Air Compressor CFM
 

Is there a good high CFM Compressor that doesn't cost a fortune? I need one around 8 to 12 CFM?

What are you running that you need that many CFM Ronnie??
Even if you want to paint with it, you don't need one that puts out that much if your just painting Cub stuff. You may have to wait every now and again for it to catch up, but that's NBD. I used to paint quite a bit with a smaller compressor. I just put another tank inline to the spray gun for volume. Other thing doing that helped with was moisture..... but I'll discuss that more if that's your plan. As a hobby compressor, I'm doubting you really "need" that big of one. Unless you just don't mind spending the cash, then that's fine!

What is your idea of "expensive"? That's a pretty relative term.

Jet makes good compressors:
https://www.ohiopowertool.com/p-1584...FQ65wAodYK4COw

Northern Tool has several choices:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...FcK1wAodSHAArQ


Both the Jet and several of the NT ones are under $800. That's pretty good for a compressor of that size.

There is some good reading here.

http://www.truetex.com/aircompressors.htm

What type of tools are you wanting to run and do you care to share your budget? Also, do you have 220 available?

As long as you are not running air grinders, sanders, or sandblasters, you don't need a huge compressor. We have a smaller rotary at work and if we get 3-4 guys running air grinders hard, we will get low on air. You'll never have enough big stuck bolts on passenger vehicles and Cadets to run low air with an air wrench.

Personally, I prefer a piston compressor (for home/farm use) over any oiless unit. Those are a joke. If you go with a bigger unit consider vertical--they take up a lot less space. The drawback is they are top heavy to load/unload/transport and set in place.

I wouldn't say oil-less compressors are all bad. I have two Craftsman oil-less compressors. I was lucky and bought a vertical "Professional" one when they offered it with 175PSI max. I have literally ran the dog crap out of it for about 15 years and it's still going. It was my main compressor in the shop when I started out before I bought a "big" one. It was then moved over to the service truck where it was ran off a generator on service calls. It has literally sat and run for hours at a time when I was painting, running air sanders, or taking apart big things (tractors and such) and running my impact constantly. I do have another 150PSI professional horizontal. It hasn't seen nearly the use of the other, but still runs great. Only thing I don't like about them is they are so damn noisy!!! I do think it makes a difference that they were the Professional series. I think that extra $200 was worth it.

Didn't think those were very durable, must have been wrong. I imagine you bought a higher end unit also. The couple I have been around were very noisy also, I've heard others say the same thing.

It's not that I need a high CFM compressor, just that I am ready to buy a new one and would like to use a blast cabinet and angle grinder without it running constantly. I know that the CFM is the number you want to be as high as you can, without costing a fortune. That North Star looks like a steal if it has a good rep, and it's only 550.00?:bigeyes: I looked at Sears and some of the other name brands, but they run 3k and up. I have been watching CL for a bargin but the only one I found was an old one that would run a body shop. :bigeyes:

If your willing to spend the money, Jet tools are very good. I'd buy one. Ingersol Rand is one of the best.

On that Northern Tool, North Star, you should be able to read reviews on.

I have two real nice Grainger compressors,, both belt drive.
The larger one (30 gallon horizontal tank) ran my plasma torch 4 hours a day for a decade,,
it is still perfect.
The smaller one,, probably 3HP,, has been used for all of my painting and general shop duties for 15 years.
If I needed another (I doubt I will ever need another) it would be a Grainger.

My "trick" to success with the plasma torch was that I had a extra 30 gallon tank at the end of a 100 foot hose.
That second tank fed the torch.
I could run for weeks, literally, on one set of electrode parts,,, no moisture.

Blast cabinets can require copious amounts of air! I bought a Skat Blast 960T and a new Sanborn compressor last December. The compressor does handle the load but runs continuously. Big compressors need plenty of power too! Fortunately, I had the 50amp circuit available in the breaker box. Spend the money ONCE and get a quality compressor. Otherwise, you know the old adage...pay me now...or pay me later. :beerchug:

The compressor and blast cabinet

to me an air compressor is an essential tool...i always go oversized than what you think you will need....personally i would rather buy an old one thats rebuildable than a new one any day....definitely don't do oiless...i guess if youre painting model cars or something maybe, or spanking 8 pennies or roofing nails here and there, but they're noisy as hell and have you ever seen how they work with the moving cylinder/liner???? weird...built in obsolescence if you ask me...i recently converted one to an oiled pump using the elec motor from the oiless and just cutting off the cylinder and removing offset rod piston etc...anyways, i work in a place that has a 100hp kaiser, a 75hp rand and 2 -40hp rands...all screw...,(by the way nothing gets worked on more than the rands) so im spoiled by using air tools... i bought a floor model 80 gal puma for 425 bucks that makes 15cfm @90psi, its ok but no quincy...works good but nothing will work a compressor like painting...hence the low pressure HIGH volume, you can run 17psi at the gun and blow through a full tank of air in 45 sec...my buddy has a 1959 something, wish i could remember the name) with like .5" thick tank walls and he put a silo unloader motor on it,(as it was 3 phase) and that thing is a monster, will run 200psi to an impact....break 3/4" bolts...anyways, i would look for a good named used one anyday...just my personal preference though...also the tools make a difference as well...im all dotco and dynabrade, more power less air, less noise.....just my opinion though....

