print in your garage. Be safe and use the air well. Take care REW |
#7
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RE: air compressors?
REW and the others have informed you very well.
Also, you should learn about the hazards of compressed air. It can be extremely dangerous. Make sure that if you do any plumbing on your air lines for water trap, regulator, gauges, connectors, etc, that you only use METAL parts. My brother learned the hard way after using plastic fittings on a compressor with a 40 gallon tank. When the air is compressed it gets warm. The fittings got warm and blew out causing pipes and hoses to whip all around the garage. Luckily he sustained only minor injuries, but some pipes went thru a wall and a window was broken by flying debris. best wishes, O F |
#8
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RE: air compressors?
Everything REW said :) I will only add that I am no painter, but with my 6hp 25gal cheapy (about $260 with some basic cheap coleman tools included) I have since painted a boat, and pontoon panels and must say they look pretty professional, at least for the hack I am!. The air paint gun is really cool and fun to work with :) I never run out of air, but motor runs a lot when painting or grinding.
I do brakes and some basic work on trucks and cars, and the biggest thing you will find is that good air hammers/impact wrenches, etc. are a lot better than the cheapos. I just have cheapos, but when we need to do serious work, we get my neighbors good ones, and they do work better, or at least are stronger. As others have said, you find it the best investment for your garage you ever made. I have the style where motor sits on top of vertical tank, and it is on wheels, so easy to move around and takes up little space. Mine is oilless, and it is loud. I also have alittle 2 hp model for the cabin, and it is good for finish nailer or inflating stuff, but that is about it. It is nice and small though - its the little craftsman one that is always on sale for $90 with an assortment of little inflation tools. Good little unit for what it is. That one has oil and is fairly quiet. Also, the auto-recoil hose reel mounted to the ceiling is something you might as well get now too ;) My wife got me the 50' one for about $90 at Northern Tool, and it really works great. Not the cheapest, but not the spendy one. Until you have this, the hose will be a PITA from the coiling, etc. Good luck, and go get one soon ;) You will wish you did it years ago! ha! -Box https://www.walleyecentral.com/photop...&ppuser=103808 |
#9
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RE: air compressors?
For limited usage, light, portable, inexpensive yet enough to inflate tires, use blow gun from time to time, and run air nailer type usage, I like something like this:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...+%26+Inflators For more permanent, last a long time, but probably still not big enough to run a sprayer or air sander, I like this, mainly because it has a real electric motor instead of a universal motor (IMO, universal motors are throw away tools as soon as you use up the motor)it also runs on 110: http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS...gjj.0&MID=9876 If your not that crazy about the Husky brand, here is an Ingersoll Rand that is close to the same features, but more dollars. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...0&tab=des#tabs Anymore than that, I think you move up to a 220 compressor - Ingersol Rand is the one I prefer if you need to go to that level. The Home Depot Husky is probably the best flexibility, value, and long life that I've found when shopping. Craftsman makes quite a few that are comparable right up until the Universal motor instead of an induction motor. |
#10
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RE: air compressors?
thank you to all that help i appreciate it very much. Bob
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