The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Need help selecting the right air compressor

I'm looking for some input on buying an air compressor to complete the body work on my '65 chevy c10.(the little guy I have right now aint gonna cut it!)
I need one that will easily run my air board sander, body grinder and cut off wheel etc. Oh by the way I am really kinda forced to buy it from Menards because I have a $400. in store credit to go towards the purchase, so if anyone knows a specific one there that would be really great. I'm having a rough time figuring out all the psi,hp and cfm ratings, its rather confusing! I'm looking to spend anywhere from $800 to $1200. but still
always looking to get the best price I can.
Or don't I need to spend that much?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Where did you buy that one? Thats a pretty decent sized one!

Xtech, You have a Menards in Mich., darn I miss that store, it was one of my favs when I lived in Illinois.

The important spec is the CFM. You got to have a comp. that will keep up with your air demands, which means you'll need at least something better than 12 CFM because of the tools u want to use.

That unit he got from Rural King, another of my favorite stores, looks like a nice one. Notice the CFM is 17.

Anything smaller and the comp. has to work all the time to keep up with ur usage.
A 2 stage is what you want, I haven't been to a Menards in years so I don't know what they stock anymore.

Dan

Here is where I bought mine. I would buy another. I like reading his descriptions.

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

I got my Ingersol-Rand at Tractor Supply. It's a 5 horse rated at 18.2 CFM @ 90 PSI continuous which in lay terms means it'll supply 18.2 CFM without falling behind as long as you need it. The way to determine your need is to use the highest requirement of any air tool you have or plan on getting and make that the MINIMUM continuous output of the compressor you buy. For example if you plan on using an air tool that requires 11 CFM @ 90 PSI don't buy a compressor that can't supply that.

I agree with Joe, the bigger the better. I have a 5hp and 60 gal and though has served me well, will always start up when running air tools.

Thanks all for your help and suggestions. Ive never heard of Rural king...lol. TSC looks like they have some decent prices as well as the Eaton compressor site. BUILDER- how much do they charge for shipping?.roughly, I know its a little father to South Dakota from their company in Ohio than it is to Michigan.

XtechX - Call Eaton air compressors. It is likely that you may get the President of the company (Matt). He will talk to you and give you a quote. Tell him Steve from Sioux Falls, SD told you to call.

Xtech, The only other consideration is wiring it up.

My 7.5 HP compressor required a 50 amp service. That means heavy gauge wire.
I'm sure ur aware of that, but in my case the service to my shop had to be totally upgraded because it was only being fed 50 amps.

Now my shop is supplied with 200 amp, but that meant spending a few bucks.
Dan

Well I bought one from Menards, 80 gal tank, 3 cylinders, single stage, 14 cfm at 90 psi and so far I cant complain.
Its running everything great. Thanks all for your inputs.