Air Compressors

[wushaw]

I am not a fan of oil less either, I had a 24 yo 22gal 110v Sanborn I recently gave to my brother since I now have a bigger unit, that little Sanborn compressor worked real well for what it was. I inherited a 32gal Craftsman oilless a few years ago that I gave to another friend and said I never want to see that*(&^%%^$(^(&^ thing again

Something like this would probably work just fine for most homeowner uses and still be somewhat portable. FREE SHIPPING — Chicago Pneumatic Reciprocating Air Compressor — 2 HP, 26 Gallon, 115/230 Volt, 1-Phase, Model# RCP-226VP | 20 CFM + below | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[whistlepig]

I did a Craftsman oil less once. In 18 months it burned out two motors. I gave it away. Good riddance. I have a conventional compressor now with a crankcase, two cylinders, and air cooled by a fan. This is the only way to go large or small. I don't use a compressor all that much. The Craftsman oil less motor failed both times with less than 20 hours of use. I would go to known compressor manufacturer. Ingersoll Rand or equivalent. I have A Coleman Power Mate and it is a very good compressor. I think Coleman is out of the compressor business now.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I bought an Eaton compressor. They're not a huge name. I bought from Eaton because they had the longest warranty and best duty cycle of anything within my budget (100% duty cycle!!) I'm going on three years with mine and it hasn't skipped a beat. I leave it on all the time. I don't use it often, but when I do use it, I use it hard (blow gun, paint sprayer, purging sprinkler system, etc.)

It's a lot quieter than others too. I bought their portable unit, but I leave an extra 10 gallon tank attached to it.

Here's their website...

Eaton Compressor & Fabrication Inc

I think they sell on e-bay too.

I can't speak to their service department because I've never needed it. The compressor does seem well built.

 

[Scooby074]

I bought an Eaton compressor. They're not a huge name. I bought from Eaton because they had the longest warranty and best duty cycle of anything within my budget (100% duty cycle!!) I'm going on three years with mine and it hasn't skipped a beat. I leave it on all the time. I don't use it often, but when I do use it, I use it hard (blow gun, paint sprayer, purging sprinkler system, etc.)

It's a lot quieter than others too. I bought their portable unit, but I leave an extra 10 gallon tank attached to it.

Here's their website...

Eaton Compressor & Fabrication Inc

I think they sell on e-bay too.

I can't speak to their service department because I've never needed it. The compressor does seem well built.

NO offence Iplayfarmer, but EATON is the one company i would not buy. They have a reputation for false advertising (ie: their compressors are not made in the USA, even though they are advertised as such) and using thug like tactics to force forums to delete any discussion of their products and turn over individual posters personal information.

For a bit if background information , please see here Eaton Compressor threatens to sue me over "Made in China" compressor post

Personally i choose to not support companies that hide behind the flag and resort to false or at least dubious advertising and threats of lawsuits to forums and THEIR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. But to each his own.

 

[Bird]

I have A Coleman Power Mate and it is a very good compressor.

Of course I sold my 60 gallon Puma when I moved back to town, but just over 4 years ago I bought an upright, 30 gallon, "Industrial Air" compressor by Coleman Powermate from Northern Tool. It's 125 to 155 psi, 1.8 running hp, 15 amp (I have it on a 20 amp circuit), oil level sight glass, 7.0 CFM at 40 psi, 5.7 CFM at 90 psi. I don't remember the breakdown, but with the hoses and accessories and sales tax, I spent $536.08 that day. I have enough 3/8" hose to reach anywhere on the premises.

I don't run one as long as I used to, but I do keep it pressurized all the time, and it's used for something almost every day. When I mow the yard, I use the 2' blow gun to clean the mower and the string trimmer, I use a 4' blow gun, instead of a broom or gas blower, to "sweep" sidewalk, driveway, patio, garden tool storage building, etc. The little short blow gun is used every time I shave or get a haircut to clean the razor and clippers. I blow dust, sand, grass clippings and/or water off my shoes before I come in the house. And of course, I have a one quart paint gun, a half-inch impact, a 3/8" ratchet, and an angle die grinder.

