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j3studio [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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In the software world, there's a concept called minimum viable product—something good enough to release to market, but with no extras.

I'm thinking I need a minimum viable compressor. My conditions:

1) Has to be 120 volt electric.

2) Has to be capable of driving common air tools—more than just for filling tires (though that may be it's most common use)

3) Has to be reliable and easy to maintain.

4) Can't be really expensive.

5) Some unknown condition because I've never had one of these things ...

What does Guru think?

Posted on: 2015/7/17 13:05
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TommyT-Bone Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Lurking ........
Posted on: 2015/7/17 13:35
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GRIS Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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I'D LOVE TO HAVE ONE---
Posted on: 2015/7/17 17:05
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Matatk Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Need to know what air tools you want to run. Different air tools have different cfm requirements. Buy a compressor based on that.
Posted on: 2015/7/17 23:29
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

Matatk wrote:
Need to know what air tools you want to run. Different air tools have different cfm requirements. Buy a compressor based on that.


True

"Can't be expensive" ? How much U want to spend?

IF your circuit breaker boa is close to your garage, it's very easy to run a 220v. line in.

A 120v , 33 gallon won't run air tools for crap, it will run a 1/2 impact to pull your lugnuts BUT you may have to wait for it to catch up (also depends on the quality of the impact wrench). It won't run a drill or grinder very good.


This one only puts out 5.1 cfm @ 90psi, not great for rotary air tools.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-33-g ... ompressor-C331H/203995169

This one puts out 11.5 cfm @ 90 psi.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-g ... ompressor-C602H/205389936
It will handle everything you need it too.

It's really impossible to find a 120v that will run airtools without them slowing down after 1 minute.
Air drills/grinders specs say they consume 4-5 cfm @ 90psi, don't believe it.

The 60 gal Husky is what I have run for 8 years, happy with it. I wish it was an 80 gal with more horsepower but those and expensive. And the really good used ones are $2,000.

Posted on: 2015/7/18 1:22
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bogus Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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I have something like this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/26-gal-1 ... Air-Compressor-69669.html

Is it perfect? doubtful. Does it work? yup, sure does. Is it loud as hell? YES.

But... it's cheap and effective. It has a huge tank and so far, I have yet to outrun it.

Then again, much of my air tools are older Ingersole Rand, which are very good air tools.

Unless you get into serious fabrication, you are not going to wear this out anytime soon...

I hear exactly what Bill is saying, and if I was building cars like he is, then by all means, get the serious compressor, but for most hobbyists needs, this is fine. Really.

Posted on: 2015/7/18 2:53
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

bogus wrote:
Is it loud as hell? YES.


It's a direct drive or "oil free" compressor.

The last time I heard one has to be 10+ years ago so, some of the direct drives may have improved.

The one I heard sounded like someone was cutting off a metal door skin with an air chisel , really, really loud (and it was a Craftsman).

The 33 gal Husky listed above is called a "quiet" compressor, spec is 78 db. I'd like to hear it run, I'm skeptical.

Posted on: 2015/7/18 14:55
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j3studio Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Thanks, all. I know I could count on Guru.

Bill, we're a couple of years out from going 220 in the garage, so this is only a temporary solution (I'll come back to this when I'm more serious). Andy's example is about where I am for now, I think. I'll report back when I make a decision.

Posted on: 2015/7/18 16:00
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teebee Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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I've got three compressors, one is a direct drive, but it is an oiled type. It's actually pretty quiet. Has two one gallon tanks, so it's not very good at running air tools.
Posted on: 2015/7/18 20:21
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

j3studio wrote:

Thanks, all. I know I could count on Guru.

Bill, we're a couple of years out from going 220 in the garage, so this is only a temporary solution (I'll come back to this when I'm more serious). Andy's example is about where I am for now, I think. I'll report back when I make a decision.



Check Craig's List
Posted on: 2015/7/18 23:26
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Ultraman Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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I bought a 60 gal compressor from HF......it works good for what i do....its supposed to keep up with a sand blasting booth......if I ever find a good one of those for decent money........
Posted on: 2015/7/19 14:09
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

Ultraman wrote:
I bought a 60 gal compressor from HF......it works good for what i do....its supposed to keep up with a sand blasting booth......if I ever find a good one of those for decent money........


One for less that $199.00 ?
Posted on: 2015/7/19 14:55
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bogus Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Bill... I know where your coming from... but the most we are ever going to blast is a wiper arm... once. every three years.

If I was doing entire cars, yes, for sure. But as long as it's no bigger than an intake manifold, I am staying cheap!



