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I would like to know what types of air compressors you guy use in your garage. Is small better than big? I have a 2 car garage and space is a problem for me. I've already looked at Home Depot, Lowes and Sears. The 3-5 gallon compressors seem ideal but are the bigger(15 gallon) the way to go? My primary purpose would be to air up the tires, blow off water, dust(on the car), sportbike, etc.....
Or is it a waste of $$? I'm no mechanic so I don't pretend I will open a "Tire Kingdom" in my garage!
Also, thinking about a ceiling extention cord roll up but concerned about the cord bumping my show car...........
Ideas and comments are welcomed and pics of garages if you have one!
Thanks in a advance
Posts: 74 | From: Gainesville, FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
I will say from experience,I used to have a Craftsman 220v 4hp 20 gallon compressor. Used it for several years and did several frame off restorations with it. Has an DeVillbiss compressor pump that was a 2 cylinder. I wore it out in 17 years. It still works fine for anything but painting. Changed the oil once each year.I bought a 6 hp 60 gallon upright from Home Depot and that is the way to go it you plan on using it a ton. Has a cast iron 2 cylinder block and is the quietest compressor I have heard. Made by Campbell - Hausfield. Do not but any oiless compressor,they are very noisy and do not last! Most 120v small compressors draw a ton of amps and you will find circuit breakers popping all of the time.Use a ton of electricity too. Get a 220v and you electric bill will be cheaper and your lights will not dim in the house.
Posts: 5682 | From: Dearborn,Mi. | Registered: Feb 2002
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quote:Originally posted by 2002Z4CSS: I will say from experience,I used to have a Craftsman 220v 4hp 20 gallon compressor. Used it for several years and did several frame off restorations with it. Has an DeVillbiss compressor pump that was a 2 cylinder. I wore it out in 17 years. It still works fine for anything but painting. Changed the oil once each year.I bought a 6 hp 60 gallon upright from Home Depot and that is the way to go it you plan on using it a ton. Has a cast iron 2 cylinder block and is the quietest compressor I have heard. Made by Campbell - Hausfield. Do not but any oiless compressor,they are very noisy and do not last! Most 120v small compressors draw a ton of amps and you will find circuit breakers popping all of the time.Use a ton of electricity too. Get a 220v and you electric bill will be cheaper and your lights will not dim in the house.
Absolutely agree. I have a 110 and have these problems!! Get a 220!
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Thanks for the feedback guys...... really appreciate it. I really want a quiet compressor. My neighbors will complain if it's loud. I heard a small pancake one and it was VERY LOUD. May go bigger.... maybe 15 gallons.
Posts: 74 | From: Gainesville, FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Ray: Thanks for the feedback guys...... really appreciate it. I really want a quiet compressor. My neighbors will complain if it's loud. I heard a small pancake one and it was VERY LOUD. May go bigger.... maybe 15 gallons.
Those small compressors cost just about as much as my 6 hp 220v 60 gallon one did. I paid $399 at Home Depot. Make sure the compressor pump is not oiless and is at least a 2 cylinder. A cast iron pump will be even better than an aluminum pump and will last longer.Too small cfm and air tools will not work great at all.
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Base what you need on the cfm your tools require at a particular psi. If you want to paint with HVLP guns, look for something around 12-16 cfm at 40 psi. Most small portable compressors can't deliver that and/or will run all the time and spit a lot of water trying. Running a lot of water through your tools isn't very good either...
Posts: 9 | From: Portland, OR | Registered: Sep 2002
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Hey, ask my dad, he BUILT ours Works great and comes in handy...I'll ask him if you want to contract him to build you one, lol... Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I have had two 120-Volt compressors and have had no problems with them because I spent $60 and had an electrician install a dedicated circuitin my garage. I still have one.
I also have had the 220-Volt units.
The main issue I see is this: If you want to do as you say, a 110 is fine if you put in a 30-Amp circuit just for the compressor. It will run OK and not give you any problem unless you try to share it on a 15 or 20-Amp line with other power-consuming items.
If you want to run air tools, go with a 220-Volt, 8 to 10-HP or larger compressor. You CAN run air tools with my 110-Volt, 6-HP unit, but you must use 'em for a while and then wait for the pressure to build back up.
Bottom line: Anything but painting and air tools, a 110-Volt unit, 5 ot 6 HP is OK on a dedicated circuit. Anything more industrial, plan on a 220-Volt unit, also on a dedicated circuit.
Posts: 67 | From: Monroe, WA | Registered: Jun 2002
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All advice is appreciated....... still have not decided and still a little confused. I want to air up the tires in my sportbike and my SS and blow off dust and water off those too.
This is the Craftsman 30 gallon/6 HP. Very good power and comes with an impact ratchet and socket wrench and hose for $329.99 however it is LOUD.
Or Home Depot offersa very small Campbell Housefield 2HP/4 gallon pancake style at 4.3 @ 40 PSI / 3.1 @90 PSI with a max of 125 max PSI and 3 year warranty for $200.00. This is a quiet compressor.
Or Home depot offered me a deal to buy the CH 3HP/4 gallon at 6.2 @ 90 PSI/7.6 @ 40 PSI with a 125 max PSI for $200.00(regular priced at $258.00)...... somewhat quiet also.
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Ray, As "3rdCamaro" posted, the CFM rating of the compressor is important to know. Depending on what you want to use the compressor for, YOU will have certain CFM requirements. If you are primarily going to use the compressor for filling a tire; dusting, etc. then you will be fine with a 'smaller' compressor. On the other hand, if you were going to use something like a blast cabinet, you would require something above 15cfm. For years I've had a 'smaller' Craftsman (220v, 20 gallon tank, 4hp, around 6-7cfm) and it has been FINE, ...for similar uses as you seem to be looking for. Recently I built a garage, ...and upgraded due to MY requirements. Since I do have a blast cabinet, etc., I opted to install an upright (Craftsman)220v, 80 gallon tank, 7.5hp, 16.5 cfm.
A couple notes (my .02 cents): Cast Iron block is better than aluminum. 220v is (definitely) preferred. Avoid the "oil-free" type compressors.
Even knowing cast is better than aluminum, the Craftsman upright I purchased has an aluminum block. Reason?... cost. I don't use my compressor every day (like an autobody shop might), ...therefore I made a decision to save a few bucks ($650.00 for the Craftman upright vs. about $1800.00 for an Ingersol-Rand (cast iron) with similar specs) Granted, the Ingersol-Rand is a better compressor, but for over twice the money, ...I couldn't justify. Anyway, hope this helps... Kevin
Posts: 1046 | From: Pine Bush, NY USA | Registered: Aug 2001
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Works great and comes in handy...I'll ask him if you want to contract him to build you one, lol... ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