How long will it last? I don't know, but it's good as new so far and the manuals include exploded views and parts lists that, so far, haven't been needed.

 

[dodge man]

I also had an oil less compressor and hated it. It was very noisy and the compressor unraveled after several years. I would say I was over using it since at times it was running 100% of the time. I now have a cheaper upright that I bought at Lowes, something like a 5hp 220 volt. As I recall, it didn't cost that much more than a smaller portable.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

NO offence Iplayfarmer, but EATON is the one company i would not buy. They have a reputation for false advertising (ie: their compressors are not made in the USA, even though they are advertised as such) and using thug like tactics to force forums to delete any discussion of their products and turn over individual posters personal information.

For a bit if background information , please see here Eaton Compressor threatens to sue me over "Made in China" compressor post

Personally i choose to not support companies that hide behind the flag and resort to false or at least dubious advertising and threats of lawsuits to forums and THEIR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS. But to each his own.

No offense taken. Thanks for the info. After reading your warning about their "Made in America" claims it makes a lot more sense to me that they dedicate a portion of their website to a defense of such claims. When I got mine I noticed that the pump was strikingly similar to the cheap Homier one I had before. I also noticed, however, that the rest of the thing is at least a step above the cheap compressors... Cooling fins on the tank feed tube, dual gauges, pre-installed quick connects, etc. I had just assumed from the beginning that "Made in America" meant what it means everywhere else... "Assembled in America". I've come to the same conclusion that radioman has...

Does it really matter what brand you get? It seems they are all the same now. All chinese like stuff.

I never based my decision on their Made in America claims. Like I mentioned before; my decision was based on warranty and duty cycle. I've personally been very happy with the purchase, and I'd buy from them again if I ever need another compressor.

 

[Wineslob]

How to size an air compressor:

You will, on average, get 7-8 cfm @ 100-120 psi from a piston pump per true HP
The biggest real HP (not that Sandborn stuff) on 110v 20 amp circuits is roughly 1.5 HP. Maybe. 1 hp is more realistic.
Using a 220v circuit will get you up 5 hp, but you're gonna pay for it. Average 5 hp motor @ 220V is 28-30 amps. At 5 hp you'll get about 30 cfm @ 100 -120 psi.
So go with what it is you want to run, and see what you need, cfm wise.

One thing........ignore the tank size. Yes a bigger tank will give a better "cushion"........... for about 30 sec. Most tanks are there for removing pulsation/smoothing the air flow.

If your'e adventurous, the HF pumps don't look all that bad. They seem to be pretty well made. You may want to consider building one?

 

[Redneck in training]

Refrigerator compressor make great inflaters. They are portable, quiet and often for free.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I needed a better air compressor to run an impact wrench...
Found a very nice used Campbell Hausfeld that was sold by Home Depot for $250...
Hardly any run time...
30 gal tank...
6 HP...
220V...
Great unit...

I would definitley recommend an oiled compressor...
I've got a 20 year old Emglo portable compressor that is oiled...
Never done a darn thing to that unit except run it...

 

[Scooby074]

No offense taken. Thanks for the info. After reading your warning about their "Made in America" claims it makes a lot more sense to me that they dedicate a portion of their website to a defense of such claims. When I got mine I noticed that the pump was strikingly similar to the cheap Homier one I had before. I also noticed, however, that the rest of the thing is at least a step above the cheap compressors... Cooling fins on the tank feed tube, dual gauges, pre-installed quick connects, etc. I had just assumed from the beginning that "Made in America" meant what it means everywhere else... "Assembled in America". I've come to the same conclusion that radioman has...



I never based my decision on their Made in America claims. Like I mentioned before; my decision was based on warranty and duty cycle. I've personally been very happy with the purchase, and I'd buy from them again if I ever need another compressor.

Ive seen that page on their website before. It seems a little funny that they put it up. To quote shalkespere "thou dost protest too much". They hide behind the 60% domestic rule.

