I need some air compressor schooling

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CultClassik

CultClassik

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Hey all, I have a CH ~28 gal ~6HP compressor that I bought at Lowes many years ago. It's the oil-less type, is noisy, runs all the time with air tools and today caught fire at the plug. I'm a little leary of it now...and would like to see about upgrading it anyway.

Anybody have good info, a link, whatever, on air compressors? I'm assuming I could re-use the tank and pick up a new non-oil-less motor/pump/whatever. I just don't know what I'm doing so I'd like to learn before messing with it..
 
If you can afford it, buy a 60 gallon, two stage, 220 volt. 13 cfm ( cubic feet minute) at 90 psi.
 
what are you going to do with it, paint or just run tools and pump up tires, it all depends...
 
all depends x2, body tools, da sanders , grinders, etc require large volume. I have an IR 5hp 80gal and grinders and da's will give it a serious workout.
 
I just hooked up my IR, single stage 5hp 220v 60gal, the other day. Its too cold to give it a work out this time of year but I can't wait until spring to start turning bolts. I really wanted a 2 stage but the price difference made it just too out of reach for my budget and I figured this would do all that I needed. Its an IR SS5L5, picked it up for $800 shipped and dropped in my garage.
 
What's your budget?

CFM@90 is the golden spec, and not many folks seem to know that.
 
Wow lots of replies, I like it! I'll admit I don't know as much about them as I should. Mainly impact, air ratchet, and the like. OCCASIONALLY I use it for small paint and will be using a DA a bit, but I'm willing to compromise on performance of those since it won't be often at all.

I'd love a 60 gal, but I don't want to do it since I'm planning to move in the next year or so (and will have a separate garage where I don't have to worry about 60 gal compressors and such taking up my parking space).

Budget is open, but I'd like to keep it down as this one will likely be replaced in the next few years.
 
A feature I like is a quiet compressor. I'm not schooled on compressors at all, so I don't know why most of them operate so loud, but the one I have in my garage (came with the house) puts out adequate volume for me, but much quieter that most. It is a two stage, 240v unit and it seems to run slower (?) than most.
 
Is it bad or did you just burn up the plug? Sounds like the wire got hot so it may have had loose connections or been undersized for the electrical load. If there is nothing wrong with your compressor mechanically then you may have the same problem with a new one.

You need to understand why the plug caught on fire before you go further IMO.
 
Glad I bought an IR 15 yrs ago. 7.5 HP 2 stage 220vt 80 gal tank with auto moister drain. Built an Insulated shed for it behind my shop and piped it in to 2 old 60 gal tanks I had from previous compressors. 25 CFM @ 175 PSI. Wasn't cheap though.
 
Bought a US General one from Harbor Freight last summer. 60 gallon 220V. Love it so far. Most of the reviews are good on it, so I pulled the trigger and bought a 2 year warranty on it just to be safe!

Has worked great on the paint removal and repainting my 70 duster so far! I looked into Quincy compressors which are like the Cadillac version of compressors but it was nearly 2X the cost, so I took my chances.
 
MOPARMITCH said:
Glad I bought an IR 15 yrs ago. 7.5 HP 2 stage 220vt 80 gal tank with auto moister drain. Built an Insulated shed for it behind my shop and piped it in to 2 old 60 gal tanks I had from previous compressors. 25 CFM @ 175 PSI. Wasn't cheap though.
Click to expand...

I wish I had stepped up for that one instead of the 5hp 2stage IR, a friend has the 7.5 and it's really a much better unit.
 
I won't argue the fact that the piston compressors are the best. The 2 cylinder 2 stage are better and the 4 cylinder are even better. The higher the cfm at a higher psi is even better and the bigger storage tank is better too. A 60 gallon tank as way better than a 44 gallon and a 80 gallon is better yet. I have sold a Duplex 7 hp./80 gallon unit with a alternator box to switch staring between units. Depending on the type of air needed rotary compressors are tops for constant use like machine shops and manufacturing. Mr Cultclassic needs to get the biggest compressor he can afford especially if he is going to run da's and impact wrenches. I have never heard anyone say they were disappointed because they bought too big of a compressor. I have heard a lot of complaints from guys that wished they had bought a bigger one. tmm
 
Agreed on buying too big is better than buying too small.

My "shop" unit is a 5HP Bel-Air 2 stage 32CFM@90
Craigslist steal at $700.

I'm trying to find a cost effective happy medium for my home.

I had a Dewalt/Emglo 2HP 8.4 CFM@90
Great for everything but sandblasting.

After almost three years, the motor started tripping the breaker after starting
(any diag help? caps check OK, pump spins free...)

I just bought a 3HP EnergAir (made by IR) at a tools sale for $175.
I can't find any CFM data on it and I just got it set up to run.
So far so good.

In theory if you have the correct CFM for your needs, reserve capacity (gallons) is irrelevant.

If you check the CFM requirements of tools, you may be shocked.
I've seen some small tools that call for double digit CFM.
My HF 3/8" ratchet takes way more CFM than either the CP (Chicago NOT central) 1/2" gun or the IR 242 1/2" gun.
 
More info...it half melted one of the prongs on the plug. This is a 110. I was using a very heavy 1 ft extension with three outlets, I suspect that may have been the culprit and already threw it away...it and the compressor plug got a bit melty. The pump/motor is probably ok, but I think I'm going to upgrade anyway. This one has served me well for many years but it's noisy and a little more power wouldn't hurt.

Not really looking to go out and buy a whole new setup. I saw a guy that took one similar to mine and removed the oil-less motor, replaced it with a twin piston pump and 5 HP motor for a couple hundred bucks. I'd like to do something similar. This one ran a LOT and I'm guessing the CFM/HP rating is not quite accurate. At all.

I installed a 220v in the garage already for my welder, so I can use that outlet and go 220v on the compressor also (I only need one at a time, it's just me here). I really don't want a bigger tank at this time, if only because I need to move it from time to time.
 
The upgrade is a great idea. I just upgraded to a 60 gallon from Home Depot and love it! It makes my die grinder useful now. You can likely just change the cord end on the old one and it would be fine. Maybe worth something to sell.

Cley
 
Yeah I'm betting something was funky with the plug or outlet extension, more than likely throw a new plug on and it will work fine. I actually found a Porter Cable 60 gal, 3.7 HP for $480 new. If I can find a place to stick a stationary tank, sounds like it may be a good one for me and just sell the old one.
 
Curtis at home and shop-no problems in fifteen years just regular oil and filter change
 
I don't think you're going to find a 5HP motor for a couple hundred bucks.

I priced 2HP motors last week, and the cheap HF band was $150 "on sale".

Replacing the pump and motor will likely cost close to or more than a good 6-10 CFM unit.
 
Yeah I've seen that, I definitely wouldn't pay straight retail from a store. The HF ones are more expensive than some of the better ones I've seen as well.
 
Dnasty777 -

I have the same IR that you have, i would get an extended warranty. Used it for about a year and the pump locked up. If anyone knows of a good replacement pump i would appreciate the info.
 
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