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evanpdavis
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This aircompressor adaquate?
Hi Folks,
I'm looking at an air compressor that can handle many tools such as painting (house and auto), nail gun, impact wrench, and even a grinder if possible.
Will a 25 gallon, 6.0/2.0 peak/run HP, 6.8 SCFM @ 90psi porter cable compressor be able to handle all of the tools/tasks mentioned above?
I'd like to get a 60 gallon stationary but probably can't deal with the power requirements (240v).
Thanks in advance for all comments.
Evan
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7/1/2004, 3:59 pm
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lobuck76
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
Air sanders and air grinders are tough on little compressors. They take lots of air to run. If you check at the parts house they will have the air requirements on the displays on the tools.
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7/1/2004, 9:01 pm
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6772FordFseries
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
Welcome to the forums, Evan! Glad to have you aboard!
As for your compressor, I'd have to say it's probably not going to be enough for what you have in mind. When I was putting my shop together, I did a lot of research into air compressors, knowing that I was going to be using mine for air tools, sandblasting and painting....but like you, I was on a VERY limited budget. However, I ended up getting a 60-gal. upright with a 13 CFM output for about $450. It was considered to be barely adequate to handle what I needed it to do, but it was about the biggest single-stage compressor you could get, and all I could afford. The cheapest dual-stage compressor was almost twice the price, and even though I REALLY wanted to go that route, I just couldn't justify the expense. I find that it's more than enough for basic tasks, but for some things (like sandblasting) I have to run a large fan blowing on the compressor to help keep it cool, take fairly frequent breaks to allow the compressor to catch up and cool off, and frequent draining of moisture from the tank and piping droplegs.
When you research air compressors, one of the main things you need to compare is the duty cycle. Air compressors were never meant to run all the time....they were meant to run just for short bursts. Running longer periods of time heats up the compressor, which in turns causes condensation in the lines, not to mention the obvious shortened compressor life. If you were only using an air ratchet or nail gun, you'd probably be OK, but with air-intensive tools like a die-grinder, sandblaster or paint gun, your compressor will just not be able to keep up, and you'll most likely burn it up.
Another thing I found when I was wiring my shop is that the city would run the 220V up to the shop for free. All I had to do was provide the box inside. You might check into that as well. The box itself will probably run you $150-$200, depending on where you get it and what's on sale.
I posted a page of my air compressor research at http://www.oldsmobility.com/air-compressor-piping.htm which might help you out a bit with some of the basics.
Good luck...hope this helps.
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7/1/2004, 9:10 pm
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evanpdavis
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
Hi Keith,
Thanks for the reply and kind welcome.
I actually was originally looking at a 60 gal/7hp/10cfm@90psi unit but then found out I'm going to have to run a 220 line to the shed (the location I'd like to keep the compressor).
Before I get to start working on any truck, I must (per the better half) finish my other projects where I could use a good compressor now (painting, etc) so I'd like to get one that works for the projects now *and* the future.
I read your compressor writeup/advice and it makes a bunch of sense. After reading it, it makes me want to get the 2-stage 80gal porter/cable unit I saw at the tool shop since the price really isn't that much different ($400 vs. $850). My issues are really logistical than financial.
How feasible is it to work with just hoses with air tools and to not have a pipe system? Given my setup (which is the workshop is in the garage and the compressor in the shed), I was thinking of doing everything with hoses.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Evan
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7/2/2004, 11:20 am
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6772FordFseries
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
I wouldn't recommend doing that. You're going to need some way of draining the condensation out of the lines, and the added lines will allow you to install droplegs to get that out. Granted, your air tank will have a drain valve, but often the air is rushing out of the tank before the moisure inside has a chance to condense and drain out, meaning you're going to get a lot of moisture coming out of the end of the hose. You need to allow time for the air to cool so the moisture will condense, and the added time spent traveling through the lines will allow that. Using copper tubing like I did too helps cool the air dramatically, enabling me to get virtually ALL the moisture out, BEFORE it hits the sandblaster or paint gun.
