Topic: Air Compressor Recommendations?

[joe29]

I'm gathering tools and equipment for my upcomming 750 rebuild.  Anyone have recommendations?  Tank size? PSI? Brand?

I plan to use it for soda blasting, maybe painting, griding and cutting.  I have a 1 car garage that share walls with neighboring apartments so noise level is an important factor. 

Thanks!

[gmonkey]

Grinding and cutting can get loud compressor or no compressor and the neighbors might not like the smell of paint at night either.  If you get a compressor with a big tank, you can run it while they're awake and have the pre-compressed stuff at night.

[joe29]

Grinding and cutting can get loud compressor or no compressor and the neighbors might not like the smell of paint at night either.  If you get a compressor with a big tank, you can run it while they're awake and have the pre-compressed stuff at night.

Out of consideration to my neighbors, I'd probably only run it during the day on weekends.  That's the only free time I have anyway.  Definitely going to use it for soda blasting.  Not too sure about painting and grinding.

What size tank is considered "big"?  I'm looking to spend around $300.  I wouldn't mind a used unit from Craigslist either.

[Duke McDukiedook]

I don't know about soda blasting but for proper sand blasting I found out I was going to need a minimum 60 gallon tank with 10scfm @ 90psi. That equates to about $700 new for a non-industrial model. So I just usually take my stuff into someone else for them to blast and powder coat since I don't do that much anyway. Some people talked about joing a co-op for a month or two to use some of their equipment since they only had to blast a frame or some specific parts.

[Gordon]

Out of consideration to my neighbors, I'd probably only run it during the day on weekends.  That's the only free time I have anyway.  Definitely going to use it for soda blasting.  Not too sure about painting and grinding.

What size tank is considered "big"?  I'm looking to spend around $300.  I wouldn't mind a used unit from Craigslist either.

You should definitely go the Craigslist route if your budget is $300 and you're planning on doing things like blasting and painting.  You can find some nice, old, reliable units with large tanks really cheap in the used market.  Just make sure the regulator is working.

[Skunk Stripe]

If you go with an hvlp setup, you can get by with less. Especially if you are just doing bike parts which are all small really.
My husky tank from lowes has held up great for small painting and for shingling and even using air cutoff tools. Shorter use of course but in a small garage setting, probably ideal.
I would suggest a type that requires oil as those models on average are quieter than oil-less models. Mine is oil-less and makes one hell of a racket.

[tramp]

running air tools and sand blasting takes alot of air
talk to some tool people and get thier ideas

[Skunk Stripe]

It takes a lot of air if you do a lot at 1 time. Since he is in a small garage, I doubt he will be doing a lot at one time so a smaller compressor could do the trick. Unless of course he is blasting everyday.

[Logan80]

I have this compressor and have been quite happy with it. It's pretty loud, but nice and compact. It also flows enough to use most tools without a problem...

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Air-Compressors-Tools-Accessories/Husky/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xh8Zb8mrZrd/R-100653165/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[Skunk Stripe]

Huh, maybe mine came from home depot too. I forget. But it is kinda like that. I can either lay it down or stand it up. Internet chat seems to favor husky compressors too for the most part.

[joe29]

Thanks for the replies.  Coincidentally, I was at Home Depot last weekend and looked at the model linked above.  Its really attractive price wise but I remember the packaging for that unit said it wasn't recommended for sand blasting. 

I'm going to take a look at Sears/Craftsman this week.  I came across a CL ad for a Craftsman Pro Series (the black tanks) where the description said "sears quietest compressor".

Here's the ad: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/1957654472.html

Any thoughts on Craftsman compressors?

[mcuozzo]

That husky model will not handle soda blasting.  Blasters require about 8-9 ft cfm at 90 psi as a minimum.  Plus with the 20 gallon tank, it will run constantly.  Even using other tools a 20 gallon tank will be used up pretty quickly.  So what do you do???

You go to Harbor freight and get this...

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=3848&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

It usually is around $400 but goes on sale.  Plus you can always get a coupon in most of the motorcycle mags for 20% off.

I have this unit and it works like a champ for blasting.  Runs about every 15-20 minutes.  It is loud though.  You could build a small enclosure to minimize the noise.  I've had it for over 2 yrs, and no problems.  You can also buy a 2 yr replacement plan for like $40 bucks.  I did, but forgot to *ahem* have it break it at 1 year and 11 months.

Only thing though, the unit is 240 volts so you need to have the power.  And you need to wire it as it comes with no plugs (as most 240 volt things do as I'm learning).

Matt

[ssbenn11]

I have this one from Ingersoll Rand and I like it. It's quiet too and it sounds like it would be prefect for what you need.
Check out IR Air Compressor

[Duke McDukiedook]

I have this one from Ingersoll Rand and I like it. It's quiet too and it sounds like it would be prefect for what you need.
Check out IR Air Compressor

Not enough for sand blasting decent-sized things like frames.

That Harbor Freight above is about the minimum size needed.

[joe29]

Looks like I might be SOL.  I'm renting the place so 220v isn't an option.  All the compressors I've seen that produce 9cfm+ at 90 psi are 220-240v.  I didn't realize that you need such a massive compressor to do some sand blasting.  I may have to reconsider just paying someone to blast the stuff I need done.

[Duke McDukiedook]

I think someone up in Oakland (GreasyJ?) talked about a Co-op he signed up for a month or two and he was able to blast and powder coat some small parts for fairly cheap. You might want to look into that.

[joe29]

I think someone up in Oakland (GreasyJ?) talked about a Co-op he signed up for a month or two and he was able to blast and powder coat some small parts for fairly cheap. You might want to look into that.

Nice! I didn't know something like that existed.  I work in Oakland too.

[74cb750]

ok, What are you guys talking about - Co-op?

[mystic_1]

A "cooperative", basically where a bunch of guys pitch in to share a common shop and tools.

mystic_1

[joe29]

I didn't get to ask greasyj but I did find this on another forum:

http://www.techshop.ws/index.html

Tools galore!  Sandblasting, powdercoating, welding, grinders, polishers etc.  More than enough tools to enable this addiction. 

[Duke McDukiedook]

That might be it- sweeeet. 

We need one here in Mypos.