We have horse power and we have horse power. The old line manufactures have
a very conservative way of measuring horsepower. 2 horsepower on a Quincy
or Ingersoll Rand are very close to the 5hp compressors advertised by Sears,
Coleman, Devilbiss, etc. Check the amperage draw not the horsepower. That
will tell you what the output really is. As a for instance, believe Quincy
makes a nice 2hp 20 gallon portable unit that has the same amperage draw as
the 5hp Sears compressors. Another plus of the Quincy is its a really cool
maroon color and runs very quiet. My old home quality Ingersoll compressor
was a 2hp and worked very well for my use. Even though it was rated at 2hp
by IR, it looked uncannily like the 5hp DeVilbiss, etc.
If you are buying a home quality compressor from a retail outlet, look for
at least 5 hp. The larger the tank, the better but at least 20 gallons. Do
not buy the oil less compressors because they are very very noisy.
The compressors from the big guys like IR are really nice and really
expensive. Their smallest compressors typically start at around $800. Not
only are the compressor pumps and motors heavy duty, but the tanks are
better, also. They also require at least 20 amps and possibly 30 amps at
220volts. Does your garage have the juice to power one of these compressors
Do you need all that fire power in a compressor for occasional home use.
Probably not unless you are going to do a lot of sand blasting or other use
that requires the pump to be on continuously. I compromised on a $400
Coleman 6.5hp, 15 amp, 220v, 60 gallon tank compressor. Doesn't cycle as
much as a smaller tank compressor and has the pressure to power all but the
most hungry of power tools. Another plus is its stationary. Don't have to
worry about friends wanting to borrow it.
Last but not least. The home compressors don't have a super high quality
tank. There have been a few reports of rusting out from the inside on
compressors that have not had the air bled off, when not in use. Release
the air pressure after each use. It also drains moisture in the tank and
should greatly extend the tank's life. I replaced the PITA pet cock with a
street elbow a short length of pipe (nipple) and a ball check valve to make
releasing the pressure very easy. From experience, found that getting down
on my hands and knees and groping under the tank to find the valve, then
trying to remember which way it had to be turned to release pressure, always
going the wrong way, bruising my fingers in the process, didn't encourage
releasing the pressure on a daily basis. The street elbow and nipple also
act as a reservoir so small amounts of water doesn't pool at the bottom of
the tank.
Aloha
Peter
>From: "Hope Peter" <hope_peter@bah.com>
>Reply-To: lro@works.team.net
>To: <lro@Works.Team.Net>
>Subject: Re: LRO: Air Compressors
>Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 19:07:38 -1000
>
> > Alan Richer/CAM/Lotus wrote:
> >
> > > It's not like I have a wimpy compressor either - 1.5 Hp running on 220
>is
> > > more than adequate.
> > ajr
> > Sorry AJR 1.5hp isn't even as good as wimpy. Wimpy starts at 2.5hp. This
> > probably why you have never come to love airtools.
> > John and Muddy
>
>Have to agree with that.
>I am not saying that you need a 10hp cast pump mounted on a 120 gallon
>tank,
>but 1.5 sounds like a pancake compressor used by roofers.
>
>For a home shop I would recommend 5hp minimum and a 60 gallon tank.
>Shooting paint, using a sand blaster, or running a die grinder or sander
>will suck down air very fast, but for a hobbiest the above size will work
>well. I only spray small bits and panels at the house, use the downdraft
>paint booth over at Hickham for bigger jobs. Anyway I have a 6hp pump, but
>only a 40 gal tank and it works, and it's on wheels. But I plan on getting
>a bigger tank in the furture.
>Pete
>
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