Air compressor

[john hall]

If you never intend to sandblast or run air sanders, you don't need a lot of compressor. If either of those are in your future then plan on spending big money. How often you plan on running it? If you are just equipping a home shop, you don't need any top of the line item unless money is not an object--I would still buy something name brand.

We have an old school 15 gallon roll around compressor made by Campbell Hausfield that is over 30 years old. It has a 2 cylinder compressor mounted on it that was the same as the one on our old Ajax (I think) that had a 60 gallon tank and 220v motor. That compressor has a lot of output for the tank size.

I don't know what we have in the farm shop other than its about a 60 gallon, 220v twin cylinder that we bought from Lowes about 15 years ago. Keeps up fine unless we do a LOT of BIG stubborn bolts.

If you have shop space you could use your old compressor as a storage tank. That's what we do at work. We have 2 large piston compressors and 1 rotary. All 3 are used for storage. We have the 2 piston machines calibrated to cycle very close to each other, they are only ran if the rotary is down for service or if practically every air grinder and blast cabinet in the building is being used.

I recommend a vertical tank machine, just realize they are incredibly top heavy before you try to transport it and get it set up in your shop.

[litlmikeyl]

Originally Posted by zippy1

I've had the Ingersoll Rand upright for something like six years, and it's got the 60 gallon tank. Very happy with it, but it does run more frequently while using the sandblaster...
Don't know it's model # off the top of my head, but I bought it at Sears, while on sale, plus I had $200 worth of gift cards.

I might have the very same item. Mine's an IR 60 gal. upright, 3 HP, 230V single phase unit, model #SS3L3. Got it thru Northern Tool a number of years ago when I was able to bunch a couple of deals together (including reduced shipping).

My Dad bought a Campbell Hausfeld of the same size a number of years ago so he could paint with an HVLP gun, which a rep from Sharpe suggested for a size when Dad asked what compressor would be appropriate. That's what I used to decide what size I should get for my usage.

Northern Tool doesn't carry the 3HP model anymore, though I did find it at HD.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ingersoll...S3L3/202889695

I've painted with mine a couple of times and really enjoy it and haven't had any real issues with it. The thin grate for the belt guard rattled obnoxiously so I removed it, but it's stuck in a corner with very little chance of someone sticking their parts in the drive system.

[Daniel_110]

Thank you all for your input, I picked up the Ingersol Rand from Tractor supply, 5 HP 230 volt, 60 gallon tank, motor made in mexico (a step better then china i guess), i did get the extended warranty, brought home and piped up in my garage, I did a main trunk line out of 1 1/2 copper and 3/4 inch drops all around, now I have more shop air than i have shop. works very nice though.

[zippy1]

Originally Posted by Daniel_110

Thank you all for your input, I picked up the Ingersol Rand from Tractor supply, 5 HP 230 volt, 60 gallon tank, motor made in mexico (a step better then china i guess), i did get the extended warranty, brought home and piped up in my garage, I did a main trunk line out of 1 1/2 copper and 3/4 inch drops all around, now I have more shop air than i have shop. works very nice though.

Kool should do the job.