Air Compressor

[Bird]

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.

I know DeVilbiss used to make the Craftsman compressors; not sure whether they do now or not, and while there are some small differences, your 27 gallon Craftsman sure has a lot in common with my 30 gallon Industrial Air that I mentioned in Post #7 of this thread. And the price is pretty close, too. I paid $536.08 including sales tax 8 years ago for mine. Mine is used almost every day and the only problem I've had is 6 months ago when its regulator started leaking. I had not changed the pressure often enough; usually just left it wide open. So I took the regulator off and rigged another one with quick couplers, so it's not even on the compressor except when I need reduced pressure for something such as painting.

 

[ericher69]

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.

Depending on your panel manufacturer you could install piggy back breakers like square d has.

You can fit 2 in 1 regular 120v slot

Look at this on eBay:

NEW SQUARE D QO Tandem Twin Circuit Breaker 20 AMP QO2020 C 2020T SHIPS TODAY

http://bit.ly/1e3Tdvb

 

[farmer2009]

I know DeVilbiss used to make the Craftsman compressors; not sure whether they do now or not, and while there are some small differences, your 27 gallon Craftsman sure has a lot in common with my 30 gallon Industrial Air that I mentioned in Post #7 of this thread. And the price is pretty close, too. I paid $536.08 including sales tax 8 years ago for mine. Mine is used almost every day and the only problem I've had is 6 months ago when its regulator started leaking. I had not changed the pressure often enough; usually just left it wide open. So I took the regulator off and rigged another one with quick couplers, so it's not even on the compressor except when I need reduced pressure for something such as painting.

Interesting they use to be back in the 90's, but now the only other tag on them is a sanborne tank certification. I had a plug on the side of my tank loosen a week after I got it and wouldn't hold pressure tightened it and has done good since. Looks like tank was made to be vertical (like mine) or horizontal. Glad to know yours has been going for 8 years if they are the same. I was wearing out pancakes left and right (2 in under 2 years) glad I made the upgrade.

 

[farmer2009]

Depending on your panel manufacturer you could install piggy back breakers like square d has.

You can fit 2 in 1 regular 120v slot

Look at this on eBay:

NEW SQUARE D QO Tandem Twin Circuit Breaker 20 AMP QO2020 C 2020T SHIPS TODAY

http://bit.ly/1e3Tdvb

Yea have used that style before. Just this is a mp-t breaker not a square d qo. And I don't know of a local dealer for the mp-t. I have one for a qo and would rather have them.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My last two compressors were scored on Craigslist...
A very nice 30 gallon 6 HP rated unit that worked flawlessly until it was stolen...
Bought that puppy for $250...
Replaced it with a 60 gallon 6 HP rated unit for another $250...
If this compressor ever gives up the ghost I hope to upgrade to a 80 to 120 gallon unit...
For most farm shops a good 60 gallon unit rated at 6 HP is good enough...

 

[Bird]

My last two compressors were scored on Craigslist...
A very nice 30 gallon 6 HP rated unit that worked flawlessly until it was stolen...
Bought that puppy for $250...
Replaced it with a 60 gallon 6 HP rated unit for another $250...
If this compressor ever gives up the ghost I hope to upgrade to a 80 to 120 gallon unit...
For most farm shops a good 60 gallon unit rated at 6 HP is good enough...

Is it safe to assume that you are familiar with the old ratings vs. the newer ones. For example; the Puma PK6060 was rated at 6 hp when I bought mine, but now the same compressor is rated at 3 hp. Of course when I bought mine, the salesman was honest enough to say, "We call it an imitation 6 hp. Let me show you a true 5 hp motor." They build some 80 and 120 gallon 2 stage compressors with the true 5 hp motors that were huge compared to the so-called 6 hp Puma.

