Compressor, pulling the trigger

He Man · July 05, 2009, 10:05:37 AM

Got thinking about what ducpainter says about his compressor that has last him some time...im gonna drop the coinage on a 2 stage compressor. Gonna run the 220v outlet sometime this week.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=55995

fits the budget. Good brand (right?). Would cost me $700 after shipping. Can't find it at home depot or lowes or anywhere. This is reconditioned though. Any issues with that? Is there anyone in the tool biz that can help me find a better deal? I'm up for other brands as well just $700 is kind of my, holy shit how much extra do you need? cap limit. Originally I was going to pick up a $500 single stage, but for the efficency of a two stage, the $200 is worth the extra moola.

How about Northern tools? ive not had a good experience with them though. I picked up a pipe threader, and had to return 4 of them. Each one had its own problem. Over heated motor after ~1 min of use. Over heating wire after 5 seconds of use, made a horrible death noise when turned on, and one of them just plain out wouldnt start. I ended up getting a full refund, and they got some guy to pick it up, so their customer service is top notch. Free shipping too (thing weighed ~300lbs!!!)

Got Duc · July 05, 2009, 10:16:10 AM

I have a craftsmam upright similar.

Does me good. I bought it used on eBay for $200.

Search local and you should be able to find something in good shape.

He Man · July 05, 2009, 10:21:28 AM

ah i forgot about ebay...

Cant find any 2 stages in my area on CL.

Charlief · July 05, 2009, 01:52:36 PM

I bought a Camp Hausfield (Sp) years ago and it's used ALL THE TIME!

I bought mine at Sears

ducpainter · July 05, 2009, 02:14:43 PM

Quote from: He Man on July 05, 2009, 10:05:37 AM
Got thinking about what ducpainter says about his compressor that has last him some time...im gonna drop the coinage on a 2 stage compressor. Gonna run the 220v outlet sometime this week.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=55995

fits the budget. Good brand (right?). Would cost me $700 after shipping. Can't find it at home depot or lowes or anywhere. This is reconditioned though. Any issues with that? Is there anyone in the tool biz that can help me find a better deal? I'm up for other brands as well just $700 is kind of my, holy shit how much extra do you need? cap limit. Originally I was going to pick up a $500 single stage, but for the efficency of a two stage, the $200 is worth the extra moola.

How about Northern tools? ive not had a good experience with them though. I picked up a pipe threader, and had to return 4 of them. Each one had its own problem. Over heated motor after ~1 min of use. Over heating wire after 5 seconds of use, made a horrible death noise when turned on, and one of them just plain out wouldnt start. I ended up getting a full refund, and they got some guy to pick it up, so their customer service is top notch. Free shipping too (thing weighed ~300lbs!!!)

With the use you'll give it it will last forever.

There are better brands, but CH is a well known brand.

I don't think you'll regret it.

He Man · July 05, 2009, 02:21:30 PM

As long as theres no problems with a reconditioned one!

ducpainter · July 05, 2009, 02:23:40 PM

Quote from: He Man on July 05, 2009, 02:21:30 PM
As long as theres no problems with a reconditioned one!

It really depends on what they did/did not do to 'recondition' it.

What's the warranty?

He Man · July 10, 2009, 06:27:07 PM

Harbor freight only had 90 day warranty on it. so i didnt buy it. However, i have been working a few weekend jobs.

So now im looking to spend around $1200 for a new compressor. New ideas? its +500 to my orignal $700 budget. :p

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400059748251&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr8_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=400060578477&itemcount=8&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget&_trksid=p284.m184&_trkparms=algo%3DDR%26its%3DS%252BI%252BSS%26itu%3DSI%252BISS%252BUCI%26otn%3D8

saw that, but cant figure out the shipping.... however, 40amps on a single phase 220

. 5 year bumper to bumper warranty!!!

Anyone know if I could run a 3 phase from a residential box? Ive only tinkered with 3 phase while working at the hospital, and redoing wires in restaurant air conditioners....is it possible to install a 3 phase from the main box in house? IIRC, the boxes ive seen all just had leads.

also saw this used thing its in NJ, about an hour away. just throw it in the back of the van and bring it home! would save a lot of money, but i have no idea about the brand.

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-HP-Campbell-Hausefeld-Industrial-Air-Compressor_W0QQitemZ160346518049QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Air_Compressors?hash=item255565b221&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

ducpainter · July 11, 2009, 04:01:17 AM

You can get a phase converter to go from single to 3 phase.

40 amps is a lot for a 5 hp motor

Bun-bun · July 11, 2009, 05:42:46 AM

I had a Campbell Hausfeld portable compressor for about five years til someone broke into our van and stole it.
We used it to run nailguns, sometimes for 8-10 hours a day and never had a problem with it.

