Air pressure

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I'm not really experienced with air compressors and would like help picking out a suitable one from this link http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/p...mpressors.aspx to use in conjunction with my trailblazer 302 for air arc cutting and gouging and also to run a hypertherm powermax85. Thanks
Reply:Based on "Air carbon arc gouging data", from Red-D-Arc, it looks like you need 25 cfm (cubic feet per minute) at 80 psi, which is a lot of air.  I have an 80 gallon compressor in my shop, and it does not put out 20 cfm.     Plasma cutters generally do not use that much air, so anything big enough for carbon arc will be plenty for plasma.Unfortunately, the MAC tools website that you linked to does not appear to have any CFM information.   No point in buying a compressor without CFM info, kind of like buying a welder without knowing the maximum amp output.Assuming you have a service truck, you would want a gasoline powered compressor.One possibility is the Ingersol-Rand compressor IRT2475F14G, rated 25cfm at 175 psi.  (Typically a compressor puts out more cfm at lower pressures).  Ingersol-Rand compressors are OK, but not the best.    Quincy is a top brand, G213H30HCB puts out almost 25 cfm at 100psi.  Note that this is a big heavy compressor, do you have room on your truck?   How close are you to maxing out your truck?   Do you know what your truck weighs with all the gear, vs. the truck GVWR?  Note that gas powered compressors usually have small tanks, so not much air storage in case your compressor is having trouble keeping up with demand.  If you have a big tank, your compressor can catch up when you set down the tool, so you can live with a little less cfm.   But a small tank does not help much.  Anyway, you need a lot of air to air arc.I am sure that somebody here has strong opinions about which compressor brand might be best, but I know that Quincy is a top brand.Oh, and why do I know so much about compressors and cfm?   Because I originally had a 110V compressor, and spent a lot of time waiting for the compressor to catch up to my tool.    I now know how to measure and calculate the real compressor cfm output as well as the real tool consumption in cfm.   And my experience is that the tool generally uses more air than the brochure says that it does.   A good compressor will put out roughly what the brochure says, a cheap one, not so much, in my limited experience.Good luck,RichardLast edited by raferguson; 11-05-2011 at 01:33 AM.Reason: Added note about why I know about compressorsSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Here is a site with some nice info about cfm ratings.http://www.truetex.com/aircompressors.htmWith what raferguson said about the air requirements for air carbon arc gouging, and the info at the site I linked to, you are looking at 6 horsepower, at least.  This is horsepower into the compressor.  Since you say you want to use the trailblazer 302, I assume you want an electric compressor.  The emotor is going to be maybe 80% efficient, so that, call it 6.5 horsepower, turns into 8 horsepower-electric which is just short of 6kW, or half the rating of your trailblazer.  At 230 volts that is 26 amps.This is the least expensive unit that should meet your requirements.  http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/p...r-175-psi.aspx  That is a vertical model.  If vertical space is an issue (such as on a truck), you might need to go with this one http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/p...r-175-psi.aspx"Great spirits have always encountered violent oppostion from mediocre minds."  --  Albert Einstein
Reply:One problem with an electric compressor is that air-arc typically involves high welding current, and I don't think that you can get lots of AC power and lots of welding power out of the Trailblazer at the same time.   So it is really a power issue.   That is why I suggested a gasoline-driven compressor.If you just wanted to use a plasma cutter, the air requirements are less, so the compressor could be smaller, and you could probably run the compressor and the plasma from the Trailblazer generator at the same time.   But you would need to do a little calculation, assume a particular plasma cutter, etc.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Look here:http://www.aircompressorstuff.com/EM...0ST-_p_80.html
Reply:How much gouging do you plan to do? Your machine is kind of small for gouging.If you don't have a gouger yet, when you buy one get the smaller version, itwill use less air. Did you want gas or electric compressor?
Reply:Champion and Quincy are probably the two top brands out there, in my opinion. I don't think Mac Tools manufactures air compressors, so you will be paying a premium for the name. If this is for mobile work, I would not get an electric. Definately go with the Arcair K2000. It uses half the air of the K3000 or K4000."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:If you are serious about doing gouging and this is for a truck, I'd seriously look at one of the under hood screw machines. Ton's of air volume and no drain on the generator welder so you can use it to the max if needed.As far as plasma, for occasional portable work, you can also use cylinders of HP air. You get better quality air than you can with almost any other system. The down side is you either need to know someone with a HP breathing air compressor ( SCUBA or SCBA compressors work well) or swap them out at the LWS. This option works well if you have a shop compressor and occasionally need to take the plasma portable..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:I'm just looking for electric compressor for home use, stanley tools owns ingersol-rand, mac etc. so i'll be getting 50% off the unit thanks for the responses.
Reply:Arcair Carbon Arc Gouging Torch - K2000 Compressed air:Pressure: 40 psi (2.8kg/cm2)Flow Rate: 8 cfm (0.23m3/min) I'm going to assume that this model http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/p...r-175-psi.aspx should be efficient.
Reply:25 cfm takes 5 to 7.5 motor. My ranger 250 wont start a 5 hp motor too much inrush definattly wont want it to kick on if gouging second the gas powered or truck powered.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Originally Posted by royalblue302Arcair Carbon Arc Gouging Torch - K2000 Compressed air:Pressure: 40 psi (2.8kg/cm2)Flow Rate: 8 cfm (0.23m3/min) I'm going to assume that this model http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/p...r-175-psi.aspx should be efficient.
Reply:lol, thanks for the responses guys!
Reply:Like my plasma cutter. I tried to save money and bought the 5HP instead of the 7.5HP. And, once again, I'm regretting it. The 7.5 would have handled my K3000 so much better. Always go bigger!I got a users manual for the Arcair from this site. Let me know if you need it, I can e-mail it to you. Or you can search the link here. It tells you all about the air, amp and duty cycles necessary, among a usage guide."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"