 

[Oliver1655]

Any time you use air tool like die grinders, dual acting (DA) sanders, air drills, ... expect to use a large volume of air which is measured in cfm's - cubic feet per minute. This means a 60 gallon tank or larger. Unless you plan on doing commercial work, it would probably more economical to use electrical equivalents for these tools. If you decide to go with a large volume air compressor, a cast iron, oil filled pump will be much quieter & last you much longer. I have worked around several of the Harbor Freight oil filled compressors & have been very pleased. My large 80 gallon/7.5 hp/18.5cfm compressor is a 15 yo Coleman.

 

[DXN1EL]

Looking at some tools and some require 6 CFM @ 90 when idle and around 26 when loaded.
This is about the biggest i have found in single phase. Air Compressors & Tools | Air Compressors & Dryers | MaxAir Electric Stationary Compressor C101120H1-MS208-MAP, 10HP, 120 Gal, 50 CFM @ 100 PSI, 1 Phase | B1123537 - GlobalIndustrial.com
It is a low speed motor but not sure if its noisy

 

[Turbys_1700]

Is it safe to assume that you are familiar with the old ratings vs. the newer ones. For example; the Puma PK6060 was rated at 6 hp when I bought mine, but now the same compressor is rated at 3 hp. Of course when I bought mine, the salesman was honest enough to say, "We call it an imitation 6 hp. Let me show you a true 5 hp motor." They build some 80 and 120 gallon 2 stage compressors with the true 5 hp motors that were huge compared to the so-called 6 hp Puma.

Absolutely Bird...
When I researched compressors years ago I found out right quick that you needed a 230V motor to even think about anything over 2 HP...
My old 30 gallon unit that was stolen was rated at 6 HP just like my current 60 gallon unit...
They are 230 volt motors that put out an honest 3 HP...
I think that the CFM rating is at 9.6 @ 90 psi for my 60 gallon unit and the 30 gallon unit that was stolen was rated at 5.4 CFM...
Years ago I purchased a 1/2" air impact wrench rated @ 450 # ft of torque but required 5.0 CFM...
That is why I got the 30 gallon unit...
Thing worked great until stolen...

 

[Scooby074]

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

Those DeVilbiss/Devair/DV systems HDI series are a beautiful thing! Made basically the same way for 50 years. Still made here too. If anyone is in the $2500-3000 balpark its the brand Id recommend.

One thing people need to look out for is where the pump is made. Although my compressor is stamped made in Canada, it turned out that the pump is a chinese model. That ticked me off! Due to the loopholes in the law, machines can be labeled made in USA or Canada if 51% of the value is from here.

Those HDI compressors are still basically 100% "made here" although I believe that the lighter duty Devair SDI series use foreign pumps but is still labeled "made in Canada"

ALOT of companies do this. Several high dollar models posted in this thread LOOK like they have chinese compressors (Emax , Schrader) yet claim to be made in the USA too. If Im spending that kind of money Id want as close to 100% US or Canadian made as possible. The Devair HDI are top of my list for a replacement compressor when the time comes.

 

[Scooby074]

i recomend Eaton Compressor for there value.

there built/assembled in US, they do use imported compressors on most of there cheaper models.

eatoncomressor.com
emaxcompressor.com

A few years back there was a bit of a scandal regarding Eaton and "made in the USA" IIRC.

IIRC management at the time was indignant about people questioning their machines COO and came onto the forums to "fight" it. It wasnt pretty.

Anyways they now admit that they use "international" compressors made "in their factory". " We use international compressor pumps built in one of our own factories" Product Disclosure Form : Air Compressor Pump : EatonCompressor.com

They also have a print out that they expect you to take to their competition to have them "certify" what parts are foreign or domestic. It's kind of a petty reply to the same thing they got caught doing.

I also notice that they are now "Polar Air, by Eaton Compressor". I wonder if that was fallout from the mislabeling scandal as well.

Id NEVER buy or even consider a Eaton / Emax compressor after this: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/eat...e-over-made-china-compressor-post-143953.html

 

[deereman75]

I have a 26 gallon ch unit.
It's is not the same as in the box stores though... It's the real heavy duty model with the pump and motor off the 60 gallon vertical. Belt drive, cast iron, 2 cylinder, 3 real HP (17 amps 220v) About 11 cfm. It will JUST BAIRLY handle a siphoned sandblaster.... Keeps up with die grinders though...

