Help... I hate my compressor

admin

I am starting to get the hang of my little PM30 plasma but I'm relying on a (borrowed) Craftsman oil-less 115 V beast.  It keeps up fine for the short duty cycle (very intermittent 20%) but:a) it's borrowed and has to go back.b) it's loud beyond beliefc) I mean, it's REALLY LOUDd) have 30 amp 220v but not convenient and my Idealarc likes to use it.e) have dedicated 20 amp 115v... for what that's worth...f)  no plans for a die grinder, painting, or other high consumption/ continuous consumption toolshere's what I think I would like but I'm open to suggestions:oil lubricatedsmaller tankgas engineI know I'm smoking crack, but I'd like to pull off something that is quiet, sufficient for my duty cycle or a bit more, and sufficient for the PM30 (min 5 cfm/90psi, preferred is more like 9 cfm)... and all for less than $500! Any thoughts... Harbor freight?
Reply:I just got an Ingersol-Rand twin cylinder 2HP w/ 20gal tank at Lowes on sale for $475+tax.  In fact, all the IR compressors are on sale.  This thing is super quiet and rated for 100% duty cycle/continuous usage with synthetic IR oil.My brother in law has a Kobalt 30gal compressor and is just as quiet, and is about $450 reg price.Overall I'm very happy with my IR.  I'm regretting not spending the extra $150 and getting the 60gal verson with the 230V 3HP motor.  I just might, I still have a couple weeks on the 30-day return.Last edited by Oscar; 12-27-2012 at 08:21 PM.
Reply:Just keep your eye on CL for a 20 gallon belt drive single stage compressor. Runs on 115v, will keep up with your plasma cutter, can be had used for about $100, last for a very long time.
Reply:Your current one is really load and you want to go gas?!! My pancake is noisy as all heck and it's way quieter than my gas unit.I honestly doubt any 115v unit will be able to keep up with a plasma that size well. Going to a smaller tank, will just guarantee the compressor has to run more to keep up. If anything go with a bigger tank, not smaller. That way it takes longer for the pressure to drop and the comp to kick on.Want silent and the ability to run that plasma? Simply get a large cylinder of HP air and a reg. You can get them from your supplier just like you do O2 or mig gas. If you know someone in the fire department, they could fill for you also. I used to run my larger PM 1000 off a 282 cf cylinder of breathing air. I had a friend who owned a dive shop and he'd fill up my cylinder for me, just like he does my dive cylinders. I'd also got the adapters that let me run off my Scuba doubles if I need to ( I use the same fittings to recharge my doubles from those 282's when I can't get down to his place for fills.  Also if you get HP breathing air you won't need any extra moisture or oil traps generally. Breathing air has  a dew point of something like -90 F and most breathing air needs to be low oil anyways.I want to say a large cylinder of breathing air from my LWS would run me roughly $30 per cylinder, and he stocks sizes from 80 cf - 400cf off the top of my head. I was looking at the prices of the larger cylinders he stocked. It's been about a year or so since I looked at pricing though. Nitrogen would also work if need be..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:For what it is worth I ran my Hypertherm pm600 off of one for 7 or 8 years before I upgraded my compressor.
Reply:I do not think Nitrogen will work with a plasma torch.  But if it will give me some background.  Mac
Reply:Originally Posted by Tool MakerI do not think Nitrogen will work with a plasma torch.  But if it will give me some background.  Mac
Reply:Originally Posted by RodJAny thoughts... Harbor freight?
