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i was wondering what size air compressor i need to buy. i am trying to spend less than $400. I am not sure about how big of a tank is big enough or how much hp is enough. also i am planning on buying a sand blaster as well. so i guess the compressor needs to be big enough to power that. if you can steer me in the right direction that would be great. Any ideas on a good sand blaster would be great too.
thanks in advance
haulinbass

Here is what I did. I did a search on air tools to find how many CFM each tool used. Then based on that information I did a search on air compressors to find the one that would meet my needs.

haulinbass,

Your $400 won't buy you a compressor large enough to supply a pressure pot sand blaster of much size. I would take the most money I could muster and scout out the largest compressor with the best buy I could find. Almost all of them in that price range will be made offshore and will be of almost identical construction and quality.

Shop around and find the best buy and best warranty and free shipping.

Stuart

what do you think of this air compressor?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/tls/1116638048.html

haulinbass,

There have been a million discussions here about small air compressors. I have seen them but have not participated. I looked at your link of the Craigslist item. I Goggled Tractor Supply just to get a comparison and found an exact duplicate to the one you found in Atlanta. The Tractor Supply air compressor was labeled Campbell Hausfeld.

I'm guessing they come into this country by the boatload from China. For your $400 dollars, I think your find in Atlanta would be perfect for you....buy it quickly. Good luck.

Stuart

All compressors are not created equal. As Jimmie D stated you need to match the output in CFM & pressure to the requirements of your highest usage tool. In this case it sounds like a sandblaster. If for example the tool needs 10 CFM @ 90 PSI and your compressor output is 6 CFM @ 90 PSI you'll always be stopping & waiting for the compressor to catch up. Also the compressor you posted the link to has a might low price for a quality compressor of that capacity. I suspect it's cheap junk or stolen. If it was me I would buy from a reputable dealer & get a name brand. You'll pay more up front but a $400 compressor that lasts a week isn't worth much.

what Tiny said, plus a single stage compressor isn't likely to deliver what's claimed, and 3.6hp [rated not actual] won't last, especially sandblasting - I'd say that would be a rock bottom unit that'll need replacing before your current project is complete

Bill

could anyone point me in the right direction?

haulinbass,


I thought your spending limit was $400 dollars! Tiny and Bill are right on the money....buy a nice Ingersoll-Rand screw compressor with 120 gallon tank. They go for about $8000 clams, but that's more than $400 dollars...I think!

Stuart

don't hafta go for the top, but take your time and watch for good used for awhile - not cheap second hand NOS, but something from someone who's 'downsizing' or an estate sale - or like I found, a 5hp 2 stage 100 gallon antique from an old service station .... for 400 you can get a good used setup, but with new at that price you'll be compromising, and sand blasting isn't likely to be something that'll be very workable - if thats the primary thing you're wanting a compressor for, hire out that part

Bill

i vote for good used as well. it seems to always be the best buy.

Hoggy,

Did you mean 'good used' or 'well used'. Sometimes it's hard for a person to tell the difference.


Stuart

you are correct! sometimes it's hard to tell. i am such a cheapskate, i hardly ever buy a new item like that. i have a 80 gal upright 220v made in usa one i bought locally from someone who bought it, then had to move. it was about 6 months old. they hadn't used it much when i got it. i think i gave 300 for it 4 or 5 years ago. air comp's are so popular it's kind of hard to find a deal but you can if you dig around. as long as you aren't in a hurry time can be on your side.

A word to the wise. Save up a few more dollars and buy one that you feel is overpowered for your needs. You can never have too big of a compressor.I updated my old Champion a couple of years ago at Tractor Supply. I bought an Ingersol Rand 5 HP on an 80 gal. upright tank. Two stage unit that serves me just fine.It was listed at $999. and they had a 10% off sale on compressors.So out the door for $899.And yeah,a used unit would be nice,if you can find one.

I worked for Ingersoll-Rand for 30 years...I know they make great compressors and they make them in the US. You can buy a nice Model T10 5HP w/ 80 gallon tank for about $400.

I looked on the I.R. web site, and could not find the T10 model you speak of. Would love to find one for 400 GB's., as long as it has 12 to 13 cfm's. Am I way out of line?

I bought the 5 hp at Tractor supply like Dale937 did in Nov 08 cost a $1100 + 150 at northern tool for a regulator that will stand up to 175 PSI. you can never have too much air.
No problems so far very happy with mine.
Brad

you can never have too much air- tell that to someone in tornado alley.

