Team Camaro Tech banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Compressor Decision.

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 20 Posts

BonzoHansen

· Premium Member
Joined
·
4,389 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Ok, my air compressor is DOA (anyone want to buy a craftsman 25g 4.5hp compressor with a bad tank?). So it is time for a new one. Yes, I have read many posts here, at Team Chevelle, Autobody101, and Hotrodders.com. I don’t yet own a paint gun, since I don’t know how to paint. But I plan on learning. I also like my die grinder and my sandblasting cabinet (although I’d like a bigger one). Those are big air tools, so I know I need a decent compressor. As much as I’d like to cap it at $500, I’m ok with up to around $900. No matter what I spend, it is killing my budget. So here is what I think I need/would like:

12-15 SCFM @ 40 PSI – sounds like HVLP guns need air
15+ SCFM @ 90 PSI - blasting

I have a 60 amp sub box in the garage, so I should be covered there; I just need to add a 220 circuit. From what I have read, a 60G tank should suffice, but finding those specs on a 60g tank is not easy, so I guess I might end up with an 80g tank. I don’t know duty cycle on any of them.

Here are the ones I am looking at.
• Kobalt / Lowe’s M#K7060HFV
PRICE: $500, SHIPPING: NO
MAX PSI: 135, TANK: 60G, STAGES: 1
SCFM: PSI/40: 15.0, PSI/90: 13.3
PUMP: CAST IRON, RPM: 3450
Link: site not worth looking at
They used to have an 80G that a lot of people liked, but it is discontinued. This will work for me and the stats are good considering the price point. But I bet this SOB is loud.

• Delta at Sam’s Club DLKC6580V (maybeV2)
PRICE: $785, SHIPPING: NO, MAX PSI: 175
TANK: 80G, STAGES: 2
SCFM: PSI/40: 16.9, PSI/90: 16
PUMP: Alum w/Iron Sleeves, RPM: ??
Link: http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=5507
I cannot find any specs online about this one, this PC looks close (the delta site took me the the PC site). I got these numbers off the labels. But I couldn’t see the motor (it is on a middle shelf – I didn’t climb that high). This is choice “A” right now due to price & solid stats. The higher PSI should let my blast longer w/o the comp running.

• Eaton Compressor 4.5 HP, 3 Cylinder
PRICE: 850 PLUS SHIPPING
MAX PSI: 135, TANK: 60G, STAGES: 2
SCXFM: PSI/40: ?, PSI/90: 14
PUMP: CAST IRON, RPM: 1050
Link: http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/172983.htm
I honestly have not called them, but with shipping this one really seems to blow my budget – forget the bigger ones. But people rave about them.

I looked at lots of other places/brands, but I narrowed it to these due to price (Quincy) and stats (husky, sears, etc.), especially apparently misleading ones like ACFM (many brand use this – tank assisted CFM)

Opinions?
 
#2 ·
Bonzo - I own an Eaton 80 gal 5HP compressor. Just got it a few months ago - $1200 shipped to my door. You'd be surprised (I was...) as to how cheap they are shipping those units. Not only was I able to avoid paying state tax (as I'm in Michigan) they quoted me about $100 to ship the unit to my door !! I actually visited the place and viewed the shop and equipment - but wasn't in my truck. I was originally prepared to go down and pick it up myself - about a 500 mi round trip - but for that kinda money - ship it !!

Eaton is a more of a mom-n-pop shop and apparently don't try to get rich on shipping....

My unit seems to be OK so far - no big problems. A few little ones - like a couple loose fittings but thats all. I shopped around a lot like you are doing and the Home Depot, etc stuff is not as good as Eatons (if you can scrach together a few more bucks). They are more geared to the industrial setting than the home hobbyist - just my opinion.....
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
You know im not big on details, but I went to Home depot and purchased the Huskie 60 gallon 7 HP compressor and it kicks arz for sand blasting, painting, tools you name it and I am not a professonal auto body man in any way dso it works great for me , no complaints. I cost at the time (2003) about $475.00 and I got a whole set of Huskie air tools (free) but thats another story in itself. If your serch alittle in the link you will find the commpressor I have.

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU....0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3966&pos=n24
 
#4 ·
I've also been looking to upgrade my compressor. I found these 2 at Home Depot. Both have cast iron pumps. http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=storehome%2fpg_storehome.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@1123046603.1153527379@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccaddighkemgdcgelceffdfgidglm.0&MID=9876&pos=t06

I also found a nice Porter Cable on line. Just try and use this much air in a home shop.
http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/compressors/c7550_spec.html

Iagree with you on Sears. That's where I got my last one and it works well , but they really don't have much for larger comperssors.

