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I'm trying to gather my "tools" before I launch the great project on my 1970bug. An air compressor is the last thing I need before I get started. What do the rest of you have in your shop and what do you recommend?
I looked at several today including ones at Sears and Tractor Supply. From what I gather I may need a big one if I ever need to use a cut off tool.
Thanks
Tommy
Tommy: Get as big of a compressor as your budget and space will allow. You can get by with a small Sears unit but it won't be able to keep up with your demands. I went through several of the 20 gallon and 30 gallon varieties and the were always running just to keep up with normal garage tasks. I finally went to an industrial supply house and purchased a "used" unit. 80 gallons, 2-stage, great big 5 horse electric motor running on 240 volts. I never run out of air. Period. But be careful, a lot of the more commercially available units (Home Depot, Sears, Lowes, and especially Harbor Freight) may not live up to your expectations. Most will work for a while but may not satisfy. Personally, I recommend getting the best thing you can buy. It will save you money in the long run.
Clancy
I second what Clancy said. I had a moderate sized compressor at first, and it was always running. Sometimes I'd have to wait for it to build pressure back up when using larger air tools. Laying on your back on the floor waiting is no fun. Eventually the rod bearing failed since it exceeded it's duty cycle. I replaced it with the biggest I could afford at the time and have never regretted the extra expense.
Paul
I agree with both Clancy and Paul. Also, today's compressors don't do much for the "ratings" they have. I still use an old Craftsman "1 HP" compressor I bought in the early 70s, and the closest equivalent in capacity and duty cycle today is a 5 HP. The industry has changed the way ratings are done to make them sound more capable. Kind of like the automotive "advertized" horsepower race back in the 60s, where the ratings had little to do with power to the wheels.
I use a cut off tool for everything !! I Carve , I machine , I Cut metal rather than Pullin out the Cut off Saw or Fireing up the torch !!
It's Just Easier than Grindin torch cut off or Pickin my Heavy Saw up ???
But Im alway's waiting for my compressor to catch up !!
It's a 2hp 25 Gal Craftsman Proffessional conventional Oil type Pump compressor ?
Do not Buy Oiless <<<<< Got 4 of these layin around the yard blown up !! <<, Rebuilt 2 of them and that was B.S. They blew up again !!
But be warned !!!
Im also the proud owner of the Mangler !!!
It's a OLd Green Industrial compressor 60 Gal. 5 H.P. motor was set up for 220 and converted to 110 It's a Beast !!
But if your electric Bill is ???????? Better off to use the craftsman !!!
Just be aware that you can and will fairly easy to do ??? Smoke a Air compressor with a Cut off tool !! No Problem !! Toast !!!
Stage your work so that the compressor get's a Rest !!!
I actually Runn my Craftsman Right under a Swamp Cooler !! Help's in the Summer Month's ??
But this has it's draw back's also !! It's a lott of Moisture !!
Too compensate ??? I religiously DRain my Tank Daily , Sometime's twice a Day !! I change the oil in it monthly !! Then I have an elaborate Conglomeration of Pipeing thru out the Garage that work's like a Water trapp !
I use Schedule 90 PVC Water Pipe and I runn up to 150 PSI no problem !! Been doin it for Year's and Year's Even in the Shop's I worked at we Used PVC to Pipe Air thru out the Shop to Runn Big 2 inch Gunn's etc on Semi Truck's etc !
Air leak's are a Big Deal <<< Kill's compressor's faster than anything I know !!
I make Damm Sure that I Turn the Compressor off everytime I leave ( For Fear a PVC pipe could Burst and leave the compressor Runnin in a Runaway Condition ) <<< Would smoke it !
But My Present System like I said if done correctly ?? Anchored etc 140 PSI when I shut her Down 3 Day's later I will have 135 PSI in the tank !! Provided I have no hoses connected to the PVC System !!
Work's Good But require's common sense !!
Only time Ive experienced PVC pipe Bursting was in a shop during winter month's with larger Pipe that wasnt properly anchored to a rafter ( Either Freezing or flexing it cracked )
As to the Mangler and the electric Bill <<< we figured around 40 to 80 month on the Bill with Moderate to Heavy useage ??
As to larger Harbour Freight upright's most of these are 220 and may do better ???? But you will most likely have to wire a 220 outlett intoo your Garage and then it will be like my Welder wich is 220 and one of the draw back's is I cant load my welder up and take it to my Buddy's House unless he has a 220 out lett wich is whole other can of worm's with the Clothe's Dryer and extension Chords ???
Wich I have over 200 Dollar's invested in a 25 foot Extension Chord etc just to runn a welder on 220 !
Now as to Cut off tool <<< Chitt load of these torn apart in Bucket's ??
Use lott's of Pneumatic oil !! Plan on goin thru 2 or 3 of them untill you get one that hang's for more than a month or 2 !
Im on a Campbell Hausefeild that has lasted 4 year's !!
Im not sure why ????????
All the other more expensive one's Ive owned havent even made past a year ???
But Im real carefull about regulateing my air pressure ???? In fact Ive gotton in the habit of usin a metal marker to write on each tool a designated operateing PSI .
Sean
The industry has changed the way ratings are done to make them sound more capable.
That's sad, but they probably figured if the electronic industry could get away with it...
It USED to be when you bought, for example, an amplifier and the ratings were what the unit could actually produce on a regular basis without distortion. Now it's the "maximum output just before blowing up" rating.
Paul
I use a 33gal. Sears and it won't keep up with a cutoff wheel. As stated get at least an 80 gal, or as big as you can afford. Check on used ones with, the economy down you might find a good deal.
Thanks for all of your replies. I've looked around and as of now Lowe's has 2 pretty good compressors (60 & 80 g) that are in my budget range. I'm being a little patient though, better to check around than to have regrets later.
I also want to mention that you can find a 10% off card in the mailing kit at the US Post Office Change of Address kit.
Today, I'm going to the Swap Meet & Car Corral in Moultrie, GA today. It's a great event held twice a year. I used to go for HOTWHEELS but now I'm going for VW parts. This event has so much stuff, even things not related to cars. It's held on an old WWII airbase.
http://www.moultrieswapmeet.com/
That card is for Lowe's, sorry it's kinda early....lol
Well that's a Merry Xmass !!
Merry Xmass !!
What you gonna do first ??? LMAO
Cant say that I reccomend there impact Gunn's or wratchets but there's nothin wrong with there Pneumatic Cut off Tool or air chisel's etc.
Impact's are a Lil Weak !! I use um for installing cause there weak ???
Stuff like Fann assembly or installin the rimm's you can match um to Torque Specification's for assembly I keep 2 of um around just for that purpose !
But the usual is they wont remove Lugg's very well !! not if there Tight etc. I use Snap On for Removal Harbour Freight Pre Sett to Torque Spec's for installation !
400 on a Snap On impact $$$$$$
Maybe next Xmass huh ??
Sean
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