I have a 1940s devillbiss single cylinder pump I am wanting to set up to manifold with my big one. This little pump is a single stage that puts out 160 psi..... LOL. It must be good to have lasted this long...


If I was doing it again, and I had the space, I would have got a big used compressor. My ch is perfect for now, as it will fit under my bench and run a sandblaster, but I would go for an old Kellogg, champion, devillbiss, swan, ect next time.
The old ones are so much nicer.... Better built, quieter, cooler running, longer lasting, the list goes on...

 

[kg7il]

All this makes me wonder how I survive with this unit.

I picked 15 amps so I could take it to most any location (and it runs on my generator).
175 in the tank allows for reducing cycling, it's quite, and works fine for me.


PORTER-CABLE CPFC2TV3525VP 15 Amp 3.5-Horsepower 25-Gallon Oil-Free Wheeled Vertical Compressor - Amazon.com

 

[lilranch2001]

That will work but if your going to spend that kind of cash buy a 5 Hp instead.

Yeah I just bought a 5 hp IR from Tractor Supply, for not a lot more money
I am currently piping it up to a all brass/copper piping system

 

[lilranch2001]

oh i'd say you would need a 50 amp circuit.

i have the 7.5hp 4 Cyl. on a 40 amp circuit.

I have my 5 HP IR on 30 amp circuit breaker, with 20 amp slow blow fuses in the fusable disconnect

 

[Scooby074]

Nothing wrong with a small, portable like the PC above for many uses.

The problem arises when you are using tools that EAT air on a continuous basis, things like sanders and spray guns. Not only is their noise but the compressor can't keep up the pressure so it runs continuously plus it gets the air so hot that you start spraying water at the tool, even with filtration. If youre doing anything like body work / painting / sandblasting or running a CNC plasma you need lots of DRY air.

I say this after buying a "larger" CH portable that was supposed to be 8ish CFM. My sander is "8" CFM so I figured i was set... Not so much. You have to watch ratings, although the sander was 8cfm, that was its intermittent rating, in practice it probably eats about 16-18CFM. My "big" compressor is 18CFM Delivered (Delivered air is an other important rating), and it runs close to 70-80% of the time when Im really running the sanders.

That supposed bargain in that CH compressor wasn't. I ended up burning $500 on it. I would have been smarter to just buy a big one at first. Honestly I wish my current one was bigger You can never have too big a compressor. I think Id be happy with 30CFM.

 

[Budweiser John]

Compressors are like wives. Pick the right one and you're set for life. The bigger the better, (referring to the compressor).
5 hp motor, two stage pump on a 80 gal tank made by Saylor Beal in St. Johns Michigan. 100% USA. Sweet Machine that runs forever.
Just my .02 worth.

 

[OGrey]

Whatever market trend sets rumours to harm Eaton products, it doesn't bother me , to choose my first choice regarding industrial compressor.
Am regular customer of Eaton Compressor & Fabrication, their 60 HP 3 Phase Dual Volt Rotary Screw Air Compressor working fine in my workshop.
From my side 3 thumbs to Eaton :thumbsup:

 

[Redneck in training]

What kind of compressors do you guys have?
And what kind of tools are you using?

It seem like the air tool require a lot of air so a 10CFM is junk.
May be I will just wait and get something like this
Amazon.com: 120 Gallon Professional Series 2 Stage Vertical Air Compressor Voltage: 208/230V: Home Improvement

Two stage will produce bigger pressure not necessarily more volume. If you don't need more than 120 psig then buy single stage. Two stage with intercooler are also more money.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Two stage will produce bigger pressure not necessarily more volume. If you don't need more than 120 psig then buy single stage. Two stage with intercooler are also more money.

2 stage is much more efficient at usable system pressure. If you can do with 80 or 90 supply, OK. ... If you need more to get decent tool pressure at flow the 2 stage will handle it w/o cfm derating.