air compressor

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I think this is the right place to put this... but I am looking at getting a new compressor for my plasma cutter and other pneumatic tools. I have a 25 gal compressor that was given to me but that just isnt cutting it at all. Question is because I am only using the tools an hour a day or so making small cuts here and there or running a soda blaster for a few minutes, or maybe grinders ect. What size and what compressor would you say would be best? I dont want to go to crazy and I was looking at a 60 gal but should I just buck up and spend a couple hundred more for a 80 gal? is it worth it? I dont have much to spend so a 80 gal would really push my pockets but i dont want to outgrow a compressor in 5 years. would like to run this until I have a full shop set up and business not just doing side work out of my house and my own projects. sorry for the ramble on and on just trying to answer the basics for you guys that know more about this than I do. Thanks, ryan
Reply:the first question is what is your power supply
Reply:Large compressors come in 2 types, single stage, and 2 stage. Both look very similar. Single stage machines usually produce a large volume of air, but at a lower pressure, usually 125psi or so max. They often have 2 pistons each taking air in and compressing it and sending it to the tank. 2 stage compressors usually have a lower volume of air, but produce a higher pressure, about 175 psi max. They have 2 pistons. The air goes into the 1st gets compressed and then sent to a smaller 2nd one where it gets compressed some more to reach higher pressures.Depending on your tools/ needs, one usually is better than the other. Large volume tools like sanders, sandblasters and so on usually don't need super high pressure, but want a lot of volume. Some other tools, often impact tools want higher pressures. Look closely at the specs on the tools you plan to use and compare both the pressure ratings as well as the CFM's. to what is listed for the compressor..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:X2. 220v compressors are great, I bought a 60 gallon Cambell Hausfeld from TSC last summer, and I'm really happy with it. I sandblast and paint all the time, and actually I just got done sandblasting a frame off an old S10 I'm making into a trailer, and it kept up just fine. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.I'm on a shoestring budget, so I bought the CH model, but if you have it to spend, an Ingersol-Rand unit would be great. In general, you just want to buy the biggest compressor that you can afford. Good luck!![Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Buy all the compressor you can afford. Look at the cfm rates. Some larger compressors don't put out that much volume.
Reply:Your in the same boat that I am for the same reasons.Here's what we need:2 stage, atleast a 5hp 230v. 60 or 80 gal. That will get the job done and run cool with less condensation buildup. Intercooler is a must and an aftercooler would be nice.There are 3 names that I would love to have in my shop and stand out in ragards to quality. 1. Quincy, 2. Ingersol Rand, 3. DeVilbissLast edited by snoeproe; 04-13-2011 at 08:58 PM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:I have run the same 220v Craftsman 30 Gal 6.25 electric compressor now for about 15 yrs and its seen lots of use.  including my 3/4 impact.   the only thing it hasn't kept up with is the sandblaster (pressurized version) which often want 20CFM or more.   Just don't buy any oiless crapressor.   definitely go with 220V  machine too.  mine runs with my ESAB 875 with no problems at allTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:are the 2 stages pretty quiet I hate having to listen to the little compressor motor run! I am going to run it on 220V. THanks for the input everyone, it has helped a lot!
Reply:I bought an Eaton compressor.  Made in the USA and VERY high quality!!  Go to http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/504747.htm  and pick one out.  They arenot the cheapest by any means but mine has a 110v  automatic moisture ejector on the tank,a magnetic starter (box on the front of unit) and a whole lot more that the off the shelf units atLowes or Home Depot or Northern Tool don't even offer.  Read about the options and the benefitsand you'll agree it is a good value.  If nothing else it will educate you on what to look for in a compressor!!Good Luck!"EZ"
Reply:get familiar how to figure out the real cfm of an air compressor, the mathmatical formula and steps taken to get it. pressure drops as well.my cousin has an ir ss3. its a nice unit.as for blasting something. i use a husky siphon fed "blasting" gun that i got for $9. i use it for everything i need to paint. it never fails! ever! like never ever failed me...ive used it on a pancake tank, a big stationary tank, everything. im using it to blast a gun tomorrow.what kind of tools are you running? ive run grinders, 3/4" impact, saw's even sanders off a 25 gallon tank no problem. never tried a plasma though. is the motor shot? is their a leak in your compressor? im sure you looked for all this stuff already. it might be easier to save a little more by fixing something thats wrong with this compressor (assuming its cost effective) so you can get that 80 gallon jug-of-lovethe grand ol' opry aint so grand anymoremiller maxstar 150sworking on an oxy/acet set up
Reply:Originally Posted by EZRiderI bought an Eaton compressor.  Made in the USA and VERY high quality!!  Go to http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/504747.htm  and pick one out.  They arenot the cheapest by any means but mine has a 110v  automatic moisture ejector on the tank,a magnetic starter (box on the front of unit) and a whole lot more that the off the shelf units atLowes or Home Depot or Northern Tool don't even offer.  Read about the options and the benefitsand you'll agree it is a good value.  If nothing else it will educate you on what to look for in a compressor!!Good Luck!"EZ"
Reply:scratch that last post about the 2 stage. single stage it is. and i found a Ingersol Rand 60 gal for 600 online so thats in my price range. are porter cable and craftsman, kobolt no good?
Reply:alright I will be putting in some more research than I thought I would, I will find the right one for me sooner or later.
Reply:eatons seems like its worth it, I just dont know if I want to stretch the bank that much if it isnt going to be used year round day in and day out. at the same time it will probably last me 10+ years making it spend 1300 only the one time and having a reliable machine when I NEED it. thanks again for the input.
