air compressors

doc

doc

Odd Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Southmont
I have a three bay shop w/ only one completely enclosed (garage door, etc.)

Looking to buy an air compressor to put inside the shop - ideally a vertical unit by the door (there is an offset to the wall). I know noise, but rather keep it inside or covered in the center bay.

Power is not a problem (no three phase) as I installed a 200A dedicated service (OCD overkill electrician)

My questions are:

what size? (maybe painting, but mostly tire changer - coats 10-10 unit & air tools like impact)

styles to avoid?

any other considerations....

thanks!
 
Ideally you want one with an all iron compressor. Many of them now use alum heads, and they won't last as long.

My tire machine wants 150 psi, so that was a factor for me.
 
If you can find an oil-sump compressor with a 1740 RPM motor, it'll be very quiet. From what I've seen at "the store", they're all 3450 rpm motors.
 
A 60 gal with a 5HP is a really good general purpose setup. If you get a good unit with high enough flow, the tank size really isn't going to matter that much.

If you want to go mostly American made, $1200 is about the entry point. I've been looking myself....

You have tons of choice for imported, like Ingersol. USA there's not much to choose from thats actually affordable, except Quincy.
 
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I bought the biggest thing tractor supply sales. Very happy. Good for all I do. Not terribly loud. Fairly quick cycle time. 3/8 air drill works it some. But much better than other "home owner" units I've owned. Only thing really taxed it this far was carbon air arc gouging. But that's like an open ended 3/8 line running.
 
Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm talking about 2-stage units, not single stage. 2-stage will usually do 175 psi at the tank, which is the other reason the tank size isn't as important for a small shop.
 
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