Your saw shop’s air compressor

[AVB]

If your compressor does not seem to blow good, is it getting up to pressure? Does raising the regulator pressure help it blow better? It won't blow very long at high pressure with a small tank.

This is what I was referring to when I mention couplers and plugs CFM rates needs checking. All these along hose size and length has a great impact on your air tool's performance. Not only the standing pressure needs to within specs, it doesn't matter much volume or standing pressure you have if it can't get to the tool at the CFM that they need, they simply will not work. This is what was happening to my new Aircat 1150. I was very disappointed when I first got it but it dawn on me to check the working line pressure at the impact. This where I found that even I had 125 psi standing pressure it was dropping to 20 psi working at the impact. So I went to work on finding what the restrictions were. I was hoping not need to upgrade to 1/2 lines. The problem was those M style couplers and plugs, they didn't even have spec openings.

Now that I switch V style there very little drop in pressure at the impact. Of course with a 25 gal tank I still run my compressor contentiously using some tools like my die grinders and blow guns but the Aircat just sips air as it don't take much more that a bump most times to loosen a bolt. I also am operating with about 125 ft of 3/8 air hose so I can get to the customer's equipment while they still in my driveway.

 

[stretch5881]

Good find on the coupler restrictions. Years ago, I had upgraded to high flow couplers for use with the hvlp paint guns. Hard to find and a little spendy but they work awesome.

 

[Larry B]

This was a serious upgrade from what i had. Milton V couplers on everything.

 

[oologahan]

The motors you should look for should say "continuous duty rated" or service engine". Mine is only 1-1/2 hp 230 but it puts out more air than most 5 hp compressors today. Granted its heavy, but if you can find one of these older compressors in upright configuration they will last more than 50 years. I seriously doubt the new ones are made to last that long, but in all fairness many people do not use an air compressor that much anymore

 

[Philbert]

I have a couple of small, inexpensive, 1 to 2 gallon 'hot dog' compressors: one is airless, one is oil-lubed. They are both really L O U D!

Better quality compressors compressors probably make a difference too. I use these to blow things off, run some small nailers, and inflate tires. Too small for running even a small die grinder continuously, but they are portable.

Look for the CFM ratings at different PSI to compare with any tools you plan to use, along with what size power source and space you have.

Philbert

 

[Larry B]

Beware of what I like to call "sears horsepower". They like to use locked rotor amp draw to calculate hp rating. They use the term peak hp. Total BS. If you want to know what the real hp is measure running amps times voltage to get watts and devide by 746 and you get the real hp.

 

[r7000]

another easy way to know capability of your compressor is if it is simply connected to 120 volt or 240 volt.
The typical 15-amp 120 volt circuit is 1800 watts max, 1800/746 = is 2.4hp assuming power factor of 1.0 which realistically is as around 0.7. my 21 gallon vertical harbor freight i bought years ago for $119 (when they advertised them with bogus hp ratings) is nothing to brag about but it runs on 120v 15 amp circuit, is light enough and mobile with wheels & has served me well, they are now like $180.

the good & quiet compressors will be belt driven, the cylinder separate from the electric motor, and oil lubricated with cast iron cylinder, the cylinders/pistons will be larger but run slower because of belt driven pulley size = quieter. And then you sometimes can step up to a twin cylinder with 240v electric motor if you want good airflow, this is all for economical piston compressors. Some of the sub $500 compressors husky/kobalt are not bad... mobile ~30gal tank on wheels with belt driven cast iron oil lube compressor just 120v low power low output which is only a deal breaker if you need high duty cycle on 1/2" air tools.

 

[J. Loe]

It’s come home with me...
A minor breakdown with my craftsman pile of junk sent me to craigslist.

Thinking about an expansion tank once I settle down in permanent lodgings, but for now..

She’s a million times quieter and way more powerful.

Awesome!

Sucking and blowing corner.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Very nice, that is about the type I would get if I go shopping for a new one. Recently I plugged all the leaks in my ancient compressor with JB Weld. To my delight the repairs are holding strong and my air tools all run much better now. Ready for another 40 years!

 

[T.Roller]

This came home with me yesterday. Not a heavy duty compressor buy a very large upgrade from my 3 gallon I was using. Much more than a need around the house but for the price I couldn't pass it up.

 

[FergusonTO35]

If the price is right and you get some use out of it, then good deal!

 

[T.Roller]

If the price is right and you get some use out of it, then good deal!

I had a little 3 gallon that didn't even produce 1 cfm @ 90 psi. This one is 6.4

 

[countryhog]

20 gal Iron Horse. Bought it from a guy bout 5 yrs ago along with couple box store chainsaws he threw in for $35. Some minor plumbing and it works well. Never had to wait on it but sometimes the pressure does get a little low

 

[smokey7]

Im running a 60 gal snapon big red 2 stage 240 6 hp i think 100% duty. Im running a surge tank in my rafters in the garage with valves to control if i need the surge tank or not. Then i have a 125psi 21 gal hf compressor plumbed in for extra recovery when 2 guys are running DAs or other high use tools.

 

[J. Loe]

Im running a 60 gal snapon big red 2 stage 240 6 hp i think 100% duty. Im running a surge tank in my rafters in the garage with valves to control if i need the surge tank or not. Then i have a 125psi 21 gal hf compressor plumbed in for extra recovery when 2 guys are running DAs or other high use tools.

Jealous.
That sounds like we’re gonna need some photos

 

[FergusonTO35]

How many organs did you trade for it? I have a bunch of Snappy tools and they are great, but darn I can't imagine what one of their compressors would cost.

 

[Dub11]

Im running a 60 gal snapon big red 2 stage 240 6 hp i think 100% duty. Im running a surge tank in my rafters in the garage with valves to control if i need the surge tank or not. Then i have a 125psi 21 gal hf compressor plumbed in for extra recovery when 2 guys are running DAs or other high use tools.

Yous running a chop shop?

 

[FergusonTO35]

 

[Lurch]

I've got an 80 gal vertical Kobalt feeding 3/4" Maxline run all the way around a 40x60. 6 drops. All Milton fittings. Got compressor used/cheap. Looking to steal a 120 gal commercial type. Can't justify a new 1, don't use it that much.

 

[lehman live edge slab]

I have a 135 psi kobalt 45 gallon 240volt parallel twin cast iron oil lube 100% duty cycle. I wanted a 60 gallon but the 45 was on close out and I tried to buy both that their computer system said they had. After the employee I talked too found out that they were closed out for 60$ plus tax down from 449$ the one in back couldn’t be found and I only got the floor display.