Air compressor

[AMALGAM]

Guys,
Due to a recommendation of a friend from this forum, I discovered the marvelous world of air tools. However, I just have a hobby and cannot afford spend too much money in toys. What would be the cheapest way to put my hands on an air compressor? Maybe building one would be the answer? Too much work? Is that only for specialist and not for rookies like me? Any ideas? Remember, I am talking about a hobby, so I am looking to have one small enough to operate basic air tools.
Thank you
Alfredo

[Old Man Stick]

Air tools are cool I agree. There is such a thing as too small of a air compressor. Cheap little units are good for filling tires and pool toys that and weekend nail gun.

Once you get in to a die gringer, or air drills your going to need a bigger unit.

For now I would look in the classifieds and check out some sales and that. **** take a ride down to the great Sears just dont buy there compressors ! LOL It will give you a chance to look at the differnt sized units and see the differnt rateings on them. If you do get a itchy check finger and have to buy one there but a brand name! not a sears unit. Go with a IR. there a good unit. if there is a tractor supply close look there thay have some good deals on IR units from time to time.

OMS

[Sberry]

Maybe look for a used one. I am going to word this like this,,, your thinking is backwards here, its not one small enough to run tools,, its one big enough. Air is very ineffecient and takes a lot of power. Minimum 3 hp for most tools on a limited basis. Thats 3 real hp, not something with a sticker on the box at HD that plugs into 120V recept. Thats about 15A draw motor at 230V. 4 cfm per hp. A tool that is labeled 4 avg cfm is going to use over 12. The avg rating is for industrial calculation purposes and not actual.

[Thomas Harris]

Re: Air compressor

Originally posted by AMALGAM
Guys,
Due to a recommendation of a friend from this forum, I discovered the marvelous world of air tools. However, I just have a hobby and cannot afford spend too much money in toys. What would be the cheapest way to put my hands on an air compressor? Maybe building one would be the answer? Too much work? Is that only for specialist and not for rookies like me? Any ideas? Remember, I am talking about a hobby, so I am looking to have one small enough to operate basic air tools.
Thank you
Alfredo

Just my opinion, but don't build one. You need to know EXACTLY what pressures all the welds,materials,etc. can handle. They can and do explode on occasion. My wife treated a fellow in trauma care awhile back when a tank exploded near him. Basically removed some of his head. It's like a huge pipe bomb with much larger pieces of shrapnel. Most of the posters here will probably agree that pressure vessels need qualified welds/materials, used on a thouroughly tested design.

[AMALGAM]

Thank you guys for the answers. For sure I am not going to build one. Sberry, you are absolutely right I was thinking backwards. What I meant was, in bad English, a compressor that is just powerful enough to operate cut off tools and some other equipment in the same order. Right now, I have neither the money nor the space to buy a big one. Could you please let me know what would be the specifications for the one you described? How can I know that it is a true 3 HP motor?
Thank you
Alfredo

[russell]

I would suggest you get one that uses oil...and not the oilless type...much quieter...and will last several times longer.

buy bigger than you think you will need...they empty faster than you would think...and I agree with O.M.S. go with an Ingersol-Rand....I bought mine at Northern Tools...sometimes they run an ad with a 10% off coupon...

russell

[Sberry]

Amal, I wrote it in the above post, 15A @ 230V is aprox 12 cfm.

[astro]

I have a 1.5 hp craftsman, (I hauled a garage door for someone and they gave it to me) I also have a die grinder. If I use it sparingly , its just enough compressor. The die grinder can keep the air compressor running constantly if I use it too much. It suits my needs, but If I ever get a new one I'll go bigger. Hope this helps.

[Crithpy_Critter]

I'm not sure I'd buy a used unit. somebody may have left an inch of water sitting in it for years.

If it's my *** on the line, I buy new stuff so I know how it's been treated.

[AV8OR]

The Guru Says

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Click Here For "Air Compressors For Newbies by Forest Addy"


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[INTP]

Sort of an aside, I have about 200' of hose, which means I can leave the compressor in the garage and use the air pretty much anywhere I need it. Of course, that requires some kind of spool for keeping it untangled when not in use.

[Old Man Stick]

Originally posted by INTP
Sort of an aside, I have about 200' of hose, which means I can leave the compressor in the garage and use the air pretty much anywhere I need it. Of course, that requires some kind of spool for keeping it untangled when not in use.

Thats it?? LOL

Sorry

I have 150 Feet of true 3/8 hose, with 3/8 fittings on the ends. then there is a good 250 feet of 5/16 hose , then there 150 feet of cheap 3/8 with 1/4 fittings and last and least of all there about 100 feet of 1/4 hose here.

Use to do roofs, and semi work.

I just roll it up and hang it on pegs in the barn.

I have a speedAir 6 cyl. air compressor here. I have a true 5 HP running it and I am really happy with it. It was a 7 1/2 HP Before. Mine pulls like 26.5 amps while running on 220 and almost 35 at startup when the tank is half full.

OMS

[AMALGAM]

After reading the link that AV80R posted I have decided that I am not going to buy an air compressor right now. However, I still need a 3" cut off tool. Do any of you know of an electrical model. I was checking the internet, to not avail.
Thank you

[Franz]

Makita makes one. You can also put an arbor in one of the spiralcutters sold for drywall, if it has a 1/4" collet.
Either way it will cost you 1/10 as much to run as an air die grinder.

[Dirt Rider]

Alfredo, what up!

I use my 15 gallon, 4 HP Campbell Hausfeld regularly for my air nailers, filling tires, impact & rachet occasionally. As mentioned here the rotary tools like that really eat up the air, stick with electrical when you can for metal working. I was about to buy an orbital air sander but got talked out of it, too much air and too much electricity as Franz mentioned! But, the cheap $150 compressors like I have are not bad and will certainly do the job for other stuff...if you have the need.