Air Compressor Recommendation

MikePA · Oct 16, 2001

How many of you have an air compressor and air tools for working on your tractor? If so, what kind of compressor and what size?

I've been on the fence about getting one for years and getting a TC25D might have just pushed me over the edge /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Bird · Oct 16, 2001

Mike, go read this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=off&Number=58286&page=&view=&sb=&vc=1 and some even earlier, and then if you have any specific questions about compressors, I think I can probably help you.

Bird

MikePA · Oct 16, 2001

Thanks, Bird! Now why didn't I think of doing a search? /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

The Puma looks nice, but I only have 110v in my garage.

StanInCalif · Oct 16, 2001

Mike-
If your garage is attached or close to the house, 220v is not far away. You might want to look into it. On the other hand, a 110v may be all you need. There will be times when you have to wait for it to catch up, esp. when blowing out radiators and cooling fins, but the portability may offset this for you.
Also, beware of horsepower ratings- a more accurate method of judging performance is the amperage rating of the motor- it should be close to 15 amps for a decent 110v .compressor.

RichNJ · Oct 17, 2001

I sized my compressor for my needs.
1. Car work where I use an impact wrench.
2. Spray painting.
3. Other general uses like tires, blowing out debris, etc.

By far the largest use of air is the spray gun. It makes the compressor run alot. I bought a Cambell "5hp" 60 gal upright stationary 240V compressor from Home Depot for $399. If you check the actual watts drawn by the motor it is really closer to 3hp.
In the past I used to do some sandblasting. This compressor would only be able to do some very light sandblasting. I found a local sandblaster who does this messy job for a reasonable rate.
For some other portable needs I use a small portable air tank. I even run my Senco finish nailer off the portable air tank. It's easier and cheaper than dragging a small portable air compressor around.
If you are on a tight budget and don't need a large compressor you could do what I did years ago. I took a motor from a Sears washing machine and a York auto AC compressor and put the whole thing together on a board with a small tank (pressure switch, belt etc) and mounted it on a cheap hand truck.

JohnNY · Oct 17, 2001

I built an aluminum skinned airplane with a 5hp, 110v, 25 gallon air compressor. Drilling, riveting, and painting. Even though a 15 amp CB was called for, a 20 amp works better, especially when under pressure and it tries to restart. I recently tool delivery of a NH TC-29D to work the 5.5 acres I just aquired as well. I have the tractor sitting right next to the airplane in the hangar. Would make a great photo! I'll take of that latter. Anyway, you want a 2-stage compressor(less noise). I think the size I mentioned would take care of all your needs. Lowes/Home Depot have them for less than $350.

John
Central NY

Bird · Oct 17, 2001

John, a "two stage" compressor, or a "two cylinder" compressor for $350?

Bird

Phred · Oct 17, 2001

Mike,

I bought a Campbell Hausfeld 3hp 4-Gallon air compressor a year or two ago. Home depot sells these at a pretty cheap price.
Two points:
1)Its to small. You can't run a high torque impact wrench with this thing. Just not enough CFM.
2) Based on what I am hearing this pump will not last that long. So far I have not had problems but these oiless units are not designed for heavy use.

I think it was bird that made the point, in that older thread, that the oil filled units are much more reliable. If I had it to do again I would buy at least a 10 cfm oil filled unit.

On the flip side this little unit and a generator is pretty handy for those flat tires that happen out in the middle of the pasture a mile from the shop.

I guess it just depends on your needs.
Just my two cents...

jims5acr · Oct 18, 2001

I have to say that my Craftsman oil free unit I have had for 3 years and built 4 race cars, painted all 4 race cars, painted 4 trucks, always using impact and air tools, sanders etc. Used very hard and alot and never had any problems with it being oil-less. This could be the exception to the rule but mine works fine. Oh ya it is a 240V 6hp 40gal single stage compressor. If I bought another one the only thing I would do is get a dual stage compresser and a bigger tank. just my 2c worth.

CVHoss · Oct 18, 2001

Mike,
I can't speak with any expertise, but I can speak with experience. My son has virtually the same unit as jims5acr lists in his post. An oil-free Craftsman, 6hp, 40 gal. tank. It had worked fine in his shop running air tools and such. The first time we started to use it to paint a car, it locked up half way through the paint job and we had to go rent a compressor to finish the job. After several hours of cooling down, it started working again, but we now have a 6 hp Sanborn oiled compressor that we use 90% of the time. Much quieter, more than enough air supply for our needs, and it has been totally reliable. It boils down to this. I would not buy an oil-free compressor. The noise level, unless you locate it in an isolated area, is horrendous. They have proven, in my experience, to be unreliable in high-volume, long use situations. They do not cost substantially less than comparable oiled compressors. Checking the oil in an oiled compressor is much less of an inconvenience than having a compressor that won't finish the job or having to listen to the noise. I can see no substantial advantage to the oil-free compressors (possibly a little lighter in weight) but they have several disadvantages.

Hoss