That one from Lowes looks good for the money. Then again so does the Delta.
One thing is for sure. Like you mentioned always look at the spec plate on the side of the tank for "true" cfm not just what they advertize on the tag.:sad:
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #5 ·
I ruled out the H.Depot ones because the numbers on the Kobalt 60g is better than the Husky 60g one, the the Delta 80g is better than the Husky $850 80g, and the $1500 husky unit is out of my range (and probably can be beat by similar $$ ones). Plus the numbers on the 80g labels don't match the web site, which bothers me.

That PC is very much like the Delta I am looking at.

I forgot about sales tax. That adds $55 to the Delta unit. Maybe I will call Eaton on Monday.
 
#6 ·
If you look on ebay there is a place out of the Dallas area that is selling a 5hp 2 stage 220v single phase Ingersoll Rand for 1133 with free shipping. Should be more than you need. A little over your $900 budget but Ingersoll is one of the big names around. Also check Northern Tool, they have a nice 5 hp 2 stage that may be in your price range.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Thanks, I've seen that IR. For that much, I'd really want a 2 stage. Plus I've read reliability problems with those big single stage IRs. Tractor Supply carries them.
 
#10 ·
Whatever you decide to buy be careful and look at cfm/press ratings only,do not go by hp rating as most of them on air compressors are BS,a true 5 hp motor at 230 volts will draw about 31 amps,most of them that I see on AC are about 20-22 amp.
 
#12 ·
BonzoHansen said:
Ok, my air compressor is DOA (anyone want to buy a craftsman 25g 4.5hp compressor with a bad tank?). So it is time for a new one. Yes, I have read many posts here, at Team Chevelle, Autobody101, and Hotrodders.com. I don’t yet own a paint gun, since I don’t know how to paint. But I plan on learning. I also like my die grinder and my sandblasting cabinet (although I’d like a bigger one). Those are big air tools, so I know I need a decent compressor. As much as I’d like to cap it at $500, I’m ok with up to around $900. No matter what I spend, it is killing my budget. So here is what I think I need/would like:

12-15 SCFM @ 40 PSI – sounds like HVLP guns need air
15+ SCFM @ 90 PSI - blasting

I have a 60 amp sub box in the garage, so I should be covered there; I just need to add a 220 circuit. From what I have read, a 60G tank should suffice, but finding those specs on a 60g tank is not easy, so I guess I might end up with an 80g tank. I don’t know duty cycle on any of them.

You will imho need at least an 80 gal. tank.

Also consider this: Compressor's have limitations for instance my 80 ga/ IR acoording to the manual
"NOTE: with automatic start and stop control, motor must be limited to (6) starts per hour, otherwise unit must be operated at constant speed control."
So there is 2 different ways to wire this depending on use or lack of.

Here's mine
Image
Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
reelmcoy said:
If you look on ebay there is a place out of the Dallas area that is selling a 5hp 2 stage 220v single phase Ingersoll Rand for 1133 with free shipping. Should be more than you need. A little over your $900 budget but Ingersoll is one of the big names around. Also check Northern Tool, they have a nice 5 hp 2 stage that may be in your price range.
Click to expand...
This one?

IR doesn't list any SCFM data on their site, just ACFM@peak PSI; I have an email to the seller.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
ldrisner said:
I think you need more than you are considering.

Novel idea....2 Kobalts Double all the stats!
Click to expand...
That is intereseting. And probably loud! :)

What else should I consider?
 
#16 ·
BonzoHansen said:
What else should I consider?
Click to expand...
I went with more than what I thought I needed. Cost more than I wanted to spend but it sucks needing something and not having enough. I bought a 7.5hp 80 gallon 2 stage compressor from Northern tool. 0% interest for 12 months. Now I just need to get it wired and plumbed.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
BonzoHansen said:
• Delta at Sam’s Club DLKC6580V (maybeV2)
PRICE: $785, SHIPPING: NO, MAX PSI: 175
TANK: 80G, STAGES: 2
SCFM: PSI/40: 16.9, PSI/90: 16
PUMP: Alum w/Iron Sleeves, RPM: ??
Link: http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=5507
I cannot find any specs online about this one, this PC looks close (the delta site took me the the PC site). I got these numbers off the labels. But I couldn’t see the motor (it is on a middle shelf – I didn’t climb that high). This is choice “A” right now due to price & solid stats. The higher PSI should let my blast longer w/o the comp running.
Click to expand...
Well, I am going with this one because I can't spend more than $800 (and my neighbor talked me out fo the 60g one :)). I can't find another one in that price range that has similar performance. I'll let you know how loud the bugger is, maybe next week. :)
 
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
About this Discussion
19 Replies
10 Participants
Last post:
BonzoHansen
Team Camaro Tech
posts
2.4M
members
90K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to 1st generation Chevy Camaros owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, restoration, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Engine Body Shop Performance Brakes, Suspension & Steering