Help With Air Compressor Shopping

[Runner]

I'm getting ready to break down and purchase a new air compressor. I've decided that since I don't have 220 ran out to my shop, and I can't seem to get anyone over here to help run it, that I want to just go with a 110 - the portable standup type with wheels. This would suit two advantages. I could use it out there, AND up here in the garage if needed. What I would like to know, is what is the biggest (CFM) compresor available with just a 110. So far, I'm coming up with 6.0 CFM at 90 psi. Any advice?

[out4now]

What would you be using it for mainly? You may want to consider a compact gas engine one you could take with you on the road. What tools would you be running as well? Impacts use up short bursts of air where as a die grinder will chew up a lot of air since you're on the trigger more. Do you plan to winterize irrigation systems also? A 20 gal. with a nice gas engine can be really handy. I have a small Campbell Hausfield thats one of the oilless electric jobs. Good for around the house but not much else. Wish I had spent the money and got a gas engine.

[Mdirrigation]

You would be better off with the 220 , and a large compressor , and run a air line back in the same trench. I have a 100 gallon 220 volt 8 hp that I have had for 20 years , I have lines run from the shop to the house and from the shop to the parking area . You will never regret going big

[Runner]

I would just be using it to run an occasional impact, and using the air gun to clean parts (like with brake cleaner). Maybe every GREAT once in awhile, I would use a die grinder (like for sharpening hedgesaw and stuff. I would love to run the 220 and the lines like that, but I have about 150 ft. back from the house to the shop, and I already have buried electric. Maybe later on down the line, I will consider that. As it is, all my welding I have to do up in the garage. I seldomly weld here anymore, though. Most everything like that I do, I do over at my friend's shop.

[Toy2]

Got my stand up at Sears, $300.00, does everything I need it to do... :)

[J.Gordon]

I would get the compressor with the motor than can be wired 120/240 then if you needed you could change it any time.
I have an old DeVilbiss air compressor 120/240 volt; I have it wired for 120 volts now. 7.1 CFM @ 90 PSI. It works well for what I have needed; but my compressor is close to my panel so I don’t have a problem with voltage drop. You will have to wait on it if you use a die grinder very much.

[lawnman_scott]

Got my stand up at Sears, $300.00, does everything I need it to do... :)
Thats what i would do. I got mine at home depot. You dont have to go nuts spending money for what you will use it for.

[Toy2]

It was 110, so no extra cost for 220......as long as you keep it drained, it will last forever.....also It would fit in my trailer if I ever wanted a kick a$$ set up.....as for now its in the garage..... :)

[MOW ED]

Joe I just had the same need as you and bought a 25 gal 6 hp compressor. It can go up to 135psi but most of the air tools run at 90. I bought a Porter Cable oilless model CPF6025VP upright on wheels. It can be run on a 15 amp circuit and is plenty of compressor for my needs. I paid just under 300 on sale. I also bought a tool kit from Devilbiss for 80 bucks. It included an impact, 3/8 air ratchet, air hammer, die grinder, and about 65 other parts and pieces. The extras I bought were 25 ft of hose, a blow attatchment and a air grease gun that is very cool.
Your needs and use sounds exactly like mine so thats my set up. Anything in that general area will work fine for you, I don't know why I waited so long. The only thing I want is a spring loaded rewind reel for the hose. Good Luck.

[rokinrandy]

i have burned up alot of compressors ..nothing holds up like a rigid ..it will last forever..honda motor on the gas powered ..little pricy ..but has saved me alot in the long run..i have owned porter cable, cobalt ,crappy dewalt,and the weakling craftsman.none of these could stand the test even with proper care...,this rigid has been slamed around quite a bit job to job running for hours for a real long time.still 135 pounds strong .good customer support..i stand by all rigid products

[mosmgras]

I agree with the other guys. I would get one that can be wired 110 and 220. If you should get 220 volts into your shop, the motor can be rewired to accept the higher current. Remember, an electric motor will draw 50% less amperage on 220 volts as apposed to 110 volts. Depends on how much you use it, this may save you a couple of bucks on your power bill.

[Runner]

I'm looking at a few, and I know I want to go with a belt driven and oil cooled, as I know they would last longer and run quieter. I'm looking at a24 gal. Ingersoll (a bit pricey), but it can be wired both ways. It produces 5.7 CFM @ 90 PSI.The Coleman doesn't look bad - 27 gal. and 5.7 @ 90.
There is a place here in town called R.E.B. Tools, and they always have great pricec on stuff. This guy services alot of different compressors and once told me that there are like only 2 or 3 manufacturers that even make compressors (Cambell-Hausfield being one of them). Anyway, he has certainly steered me in the right direction before. He told that no matter what I buy, what to watch out for. He also sells a brand named Puma. These seem like a pretty decent package.

[Glenn J]

I have a Porter-Cable, 6 peak hp, oiled compressor. It's a 110 a and runs off a 15 amp fuse.

It works great with the impact wrench and impact ratchet. The only time it's gets taxed is when I use a die grinder or the air powered pressure washer gun I have. As long as you only let the unit run for 30 minutes out of an hour, you should be set.

Some day, I'd like to get a 220 unit that's rated for continuous duty.

[MMLawn]

I have a (yes I said it) a Crapsman, no I'll have to call it a Craftsman cause it has been a great one, 6HP 25 Gal 110/220 that I have had since 1991 and use it all the time and it still looks and runs like brand new. I use all MAC air tools with it and it pushes them like a champ at 90PSI.

[Runner]

The Craftsmen that you have,...is it one of the invector type (direct drive), or is it belt driven?

[out4now]

The Craftsman ones used to be made by Devillibis. Not sure anymore. Look at Harbor Frieght Tools, they generally have good prices on compressors.

[jhawk71]

I am also looking for a compressor and would like some help from those that already have one. I'm looking at the rigid twin stack models. It will be just the right size for what I need to do. My question is there is one that has an oiled compressor and one is oil free. The oil free has a higher CFM output. Which is better? Will I run into problem down the road if I go with the oil free model?
Thanks
Jhawk71

[mosmgras]

An oil filled pump has pistons like a conventional internal combustion engine. An oil-less type pump has a diaphram that doesn't travel in the same manner as a conventional piston type, that is, it doesn't slide up and down inside a cylinder. The absence of this sliding motion results in less heat and doesn't require oil to lubricate. A piston type pump will produce more cubic feet of air per revolution than a similar oil-less type because of the increase in stroke length.
As far as what you need, it depends on what type of air tools (if any) you are planning on using. To inflate a tire requires very low cfm output while the typical impact wrench requires 8-12 cfm at no load and 20+ cfm at full load. This doesn't mean that a compressor that will produce say only 10 cfm will not run an impact wrench. The tank will hold a reserve of air that will allow the tool to operate for a short time. Once the reserve pressure is below the tools requirement it will loose torque/speed. A compressor that produces less cfm than the tool requires will not be able to 'keep up' once the reserve air is depleted. When this occurs, you will have to wait until the compressor builds up the air volume and pressure to resume use of the tool.
If you are planning on using the compressor only occasionally, I would suggest something that produces 12 to 15 cfm with a tank capacity of at least 30 gallons. This type would be able to operate an impact wrench or similar tool for several minutes, plenty long enough to remove a drive wheel or mower blades.