Help with picking an Air Compressor

YotaOnRocks

YotaOnRocks

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Location
Madison
looking to buy new air compressor. Anybody got any suggestions on where or what to buy. I was thinking 60 gal but I don't really know though. It seems like that is a fairly common size. Have no idea how many hp motor I need whether I need single or dual stage or any of that stuff. I will be using it to run 1/2 impact and various other air tools and maybe a plasma. I have been using a portable 26 gallon sanborn but I have to keep waiting for it to build air pressure up when using it for a about a minute with a die grinder or impact so I thought I need something bigger. So I'm am not sure what I should get or what I should pay. I hate to spend a bunch of money on an overkill compressor but I hate even more to spend money on a compressor that doesn't meet my needs. Thanks for the help guys.
 
220v, 60 gallon, and 10+ cfm at 90psi. Don't get wrapped up in HP numbers, they're meaningless anyway.. cfm is what you care about.

Also, they're mostly built by the same company, so just see what's on sale!

Before you install it, a 90° elbow, a short length of pipe, and a 1/4 turn valve is a great addition for the drain, so you'll actually drain it as often as you should.. ;)
 
I just bought a 60 gallon, about 11 CFM compressor right after Christmas. It sounds like I use it for about the same stuff you do...impact, plasma, plus I have a sand blasting cabinet that is a real air hog and I converted my hydraulic press to air over hydro. I can run any of those items continuously without having to stop and wait for air to build, so it sounds like 11CFM would do the trick for you. Mine is a Kobalt brand from Lowes, so it's definitely in the no-name category. I like that big Ingersol Rand one that you posted, but unless you have some air need that you didn't mention it's probably overkill. Frankly the cheap Home Depot one would probably be fine, but the Ingersol Rand is a MUCH better brand name. If you're a guy who is willing to pay for quality, the smaller IR may be the way to go.
 
Yeah RoughShod I had planned on getting that Kobalt one but they discontinued them. The guy at Lowes said they had a recall. Might wanna check that out. Thanks for the input guys. I think I would like the big IR but I don't think I use it enought to justify the cost right now. Thanks for the help guys. I believe I am off to sears I have some gift cards I have been trying to figure out what to spend on anyway.
 
Well I went to Sears to buy the air compressor and the sales man told me it was trash. That they are brought back all the time for burned up motors. So then I looked on there web site and read all 18 reviews and not one was good they all said the motors burned up within 1 to 2 years some burned up twice. So I have decided to spend the money and get the big IR from northern. They are having a 10% off purchase sale tomorrow so that will help some.
 
Grab me one while you're there. :D Seriously, that looks like a great compressor if you don't want to spend the big dough for a Quincy or a Puma. Honestly, the US General comressors suprise me with their CFM numbers, but I doubt they have the reliability of even the IR units. Go get it, tiger!
 
Well I think the IR is prolly a little more than what I need right now but I look at it as an investment. Im still young so I have been buying quality tools to last me as long as possible. Thanks for heads up Kc4x4. I'll definitely get that.
 
I agree with the "investment" statement. Compressors and welders, among other things, are tools that I don't believe in wasting money on. Buy the biggest thing you can afford the first time or don't buy at all, because as you grow, you will find a use for the extra capacity! And don't forget an automatic drain kit. The HF one actually works pretty well.
 
YotaOnRocks said:
Well I went to Sears to buy the air compressor and the sales man told me it was trash. That they are brought back all the time for burned up motors. So then I looked on there web site and read all 18 reviews and not one was good they all said the motors burned up within 1 to 2 years some burned up twice. So I have decided to spend the money and get the big IR from northern. They are having a 10% off purchase sale tomorrow so that will help some.
Click to expand...

I know the oil-less ones are crap, but mine's been on 24/7 since I bought it and it's operating perfectly. Guess I got a Wednesday one.

Besides, sears doesn't make them.. It's the same manufacturer as all the other mid-range ones.
 
Take a look at the RPM on the motor. You basically get two choices -- 3350ish or 1725ish. Individual motors will vary by maybe 100rpm. If all the other CFM/HP specs are the same, the one with the slower motor is better. They're a shit-ton quieter and they run cooler. The compressor will generally be higher quality, too. It'll have bigger pistons designed to move more air at a lower RPM, rather than little pistons that it spins the shit out of to make good CFM numbers.
 
Back
Top