Air Compressors

[OilPatch197]

http://omaha.craigslist.org/tls/965630198.html

We got one of the Farmhand air compressors, back in '97, HIGHLY RECOMENDED for smaller shops. 5.7cfm's and it has put up with the abuse of a teenager fixing a classic car!

We bought it because it's:

Portable
High enough CFM's to run most tools
20 gallon tank

it WILL run a Dual action orbital sander, but you got to run the sander for like three minutes, wait for the compressor to pump back up and go again.(which was fine for me, as I got time to check the surface to see where I need to work at)

So for serious car work, probably would get a bigger CFM probably a 8cfm, but we got a small shop(can cannot justify the price for a bigger unit) and my Grandpa has one of a similar design, it's been going since the early 70's.

The Farmhand air compressor is not sold at Wal-Mart! We bought ours at TSC...
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...0551_10001_101668_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

Interesting! they paint them GREEN now, I guess that is to make it look different, not even the campbell hausfeld name as in the craiglist link, hmm, I hope the quality is the same.

The weak point on these compressors is the on/off switch on the pressure switch, if you shut them off and on all the time the switch will quit working, we just wait unil the compressor pumps up and unplug from wall outlet.

 

[krugford]

If you're looking to run a die grinder with cut-off wheels then you're going to have a hard time finding a 120V compressor that will do the job you want. The die grinders I've just googled in the last couple minutes all list CFM ratings between 6 and 7 at 90 psi. I haven't seen a 120V compressor that's much over 5 CFM at 90psi. I have a friend in the same boat as you, looking for a compressor for small stuff and doesn't have 220V. I've done the stop and recharge thing in the past and it gets really annoying after awhile when you've got a job to finish.

Have you thought about keeping the one you've got either until you get a bigger shop with 220V and spend big $$$ for a big compressor? I used to be a big fan of using air tools for everything, which is why I own a big ass compressor. It'll do 16.9 CFM at 90psi. I've since switched to electric for most things requiring cutting, grinding, and sanding. A 4 1/2" angle grinder will do all those things with power to spare, you don't have to wait on a recharge, and they can be run on the end of a 200 ft extension cord if need be, or out in the middle of nowhere with a generator or with a batteries/inverter setup. (Well, so can a compressor, but then you've got two heavy things to take with you...) The only thing I use my compressor for now is filling tires, blowing stuff off, running my little right angle die grinder on occasion, using an impact, and sand blasting (which you really need the CFM for). A smaller compressor would be fine for all these except for sandblasting, unless you like to go slow and have a compressor with a 100% duty cycle....


Long story short, if you're going to be doing more fab (grinding, sanding, welding), go with electric. If you're doing a lot of sandblasting, then 110V isn't for you. For everything else, a small 30 gallon rated around 5 CFM should do fine.

Just my .02

 

[sasdranger]

well i ended up getting the craftsman one, 33 gallon, 4.9 cfm.

I'm gonna go back and get the extended warranty (he said i could still do it)

Once i've had it for a few months and used it quite a bit i'll tell yall how its holding up.

 

[OilPatch197]

Alright, got any pictures?

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

something like that would be awesome, but I'm still at home and garage space is pretty tight as it is.

and i haven't got a 220 outlet in the garage yet.

That's my problem as well - a one-car garage with a car, a tractor, workbench, push mower, snowblower, yard tools...not to mention the two roll-around tool chests and air compressor. No 220 either. Have a spare circuit pair in the box that I was going to use for a range in the basement, so I can probably re-route that out to the garage.

I need a barn out back.

 

[OldRedB2_84]

i just bought a porter cable 120v 25 gallon 6 horse oiled 2 cyl, with i think 8.4cfm @ 80 psi, and 10.0cfm max. The compressor pump is aluminum with cast iron cyl. sleeves. I paid $150 for it on craigslist looks like its brand new, came with a 50 foot hose too!

 

[rangerbum]

....I need a barn out back.

Aint that the truth. I feel your pain.