Lets talk air compressors...

[StereoInstaller1]

I run this 25gal 150psi craftsman professional compressor. I've had it for a year and it handles my impact, ratchet, and rotary tools fine. I have 40 amp 110v in my garage and it runs fine off of that. The motor on it is also very quiet, I can easily hold a conversation standing next to it while it is running.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...+%26+Air+Tools

half the CFM @ 90psi, smaller tank, and noisier...for more money?

No thanks.

[Gnarles]

I run this 25gal 150psi craftsman professional compressor. I've had it for a year and it handles my impact, ratchet, and rotary tools fine. I have 40 amp 110v in my garage and it runs fine off of that. The motor on it is also very quiet, I can easily hold a conversation standing next to it while it is running.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00919541000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Equipment&sName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools

[evil_twin]

Yah, that $400 Husky one seems like it will do the job. It has a lot of good reviews and for what I am doing, I'm not going to be doing any kind of painting anytime soon.

[StereoInstaller1]

Hey with that Husky one, was there a 220v plug on the end of it? or did you have to wire one in?

Yeah, you gotta wire your own in, but I just used the dryer plug, as they were cheapest and are overkill for the needs of this compressor.

I will say this: never ever buy an "oil free" compressor. Bigger is better than 2 stage, but a big 2 stage is the best.

If you have $1500 to spend, have at a Quincy or whatever, but all of them are made in China these days...Hell, Quincy is owned by the Chinese!

Those little 2 stage compressors are SO noisy, especially compared to that $400 Husky (sold under a dozen names, BTW.)

Looking in CL, I see people seem to think their 20 year old $300 compressor is worth $500 now...must be more E30 guys out there!

[calz4m]

I have a Craftsman 33 gallon upright. 110V. Never had any problems running impacts, cutting wheel, air hammer/chisel, etc. Sure it cycles a little more than I would like under heavy use, but honestly...if you are just using this at home, how much impact gun time are you realistically putting in? I just took my E30 down to the shell and back up again over this winter and never once thought "I wish my compressor were larger". Just my $0.02 as I personally could find a lot better things to spend my hard earned car/garage dollars on than a big compressor.
All that being said if you go large and are spending the bucks...get a Quincy.

[FredK]

^ You'll have to wire a plug in. It's not a huge deal to do so. If you plan on working on cars in this small garage for money, then definitely get the larger compressor. There are some costs associated with getting one of these larger compressors ready to go, however.

You will need:

• 220V wiring, which is pretty expensive when you get longer lengths.
• Filter / regulator, around $30 if you shop around (Ebay!)
• Some cast iron and brass fittings to plumb the tank from the outlet to the regulator, to an air drop.
• Feet / bolts to secure the compressor to the ground

My friend has the Craftsman Pro 25 gallon 175psi compressor. It comes ready to work out of the box with a 120V plug and regulator. The 175 psi working pressure makes the tank effectively "larger" between pump ups, since it pumps all the way to 175 and not 135 like smaller ones. It is also quiet, two-stage, and oil-lubed.

I updated my system with copper pipe and a dessicant dryer this past summer and it probably cost me an additional $120 or so to run a single drop.

[evil_twin]

Hey with that Husky one, was there a 220v plug on the end of it? or did you have to wire one in?

[StereoInstaller1]

The $400 job at Home Depot does great.

EDIT: this one:http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...atalogId=10053




Make an extension cord from your stove or dryer for now, 240V is a necessity.

[Adrian_Visser]

How many CFM does a small HVLP paint sprayer use? I have been milling around in my head whether or not I can realistically paint my engine bay before I do my swap. I have no air in the shop I will be using... Yet.

[Naplm00]

srsly dont buy an oil-less

they are fucking loud and horrible

[M-technik-3]

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/eaton-compressor-threatens-sue-me-over-made-china-compressor-post-143953.html

Good read here about Eatons

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58014

[mrsleeve]

So I am looking at something smaller for my parents garage... I'll upgrade to a 240v system when I move into my own. I talked to a friend and he said the 33gal craftsman works for him and does a good enough job.

So my question now is whats the difference between craftsman profession and the non-professional one?

I have one of those 33gal 110v oilless, and I hate it. I have been moveing around to much to in the last few years to be able to replace my quincy that I sold before I moved out west.

I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. But its better than doing everything by hand, it runs all the time and makes a unbearable racket , have to run it at about 115psi to have any power with most of my air tools.

get a good one that has a oil lubed compressor (much quieter) and really if your gonna use lots of air tools and the high CFM demand ones you really need 220v

[Naplm00]

Ive got a craftsman 3HP, twin cyl 25 gallon long comprssor.

Ive done everything from impct to cutoffs to DA with it. ITs portable and strong. When i move to my new space ill be goin to 50+ gallon def.


HAving the thing running all the time when blasting is not fun


Looks like they make it with a weaker motor now, but this is the one

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00919541000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Equipment&sName=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools

its is quiet!

[b*saint]

I worked on compressors for 4 years ranging from 3 hp to 900 hp. First you need add the the cfm of all your air tools or at least the most amount of air tools you'll have running at the same time. Then buy a compressor which makes that amount of air @ 90 psi. MAKE SURE ITS RATED CAPACITY IS AT 90 PSI. A lot advertise then you read the fine print and its at 40 PSI. The size of the tank saves you money because your pump doesnt have to constantly turn on and off.

Always buy oil lubed. Oiless are crap. Never buy one that runs at 3450 rpm. Buy a 175 psi one if you can. Good brands are Quincy, Emglo, Champion, IR, DeVillbiss, Saylor-Beall. If you can find an old worthington "Buffalo Balls" thats a find and a half.

Personally I recommend Champion with an R10 pump. They dont have reed valves they have disc valves. Last a lot longer.

[M-technik-3]

The bad about the first system is the amperage draw, 21 volts. Most garages of a few years back are not designed with 220V nor more than 40 amps so between the compressor and lights you will soon start popping fuzes or breakers.

Needs to be on it's own dedicated circuit. Mount outside on concrete pad and build a building around it to knock down the noise.