If I was trying to do what you are doing, I would be all over more hardware... but that's not where most of us are.
Posted on: 2015/7/20 23:33
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KPotter Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Well what do you know, I just got an e-mail today, Harbor Freight is having a big compressor sale.
Posted on: 2015/7/21 2:03
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TommyT-Bone Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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The wife's compressor at work keeps blowing the circuit breaker so I may need a light use replacement. Things that make you go hhhmmmmmm. I was thinking of getting one like BillH was mentioning. I check the tire pressures on most of the vehicles once every couple of months and a nice, big expensive, quiet one would be great for that. ;)
Posted on: 2015/7/21 4:12
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

bogus wrote:
Bill... I know where your coming from... but the most we are ever going to blast is a wiper arm... once. every three years.

If I was doing entire cars, yes, for sure. But as long as it's no bigger than an intake manifold, I am staying cheap!



If I was trying to do what you are doing, I would be all over more hardware... but that's not where most of us are.


Andy, the only thing with that is that a bench top sandblast/glass bead cabinet isn't big enough to do a manifold in. It might barely fit in but you won't be able to turn it around to get to all the surfaces. You might be able to do a valve cover but..........

The HF cabinet is on sale for $199, that's the price of a decant rechargeable drill.

I paid $210 form mine from Summit.

I wanted a bigger one but..........Gary (where I painted the 67) bought a used one with a real vacuum, etc.

It was $2,000.
Posted on: 2015/7/21 13:19
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CentralCoaster Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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I have that second husky one Bill linked a ways up, about 10 years now. I need a new motor though, having it on the porch in beach weather is killing it . Id expect that with any motor though.

Great size and portability for its size. I got it because it was the highest capacity 110v I could find. Noise is reasonable, belt driven. But then again I see drywall guys using pancake compressors to do wall texture and those guns use as much as any air tool.

I gave air tools a try, more trouble than it was worth, needing a whole nother set of sockets and having to drag a hose behind your tool everywhere . Although the IR impact gun I got was a dud too, could barely remove my hand tightened lug nuts. I pretty much only use it for tires and blowing things off now, and running nail guns etc for house work. 220 won't be as useful outside of the garage because it won't as portable, needing a ton of hose to get anywhere.
Posted on: 2015/7/21 14:58
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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CentralCoaster wrote:
I have that second husky one Bill linked a ways up, about 10 years now. I need a new motor though, having it on the porch in beach weather is killing it . Id expect that with any motor though.



Funny thing about the motor:

There were 2 60 gal Husky's sitting at Home D when I bought mine.

One had a motor labeled "Made in China". The one in back of that had a Marathon motor labeled "Made in U.S.A.".

I made them dig the one in the back out.
Posted on: 2015/7/21 15:22
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j3studio Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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I ended up getting a Kobalt :

http://www.lowes.com/pd_470442-30449-0300841_1z10d74

I can move it from garage to garage easily, which is nice. It is actually quieter than I expected. I finally got all the fittings I needed this morning and tested it.

Stupid newbie air compressor question: one of the hose fittings has a slight air leak (not enough to really effect anything, but enough to annoy me). Is there something I could apply to the threads that would help?

Posted on: 2015/8/2 20:57
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Matatk Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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You should be using Teflon tape or pipe dope on the threaded fittings.
Posted on: 2015/8/2 21:50
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

Matatk wrote:
You should be using Teflon tape or pipe dope on the threaded fittings.


Yea, tape.
Hoses almost always leak somewhere, I put a shutoff ball valve on when the compressor is hooked up to permanent lines in the garage.

BTW, drain the water out of your compressor once a month.
Posted on: 2015/8/2 22:26
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j3studio Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

BillH wrote:

Quote:

Matatk wrote: You should be using Teflon tape or pipe dope on the threaded fittings.

Yea, tape. Hoses almost always leak somewhere, I put a shutoff ball valve on when the compressor is hooked up to permanent lines in the garage. BTW, drain the water out of your compressor once a month.

Thanks, guys! I somehow did internalize the compressor draining bit.

Posted on: 2015/8/2 23:04
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CentralCoaster Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Followup to my Husky compressor I was whining about... The motor was fine. I finally got the courage and time to disassemble and there was a contactor that energizes I think to switch it over from the start capacitor to the run capacitor. I think. Some light sanding and it's good as new.