If you can find one, an upright compressor will take up less space in your shop, but is harder to move. The moving probably doesn't concern you, since your not going to be able to just plug it into any regular house outlet anyway, so it's not like you can carry it to a buddys garage for wrenching or spraying.

What do you think you'll use it for most often?

Langanobob · July 11, 2009, 06:55:49 AM

It might be worth a call to your local utility to see if it's practical to connect 3 phase power - you never know. In my case they wanted $30k!! If you have 220 V service, you can connect a phase converter. There are several types. Static phase converters are simple and relatively inexpensive, but you lose 1/3 of your rated HP, probably not good for a compressor. Rotary converters require a separate motor that spins up and are more expensive. You can also use variable frequency drives (VFD) as single phase to three phase converters, but 5 HP may be at the upper end of the range, and expensive, for using them for phase converters.

It seems to me, not knowing your big picture, that a three phase compressor and the added complication and expense of a phase converter isn't the best solution. Later, when you're out of school and maybe buy a place you can spend the money for three phase power or a phase converter.

You can get single phase compressors with reasonable capacity. I'm still also convinced that with patience you should be able to find a good used one for cheap on Craigslist

. I've been using a single phase 5 HP compressor for about 10 years and it works fine. I paint with it and use sanders and do some sandblasting with it without a problem.

Langanobob · July 11, 2009, 06:59:52 AM

QuoteHarbor freight only had 90 day warranty on it. so i didnt buy it. However, i have been working a few weekend jobs.

What's going to go wrong with it with occasional use? Personally I wouldn't worry about the warranty - if it lasts 90 days it will probably last 20 years.

The most likely area for a problem is the motor. If it's made in USA or Taiwan or assembled in Mexico it should not be a problem. Other likely problem areas such as switches are easily and cheaply fixed.

He Man · July 11, 2009, 04:42:43 PM

I didnt know there was such a thing as phase converters, i have a bunch of 220v equipment in my garage. mostly torn out from work sites that threw them away. ill see if a phase converter pops up, i might get lucky. ill need to google an image of it though.

ive been hunting on CL for the past month and have not seen one two stage for sale. im only searching within 50miles of nyc, anymore and its not worth it.

I plan on doing some pretty heavy sand blasting intially. i have three four story brick buildings that i want to blast, but other then that, its mostly for soda blasting. everything else ill be donig will be light duty such as air tools. I just want a compressor that will be the last one i ever buy. The campbell hausfeld one on HF is sold out, thye get it back in stock every few weeks....a new one woudl cost around $900 bucks, but at that price why wouldnt i go for the eaton one, they sound like a much better brand.

The Eaton one DOES run on single phase 220v just to be clear. Electricity is most expensive in NYC then any other location in the US IIRC, at the location it will be hooked up, its about 36 cents per kWH, sometimes 40, sometimes 33ish. that doesnt include taxes.

I just looked at my breaker, i have a two 40amp 110vs comming up, anotehr 40amp two pole breaker is alot! How many amps do most 2 stages take anyway?

corndog67 · July 11, 2009, 06:04:07 PM

You usually can't get 3 phase in a residential area, at least in CA. I have a phase converter, 7 1/2 hp to run a milling machine and lathe, a bit less than $1000. Plus the electrician to make sure my garage didn't catch fire.

I have a 33 Gal., 6 hp Sears Craftsman single stage, single phase compressor, close out, for about $280 I believe, I bought that one because Sears will back up anything that goes wrong with it.

Personally, I would stay away from the Chinese made stuff. My last compressor was a Master Power from Costco, made in North Carolina, but it was stolen when I moved into this piece of crap city I live in. No problems ever with it.

Langanobob · July 11, 2009, 09:32:03 PM

QuoteI plan on doing some pretty heavy sand blasting intially. i have three four story brick buildings that i want to blast, but other then that, its mostly for soda blasting. everything else ill be donig will be light duty such as air tools. I just want a compressor that will be the last one i ever buy.

He Man, I just have to do a reality check on this-you want to sandblast three 4 storey brick buildings? You're planning on using a 5 HP compressor to sandblast buildings with? You better pack a lunch because it's gonna be a long day

A 5 HP compressor, whether it's one or two stages is going to put out about 14 cfm at say 90 psi. For sandblasting buildings in a reasonable amount of time you need a cfm rating in the hundreds of cfm. Maybe a 100 HP engine or more. You can sandblast buildings with a 5 HP compressor but it will take a long long time, like painting those buildings with a toothbrush. Sandblasting buildings, soda blasting parts, and running small air tools with the same compressor is kind of like racing in the Paris Dakar and MotoGP with the same bike. They're two completely different applications.

You're probably time and money ahead just renting a large sandblasting rig for the buildings and forget about doing them with a 5 HP compressor. Unless you have no other priorities and your time is worth absolutely nothing, which I don't think is the case.

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Compressor, pulling the trigger

corndog67