I purchased this one from Northern a few years ago and it works awesome. I wish I would of got the 80 gallon tank but I guess the 60 works fine.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...0475_200350475

I like the Quincy also. I have looked at them, and for under 2k for the 80 gal. tank I don't think I would ever have a problem with any tools with it? One question I have is that my breaker box is full, no room for another breaker? What would I need to do to add another one with 220?
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...dkTRoC_CTw_wcB

Quincy compressors are top notch! If you need and or want this or a comparable compressor....then you need to consult a licensed, qualified electrician to solve your dilemma.:beerchug:

i know where a 40 yr old 4 cyl recip quincy is with seperate 120 gal tank..probably go for 350-500 bucks...one of the best compressors EVER made...heads look like theyre off a diesel, infinitely rebuildable....only problem; its 3 phase and on 480 now and sitting in 2" of water, (not touching it though) it could be made to work in a homestead though....my dream one.....i do like my verticle puma, and supposedly its made in the US.....hhhhmmmmm or assembled most likely, but it was a floor model....425 bucks!! i like the verticle quincy too, although out of my budget...if you like working on stuff you could spend a quarter of that and end up with twice the capability....like you said some will run a body shop..and probably have...check HGR surplus...i didnt even see where you are....nevermind....good luck though

I'm with Brianna Beth on this one Ronnie. Although we could advise you, it's much better to consult and electrician.

As others have said, consult with an electrician to be safe. You may have the ability to have one circuit for two machines. My 220v welder and compressor are together. If I weld, the compressor is off, and vice-versa.

I'm kinda lucky with the electrician side. One of my life long friends is a certified electrician and has helped me many, many times. I will give him a shout and see what it involves. :biggrin2::beerchug::biggrin2:

This just popped up on CL. Would this be ok?

https://hickory.craigslist.org/tls/6016672443.html

Might be ok for a few tools and tires but you won't be happy with it in the long run.You need 5hp or bigger.The old saying you get what you pay for.

Like Mike said... a bit small in the long run... Would do well with light use but not enough for blast cabinet or HD sanding... just my thoughts

Looks like I need to just bite the bullet and buy the Quincy I was looking at.:biggrin2:

Update on the compressor. I bought the Quincy after talking with my electrician buddy. At 18 CFM, I should have all the air I'll ever need. He only had to put another 220 line in the box and I am ready to go.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...dkTRoC_CTw_wcB

Awesome! You will have more than enough cfm for your projects. :beerchug:

Congrats on the new compressor. I know it is not the most fun tool to buy, but it will make using the air tools more enjoyable.

Update time. Finally got the thing wired and plumed. I have a couple drops around the garage now so I don't have to rely on just getting air at the compressor. But now I have another question, what should I use as a inline water filter? I have looked at them, but I wouldn't know a good one from a bad one?:biggrin2: Also a regulator at the compressor?

We don't have a water separator on the one in the farm shop, no real need since I don't use it for sandblasting or painting. I do need to drain the tank though. On our old ones at work we plumbed 1/4" copper tubing to a valve we could easily get to so we could keep the tanks drained easily--those crappy valves on the tank are destined to break quickly. We eventually got big enough to get an air drier and rotary compressor.

I don't use a regulator here unless I am in the old shop painting. At work we have the regulator right where the air comes in the shop so we can monitor it if a problem arises without having to go outside to the compressor house. Nothing fancy, just pretty good size--we have about 15 guys on the shop floor. You should be able to get a regulator/water separator combination unit.

I have a 5hp 80 gallon upright made by Emglo. 1987 model. I bought it out of the local classifieds, remember those? 2 stage 4 cylinder pump, 220 single phase. Rated for something like 19 CFM at 175 psi. I did rebuild it a year and a half ago, had a bad valve in one of the heads. Did new rings gaskets and all of the valves. Not quite the same as when I 1st got it but way better than running it when it had the stuck valve.... Still puts out the volume ok, but it seems like recovery was a little faster before the valve issue I had.... Tons better than while that issue was happening. Best$500 I ever spent, rebuild many years later cost me about 1/3 of what I bought it for.

As a backup I have a single stage Emglo with a 5hp Briggs for power.

You should plenty of CFM's with that monster. However, a 5 hp motor, single phase....Yikes! Your electric bill must be astronomical.

