Air Compressor

   / Air Compressor #13  
I have a craftsman professional 27 gal. Bought back in summer really like it didn't have breaker space for a 240v compressor so it has a dual voltage motor on it 120/240v. Just takes a rewire in the motor and a new plug no big deal. It is 150psi compressor really quiet. You can talk right beside it and not have to raise voice much. Paid like $499 on sale. Wanted a 60 gal but wife said no to new panel and compressor, welder took up my last place to 240v.
 
   / Air Compressor #14  
I just run a plain jane 6hp 60 gln. Nothing special..I think it was about $450.00. It gets the snot run out of it. 12 yrs old now.Thinking of a new one some day. I also have a 3hp 25 gln campbel hosfeld on wheels for portable option. It gets used a lot at the cabin and anything away from the shop. If you don't need portability, Go with the biggest that the budget will allow.
 
   / Air Compressor #16  
I have a craigslist special as my shop machine. Old Quincy cast iron oil bath with few hours. Then a craftsman oil portable. Compressors have not changed much so old school in good shape is worth considering.
 
   / Air Compressor #17  
Some compressors pull a ton of power on startup. Be sure to match wire and breaker to amp draw on start up. Mine only uses a 230v 30 amp. Some of the units on here are industrial monsters so I'm unsure what they pull on startup but I'd like to have one of those big dogs.
 
   / Air Compressor #18  
Man, my local HomeDespot doesn't have anything CLOSE to that beast - about 5 years ago I bought a DevAir TAPV-5052, never been sorry -

Compare 3 Different 5 HP Compressors

At the time it cost me $1900, guess they've gone up a bit.

With the 5 horse Baldor, running amps is 25 - startup inrush on most compressors is roughly double the running amps, but I've not measured that so can't give you exact numbers.

Mine is on a 70 amp breaker which also feeds my welder outlets - the compressor will sometimes kick in when I'm welding, and even with the old transformer welder I've been running 5/32" 7018 when the compressor started, no problems.

Unless you plan on starting a sandblasting biz, a REAL 5 horse should be all you need - and unless you have more shop space than you will ever need, I'd look for a vertical model.

Check the link - this one meets all the (agreed upon) previously mentioned "goodies", and then some... Steve
 
   / Air Compressor #19  
With those compressors you really must use them to pay for them. A smaller one like a good 60 gal 3 or 4 hp will do a lot as a hobby utility compressor. But if you are looking for a large compressor I would watch a 10 hp compressor on single phase as you are pushing the limits of single phase from my research. Might back off to an 8 hp or something similar. I don't see a use for that large of a compressor unless you plan on running a commercial shop or a power hammer at home.

Just my .02.
 
   / Air Compressor #20  
With those compressors you really must use them to pay for them. A smaller one like a good 60 gal 3 or 4 hp will do a lot as a hobby utility compressor. But if you are looking for a large compressor I would watch a 10 hp compressor on single phase as you are pushing the limits of single phase from my research. Might back off to an 8 hp or something similar. I don't see a use for that large of a compressor unless you plan on running a commercial shop or a power hammer at home.

Just my .02.
You might be right there. Momentary startup surge of a 10HP 240V single phase is above 200A. Circuit breakers have a built in delay so it would not blow a 60A, and the momentarty 200A would only brown you out a little on a 200A service. Normally big compressors have an unloader that prevents compression until it has spun up - so as not to burden the start. This shortens the surge period drastically.

You wont easily find single phase motors above 10HP.
larry
 

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