Anyways, life lesson is, let it arc awhile, let it rub, let it squeal, let it leak. Then when you go to fix it 2 months later it's easy to find the shiny/burned/oily spot.
Posted on: 2015/8/4 5:01
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CentralCoaster Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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On teflon tape, in case you haven't used it, wind it clockwise around the threads, when looking at the tapered end. If you do it the wrong way, the tape will ball up and come off when you thread it in.

Also, never use it on straight threads. Straight threads by their design do not make a seal. May be obvious but I come across a lot of plumbers that don't even know this.

I usually avoid pipe dope except on house gas lines or tore up threads, it's messy and never really dries.
Posted on: 2015/8/4 5:05
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CentralCoaster Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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So speaking of compressors, the oil is nasty on mine. I assume it's not too picky and I can just throw in a old quart of 10-40 I have laying around?

Or do the Corvette guys use Mobil 1 in their compressors?
Posted on: 2015/8/4 5:07
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teebee Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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I use a straight Non-detergent 30 weight oil in my compressors. I don't remember why they recommend non-detergent though.
Posted on: 2015/8/4 12:50
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

CentralCoaster wrote:
Followup to my Husky compressor I was whining about... The motor was fine. I finally got the courage and time to disassemble and there was a contactor that energizes I think to switch it over from the start capacitor to the run capacitor. I think. Some light sanding and it's good as new.

Anyways, life lesson is, let it arc awhile, let it rub, let it squeal, let it leak. Then when you go to fix it 2 months later it's easy to find the shiny/burned/oily spot.


If the switch is like the 220v, it's Chinese crap. I didn't trust it from day one. I use a circuit breaker as the on/off switch on my Husky. The box and breaker cost $15. I just leave the Chinese switch "On".
Posted on: 2015/8/4 13:15
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BillH Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

CentralCoaster wrote:
So speaking of compressors, the oil is nasty on mine. I assume it's not too picky and I can just throw in a old quart of 10-40 I have laying around?

Or do the Corvette guys use Mobil 1 in their compressors?


I changed the oil in the Husky 3 times in the first year cause it got so dirty, regular old Mobil dyno 10-30.

The oil stays pretty clean now, change it once a year.

Think I actually used Mobil 1 the last time cause that's all I had in the shop.
Posted on: 2015/8/4 13:21
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TommyT-Bone Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

j3studio wrote:

I ended up getting a Kobalt :

http://www.lowes.com/pd_470442-30449-0300841_1z10d74

I can move it from garage to garage easily, which is nice. ?



Alrighty then. I took your homework and applied it to what we needed for the nursery for light use. We're buying the same one as I write. We could either fix the 10 y/o Dewalt or buy a new one. I talked Sue into picking up a new one instead of repairing. Might still repair the DeWalt if it's worth the time, money and effort then bring it home.
Posted on: 2015/8/7 16:23
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GRIS Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

TommyT-Bone wrote:
Quote:

j3studio wrote:

I ended up getting a Kobalt :

http://www.lowes.com/pd_470442-30449-0300841_1z10d74

I can move it from garage to garage easily, which is nice. ?



Alrighty then. I took your homework and applied it to what we needed for the nursery for light use. We're buying the same one as I write. We could either fix the 10 y/o Dewalt or buy a new one. I talked Sue into picking up a new one instead of repairing. Might still repair the DeWalt if it's worth the time, money and effort then bring it home.


GREAT MINDS, ETC---
I JUST BOUGHT THE SAME ONE. MY LITTLE EL CHEAPO DIED. HAVEN'T USED THE KOBALT YET, JUST RAN IT TO SEE IF IT WOULD RUN.

MADE THE MISTAKE OF BUYING IT ON LINE FOR LOCAL PICKUP, THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE QUICK AND EASY. WRONG. TOOK MAYBE 45 MINUTES, NO BODY KNEW WHAT TO DO, WHERE IT WAS, AND THEN TURNED SEMI-SURLY WHEN I ASK THEM TO PUT IT IN THE BACK OF THE SUV. WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH QUICKER JUST TO GO & BUY IT.
Posted on: 2015/8/7 18:06
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CentralCoaster Re: [Tools] Electric Air Compressor?
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Quote:

BillH wrote:

If the switch is like the 220v, it's Chinese crap. I didn't trust it from day one. I use a circuit breaker as the on/off switch on my Husky. The box and breaker cost $15. I just leave the Chinese switch "On".


No not the toggle from the power supply..This switch is on the motor shaft itself, behind the backing plate. It's some type of centrifugal switch that closes a contact as the motor starts spooling up.
Posted on: 2015/8/7 21:04
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