Compressor Recomendations please

FLYPTV · #1 11-14-2006, 10:19 PM

I am on a very slow build process. Spending the next ten months or so getting me and my garage ready to build. I have been cleaning out and setting up lighting and benches. Since I had the electrician out today for some lighting instalation, I figured I may as well have an outlet installed that would allow for a lot of power. Maybe too much? I went with his recomendation, and had him put in an 240volt 20amp outlet.

Now, I have PLENTY of light. I think the International Space Station will veer off course when I open up both garage doors and turn on the lights!

So, the reason for my post. . . What Compressor do you recomend? The curent plan is a slow build -8 (hopefully factory "fastback'). Not sure whether I will do much painting at the house, maybe just the small jobs, chromate etc. . .

I am very early on in the process and trying to be very methodical about things. I am optimistic if I put a lot of thought and planning into the project I will avoid many of the expensive pitfalls that kill projects.

Please give me your thoughts on compressors. Thanks guys!

Charlie Echo · #2 11-14-2006, 10:29 PM

Van's says that any 1/2 to 2 hp home shop compressor will work and recommends at least a 20 gallon tank so you won't have to run it so much.

tvlawyer · #3 11-14-2006, 10:50 PM

I faced this same dilemma about two months ago. I was had settled on the 26 gallon wheeled compressor from Home Depot. (VT6315) But for only $22 more, I got the 60 gallon, 220 volt unit. (VT6314) I paid to have an electrician wire the compresspr. Since you already have the line installed, this should be an easy choice for you.

One thing I like about the 60 gallon compressor is that because I am a notorious insomniac, I like to work on the plane in the middle of the night. with 60 gallons of air in the tank, I would guess I can squeeze about 100 rivets without the compressor kicking on and waking the entire family.

FLYPTV · #4 11-14-2006, 11:11 PM

Thanks Larry, that looks pretty nice. I was so focussed on Craftsman I didn't even think to look at HD. That would fit perfectly in the space I have available. You say you can work without waking up the family, I don't think I'll be able to do that as the girls bedrooms are above the garage. I don't want to disturb the neighbors though and I plan to mostly work between 8am and 2pm while the family is at school. Does this unit require an enclosure, or is it quiet enough, that isn't necessary?

It's in my price range too. Let see what others have to say.

tvlawyer · #5 11-14-2006, 11:26 PM

Of course you can get by without buidling an enclosure for the VT6314. Sure, it loud, but not as bad as some I've heard... particularly oilless compressors. Fortunately, the unit doesn't cycle all that often unless you're running a sander or die grinder. The fact that the VT6314 throws off a lot of heat should be considered if you are thinking about an enclosure.

I have a dry crawlspace beneath my house... I was thinking of moving the compressor there. But I don't think it will make that much of a difference in my night time work.

I certainly can't use an air drill, grinder, sander, etc., during the night. But the pneumatic squeezer is very quiet. I'll get tired and go to sleep before I run out of air pressure.

I'd be out in the garage working right now, except that I painted the floor this afternoon.

BTW, I didn't read a single good comment about Craftsman compressors when I ws doing my research. The Husky is built by Campbell-Hausfield, as are Lowe's Kobalt models.

captainron · #6 11-15-2006, 08:15 AM

I didn't want to buy a Craftsman, but finally did. They had their 25 gal, oil type professional model which sells for $399. marked down to $279., and if I put it on my Sears card they knocked-off another 10%! The main advantage of this compressor is that it will run on 120 or 240 volts. I looked at the Lowes which said they were cast iron pumps, but when a magnet wouldn't stick to the pump crankcase I decided to pass. The Craftsman is an aluminum pump, but it is way quieter than any oil-free compressor.

RV_7A · #7 11-15-2006, 08:45 AM

SEARS 120v Air Compressor

Its plenty big enough and very very quiet!!!

-Jeff

Mike S · #8 11-15-2006, 10:11 AM

Well, lets look at your needs.

Slow build. Way more rivets than quick build, means more use of compressor, so you want durability. This means NO! to the cheapie oilless stuff.

220v is more efficent than 110v. You have 220V already in, so use it.

Are you going to paint----primer and or final?? Paint guns, and prep tools such as sanders use a lot of air------you need a big tank. Also, you can shoot a lot of rivets with a big tank before the noise starts.

A 220v, oil filled crankcase, 60-80 gal tank fits your needs, and you will probably never wish "I shouda bought a bigger compressor".

Upright will save floor space, and IMHO is better at water seperation in the tank..

Mike

rvator9a · #9 11-15-2006, 10:32 AM

I have a 8o gallon 220v compressor that has sat unused unless I'm using DA or body shop type tools. I have got my slow build plane to the finish kit with a 2hp campbell hausfield 20 gallon comp and have never needed to use the bigger compressor. it is plenty for what you need.

FLYPTV · #10 11-15-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike S

Well, lets look at your needs.

Slow build. Way more rivets than quick build, means more use of compressor, so you want durability. This means NO! to the cheapie oilless stuff.

220v is more efficent than 110v. You have 220V already in, so use it.

Are you going to paint----primer and or final?? Paint guns, and prep tools such as sanders use a lot of air------you need a big tank. Also, you can shoot a lot of rivets with a big tank before the noise starts.

A 220v, oil filled crankcase, 60-80 gal tank fits your needs, and you will probably never wish "I shouda bought a bigger compressor".

Upright will save floor space, and IMHO is better at water seperation in the tank..

Mike

Thanks for everyones input. Looks like the Husky VT6314 will do the trick and then some, it's only $100 more, and will probably have some "re-sale" value when the heavy lifting is complete. The lack of a need for an enclosure is a benefit too, I have a perfect space for an upright. Although this is a pretty big upright.

Not sure yet as to how much glass work I'll do in the finish area. That is a long way down the road. I hope to be in a Hangar by then and would probably do a lot of it myself, which means, YES, the bigger compressor is required.