I am looking at buying an air compressor for my garage. I'll be using basic air tools to work on my camaro and future cars. I don't think I'll be doing any major paint jobs but I would like to get a small blasting cabnet. What CFM and tank size should I look for? What's your opinon on oil-less compressors? What brands do you prefer or stay away from? Thanks!

---------
'69 camaro number matching 350 4sp with A/C bought from original owner 16yrs ago.

The bigger the better, a sand blaster will run a small one to death. Try & find one of the compressors that isn't oil free, the oil free ones don't last or do as good. I have a 60 gallon tank & a 6 horse power one from Sears that is oil free & when it goes down I'll replace the compressor with a oil type one.

------------------
http://hobbystage.net/camaro/johnnyr


1967 RS/SS 396 Camaro

i don't know much about compressors, but i do know to go for the highest numbers you can afford- bigger is better. the bigger the tank, 2 stage, 220 volt, not the oil free ones, and the most psi.
the one i want is the $799 220 volt Husky 60 gallon upright 175psi 2 stage at Home Depot, which is the same compressor as the Ingersol Rand that sells for $999 at Sears, but painted red instead of tan. seems like a good balance between cost and features for a home shop to me.

------------------
1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see dirty pics here of a car that gets driven http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

[This message has been edited by novaderrik (edited 01-26-2003).]

I've got a 4HP 22 gallon Devilbiss in my garage. It runs on 110 volt. I've used it for the past six years and it works very well. It is true that if you are going to do alot of blasting, it will constantly run. I have a small cabinet and I will have to let it catch up every now and then. I believe if you don't have the cash for a "big" compressor or 220 volt in you garage, you should consider one like mine. For 90% of my work, it performs well. DO NOT get an oilless. They are just to noisy. Mine is an oilless and just because of it, I wear ear protection while using it.

Once you said sand blasting cabinet, you just committed yourself to a bigger compressor. Believe it or not, the bench top sand blasting cabinets will use 10cfm+ at 90psi. The bench top cabinet that Harbor Freight sells comes equipped with the exact same gun as the free standing bigger cabinet they sell.

For sand blasting you need a minimum of a 60 gal. 6hp 220volt single stage twin pump at 130psi. A 220volt 5hp two stage compressor will generally pump more and reach 175psi. If you get one of the 110volt 30gal. 5hp oil-less compressors it will work if you wait between pump-up, but you will wear it out quick. That's why the oil compressors are preferred.

This Harbor Freight compressor would be the bare minimum I would get for any blasting:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=59078

They go on sale every couple months for like $329 if you can wait and have a retail outlet nearby.

Also, Home Depot sells the Husky brand line which virtually identical mechanically, they are just painted red.

After many years of using a Craftsman 30-gallon oil-less compressor, when I built my new garage I bought a 60-gallon 6.5hp DeVilbiss (oiled) 2-cylinder single-stage 220V compressor from Harbor Freight for $429.00, and they paid the truck freight - was delivered right into my garage (I think they're $499 now). Handles my occasional needs just fine, doesn't have to run all the time, and supplies 11.0 CFM @ 90 psi. LOTS quieter than the old one, and never runs out of air; good value for the money - I didn't need the extra capacity (and cost) of a 2-stage compressor.

------------------
JohnZ
CRG
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

All oilless compressors are not noisy. I've got a Craftsman (the black "Professional" one) 3.5HP/25 Gal/2 stage/175 psi/110V compressor. It runs very quietly.

[This message has been edited by Rons68 (edited 01-28-2003).]

I have the 5HP, 20 Gallon, 110V, oil free, DeVilbiss that I got from Lowe's. I got it about five years ago for around the $250 range (I think). I'm pretty sure that the Craftsman are made by DeVilbiss and the similar model was cheaper at Lowe's. I find it works well except when using the die grinder. Anything that takes a lot of air will drain the tank pretty fast so you have to stop and wait to fill up again. Also, the more its running the more it will heat up. Constant prolonged running is a bad thing for compressor life. I'm in the bigger is better camp. I know that Sears has a 5 HP 30 gallon 110V that would be better. Just like your engine, first step is to decide how you will be using it most of the time. If you already know you are going to use it for high volume applications look bigger to begin with.

Believe me, Get the biggest compressor that you can get. I had a 6HP / 60 Gal and I was just doing the same things that you stated. Then I picked up a glass bead blasting cabinet, and it all changed. I had to buy a new unit, an Ingorsol / Rand; 7.5 HP running / 21.4 peak HP; 80 Gal.; 24.3 CFM @ 90 PSI. It STILL runs a little short when I use the blast cabinet. Just get the BIGGEST- BADDES thing that you can afford. You will thank your self later.
Mark (A.K.A. Z28 Mark)

Take the advise of the replys above. Take some time to look at the motors on the compressors. If they say "PEAK H.P." they only are good for that peak, or short bursts at that peak. In other words they are not true 4, 5 or 6 H.P. motors. The physical size is smaller to. That should be a tip off something is wrong.
I recently purchased a true 5 H.P. two stage compresser maufactored by Kellogg, model B335UB, 80 gal. vertical tank twin cylinder, two stage. The compressor pump Model 335TV Quincy is a good heavy duty unit. Unit delivers 17.5 cfm at 175 psi. This unit cost $1,250.00.
Check around as I did afetr my purchase, and you can find these at farm stores for around a $1,000.00. You'll be happy you did.

im looking to buy a compressor myself, however it will be above a 25 gallon, in the past ive used my brother in laws to run a DA-sander and i would have to stop and wait for the tank to fill again, so im going to see what i can buy within my price range that will suffice.


------------------
1984 Chevy Camaro (305)