Reply:Be  very carefull with the cheap compressors, (under $500) you get what you pay for is very accurate in compressors, first of all even most of the IR's are built overseas now, they use inflated numbers on their electric motors and anything running 3450 RPM's instead of 1745 is going to wear out faster and make more noise. Check craigslist for a good condition older compressor running 1745 on the motor and if you can power it , run a 230 volt. Good air is not cheap but insufficient air is aggravating beyond any price."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:look into the dewalt 200 psi 115 volt compressor
Reply:Hate to say it, but you've discovered what I discovered when I started using a plasma...........................You need lots and LOTS of air.  About 2 grand's worth of airGet a good American made 220v two stage compressor with at least a 60gal tank, and you'll be on your way.(they don't tell you this when they sell you these plasma machines)"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks for all the information everyone, this is really helpful getting corrected on my misunderstandings and getting suggestions. If I end up doing something I regret at least I'll have my eyes wide open.  Cry once keeps coming to mind.   Farmersamm, seems like every plasma ought to come with a Giant Warning Label.  Dam you, Jim Colt...  You made me love plasma!!  (it really is an easy to use machine and quick to get the hang of it)
Reply:Remember that the size of the tank has nothing to do with how much air the compressor can compress. The larger the tank the longer the time between cycles, but the compressor will run the same amount. I prefer the largest tank possible, rather than hearing the compressor turn on and off all the time, and a larger tank means that you will be able to complete a longer cut before the air runs out.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Hey RodJ,I'm not recommending that you use a gas engined compressor for your plasma, but here is a little more info on your specific question:I have seen smaller plasmas powered by gas-engined 5.5 hp I-R wheelbarrow compressors in the field.  They are a lot louder than an oilless, but have the CFM to keep up indefinitely.  The one I had on my truck 5 years ago cost me $750 new; should be able to find a nice used one nowadays for around the $500 you want to spend.Now, if you want general advice, I agree with the consensus - go electric if possible, and buy the largest tank and highest hp possible.  The compressor Oscar mentioned at the end of his post sounds like the type of thing you'd ideally be looking for if it has the hp to do what you need; a 60-gal tank gives you some nice reserve.  I generally try to buy major tools with about twice the capacity I think I need - this has kept me from buying anything twice (so far).Last edited by tbone550; 12-28-2012 at 06:21 PM.
Reply:Thanks, T bone and 4130.  The IR with the 60 gallon tank would be nice but with limited space for projects, everything has to be portable...  The borrowed old Craftsman is huge enough at only 22 gallons but seems to be sufficient.  It would be "okay" for my needs but for the god awful noise and that fact it's not actually mine. For a mobile rig or out in the boonies, the IR with the gas engine would be perfecto but knowing it's louder than the oil less it's struck off the list for the house garage.I really appreciate all the advice of experience everyone gives.  You really raise the game and improve people's skills and knowledge.  Thanks again.
Reply:Years ago I bought a wheelbarrow style gasoline compressor that has a flat head single cylinder kawasaki engine and a v twin but single stage compressor.  It isn't quiet, water free or most likely oil free but it has been a great tool over the years.  It has a great spark that gets used to test chain saw spark plugs and other stuff like that.  I got it used, it says builders square on it which I think is a failed home depot like company.I got a filter water trap thing maybe five inches in diameter and a foot long that comes with instructions on how to set up a tank and lines to trap water so the device doesn't have to do so much.  You could get quiet if you have a big tank.  I don't have plasma but what I have seen used looked like holding a straight edege and making a motion not too much different than cutting glass.  If that is how you operate a big tank should give a bunch of quiet cuts.
Reply:Here ya go.  For that PM30, this 15gal Dewalt  is just what the doctor ordered....http://www.tylertool.com/dewalt-d551...84&zmap=D55168It meets your cfm requirement, 120v requirement and price requirement (under $500).  I used it with a Miller 375 X-treme plasma cutter, before I moved up to the 625 model.  The dewalt and PM30 (which is comparable to the Miller 375 extreme) worked flawlessly.Read this article review of this air compressor.  I think you'll be surprised of the bang-for-your-buck you get with this compressor:http://www.rvmagonline.com/tech/1104...r/viewall.htmlLincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I bought a 5 hp Ingersol commercial grade compressor from a local compressor company.  They went through and rebuilt the pump and cleaned everything up.  I paid $750 for it about 10 years ago.I have a much better compressor than I could buy for the same amount new at the big box stores.
