Looking for NEW shop Compressor

SPIKER · Nov 27, 2011

Hi All:

looking for a 60~80 gallon shop compressor 150PSI + light Sand Blasting in cabinet, maybe outside. also air tools grinders DA sanders ect. so looking at 13+CFM at 120 PSI+

lots of them on sale now.

IR at TSC looked good but 1000 bucks on sale is a bit more than I want to spend.

HF US General on sale 799 looks like one maybe

Though I found some at Menards that I could get 2 for the price they are on sale for 368 or so with 11 CFM at 90 PSI so could double up get 22 CFM at 90 PSI and I think 18 at 120PSI.

Sears stuff was mostly all aluminum, not cast iron so not as durable

similar stuff at HD & Lowes still looking as HF was out of stock at my local store.

any opinions on these things?

thanks

wedge40 · Nov 27, 2011

I'm going assume 220v and not 110v.

Wedge

lostcause · Nov 27, 2011

to get over 150psi you're looking at a two stage compressor (many are rated for 175psi). you can find a few single stage ones that go to 150, but they are generally the smaller portable contractor types. the sub-$400 60 gallon uprights are almost all around 135 psi. i bought one a couple years ago and after looking the lowes kobalt, hd husky, and generic campbell hausfield were all the same units with different paint.

mine works fine, and i wasn't interested in dropping $1000 at the time either. ideally i would have bought a two stage, but i figured at the price i paid ($369 plus tax, then a $100 lowes gift card free) it was worth getting now and buying something else later if i need it. i am doing fine with mine, but i think that if you plan on running a sandblaster much at all, you may be disappointed at them a little. the refill time is kind of long if you run them real hard, and by nature single stage compressors generate a lot more moisture than two stage compressors do. i don't know the physics behind it, but that seems to be the case.

i think that if you can stomach the cost, you will be happy with a two stage, otherwise, just know that you will have some limitations with a single stage.

ttriff · Nov 27, 2011

Not going to do much real sandblasting with a sub $1K single stage unit....

Currently the best deals on higher capacity compressors are the Quincy or IR from Northern Tool since they're offering free shipping.

I recommend a 80 gal unit, my 220V 5hp two stage 60 gal Quincy trends to run continuously when I'm using the blasting cabinet. I have to blast in stages waiting for the tank to refill when blasting out in the open.

Artisan · Nov 27, 2011

Years ago when I was in your shoes I ended up w/ a Sears 80 unit. I do not believe it is a 2 stage. Runs like a champ. I can push my glass bead blaster cabinet easily with it. I rigged up a suitcase compressor to the 80 gallon and it was enough to push my Texas Blaster "sandblaster" . So keep in mind you can do this so if you buy a big boy figure out how to plumb the two together to get more volumn. Craftsman has a 2 stage for 999.00, check that price monday morning AND save more if you have a Craftsman Club card. That unit will push some air, very nice.

I didn't pay 1K either, mine was in the 500 range I think. I did not see my unit on the Craftsman website.
Here is your inexpensive awnser though. There are HUGE other units there as well. If you look I choose a base close to you. If your going to go for it call and get all dialed in w/ them way prior to bidding. Have fun, tell me if you like the place. :thumbsup:

BeezFun · Nov 27, 2011

I bought a Sanborn, I think from Menards, it's 7hp 60gal and I have been very disappointed. The motor failed in less than a year, took me days to fight my way through the warranty repair claim process. The guy who came out was from some big service center that mostly does industrial systems. He told me these lower priced units run the motors too fast, that's the only way they can produce the claimed performance, and that's why they fail early. If I had it to do over I'd watch for a used high quality two stage compressor on craigslist or ebay and skip the consumer grade stuff.

deereman75 · Nov 27, 2011

I found that the $30 siphon sandblaster from home depot works great with my 10.2 cfm compressor. I can blast constantly, and the compressor often stops. It does a great job at removing paint and rust.

Bird · Nov 27, 2011

When I had the Puma 60 gallon compressor it had no problem running a little 100 pound sand capacity, siphon sand blaster working outside, and certainly no problem with my inside glass bead blaster cabinet. When I used it with a long blow gun to clean out the entire 40' x 60' shop, blowing air continuously would also make the compressor run continuously, but it kept up enough pressure for the job.

But of course first choice would be a 2-stage compessor with an 80 gallon tank and 175 psi.

SPIKER · Nov 27, 2011

Hi Guys:

thanks for info. I was looking at the Stanborn units sold at menards glad I got some feedback. I read all the reviews on the US General and think I'm going that way at 799 not cheap for sure. 60 Gallon Air Compressor - 2 Stage, 5 HP, 165 PSI

it is only 165 PSI but volume is pretty good and dual stage, 15.8CFM @ 90psi, 13.5cfm @ 165 psi which should blast ok. the IR has the same PSI specs at 999.00 so 200 more for same power/volume though I would like the IR my uses is not as commercial as the IR is designed for but I can buy a blast Cabinet for that extra 200 bucks.\
Sand Blasting Cabinet ? 40 Lb. Capacity

will maybe have to make some mods but all the parts there...

will try & talk them into tossing in some good abrasive too but TSC has it pretty cheap compared to others... also note that they have the replacement film at my local TSC that looks like it should work for either unit.

mark

Mark

timswi · Nov 27, 2011

SPIKER said:
Hi Guys:

thanks for info. I was looking at the Stanborn units sold at menards glad I got some feedback. I read all the reviews on the US General and think I'm going that way at 799 not cheap for sure. 60 Gallon Air Compressor - 2 Stage, 5 HP, 165 PSI

it is only 165 PSI but volume is pretty good and dual stage, 15.8CFM @ 90psi, 13.5cfm @ 165 psi which should blast ok. the IR has the same PSI specs at 999.00 so 200 more for same power/volume though I would like the IR my uses is not as commercial as the IR is designed for but I can buy a blast Cabinet for that extra 200 bucks.\
Sand Blasting Cabinet ? 40 Lb. Capacity

will maybe have to make some mods but all the parts there...

will try & talk them into tossing in some good abrasive too but TSC has it pretty cheap compared to others... also note that they have the replacement film at my local TSC that looks like it should work for either unit.

mark

Mark