Reply:if i had that kinda cash id go ir ss3 or ss5.you said you wanna own a buisness...do you plan on having one person using the plasma machine while another is using the same compressor with another tool? or is this a one tool at a time compressor?the grand ol' opry aint so grand anymoremiller maxstar 150sworking on an oxy/acet set up
Reply:Jeez,I have a 6 hp(advertised), 60 gallon CH. single stage from local farm and fleet store. 12 years old. I run the hell out of it. Made alot of money with it.It's a good pump.You CAN NOT run a "blaster" or grinder or paint gun, or anything that requires much CFM for a long time. Pace yourself, On the other end of the spectrum is a screw compressor, but more than you will ever need.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Be patient.  Craigslist is your friend.  I found a 2 stage 80 gal 175 psi ~20 CFM 220v magnetic starter, beast and got it for $340.  One of these days I am going to get around posting pics as well as my air line.
Reply:Grohl I live in a high manufacturing area and high farm and agriculter area where everyone charges top dollar because they know the value of things. I have found a few older compressors on there but the only ones that I would concider a good deal are ones that have been rebuilt but I want something reliable not a rebuilt that may have been rebuilt wrong or something I dont want to take that chance right now. I started looking at craigslist in november.thanks, Ryan
Reply:Great thread.  I'm this close to pulling the trigger on a 7.5hp, 1 ph, 80 gal vert, 25 cfm eaton.  The price looks right but they don't publish the shipping charges.  I emailed them yesterday but no reply yet (?).I've got an old "5 hp" (???) 20 gal Devilbiss that's turning into a PITA when I'm running die grinders or (god forbid) a DA sander.  I'd like to do some sandblasting (cabinet model) and I just know the smaller 5hp/60gal units won't keep up.  Oh, did I mention that I can't stand waiting for the tank to refill.I really like the fact that the Eaton is a low speed machine, 3 cylinder, and comes with an auto-drain.  Published sound levels are low too....we'll see.  Low lube oil level alarm would be nice but I guess I can keep an eye on the bullseye gauge.Does anyone else out there have any experience with Eaton compressors?Miller 211 w/ spool gunMiller Dynasty 200DXLongevity 60i IGBT plasmaO/A w/ crappy chinese torch/gaugesSouth Bend 10K latheGrizzly 4029 10x54 millGrizzly 7x12 hor bandsawangle grnders, bench grnder, bench belt sndr7.5 hp 80gal cmprsor
Reply:BTD I also sent out an email today Ill let you know if I find out anything.
Reply:Just got the response from Eaton.  Freight charges from the factory to Houston are $355.  Base price for the compressor (model PP07V080Y1)  is $1,699.  That makes the total $2055 delivered.  That's in the ballpark for most of the 7.5 hp units I've looked at.Here's the one I'm considering...http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/3433285.htmNow I'm need to ask them about warranty service locations...do I have to ship the whole thing back to Clayton, OH or do they have a service center near me.Miller 211 w/ spool gunMiller Dynasty 200DXLongevity 60i IGBT plasmaO/A w/ crappy chinese torch/gaugesSouth Bend 10K latheGrizzly 4029 10x54 millGrizzly 7x12 hor bandsawangle grnders, bench grnder, bench belt sndr7.5 hp 80gal cmprsor
Reply:Originally Posted by BTDJust got the response from Eaton.  Freight charges from the factory to Houston are $355.  Base price for the compressor (model PP07V080Y1)  is $1,699.  That makes the total $2055 delivered.  That's in the ballpark for most of the 7.5 hp units I've looked at.Here's the one I'm considering...http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/3433285.htmNow I'm need to ask them about warranty service locations...do I have to ship the whole thing back to Clayton, OH or do they have a service center near me.
Reply:I bought a IR 60 gallon in october 2010 use it every day love it i wish i would have bought it sooner I had a Husky from Home Depot it worked great but was loud the IR is a lot quiter.I bought a 60 gallon Cambell Hausfeld from TSC for my Dad for X-mas it to is a lot louder than the IR
Reply:First off you need to determine how much CFM you need. Look at all your tools and find the one with highest air requirements then add maybe 2. I do a lot of painting and my gun uses 14.1 cfm @ like 50psi. The other thing people dont realize is that compressors have duty cycles and they are rated just like welders. I myself ended up with a Speedair  5hp 60 gal upright it puts out 16 cfm at 90psi its works great with everything i own and actually shuts while using my grinders. When you really start looking at compressors and compaing numbers you begin to see how much crap there is out there and some other stuff is just way overpriced. My compressor puts out more volume than my buddies 80 gal 2stage husky and is a 100.00 dollars cheaper. Two brands i found that were excellent for air volume and price were Bel Air and Puma. One other thing that made go with Speedair is that they are Granger brand so i know i will be able to parts at any grainger, but they are made by Cambell hausfield as are most pumps.
Reply:I went with the Husky Pro from Homedepot 60gal,3.2hp,220v,10.2cfm at 90psi, set at 125psi. Put it in its owen building of the back of the shop so it don't take up room in the shop and I don't hear it running.This works for me as I am the only employee. If the business gets bigger so will the compressorwww.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch'sA while back when I needed more air than my 5 Hp  vertical tank Devilbis,could supply, so I hooked up my small compressor to feed the same line.  I ran the two compressors in parallel.  In a couple of years I may need to do it again; but untill then the 5 hp, single stage, oil less noise maker, is enough for my limited needs.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:I upgraded my pump and motor from a single stage 12 CFM pump w 6.5HP motor to a 2 stage 36 CFM pump w 7.5HP motor.  I now have plenty of air.  Definitely don't regret doing it.  Had to add a magnetic starter but it wasn't hard to do.