Best specs for an air compressor for general home and air tool use?

[Zenmervolt]

With a 30 gallon compressor, I've never had problems running air impacts. Sure, if you use it a LOT you're going to have to let the compressor catch up a bit, but it's certainly tolerable.

I would agree with this. I'm probably being a bit too conservative. As long as it's a belt-drive unit and not a direct drive, he should be fine.

ZV

 

[jlee]

I would agree with that wholeheartedly. Honestly, I think air powered tools are less and less an ideal solution as cordless tools continue to improve. There are still scenarios where you just need a blast of air, but electric motors satisfy instant torque requirements, and now that batteries are improving, it is possible to get real power out of a cordless motor.

I was just trying to quantify the "220v" recommendations (again, split phase is mostly called 240v in my field) in this thread.

Yep...I bought my compressor over ten years ago - cordless tools have come a long, long way in that time.

 

[natto fire]

I would agree with this. I'm probably being a bit too conservative. As long as it's a belt-drive unit and not a direct drive, he should be fine.

ZV

It's sad that they tout direct drive motors and oil-free pumps as a feature. The quietest and most reliable setup, by a long shot, is a belt driven, oiled compressor. Twin cylinder pumps can be good, but not an automatic indication of quality.

 

[NoTine42]

I noticed a coupon for $149 in my Sunday paper.
http://www.harborfreight.com/21-gal-25-hp-125-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-61454.html
Edit
I see this was mentioned earlier

 

[evident]

I found a 30 gallon kobalt oiled compressor that was used for framing houses for 2 years then kept for home use. He said it's about 7 years old. Wants to sell it to me for $200. He said that he kept up with all the maintenance and drained it after each use. What should I look for when I check it out? Huh

How do I know it's going to be safe to use(not explode) on me? Are the stories of tanks exploding on the internet mainly for really old tanks?

 

[bruceb]

Do what you want, but for a 7 year old unit, I would not pay $200 .. $100 at most for it. For the price he is asking, for a bit more, you can buy brand new.

 

[evident]

I doubt I'll get it for $100. I was going to offer him $160 and see what he says. I think that's good no?

 

[PottedMeat]

I doubt I'll get it for $100. I was going to offer him $160 and see what he says. I think that's good no?

if it really was a work compressor i'd say that's a good thing -

He said that he kept up with all the maintenance and drained it after each use.

i'd ask him to start it up and let it fill - see how long it takes to get to its limit. listen for any drive problems, leaks in system. open the drain ball valve and see if rusty chunks come out

 

[natto fire]

if it really was a work compressor i'd say that's a good thing -



i'd ask him to start it up and let it fill - see how long it takes to get to its limit. listen for any drive problems, leaks in system. open the drain ball valve and see if rusty chunks come out

This is what I would do as well. Some compressors are very durable long lasting tools, and some are garbage, I would not immediately pass on one because of age.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I would not buy a home compressor unit that was used commercially unless it was a steal of a price. I'd offer him $150 at most. I bought mine for about that but several years ago. It's actually a 20 gallon but mine was made in the good ole US of A. Another suggestion is this hose reel http://www.harborfreight.com/100-ft-steel-air-hose-reel-46342.html pictured which I bought at harbor freight. Added a 50 ft goodyear hose and it works like a charm. Used a 2x6 to mount it to the wall.

 

[evident]

if it really was a work compressor i'd say that's a good thing -



i'd ask him to start it up and let it fill - see how long it takes to get to its limit. listen for any drive problems, leaks in system. open the drain ball valve and see if rusty chunks come out

how long SHOULD it take?

I might give him the full 200 bucks, as he's been pretty communicative, as long as it isn't a huge POS. he's meeting me close to my house and will be giving me a full demo of it and will be helping it into my car.

and i'll most certainly be getting a hose reel for this. It's going to be used all over the house but hell if i'm moving it to each room!

 

[PottedMeat]

how long SHOULD it take?

hmm i really don't know. my 12 gallon oiled compressor goes 0-100psi in ~1 min 40sec - i thought that was pretty decent.

 

[evident]

well i'm home with the air compresor. dude was very nice, and helped me get it into my car and everything. it's a kobalt 30 gallon model KLA1883054

went from 0 to 150 PSI in about 4-5 minutes which i thought was pretty good from what i've read online.. pretty quiet from what i could tell, but he was running it off of a gas generator so that was drowning out any noise. tank looks to be in pretty solid shape, but i'll probably replace the drain petcock since it gets stuck a little. I'm going to wait to power this up till all its upright for another 24-48 hours. I'll probbly just do it when all my stuff comes in, no need to test it now as i'm stuck with it, lol

i'll post some pictures when i get a chance.

.

 

[natto fire]

This is comical, a close family friend has an identical compressor, right down to the motor. Her petcock valve is also shot, but that is just a result of the bottom of the barrel valve. Not a big deal, as most manufacturers ship cheap ones on there, and a good ball valve is not much more than 10 dollars or so.

One advantage of that model is that the motor can be wired for 240v down the road if you so desire. While running it on 120v, it should have a dedicated circuit, and you will experience no electrical problems. Very solid motor, that A.O. Smith.

Congrats, and don't be too worried about the tank leaking too much rusty condensate. You got a good model, and the brand new direct drive models could not touch this one for that price.

 

[WoodButcher]

That's a score. The price is right and likely last a good olng while.

 

[evident]

Just got a 1/4" brass 90 degree street elbow, a 6 inch nipple and a ball valve to replace my petcock (who makes these names lol).

and looks like electrician is going to have to come out and put a dedicated line for this thing anyways. maybe i should have got a 220V model, lol.

 

[PottedMeat]

looks like you did good

Just got a 1/4" brass 90 degree street elbow, a 6 inch nipple and a ball valve to replace my petcock (who makes these names lol).

and looks like electrician is going to have to come out and put a dedicated line for this thing anyways. maybe i should have got a 220V model, lol.

the motor is dual 115/220, it tells you how to rewire it on the label for 220

 

[shabby]

I just picked up an 11 gallon mastercraft compressor with a digital regulator for only $40.
Its a belt drive too with a 5hp peak motor, whodathunkit for something this small.

 

[bruceb]

Not surprised you need the electrician. That unit wants 15Amps (running current) when on 120VAC, so it will need a bit more for startup (probably a 20Amp circuit) .. the motor can be rewired for 220VAC, the electrician can do it easily. For a 220VAC circuit that unit will pull 7.5Amps (running current) with startup running around 10Amps .. electrician has formulas to calculate size of the circuit required.