air compresor

[mccrob]

I got a 5 gallon compresor with 3 peak horsepower and 1.3 running horsepower.Is there any to modify a compresor to get more power cause mine won't run any air tools.It's my first and was afraid of this

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
Is it getting up to full pressure? (~120PSI) And what kind of tools are you running?

 

[metalmacguyver]

Its all about the volume man. That compressor will only move so much air.

Is it an oil filled compressor or a oilless compressor? the oilless ones wear out eventually and there is nothing to be done except to replace them.

 

[thegoat4]

If it plugs into the wall with a regular outlet, throw it out and shop for a real one.

A 110V motor can't make much power without exceeding 15amps. It takes power to pump air. Chances are that a gimpy pump is coupled to that gimpy motor, so even if you scrounge up a motor that has the power, the pump would have to spin way too fast to make real use of it.

Shop for used 220V compressors with or without tanks. Quincy pumps are worth their weight in gold, even if they've been abused. Unless you want to turn the pressure way up, it doesn't matter if you find a single stage or two stage compressor, but a two-stage can run quieter. "oilless" compressors are crap--don't even bother.

As far as tank size, minimum 30 gallons for running most air tools. You can snag a few air taks from trucks in a junk yard and pipe them together if you can't track down one big tank. Or if you know where to get lots of pipe cheap, hook a big mess of pipe together. Just don't use PVC--it can grenade on you without warning. Any option other than a single tank will be very prone to leaks.

 

[Loanranger]

Nope, nothing you can do to make that compressor run air tools. The most you could probably run off that is a nailgun. If you shop lowes or home depot, they're best 110 compressor will run some airtools in 3-5 minute intervals, but will likely just get you annoyed. You'll start in grinding something, and then have to wait for it to air up again. Step up to a 220volt, twin jug, oil filled with at least a 60 gallon tank, and you're in business. This will run air hammers, die grinders, pretty much anything you want.

 

[IcecreamLtDan]

So, what would be a good size compressor to run an air gun to remove wheels and such? That's all I'm really after as it gets old taking that right front tire off of my old ranger by hand every time I change plugs, and I get the thrill of changing plugs in the new Ranger at some point too.

 

[MAKG]

Modest-sized air impact wrenches have medium flow requirements, so I'll disagree on the 110V statement. The LARGEST single-stage 110V you can find will be adequate for running a 1/2 inch air impact wrench. It will, however, be entirely inadequate for continuous use such as paint sprayers, blasters, sanders, and maybe die grinders (if used continuously).

For sprayers, a 220V, preferably two-stage, is necessary. For the really high volume stuff (say, a jackhammer), a Diesel powered compressor is needed.

Those dinky 1-3 HP ones are good for nailers, filling tires, and not a whole lot more.

To a very good approximation, power is pressure*cfm.

 

[mccrob]

thanks for the info,I bought the compressor new at half price so should be able to get my money back if I sell it,and then i'll look for a good used one

 

[kevinsranger]

thanks for the info,I bought the compressor new at half price so should be able to get my money back if I sell it,and then i'll look for a good used one

just go to lowes or whatever and buy an electric impact gun.

 

[97ranger4x4]

well I will throw in my .02 I have a craftsman 12 gal 1hp compressor. For airing up tires, running my 1/2 impact, 3/8 air ratchet or just a air blow gun it works just fine. Because I am not using it all day every day, it does what I need just fine. If I was useing it for some serious contractor type work then I have a feeling it wouldnt last more than a few days. But for what you are looking for, it will work. mine is also an oiled compressor. Everyone seems to hate the oil less ones.

 

[Defective]

I just bought one of THESE used for 150 bucks off craigslist. It's an older model than this, looks basically the same but w/ rubber pneumatic tires and some other consmetic stuff. Numbers are the same.

I bought this one after much research. I needed 110 and quiet for my basement. This thing starts and runs awesome on 110v with the startup capacitor. I borrowed my friends compressor before I bought this one and it wouldn't start right with my thin guage house wires.

So far this compressor has done me quite well. It's very quiet, you can hold a normal conversation right next to it. Fills quickly and has some decent features. So far I've ran impacts, air hammer and a die grinder. It kept up with them all. I wasn't going at it to hard with the die grinder though.

Craftsman has one just like it, they are the same except for the names.

 

[almostclueless]

You went out and bought the cheapest, smallest compressor you could find, and it won't run most air tools.


I agree with MAKG, a 110 unit can get it done decently, IF it isn't an el cheapo brand, IF it doesn't have a tank the size of a thimble, AND IF you don't buy the lowest continuous HP rated compressor you see.

 

[Turbo-T]

Hey, McCrob. What part of the country you in? I've got an extra 5hp rated on a 20 gal tank.

 

[snake]

I just bought one of THESE used for 150 bucks off craigslist. It's an older model than this, looks basically the same but w/ rubber pneumatic tires and some other consmetic stuff. Numbers are the same.

I bought this one after much research. I needed 110 and quiet for my basement. This thing starts and runs awesome on 110v with the startup capacitor. I borrowed my friends compressor before I bought this one and it wouldn't start right with my thin guage house wires.

So far this compressor has done me quite well. It's very quiet, you can hold a normal conversation right next to it. Fills quickly and has some decent features. So far I've ran impacts, air hammer and a die grinder. It kept up with them all. I wasn't going at it to hard with the die grinder though.

Craftsman has one just like it, they are the same except for the names.

yeppers. I've got the craftsman version. 110 volt, twin cylinder, QUIET (it only turns like 710 RPM) and pumps up to 150 lbs. Great unit for what I do.