Air compressor discussion: Please advise

[Rambeezi]

So I'm in the market for an air compressor. Looking for something that will do basic nail gun, 1/2 impact, wrenching and spray. I won't be using it for drilling, sanding and cutting as I have electrical tools for that already. I went to Sears to check out what they had and saw some 25~60 gallon uprights (all oil free) that may fit my requirements.

Some specs I noticed were 1 stage vs. 2 stage, oil vs oil free, ...etc. I guess my specific question (for now ) is the oil vs oil free spec. I understand the oil free requires less maintenance but I hear they are incredibly loud too. Are the oil lubed compressors significantly quieter? This compressor will sit in my garage so noise is a important factor in my purchase. What are your recommendations and are there other places I can go to check out air compressors other than Craftsman?

edit: There was a discussion a couple years back in regards to air compressors but alas the KS is not searcheable.

 

[Jakemate]

Yes, oil filled is much quieter.

 

[radvas]

Oil free *are* incredibly loud. I bought a crafstman oil free, took it back the same day and bought the craftsman professional series 5hp dealio. Was about 6 years ago I guess. I've been quite happy with it. Any compressor is going to be noisy, but the oil free ones are like DAMN! :wtf

linky

 

[Dr. Evil]

You do NOT need a 2-stage.

 

[Rambeezi]

Thanks for the replies so far! :cool I am now definitely leaning towards oil lubed compressors. Regular maintenance routines is not a deterent for me and I'm sketchy about having a motor run without oil.

Radvas, did you have to plug the air compressor in its own dedicated circuit? Another issue I hear is that these air compressors will require its own dedicated circuit. I did see this compressor at Sears but I need a vertical tank as space is also an issue for me.

 

[mikev]

It depends on if the compressor is 220 or 110.

I have the big 60 gallon upright Craftsman, it's 220 and wired to its own circuit.

If you're planning on spraying, you're going to need a lot of air. Look at the scfm requirements on the spray guns you're planning on using, and make your compressor selection accordingly.

You'll be fine with a single stage, and you do NOT want oil-free.

 

[Rambeezi]

Thanks MikeV!! From my understanding, look at the spray guns scfm requirements and make sure the compressor does at least 1.5x the scfm requirement? And for spraying should tank capacity be considered?

 

[afm199]

If you are planning on plugging into an existing plug, remember that even small compressors use a lot of power. A 3/4 hp compressor ( actual hp, not the "peak BS") is all you can run on a 20 amp circuit. Check the label on the compressor for "fla" full load amperage, which should be (must be) under 20. Otherwise you end up with a compressor that blows the circuit breaker on the circuit it is attached to.

 

[faz]

Here is an old 'air compressor' thread. Is this the one you had in mind?

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56007&highlight=air+compressor

 

[mikev]

Thanks MikeV!! From my understanding, look at the spray guns scfm requirements and make sure the compressor does at least 1.5x the scfm requirement? And for spraying should tank capacity be considered?

Tank capacity should be considered, yes.

Basically the bigger tank you've got, the longer you can spray without the damn thing kicking on over and over again

 

[Sharky]

CFM and tank size are the biggest things to me. Typical air guns/wrenches need at LEAST 4-5CFM to work properly. I would go for something with no less than 6CFM@90PSI.

 

[radvas]

Radvas, did you have to plug the air compressor in its own dedicated circuit? Another issue I hear is that these air compressors will require its own dedicated circuit. I did see this compressor at Sears but I need a vertical tank as space is also an issue for me.

I run it on the same circuit as my garage door, though they don't usually operate at the same time, so it's "kinda" dedicated. The circuit was existing. I didn't run this one specifically for it.

I wanted a vertical tank unit too, but this was a pretty good deal, so I went with it.

 

[insyder]

Well my old oil less pooped out a while back, so I'm in the market for a new compressor. After living with an oil less version for a long while, I've decided to shoot for an oil lubricated model, simply for the promise of quieter operation.

I really like the one Radvas posted, but a vertical tank is a much better option IMHO. Smaller floorspace footprint just can't be beat. If Sears offered the same compressor powerplant in a vert tank package, I'd be all over it.

I may go the cheapskate path and am looking at the Brute Compressor by Briggs & Stratton. Review of the 15gal model says it's pretty good

 

[Rambeezi]

I think I found my new compressor. Saw this at the local Home Depot. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100063473&N=10000003+90021+524403

 

[auntiebling]

all the compressors commonly available at osh, home despot etc etc etc are reciprocating compressors. same concept as an internal combustion engine but with different valve timing and no combustion of course. the noise is intrinsic to the design. oil vs oil-less isn't going to make a big difference. oil-less isn't as long lasting from what i've read, i haven't had enough experience personally though. there is still oil in there, you just don't have the ability to put more in when it gets low/wears out. kinda like a 'lifetime oil fill' on a car.

if noise is a primary concern either buy a rotary screw type compressor ($$$$), or build a box around the compressor itself (no need to enclose the tank) and line said tank with foam padding to muffle the sound. you'll have to leave cutouts to run airlines out of etc but it will help.

isolating the mount would help too, i.e. rubber pads under the feet bolted to the floor. the bolts go through the rubber but are not touching the feet except through the rubber. you don't want the floor acting as a resonator for the vibration

 

[planegray]

+2 on getting a 220v if at all possible....I made a jumper for mine, so I can unplug the dryer and plug in the compressor. 110v is pretty limited. Also , big tank is better if you are doing much more than tires.

 

[Rambeezi]

Thanks again for the feedback everyone!

Faz, that was one of the threads. Thank you! :thumbup

Auntiebling, will the box built around the compressor require some type of air flow (in regards to thermal issues with the compressor)? Someone else also mentioned something similar to me but he did not have experience with such a box but told me he got that information 2nd hand.

 

[07chuck]

Thanks again for the feedback everyone!

Faz, that was one of the threads. Thank you! :thumbup

Auntiebling, will the box built around the compressor require some type of air flow (in regards to thermal issues with the compressor)? Someone else also mentioned something similar to me but he did not have experience with such a box but told me he got that information 2nd hand.

Yes both the motor and cyl/piston need generous air flow since they both generate large amounts of heat. Personally I'd live with the noise rather than cook a motor...