A few Christmases ago, I asked for an air compressor, a certain size and model. I got an 8 gallon unit from HD that really isn't good for anything other than inflating tires. I part out cars, and I'm getting tired of taking them apart with hand tools. I need something with some power.
What size/output/etc. should I be looking for? I'm going to try to get something from Craigslist, but I'm open to new setups as well. I'd like to stay under $300 if possible.
Go.
Under $300, used is the only good choice. Mine is a Quincy 325, that I paid $400 for, in need of work. I'm into it for about $800 with the necessary parts and it makes more air than I can use. It will literally make air faster than a blow nozzle will use it, so that's what I use to blow off my driveway after cutting the grass.
I recommend buying the biggest, oil lubed, compressor you can afford. Don't be in a hurry to buy one. Take your time and be picky. They are out there you just have to dig for them and be willing to put some work into them.
I'll backup what Toymannis saying as far as go as big as possible and run from oil-less compressors.
I have a 60 gallon, 220V unit and love it. It cant keep up with a blow nozzle, but it'll keepnup with all my air tools and my sand blaster.
I picked up a pawnshop special Speedaire 2 HP (actual HP, not made up marketing HP), twin cylinder, 20 gallon, horizontal compressor for $35. About $50 worth of rings, and reeds, and it has been adequate for what you're wanting to do.
I have a 60 Gallon Kobalt, in storage at my folks, after using it, anything less is not satisfactory. I very much look forward to the day I can put it back into service.
I'll echo the "run away from oilless" that others have said. I had a 20 gallon, oilless, upright Crapsman as my first "real" compressor. Loud, hot, slow, and died an early death, just out of warranty of course.
I've got a Porter Cable pancake, same one all the big box stores sell with 3 nail/staple guns, loud, and slow. I've used an impact with it several times, but you spend most of your time waiting for it to catch up.
Find the one with the largest tank you've got room for, and the most CFM you can afford, with an oiled pump, and 240 V motor. You'll get the most out of a dual stage pump, but they tend to cost more.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/4910218504.html
Would this be too much the gamble? I'm guessing that is 220v as well?
In reply to ScreaminE:
I would do something like that and plan on buying a motor before I bought a new one from a box store. Make sure the compressor head is something you can get parts for.
I have a 4 horse Craftsman oil, horizontal tank. They later sold that same model as a "6 horse." Horses got smaller. 220V. I've used it A LOT for the last 25+ years. Some rust issues with the tank, but that's about it, knock on wood. It will do what you need.
I would consider that CL'ed one for a bill. Too much unknown for 250. "Tries to start." What the hell does that mean? Anyway, I think it's worth a bill for parts, check the brushes, add a new start cap, and try it out.
In reply to Dr. Hess:
Agreed. Sent him an email with my phone number through CL, which is the universal symbol for never hearing from the seller ever ever again.
^All of this^
I went through a succession of sh1tty hand-me-down compressors, mostly shockingly noisy, fast wearing "oilless" types for years. I vividly recall one failing in the middle of painting a set of motorcycle bodywork and having to drag the other one from the basement to garage and swap over the regulator and plumbing so I could continue before the catalyzed paint cured. At that point I'd had enough and began the long search for the most compressor for the least money.
A couple years later I'd scored an American made Speediare. 5HP, 220V, single phase, 4 cylinder, 2 stage, 60 gallon vertical, metallic green barely broken-in goodness.
I negotiated $400 for it with a guy closing a shop that built and operated disabled transport vans. As I was leaving the shop to go get cash he ran back out and said:
"Hey! Do you like WELDING MACHEEM?"
"I Do!, I really like welding macheem!"
So I went back in and directly was renegotiating a package deal for the aforementioned Speediare and a lovely Miller Millermatic 185 MIG w/ the biggest C25 bottle you can own and a fresh 33# spool of .035" wire. We agreed on $800 or something close to it.
The Speedaire exceeds my needs. Painting, running a good sized blast cabinet, air orbital, disc grinder, whatever. It just stands proudly in the corner, chuffing away authoratatively. It's a soothing sound, really.
So I'd suggest using searchtempest, having the funds ready, being willing to drive a few hours, and looking for a Quincy, Gardner-Denver, Ingersoll-Rand or Speedaire.
I have never once for a second thought "Gee, I wonder if I should have bought a smaller compressor"
Buy the biggest one you can power, if you haven't got much power, fix that first.
