air tools

[Sieg]

My little compressor is rated 7.4 @ 90 psi.............I'm guessing on a 10% duty-cycle as it can't even think about catching the HF 90* after 15 seconds of continuous light duty sanding. Let alone knock a lug nut loose that's torqued @ 100 ft lbs with a "decent" new Craftsman 1/2 impact.

Within reason I don't think a guy could ever have too much compressor.

[GregWeld]

Just for fun --- I wanted to see how long it took for my compressor to kick on from a full tank.... so I drained the water valve (on the bottom of the tank) until the compressor kicked on. When it stopped --- I started my timing.


My bead blaster at 100 psi --- took 1:27.46 --- one minute 27 seconds until the compressor kicked on.


I set my regulator to run at 90psi with the tool operating... and I used My Snap on cut off tool which is rated at 2.7 CFM @ 90psi in freewheel mode - which is how I tested it -- took 1:17 -- that's doing NO WORK -- just freewheeling.... 1 minute 17 seconds.


JUST FOR FUN --- I ran the exact same type of tool --- but this time it was my NAPA Evercrap (ever craft) air cut off.... the cheaper tool took 51.76 seconds before the compressor kicked on -- so the cheaper tool used a lot more air. I will also tell you that the Evercrap tool is no where near as torquey (powerful) as the Snap On that took less air.

My compressor is a Champion Advantage VR5-8 --- 5 hp 220V 80 gallon storage tank.... that delivers 19.1 CFM @ 125 psi

http://www.compressors-champion.com/vr58.cfm



Barely over ONE STINKY MINUTE before it kicked in.... and this is an extremely good $2800 (expensive) compressor. ONE STINK MINUTE.

[Sieg]

Based on reviews this compressor from Harbor Freight could be a good minimum choice: http://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60...sor-93274.html

Greg's example truly exploits how deceiving the CFM ratings game is.

[BigJoe]

You guys are freaking awesome, I love this site. Greg thanx for taking the time to post. Hopefully this helps some other people as well. Sure is helping me

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by BigJoe

You guys are freaking awesome, I love this site. Greg thanx for taking the time to post. Hopefully this helps some other people as well. Sure is helping me

You're welcome. Now find out out what compressor/specs your friend has at his shop so you can make reasonable comparisons.

[BigJoe]

Buddy of mind is sending me a spare snap on die grinder, score and so it begins

[renegade6]

I struggled with a 30 gallon Craftsman pistonless compressor until I found a great deal on a 80 gallon twin stage. Night and day difference; it is worth the money spent.

As far as air tools, I have an assortment. When my cheap Husky angle grinder died, I upgraded to an Air Cat. Not made in the US but, it is much quieter and uses a lot less air than the cheaper ones.

[Solid LT1]

Buy the best air compressor you can afford. I started in the 70's with a Craftsman 220V 5HP made by Deville-bliss it's was a quality piece, I sold it to a guy for about what I paid for it. I then went to a Campbell Hausfield USA 5HP vertical, this was OK I think the craftsman performed better.....gave that to my buddy the body guy when on my 42nd birthday I decided I needed a real compressor. Ingersol-Rand IR30 7.5HP 220V 2stage 80 gallon tank. I bought my IR in 2002 it's been used pretty hard since then....no problems this one takes me to my grave unless I hit the lottery then a IR or Chicago Pneumatic rotary screw compressor ( because Ill never afford a Kieser ) those rotarys are downright silent I heard louder refrigerators. Air tools again I'm a IR guy but mine are old USA made, Chicago Pneumatic but, my cylinder head die grinder is ARO that being said I'm a sucker for a cheap throw away Harbor Freight. My Snap-on butterfly just bit the big one like my buddies did and if you look many Snap-on are just rebadged IR tools, I also have a Souix air drill things are works of art will never break.

[NOT A TA]

I've had quite a few different compressors over many years at home and shops. My first full paint job (Lacquer ha ha) was done with a 3/4 horse 3? gal. Railroad Salvage special. If I could do it all over I'd have bought a big compressor as a young man instead of my first car and replaced it whenever it wore out. The time saved and aggravation would have been well worth it over the past 40 years.

Currently have four. An oil less 5 HP 25 gal. Craftsman portable, 5 HP twin 60 gal., 7.5 HP 80 gal. Matco branded Ingersol, and an 8 HP 80 gal. Snap on. The IR and Snap On are both 2013 models. The 60 gal I'm giving away to a friend.

I like the 7.5 Matco branded IR better than the 8 HP Snap on because it's quieter and seems to recover quicker than the Snap On. I added a 60 gal reserve tank away from the compressor to provide more reserve volume which keeps pressure more constant for painting. The reserve tank also acts as a cool down tank to reduce moisture for paint work. There are other benifits to adding a reserve tank and of course water traps/filters are also used.

If you use the right angle HF grinders a lot, buy the extended warranty. The head loosens up and no amount of adjusting/locktite etc. seems to cure the issue. Be aware that HF records the code for each tool so if you buy a new one and try to return an old one later you probably won't get away with it. I keep several with 2" & 3" rolocs etc. on so I don't have to keep switching arbors. When one dies I have to get the right paperwork for that tool. I'm on 3rd replacement of some of them. They give a new extended along with the tool each time so far.

Everyone should have a right angle air drill, buy one along with short drill bits, you be glad.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by NOT A TA

I've had quite a few different compressors over many years at home and shops. My first full paint job (Lacquer ha ha) was done with a 3/4 horse 3? gal. Railroad Salvage special. If I could do it all over I'd have bought a big compressor as a young man instead of my first car and replaced it whenever it wore out. The time saved and aggravation would have been well worth it over the past 40 years.

And every person I've ever talked to says the same thing --- "I wish I'd have bought a better compressor"....

This is right next to the statement ---- I wish I'd have bought a decent lift years ago.


TWO tools that are used far far more than you can ever imagine.... and ones that aren't "replaced" often if bought correctly.

They'll outlive the expensive wheels a guy buys that are out of style before the build gets done.... LOL