My Air Compressor died

[Bruce Page]

ol’ wise & crafty SMC alumni, after 24 years of moderately hard use, my Dayton Speed-Aire finally died last night.

So... it’s time to start looking for a replacement! :D

Naturally my criteria is somewhat restricting…:rolleyes:

It has to be a good/high quality unit.
It needs to be a horizontal unit with 20+ gallon capacity, I just don’t have the room for a large vertical compressor – it can’t be any taller than 42”
It needs to be 110v so that limits it to about 2hp – 12hp if it’s a Craftsman but we don’t want to go there. :D ;)


So what say ye, learned sages, I am open to all suggestions, I’m heading back to Kodiak next week :( , it would be nice to have it delivered before I get back.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Sorry to hear about your compressor. I was going to mention that a sears compressor was on sale, but I don't think you want to hear that :)

Good luck in your search!

[Bill Arnold]

... I am open to all suggestions ...
OK, well you said it!

When I needed to upgrade for better air flow, but still with restricted space I got this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47065. Say what you will about HF but if you buy selectively you can get some decent stuff at a good price. There's a store in Albuquerque.

Regards,

[Jim Becker]

Check out the IR GarageMate...I believe it will fit in your space and it a signficantly better compressor than most in the size and price range out there.

[Bruce Page]

Check out the IR GarageMate...I believe it will fit in your space and it a signficantly better compressor than most in the size and price range out there.
Thanks Jim, I did just that. The Ingersoll Rand, Garage Mate SS3F2-GM looks like it fits the bill. It does't seem widely available though. I found it at http://www.jackxchange.com/products/SS3F2-GM.cfm
Anybody ever heard of them? I also sent Northern Tool an email asking if they could order it.

Bill, this is not a slam against HF, I just don't think it would stand up to the abuse it would get in my machine shop / woodshop.

[Jim Becker]

Bruce...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=207226&R=207226

[Bruce Page]

Bruce...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=207226&R=207226
They don't list the SS3F2-GM horizontal unit. The vertical unit at 51", is too tall to fit in the allocated space. :o

[John Shuk]

I was going to say Northern as well. Alot of IR has free shipping as well. A curious thing is that when you look at the catalog you may see a I/R compressor for $800.00 the on a different page they will have one that has the same specs for $1200.00. Different model number and all. You put I/R side by side to most others and you will see the reason to buy one for sure.

[Bill Arnold]

Bill, this is not a slam against HF, I just don't think it would stand up to the abuse it would get in my machine shop / woodshop.
Bruce,

Believe me, I won't take it personally. I wish I had the space for a much heftier compressor than the HF. For now, I have to operate in my share of a two car garage so I have more limitations than many of you. After much consideration, I got the HF mainly to give it a try and it has proven itself for me -- for now. I'm sure I'll need a better unit down the road.

Best regards,

[Bart Leetch]

By golly Bruce you need to let me in your shop for a while I'll bet I could find room for a little bit bigger air compressor. :eek:

When they say shoe horn I though they were putting one shoe inside the other. I was just sure that they weren't honkin to pass. :D

[Steve Ash]

Consider Campbell Hausfeld? I have two...one is a permanent 60 gallon compressor (VT6310) that is in my shop, but the other one is my portable unit. (WL650500AJ) It is a 22 gallon model,120V that functions both horizontally as well as vertically. I use it on my jobsites to run my sheeting gun, roofing gun and my trim guns.

[Rob Russell]

Bruce,

Why not consider running a 240v line and getting a higher HP compressor? If you're currently using a dedicated receptacle for the compressor you could convert it to 240v easily.

Rob

[Bruce Page]

Bruce,

Why not consider running a 240v line and getting a higher HP compressor? If you're currently using a dedicated receptacle for the compressor you could convert it to 240v easily.

RobRob, I have a 220volt milling machine, engine lathe, table saw, planner & bandsaw - I'm tapped out unless I run another circuit from the main panel in the house. :(

Bart, you are welcome to drop in at any time but I'm done with re-arranging for a while. :eek:

Steve, I dug up the receipt on my Dayton Speed-Aire last night, I bought it on 10/09/83 - that's 24+ years with only the occassional oil change and draining. I want it's replacement to last at least as long. :rolleyes:

[Ken Garlock]

Bruce, check out Arizona Tools (http://www.arizonatools.com/catalog/browse/2288-3426-3699/detail/14572/)

By the time you add shipping, you ar looking at nearly the price of a 5 hp 60 gal. IR. About $750 plus shipping vs $999 and free shipping. I hope Northern Tools can get you a better price than I have seen :)

[Bruce Page]

Bruce, check out Arizona Tools (http://www.arizonatools.com/catalog/browse/2288-3426-3699/detail/14572/)

By the time you add shipping, you ar looking at nearly the price of a 5 hp 60 gal. IR. About $750 plus shipping vs $999 and free shipping. I hope Northern Tools can get you a better price than I have seen :)Ken, that is pretty pricey! Jack-X-Change has it for only :rolleyes: $639.50 and that includes the IR start-up kit & shipping. I hope to hear from Northern tomorrow - I rather buy from someone that I have had past dealings with. I have'nt heard of Jack-X-Change but that doesn't mean they aren't a good company.

[Rob Russell]

Rob, I have a 220volt milling machine, engine lathe, table saw, planner & bandsaw - I'm tapped out unless I run another circuit from the main panel in the house. :(

Bruce,

Unless you're planning to run all of those machines at the same time, you've can run a 240v compressor off of any of those circuits. You could always run 2 lines over to the compressor - 1 from one of your metal-working machine circuits and the other from one of the wood-working machines. Put a double pole, double throw switch by the compressor so you can switch it back and forth to a circuit that's not being used. Doing woodwork - switch the compressor to the metal-working circuit and vice versa.

Just an idea.

[Bruce Page]

Bruce,

Unless you're planning to run all of those machines at the same time, you've can run a 240v compressor off of any of those circuits. You could always run 2 lines over to the compressor - 1 from one of your metal-working machine circuits and the other from one of the wood-working machines. Put a double pole, double throw switch by the compressor so you can switch it back and forth to a circuit that's not being used. Doing woodwork - switch the compressor to the metal-working circuit and vice versa.

Just an idea.Thanks Rob, I thought about that but I still have the aforementioned space problem :(, have you seen my shop? Other than the testosterone factor :) , I really don't need a big compressor.

[Rob Russell]

Bruce,

I was thinking of something like these compressors (http://air.irco.com/asg/small_recip/air_sled.asp#). Click on the Specifications link and check out the 230v unit - 11 or 14 CFM @ 90 psi depending on the unit you get.

Rob

[David Figueroa]

You could check out Eaton Compressors; the guy who did a glue up/milling job for me has a huge on in his shop. They have one for $725 that might fit your requirements. Since they can also build a custom compressor to your specs, you could give them a call to see what they say. Their web site is http://www.eatoncompressor.com (http://www.eatoncompressor.com/)

I have no connection to this company, but have seen their end product in a local woodshop.