porksboy
porksboy Dork
1/25/10 5:11 p.m.

My old air compressor is dieing. It was free so I am not too torn up about it. Rumor also has it that it dates from the 50's.

What I need/want is a compressor big enough to run a blasting cabinet, air tools and maybe even painting. The blast cabinet is probably the greates consumer I will use it for. I also would like a vertical tank. 200v is not a problem. Noise is as it will be inside my basement shop.

I have been thinking this guy from Horible freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65903

Or

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94667

I suspect the first one is quieter.

Or maybe this dude here http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34887

Anyone have one of Horible freights compressors they are happy with?

How about other suggestions?

jam
jam New Reader
1/25/10 8:56 p.m.

bump me too my craftsman oil free (bought used) seems to have 'siezed' ?

Ian F
Ian F Dork
1/26/10 6:54 a.m.

I'd go with the 1st or 3rd one, although the specs don't seem to add up with the titles... the 1st one especially... looks like the wrong picture.

Are you looking to buy online or do you have a store nearby?

For a blasting cabinet, you'll want the largest tank you can afford.

4cylndrfury
4cylndrfury Dork
1/26/10 7:01 a.m.

The bike shop i used to work at used a Husky brand 4 HP oiled (read - needs maintenance monthly) compressor with a big 80 gal tank. It would feed multiple stands running air for tires and some small tools. Im not sure, but I remember it being kinda pricey. The thing is, when it runs, its a whisper. The compressor runs in the basement of the shop...the floor is corrugated steel and steel X-joist construction with some 3/4 T&G ply and linoleum/Berber flooring...no insulation - so no sound deadening. The compressor had to be quiet so customers didnt think the floor was collapsing when the thing was running.

Aside from that I have a small campbell hausfeld and its noisy as all get out...sorry no help on the HF selection

tuna55
tuna55 HalfDork
1/26/10 7:12 a.m.

I have only two suggestions, two stage and oiled. I don't know much else. If you're going to paint, you'll want to start with something 220V.

Don49
Don49 New Reader
1/26/10 10:31 a.m.

Look at a Campbell Hausfeld quad with a 7hp motor. This is probably the cheapest you will get with enough capacity for your blaster. It's an upright and does 17+ cfm's. If you get one with a small tank and not enough capacity, you'll be waiting for it to catch up all the time.

porksboy
porksboy Dork
1/26/10 8:10 p.m.

I dont mind waiting for the comp. to catch up occasionaly. Im not making a living down there.

I have a store about 5 miles from home. I dont mind units from some where else. Any good on-line vendors?

Trans_Maro
Trans_Maro HalfDork
1/26/10 9:28 p.m.

Stay away from the middle one, it's actually about 1hp and a piece of junk.

I know, I used to sell/service those things (same factory, different brand).

CH discontinued the legendary Quad pump about three years ago, we sold a metric tonne of them.

All the new CH pumps are made in India now, not the USA. Speedaire (heavy duty but made by CH) pumps are still made in the USA.

You don't need a two-stage machine unless you need air pressure over 130psi. A two-stage will pump less CFM than a single stage machine of equal horspower.

Buy a belt-drive, oil-lubed machine with a pump that has an iron or iron-sleeved cylinder. Maintain it properly and it will outlast you.

This is coming from a guy who ran a service centre that did warranty work for CH/Speedaire, Eagle, Iron-Horse, Maxair, Porter-Cable, Jenny, Emglo, De-Walt, Hitachi, and Makita compressors.

Shawn

motomoron
motomoron Reader
1/26/10 9:58 p.m.

Unless you absolutely, positively need it right now, I urge you, in the strongest terms not to buy a Harbor Freight compressor. I'd even recommend against the Craftsman and Campbell-Hausfeld units at Sears and Home Depot + Lowes.

If you can wait it out, troll every Craigslist in the region you're willing to drive and hold out for something American made, 2 stage, 5+ HP, 220V.

I made do with hand-me-down compressors for decades before finally ending the problem once and for all with a 60 gallon, 5HP, 2 stage, 4 cylinder American made Speedaire in minty condition bought from a closing business for $350. In fact it actually ended up being bought with a Millermatic 185 MIG welder in equally minty condition, both pieces for $800, but we'd first settled on 3-1/2 clams for the Speediare.

It's in the background in this pic: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/1178/front-sheet-metal/

I cannot exceed it's abilities with any tool I have, and it's muscular, determined chuffing as it quickly cycles up is soothing compared the the deafening blare of my old 6hp oilless Craftsman.

They're out there, but you need to search and be ready to buy.

jam
jam New Reader
1/26/10 11:05 p.m.

In reply to Trans_Maro:

''Buy a belt-drive, oil-lubed machine with a pump that has an iron or iron-sleeved cylinder'' ok where and what kind??

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