Minimum Air Compressor

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tony20110

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What would be the minimum air compressor to run normal shop tools. DA sander for example. I have a 100psi 2 gallon and I think it's too weak.

Thanks FABO
 
What would be the minimum air compressor to run normal shop tools. DA sander for example. I have a 100psi 2 gallon and I think it's too weak.

Thanks FABO

Yes, what you have is way too small. I run a 5hp two stage cast iron pump belt drive compressor on a 20 gallon tank and it doesn't keep up with running a DA nonstop. It will keep up with air ratchets and impacts well. Pair what I have up with another 60 gallon tank and it would do the job.
 
minimum 10 gallon and 2 cylinder. belt drive is best you can pick up nice ones used for about $150 and probably bigger then you need as well
 
Years ago I had a friend and mentor who was a machinist working for Chrysler. I was on a tight budget and was looking at two compressors for my shop. I was temped to buy the smaller, cheaper unit and I asked him basically the same question. He has been passed away for years, but your question brought back many fond memories! BTW, Here's how HE answered that question when I asked:

I'm 50 years old and I've been a car guy all my life..All my friends are car guys also. And in all my years, when I've been shooting the sh*t with those friends, I 've never had ANYONE say to me
"You know? I've got a problem! My compressor is just TOO DAMN BIG!"

On his advice I bought the biggest one they had and I'm still using it 20 years later!
 
Years ago I had a friend and mentor who was a machinist working for Chrysler. I was on a tight budget and was looking at two compressors for my shop. I was temped to buy the smaller, cheaper unit and I asked him basically the same question. He has been passed away for years, but your question brought back many fond memories! BTW, Here's how HE answered that question when I asked:

I'm 50 years old and I've been a car guy all my life..All my friends are car guys also. And in all my years, when I've been shooting the sh*t with those friends, I 've never had ANYONE say to me
"You know? I've got a problem! My compressor is just TOO DAMN BIG!"

On his advice I bought the biggest one they had and I'm still using it 20 years later!

well there is such thing as too big, both size and voltage; a quick look through the local classified site shows ones that are 600 volt 3 stage, and are 100 gallon, thats oversized and not needed for 99.9% of people
 
A 5 HP/ 2 cyl/ 2stage with a 60 gallon tank won't keep up with a DA. They take a lot of constant air. The bigger the tank, the longer it takes before the compressor kicks in and you run out of air. When you look for compressors, start with the air consumption specs for the tools you will use. Usually, The bigger the tool, the more air it will use.1/2" Impact wrenches use a lot of air but only for a short time. (Not like a DA or a disc grinder which you tend to use constantly) Next step is the CFM delivered specs from the compressor. It will never keep up if the tool consumes 8 cfm and the compressor only has 5 cfm delivered @ XX PSI. That's another thing to think about if the compressor is rated at XX cfm @ 90 psi, cranking the limit switch to 140# won't give you more air just more pressure. A nice sized home compressor is a 5hp/2cyl/2 stage with a 50 gal. tank. You just need to pace yourself when working and allow the compressor to catch up and cool down. Most of 5he 5 horse 80's have bigger motors and beefier compressor pumps. tmm
 
I've ranted on this before

Some compressor ratings are imaginary, nothing but hype

You want to IGNORE HP because it is no longer legit unless talking bout respected, belt drive, traditional motors. But some of the "name brands" have become polluted on the "lower end" with Chineseo imaginative marketing.

BE CAREFUL to look at airflow and ONLY airflow that is specified at the "old standard" of cfm @ 90psi

Many "liars" advertise at either 40 psi or atmosperic (suction). These ratings "make" a compressor magically larger.

You want BELT drive, CAST IRON pump if you can get it and airflow at 90 psi.

Tank size is secondary---does you no good to have a huge tank and a tiny compressor.
 
X2 (or whatever)... gallon capacity and PSI mean nothing (well almost nothing).

It's ALL about CFM.

Your tools should have a CFM requirement listed on them, or on the spec sheet.
 
agree with above. i had an oil-less pos from home depot, something like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-33...202719351?N=c27pZ1z0y9dyZ1z0y9dy#.Ubum6vnVD0Q

which left me waiting for air quite a bit. you can run a DA, just not for long. It was however OK for painting and airing up tires :)

Now I have an older version of [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-VT6271-Oil-Lubricated-Horizontal/dp/B00081AKME"]Amazon.com: Campbell Hausfeld VT6271 26 Gallon ASME Oil-Lubricated 240V Horizontal Air Compressor: Home Improvement[/ame]

I am now never left waiting for air, the recovery is amazing with the 220 cast iron pump ( and real horsepower)

One other thing, those oil-less things have a high pitched sound that is very annoying!
 
The biggest lie out there are brands that rate at ZERO PSI......and a LOT of them do. Like Del said, get the highest CFM @90 PSI and the biggest tank you can afford. I Frankensteined my big shop compressor a few years ago. I got a H/F (I know) 2 cylinder pump, a 7 HP 220V motor and mounted them on an older Kellog American 120 gallon horizontal tank after I derusted it and coated the inside. It works good with a 175 PSI regulator on it. It keeps up with my blasting cabinet as well as my 110 pound sand blaster. If your compressor will pump up, turn off and cycle all over again while you're using your biggest CFM hog, you got enough compressor. Mine does just tat.
 
You can NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH COMPRESSOR. Get as big as your power supply can handle (110 volt vs 220 volt).

At least 5 hp and 25 - 30 gallon tank for 110 volt.

Bigger if you have a 220 volt outlet.


Arg, arg, arg.... (Tim Allen grunting)
 
You should buy a good used unit. If you have 220 volt hook up that will do you well.

Get 15 - 17 + cfm at 90PSI, get a 60 gallon tank. You will probably be running 5 - 7 hp electric motor and a 2 stage, 2 or 3 cylinder compressor .

Lay down setup is nice.

If I had 220 I would be running an electric. Unfotunately my shop is fed with a single 15 amp circuit so I have a home build self regulating 11 hp gasoline 3 cylinder compressor. Works outstanding.
 
No advantage other than footprint. Verticals take up less floor space, some horizontals will fit under shelving, benches, etc.
 
Lay down can have big compressor / motor on top of the tank and still not be top heavy. So you can put good wheels on the back and a little hitch on the front, then tow it or move it easily.
 
what you need is 220 volt 2 stage 80 gallon air compressor yes sorry when you are running that kind of stuff there is no minimual air comoressure you go big and i mean as big as you can get
 
what you need is 220 volt 2 stage 80 gallon air compressor yes sorry when you are running that kind of stuff there is no minimual air comoressure you go big and i mean as big as you can get


Like I said earlier. YOU CAN'T HAVE TOO MUCH COMPRESSOR...


ARG... ARG... ARG...
 
I've got an Eaton 2 stage pump and a good baldor motor (I forget the frame number but it's a great motor.) that flows 21cfm @125psi coupled to a 80 gallon tank. If I use my good DA or long board airfile I can run it quite a while before the compressor kicks on and fills the tank back up. BUT if I use the Harbor freigh da or my old Mudhog I'll kick on the compressor a lot sooner and it'll keep running longer after I let off of the on the handle. man those things just let the air flow right out. sand blasting is a good air hog too! (i added another 60 gallon tank to help support the sand blasting process. ) and take a break every once in a while. it's 220 30amp setup and I wish it were bigger
 
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