What everybody else said!
Mine is a 60-gallon cheapie from a big box store. Heck, I don't even remember which one. It's red. Chinese-made, single cylinder, with oil in the crankcase. It's almost big enough for me. And it IS a 240-volt unit. I think it was somewhere around $300 several years ago.
I picked up a huge 80 gallon Quincy from the 60s (I'm guessing): dual heads with 3 or 5hp motors apiece. I think I got it for 400, as part of a package deal with my lift. I haven't gotten it reassembled yet, as it's been toooooo damn cold out there this winter but it's the quietest compressor I've ever heard.
The deals are out there, you just have to be patient. Mine was a lot like motomorons experience, except it was "hey, you lookin for a compressor, too?" I asked to see it, saw the thing is HUGE, said well, I think it's too big, but fire it up, let's hear it run.. Load it on the trailer, I'm making the space for it!
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/porter-cablereg%3B-stationary-belt-drive-air-compressor-60-gal
This one is pretty tempting...
Called about the one with a "wants to start" engine? Guy thinks it's worth 250. I asked him what he would take and he said he wouldn't take less because he's had at least 10 people email him about it. Good luck, no thanks.
Yeah, $250 for a compressor that doesn't run is crazy! For $100-150, then I would get it as the parts that are there look worth it. A couple of years ago I had my Craftsman 220V 20Gal 5HP compressor tank rust out. Getting a replacement was way to pricy! I found someone selling a Craftsman 2HP oil less compressor with a 30 gal tank. The tank was worth what I paid for the whole compressor and way less then a new 20 gal tank!
ScreaminE wrote: http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/porter-cablereg%3B-stationary-belt-drive-air-compressor-60-gal This one is pretty tempting... Called about the one with a "wants to start" engine? Guy thinks it's worth 250. I asked him what he would take and he said he wouldn't take less because he's had at least 10 people email him about it. Good luck, no thanks.
I went through this a few years ago (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-tools/876385-best-400-220v-air-compressor.html) I bought the Kobalt 60 gallon from Lowe's. I compared everything on the market at the time, and concluded that for a residential/home shop, single stage compressor, the Kobalt was the best bang for the buck.
That Porter Cable is nice, that 155 PSI cut off is the same as the Kobalt, gives you a little more air in that 60 gallon tank, than the 120 PSI compressors do.
The Kobalt offers a little better CFM for $20 more: http://www.lowes.com/pd_54284-1126-VT6362_0__?productId=3370356&Ntt=air+copressor&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dair%2Bcopressor&facetInfo=
A lot of Lowe's & Home Depot stores are accepting Harbor Freight coupons now, probably at the manager's discretion, but you might get them to take a HF 20% off coupon (assuming they don't read the fine print exclusions). Also there's usually a 10% off Lowe's coupon in the the change of address packet at the Post Office.
In reply to ScreaminE:
Looks almost identical to the 5hp Sanborn single-stage I had some years ago, not a bad compressor at all just be aware of the 50% duty cycle. OK for running most air tools except air hogs, gotta let it cool down for extended use like DA sanding and painting vehicles. Didn't sandblast well at all, lotta moisture, well maybe if you used a aftercooler. Price seems OK but still shop around for best bang for buck.
See you're Pgh, bought that Sanborn from Daniel's Discount in South Park, they don't display tools on their web site but maybe worth a look.
The one that "wants to start" might just need a start capacitor. They are cheap and easy to replace. Look at the top of the cap, they are usually bulged if they are bad.
I bought a ~20 gallon one from Home Depot a few years back..Husky, I think. It's red. I'm pretty sure it's just a re-badged Campbell Hausfeld. 120VAC, ~3 HP, belt drive, single cylinder compressor. Oiled, of course. I will reiterate, you do not want an oilless.
I like the size of mine, and I work it hard. It's going on 10 years now and all I do is top off the oil periodically (I think I've changed it once or twice) and drain the tank every year or so. I like that it's on wheels, and thus small enough that I can take it wherever in the yard I need it. And I can reach it with a 100' extension cord.
In my shop, I have an old 40 gallon tank from a train that can be hooked up in series to give a bit more volume (though, since the compressor's the same size, recharge time is longer). Though in practice, the 20 gallon's been fine for running a single impact or whatever.
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