Reply:Piston compressors = BleckLove my screw compressor wouldn't trade it for a dozen othersBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:They are like everthing else - everbody needs more than one Attached ImagesThe main thing is not to panic or get excited Bobcat 250, X-Treme 12VS,  MM211Meltabo, Milwaukee,Porter Cable,Dewalt,MakitaVictor O/A, Ingersoll-RandEvolution Rage2, 40 amp PlasmaLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11Piston compressors = BleckLove my screw compressor wouldn't trade it for a dozen others
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammHate to say it, but you've discovered what I discovered when I started using a plasma...........................You need lots and LOTS of air.  About 2 grand's worth of airGet a good American made 220v two stage compressor with at least a 60gal tank, and you'll be on your way.(they don't tell you this when they sell you these plasma machines)
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcHere ya go.  For that PM30, this 15gal Dewalt  is just what the doctor ordered....http://www.tylertool.com/dewalt-d551...84&zmap=D55168It meets your cfm requirement, 120v requirement and price requirement (under $500).  I used it with a Miller 375 X-treme plasma cutter, before I moved up to the 625 model.  The dewalt and PM30 (which is comparable to the Miller 375 extreme) worked flawlessly.Read this article review of this air compressor.  I think you'll be surprised of the bang-for-your-buck you get with this compressor:http://www.rvmagonline.com/tech/1104...r/viewall.html
Reply:I wanted to edit my post to add a link for what I found as the entry price point for rotary screw air compressors but I couldn't edit, so here's an new post.  (trying to not derail the thread)$4500 without integrated air dryerhttp://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...sor/p2417.htmlhttp://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...10-19-cfm.html
Reply:I've got a two stage Pilot Air compressor. Max motor size is 5hp to get max. rated air from it. My air tank is a big LPG bottle, 450mm diameter and about 1.5 m tall. I fill this up to 130 psi before using my plasma cutter ( Hypertherm PM1250). When I'm cutting with 80 amp tips it only cuts a few seconds before the compressor cuts in to keep the pressure up, so yes you do need a bit of air with a plasma cutter. However, mine is on a cnc table so can be cutting continuously for several minutes.You may end up buying 2 compressors if you buy the smallest one that will do the job, because it will have to work its guts out to get the job done, it will run hotter, etc. Bigger compressors can run slower = quieter & cooler, for the same air output. I'm sure my old cheapy compressors produced more water too (they were also very noisy, seemed like all noise and no output, just like those stupid big bore exhausts on a basic car). Use synthetic compressor oil plus make sure it has a good inlet filter, this will help the pistons and bores last years. If you can afford it buy good once, rather than crap more than once. I know how it can be a catch 22 if cash isn't available to get quality. You buy cheap just to get by, then later on when it's stuffed you buy it again, and you've ended up paying more in the long run, a situation I've often been in, ouch.Originally Posted by OscarThat actually does look like a pretty good unit for a weekend hobbyist.  At 200psi, it probably packs in as much airmass as mine does at 135psi in a 20gal tank.  I wonder what kind of duty cycle it can withstand.
Reply:Originally Posted by RodJI am starting to get the hang of my little PM30 plasma but I'm relying on a (borrowed) Craftsman oil-less 115 V beast.  It keeps up fine for the short duty cycle (very intermittent 20%) but:a) it's borrowed and has to go back.b) it's loud beyond beliefc) I mean, it's REALLY LOUDd) have 30 amp 220v but not convenient and my Idealarc likes to use it.e) have dedicated 20 amp 115v... for what that's worth...f)  no plans for a die grinder, painting, or other high consumption/ continuous consumption toolshere's what I think I would like but I'm open to suggestions:oil lubricatedsmaller tankgas engineI know I'm smoking crack, but I'd like to pull off something that is quiet, sufficient for my duty cycle or a bit more, and sufficient for the PM30 (min 5 cfm/90psi, preferred is more like 9 cfm)... and all for less than $500! Any thoughts... Harbor freight?
Reply:Originally Posted by SidecarFlipGee, I have an American IMC, Intercooled and after cooled with an Onan 16 performer opposed twin, electric start on a 150 gallon horizontal receiver, skid mounted that runs great (less than 500 hours on the hobbs) that I'll sell you for $1200.00.  It's 30 cfm@175PSI continuous, it has auto idle as well.  It will run anything you have, want to get, or dream about....Send me a message at [email protected]  I'm in SE Michigan btw.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcUhhm the OP mentioned a $500 budget and Harbor Freight.   I don't think he's looking at a $1,200 unit.
Reply:Ta da!!!!http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...sor/p6980.htmlA little more than I was wanting to pay but I think this one will do the trick once I've saved up some pennies.  Not perfect.  Perfect would be a 100 amp 230 volt subpanel in the garage but that's not happening thanks to the price of copper wire and a 100+ foot run.  Actually, perfect would be a 1000 sqft dedicated shop and 5 acres This thing requires a 20 amp dedicated circuit as it uses 19 amps running.  That I have several of.  It's oil lubed & belt drive and not terribly humongous.  I almost went with the Dewalt thinking it would serve my needs, but some mixed reviews got me searching a little harder.  This one is blue but I think my tombstone will understand