The piping/droplegs can be added to the walls of the shed, where your compressor would be, and then you could run hoses over to the shop. I see no reason why that wouldn't work. Is your shed up against your shop? If so, you could just drill a single hole in the wall separating the two and run your air line through that. If the two are separate and you were thinking you'd just run a hose between them when you needed air in the shop, I think I'd add a water separator/filter to the shop wall which would have a quick-disconnect for your hose to plug into, and then out to your tools.
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7/2/2004, 2:10 pm
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evanpdavis
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
The shed is a hard wall 8'x14' shed (house construction style/stud walls/roof etc). It is approximately 8' from the side of the garage with a walkway/backyard access between the two. The reason to put it in the shed is to keep it out of the garage for space and sound reasons.
I could put a pipe system within the shed to a limited degree (shed also stores garden supplies/mower/etc.). I could then run a hose when working in the shed to the garage and have another pipe system there. That seems very reasonable.
What do you/others think about tapping power off the dryer line? I understand the issue of running both at the same time but it would save quite a bit of effort than to run a 220 line just for the compressor. I could also place an outlet on the outside of the garage just like the air outlet/inlet to plug the compressor in when needed.
How long does it take a 2-stage 80 gal compressor to be "ready"?
Thanks so much for the conversation since this really helps! I'm getting quite energized on the projects that I've been putting off and how a compressor would help finish them (i.e. I hate painting doors manually).
BTW, I'm thinking, hopefully correctly, that I will come out ahead in the end when obtaining tools to buy as many air tools as possible versus power. The air tools are so much less than their power counterparts but it doesn't take too many $50/$100 savings on power tools to justify a big compressor.
Evan
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7/2/2004, 2:41 pm
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1968F250LWB
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
quote:
evanpdavis wrote:
What do you/others think about tapping power off the dryer line?
Evan
I personally would not do this for the simple fact of if by chance they were both on at the same time you could have a potential fire on your hand.
IMHO paying an Electrician the money to do it right the first time is money well spent.
Last edited by 1968F250LWB, 7/2/2004, 3:02 pm
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7/2/2004, 3:02 pm
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evanpdavis
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
quote:
1968F250LWB wrote:
I personally would not do this for the simple fact of if by chance they were both on at the same time you could have a potential fire on your hand.
IMHO paying an Electrician the money to do it right the first time is money well spent.
There isn't a fire hazzard, what would happen would be the breaker would trip from to much overload.
Actually, I do all my own electrical and know it wouldn't be that easy given the house, etc.
Evan
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7/2/2004, 3:14 pm
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6772FordFseries
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
You didn't mention whether your shed has a concrete floor. That would almost be mandatory, as the compressor will need to be anchored down. You could attach it to a wood floor, but I think the vibrations might eventually cause some structrual integrity issues.
You asked about tying into the dryer line. I'm assuming the dryer line is in the house, and you'd have to run a power cord from the house to the shed? Not only would I think this would be a major pain, but I believe the two would require different amp breakers, wouldn't they? I can't remember right now. The large shop I rent had 220V already installed, but I know I had to install a new breaker in the box and a separate electrical dropleg for my Hobart wirefeed welder, due to different amp ratings (and welder pigtail), and I'd have to imagine your dryer would require a smaller breaker than a 2-stage compressor.
I realize it might be a PIA, but I think I'd still strongly suggest looking into just getting 220V wired into your shed, specifically for the compressor.
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7/2/2004, 6:55 pm
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evanpdavis
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Re: This aircompressor adaquate?
Hi Keith,
Yes, the shed has a concrete floor and can be used to anchor the compressor.
The dryer is out in the garage (older home before houses came with laundry rooms). I can tap into that line and run it to an external outlet out of the garage.
The potential compressor I'm looking at would take a 30amp circuit. Dryers take a 30amp circuit. The only thing is that both couldn't be on at the same time otherwise it would trip the breaker. It's an idea, not sure how good yet.
Did you put in different circuits for your compressor and welder? How often would you use both and could I count on one ciruit to cover both?
Evan
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7/2/2004, 8:17 pm
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