However those that have Eatons seem to like them, its just the companies policies i disagree with.

I try to support North American manufacture (preferably US and Canada) If we dont soon, there wont be much left. I wont give up on it just yet.

Im glad you like yours! It will likely serve you well.

 

[ctgoldwing]

fwiw - I hooked up with a fiend of mine that was working in AT&T facilities. They were doing some hvac work there & part of the overall project was replacing the air compressors on the job. They had several 5 hp 3 ph units that they just scrapped because of their age (maybe 30-35 years old). It is my understanding that they cycle these out of all their facilities periodically. I managed to snag one of them. I replaced the 5 hp 3 ph motor with a 3 hp single phase and wired up my own low voltage controls. I have air piped to the garage now and the unit in my basement workshop. My only outlay was for the 3 hp motor. Everything else I had or scrounged. They are built like tanks (it is AT&T after all). It might pay to inquire at any local AT&T. . .
The unit:

and my low voltage control with monitoring light:

 

[charlz]

I originally bought a Coleman 'Powermax' or whatever it is from Costco. Oiless, loud etc. but with a 26 gallon tank and 155 psi it runs the impact etc. just fine in the garage. Then I bought a little Black and Decker 135 psi oiless pancake for airing up dirtbike tires etc. at the shop as I was tired of dragging the Coleman back and forth (shop is at the other end of the property from the garage). It is actually pretty quiet and has a fan that continues to run after the compressor shuts off to help cool it down. I bought it at Target after Christmas. I have found that Target quickly marks down all the 'seasonal' tools etc. after the holidays and I got it for about $40 which was half of the full price.

Next I found an awesome Craigslist deal... an 80 gallon Curtis-Toldeo 5hp, 220v single phase, 175 psi dual stage oiled etc etc for only $500 Came out of a T-shirt printing shop and, while it is about 15 years old, looks brand new. That baby sits in my shop and can keep the tank full and shut off while I am sandblasting Biggest reason I got this was I have a lot of underground sprinkler runs that need to be blown out every fall. I knew my Coleman was going die a quick death if I kept using it for that. Also keeps up with my plasma cutter without breaking a sweat. I now use it as the 'mothership' for the little compressor... instead of running it I just 'top off' from the big compressor... should extend it's life greatly if I never turn it on The little one is great for those tires 'just out of reach' but I could also plug it in most anywhere if I had to.

Now that I have lots of volume and pressure available I find myself using it a lot more to blow dust off things, run air tools I might not have bought otherwise etc. so I would probably buy the biggest one you can afford the first time around... otherwise you are going to end up with a compressor collection

 

[SPYDERLK]

How to size an air compressor:

You will, on average, get 7-8 cfm @ 100-120 psi from a piston pump per true HP
The biggest real HP (not that Sandborn stuff) on 110v 20 amp circuits is roughly 1.5 HP. Maybe. 1 hp is more realistic.
Using a 220v circuit will get you up 5 hp, but you're gonna pay for it. Average 5 hp motor @ 220V is 28-30 amps. At 5 hp you'll get about 30 cfm @ 100 -120 psi.
So go with what it is you want to run, and see what you need, cfm wise.

One thing........ignore the tank size. Yes a bigger tank will give a better "cushion"........... for about 30 sec. Most tanks are there for removing pulsation/smoothing the air flow.

If your'e adventurous, the HF pumps don't look all that bad. They seem to be pretty well made. You may want to consider building one?