I have the same Emglo "Y series" V4 pump producing 21.7cfm@ 125psi with a 5Hp motor ( Baldor L1410T), that's one of the best brand of pump out there they still sale them under the name Jenny now, my pump need a rebuild and the only place I found who carry parts is ACP if you have a better place let me know, Here a direct link: https://aircompressorpartsonline.com...&slave_id=3256

All residential compressor are powered by single phase 120 or 230V, 3 phases power source his only available for commercial and industrial customers so all 5hp 220V residential compressor use around 20A from both line unless you have one of those overrated Chinese motor, I even seen one rated 7.5hp of "Peak" power.

"All residential compressor are powered by single phase 120 or 230V, 3 phases power source is only available for commercial and industrial customers"

No, not necessarily...my late sister was an industrial electrician and had 3 phase brought into her house. One of the items she ran was a heat pump/air conditioner with it.

I got 3 phase at my place...:biggrin2:

Both of my friends (first one Aurora Illinois, second one Columbus, Ohio) can't get 3 phases, maybe the part of America your sister lives have different requirements, here I can't unless I open a business and the cost to get it is like you said "Astromical"

I knew someone may come with this exemple ( Rotophase or VFD) I have build and use few of them to power 3 phases lathe and milling but not welder or compressor and in the end the efficiency is so low you use more power. AKA $$$ electric bills. It's a good "Plan B".

You are right there Gilles. It's always a tradeoff. Around here you can pick up 3 phase equipment at scrap value as there is little to no market for it. So, for a piece of equipment that is not often used, the occasional, additional power consumption may have already been saved by the low initial investment.:bigthink:

I'm in the planning stages of building a new shop and I talked to my electrical company about 3 phase power. They said they could run it but I would need to pay around $1500 for the initial install and there would be an additional service charge every month to have it. I didn't check how much the monthly fee is yet because I'm not sure if it is worth paying the added fee upfront. They said there would be no charge to run a single phase service but I need to run the pipe with a pull string.

We use a lot of VFD's at work and the cost has come down so much on them that they are like TV's now. When they fail you toss them out and replace with new. I'm not sure how well they would work on a air compressor unless you wanted it for a soft start. I think for a lathe or similar it would work well + you can single phase a vfd to get 3 phase but you need to derate it around 40%.

I worked at Emglo back in the 80's and they build a fine compressor. They are Jenny now.

Yeah, Emglo/Jenny has several different versions of the V4 pumps,some are even single stage.... almost bought one brand new from Craigslist when mine 1st started giving me trouble, until I saw it was single stage. (that was "just" the compressor pump itself) but for the price it still wouldn't have been that bad of a buy and probably would have been "enough" air for 90% of what I do...
but I have noticed in their catalogs that they ran the same pump as I have with anywhere from a 3hp to a 7.5hp motor, plus you could get a gas engine powered compressor with (I forget the exact number) alot more HP than the 5 that mine has.... I think the one I saw had either 11 or 12hp Kohler.

I used to have it outside in my shed next to the garage before I built my detached garage on the opposite side of the house, I had run the 220 from the attached garage which is ~6' from the shed and piped the air back into the old garage.... for a couple of years I ran an air hose across the front yard into the detached garage whenever I needed air over there, until I got the compressor moved over to the new garage.
My son and I have talked about building what would look like an "outhouse" right behind the new garage with like a 42"X42" concrete pad just to house the compressor.... put louvers on it for cooling and air intake. but only 1000 other things I gotta do before I get to that one. Also on that list is an air cooler/water separator.
My new garage is on the opposite side of the house than where wanted it but due to zoning and "setback from property lines" that was the only place the county would let me build it/issue a building permit. (I live on a corner lot)

It was nice having it in the shed when I was working out of the attached garage for noise and space considerations, and it had clean air for the intake instead of taking in dust that I created by my work...

It was weird, as when I had my shed doors open, and was out at the furthest point in my yard away from it, when my compressor would run,and my neighbor 2 doors behind me also had his aluminum block 2 cyl 2 stage Campbell Housefield compressor running, I could hear his over mine...
as fara s parts I have a local guy that handles all sorts of commercial garage equipment that treated me pretty good/ until he retired, haven't needed much since the new guy started working there, still have to see if he's "as good as"the guy I knew, or not. I have also bought such parts from Ebay before.

Your right Todd, my Logan lathe was powered by a 3 phases 1hp 550V, I swap a 3 phases 230V 1.5hp Teco motor powered by a Teco FM50 2hp rated VFD to compensate for the loss of power. :beerchug:
To power a compressor or welder you need a rotophase (Rotary phase converter), They are easy to build but pretty noisy, you constantly ear that 3 phases motor spinning all day long so you need it has far from your working space as possible.

I just retired from a large electric and gas utility in upstate NY. Here in our community, 3ph power is not available everywhere just by design of the distribution system. Main trunk lines are 3 ph, residential and rural distribution are single phase. Where available, 3ph power is only available to a commercial account (non-residential) and yes there is a monthly premium on top of the normal usage bill.

On another note, even though I now have to listen to the compressor banging away, having moved it into the garage, I miss say that it gets drained much more often than it did when it was hooked up in the back of the shed with mowers and bikes in front of it....