Here is what one site has to say about shopping for compressors. I bought one of these Eaton's and am happy with it.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/504747.htm

Buyer beware...there is a lot of fraud in the market of air compressors. There are companies claiming more CFM than what their unit actually has. The way to check for this, get their PUMP-UP time in writing and this will cover you if they have a fault CFM. Things to watch out for: fast pump RPM--low RPM is better, compressor companies are giving you "starting" HP instead of "running" HP, which means NOTHING when purchasing a compressor. To be a TRUE 5 hp motor, it must pull at least 23 running amps or it is not a 5 hp motor. Compressor pumps that are claiming cast iron and they are really not. When shopping take a magnet with you. If it doesn't stick, it is not cast iron. Watch out for reed valves. They are a cheap valve system. Our valves are a disk valve design which is the highest valve design on the market and has been proven in compressors for many years. Our rods have a rod-bearing insert which makes this pump 100% rebuildable. 95% of compressors on the market have no bearing inserts. They are throw-away. We have a breakdown of our compressor and will show you in detail what is inside of it. Satisfaction GUARANTEED!! Email us with your city, state, and zip for freight quote. We give some of the most competitive shipping rates---but we do not "bump up" the unit cost and then claim "free shipping"! Residential delivery is an additional $15.00 and liftgate service is an additional $15.00. You can also pick the unit up here at our factory to save on freight. **PLEASE NOTE: When sending in payment for compressor, please include the following information with payment: Name, Business Name (if applicable), ship-to address, itemized list of what you have paid for (description of unit with amount, freight and additional services (if applicable). This helps our accounting department and ensures the correct unit is shipped since many are being shipped daily. ** We accept money orders, certified checks, and business checks and personal checks. However, if paying by business or personal check, unit will ship 10 days after receipt of check. If you have any questions, you can contact Matt Cain, Owner, Eaton Compressor @ 937-456-1752. We offer the best factory service & warranty in the industry and have all parts in stock if you would have a problem - ready for next-day air shipment. Thanks for taking the time to view our products.

Having read this entire thread concerning compressors and the purchase thereof, I offer the following for your consideration.....

Husky brand compressor from Home Depot
60 gal.
3.2 hp
10.2 SCFM @ 90 PSI
135 Max PSI
230 V
4 yr. limited warranty
Oil incl. in pump

$364 on sale thru May 6.

For someone needing a decent compressor that won't break the bank, and not planning on doing any frame sand blasting, would this be a good unit to purchase?

Thanks!

I would add one other direction. Look for a dead used compressor for cheap or nothing to get the tank. Check Surplus Center for a compressor. You may get lucky and get a good motor with the old unit. I've rebuilt a couple this way. Dave

Got time for a tall tale?
My neighbor in Seattle owns a small farm in the Methow Valley.
He was at a feed store and saw a post it advertising a stick welder for $50.00.
He went to look at it. It was a nice old Lincoln.
He told the old gent that he'd take it, and he also admired the old compressor in the barn. The guy said that if he could get it in his truck he could have it.
Luckily, he had ramps and his old hand crank winch and he took home a 60 year old IR 100 gallon compressor. That thing had what looked like an 18 inch flywheel on it.
He put a new plug on the 220 motor cord and plugged it in and then ran out of his barn to wait for the explosion.
Nuttin happened, and he's been using it for a year now.

One thing to consider is what you are going to do with the compressor after you finish your truck. Your photos look like your truck is in about the same shape mine was. I can tell you you will have a bunch of blasting to contend with. I am running a 3.5 hp and a 2.5 hp hooked together and a 40 lb. harbor freight pressurized sandblaster and have no complaints. The valves on the sandblaster were crap but were replaced with new ball valves. If you are close to one of the Hudson's dirt cheap locations Mississippi they resell harbor freight returns. I bought the 2.5 hp compressor and the sandblaster at 90% off. Both needed repair but the ball valves were cheap and the compressor needed a head gasket that I cut from some copper flashing. All of that to say you have some time to shop two small compressors can drive a sandblaster and unless you are going to be rebuilding something after the truck you can get by with 2 that will work out to total 5 hp or better. I only have to run one most of the time then kick the other in to blast. When I get finished with the truck I can sell one and keep one around to pump up the tires on the lawn mower. I am in the market to replace the 3 hp but that is another story. http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/AirConsum.aspx This link has some useful info. This is a diagram of how to plumb the air system proper plumbing to control the moisture is magic when it comes to running a sandblaster http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/airline-piping-diagram.pdf

I bought a 5 hp 80 gl 15CFM comp from Tractor supply to do anything from lugnuts to sand blasting. Paid through the nose $1100, But I got an INGERSOL RAND SKU 3496129

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_35688_-1______14151%7C14152%7C14169%7C35688?listingPage=true&Special=false

it should out last me. Spent another $300 on hoses, regulators, wiring to house etc....
Overkill probabliy, will it do what I want YES.

brsdb3381,that sounds like the unit I bought a few yrs. back on sale.It is a very good compressor,and it serves it purpose well.I think you made a wise decision in buying it.