This is good, but your numbers are high on air delivery. I have a Kellogg American 2 stage intercooled unit. I think its about as good as you get in a reciprocating compressor. Its rated 20CFM delivery at 100psi on 5HP. --About 4CFM per HP at 100PSI. This is with the unit turning at 655rpm. On the same motor, by changing drive ratio, it will give 19cfm@125psi, 17.8@150, 17.2@175, 16.3@200, and 15.1@250. I have run the compressor at 700 RPM [top rating 750] and achieved a measured 20 CFM at 150 PSI using 6HP.
larry

 

[Wineslob]

This is good, but your numbers are high on air delivery. I have a Kellogg American 2 stage intercooled unit. I think its about as good as you get in a reciprocating compressor. Its rated 20CFM delivery at 100psi on 5HP. --About 4CFM per HP at 100PSI. This is with the unit turning at 655rpm. On the same motor, by changing drive ratio, it will give 19cfm@125psi, 17.8@150, 17.2@175, 16.3@200, and 15.1@250. I have run the compressor at 700 RPM [top rating 750] and achieved a measured 20 CFM at 150 PSI using 6HP.
larry

As you can see from your pump, YMMV. Some, IR come to mind, are a bit more effcient than the Kellogg. The numbers I use are averages.
Heres an example of the difference. We have a Rogers Machinery royary vane unit from the early 80's. It's 100 hp and rated at 380 cfm @ 100 psi.
We bought a new IR machine thats also 100 hp but it's cfm rating is roughly 450 cfm @ 100 psi, a big difference. It just depends on pump design.
Looking at these numbers your calcs are right on for "hard" numbers. I'll jog mine down a bit.

 

[GPintheMitten]

fwiw - I hooked up with a fiend of mine that was working in AT&T facilities.

.... They are built like tanks (it is AT&T after all).

Was that a pun...? They ARE tanks.

 

[Wis Bang]

We used Quincy and Emglo PTO driven compressors mounted under our tractors to compress loads out of tank trailers. They would pressurize several loads of Sulfuric Acid [15.463 lb/gal] everyday five days a week. They were blue Emglo V-4's that used to cost around $600.00 just for the compressor.

We used a Sul-Air screw compressor w/ a 400 gal receiver tank and 2" distribution lines to maintain a high SCFM @ 140#psig for our shop. The diesel mechanic used to run a 1" drive impact to loosen the bearing cap bolts on 14L, series 60 Detroit Diesels that were tightened over 600 ft/lbs. Prior to the Sul-Air the old twin Ingersols made him do this by hand using a torque multiplier and long torque wrench. You do need to size the compressor tothe application.

 

[soulasphil]

I have been using an oil-less 220 volt single head compressor xith a 50 liter tank for 15 years now. I'll grant you it's noisy but I generally use it outside (it has wheels). I use it for cleaning and unblocking everything, inflating tyres (cars, tractors, bicycles, even rubber boats), and mostly spray painting. Oilless compressors are preferred here for painting as you don't have to filter the oil out. Never had any problem with it, my only complaint is I sometimes don't get enough air, for instance when painting a large double door or a whole tractor, but that's only a small percentage of the time.

 

[swines]

Quincy makes some of the best. One of the large local machine shops replaced two IR's and a Speedaire with a single Quincy screw machine. I have a 5hp Quincy that I've used hard for 13 years. Would love to get one the Quincy 5hp screw machines because they include a cooler. For the money, the Speedaire equipment from Grainger isn't bad. IR also makes good compressors.

 

[ljctool]

fwiw - I hooked up with a fiend of mine that was working in AT&T facilities. They were doing some hvac work there & part of the overall project was replacing the air compressors on the job. They had several 5 hp 3 ph units that they just scrapped because of their age (maybe 30-35 years old). It is my understanding that they cycle these out of all their facilities periodically. I managed to snag one of them. I replaced the 5 hp 3 ph motor with a 3 hp single phase and wired up my own low voltage controls. I have air piped to the garage now and the unit in my basement workshop. My only outlay was for the 3 hp motor. Everything else I had or scrounged. They are built like tanks (it is AT&T after all). It might pay to inquire at any local AT&T. . .
The unit:

and my low voltage control with monitoring light:

I have a kelloge compressor almost like the one in the picture model 331 and it is getting water in the oil . When I bought the compressor from a friend i had to put a new head gasket on the compressor . There is two small tubes running to the head was wondering what these tubes do . I made the gasket my self and didnt know if I did something wrong . The oil looks like milk . I know this isnt good. Please help. Thanks, Larry