Know of an Air Compressor that Fits These Specs?

[Dan Case LR]

I need a new air compressor that will consistently deliver at least 10-12 CFM@90PSI. That's the easy part.

The catch is that I don't have a good place to put a typical stationary air compressor. What I really need is a portable compressor on wheels that delivers at least 10-12 CFM@90PSI and can be moved when it becomes necessary to access the mechanicals behind it for service or replacement. It's the only spot I have for a compressor, and I can't fit a full-size (60-80 gal tank) unit there.

I've been looking at options, and they are few and far between. On the low end, Campbell-Haufeld's DIY/Consumer line has a 26-gallon, 3.2 HP model that can do 10CFM@90PSI for around $650. It looks good until you see how cheaply it's built. I need something that will stand up to heavy use, live long and help me prosper. The other end of the spectrum is in the $2000 neighborhood, way out of my $1000 budget.

Anyone have a recommendation for a compressor that will work in this case?

Thanks!

D.

[Ken Grant]

you could always mount a bigger pump on a small tank, or have the pump and tank in different locations. There are options if you are willing to do a little fab work and put something together yourself.

[Dimitrios Fradelakis]

I know you didn't state strictly electrical powered but I have this unit and have been very pleased with it. Yes, it is kinda loud but it performs well and it's portable: http://m.northerntool.com/products/shop~tools~product_531387_531387?hotline=false&cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Air%20Tools%20%2B%20Compressors%20%26gt %3B%20Gas%20Powered%20Air%20Compressors&utm_campaign=Ingersoll%20Rand&utm_content=1592049&gclid=CJn_4t-spM4CFQsIaQod3b4LFg

They do pop up on Craigslist every now and again which is where I got mine for $350.00.

[Dan Case LR]

you could always mount a bigger pump on a small tank, or have the pump and tank in different locations. There are options if you are willing to do a little fab work and put something together yourself.

I've got no problem with fab work if it makes sense--I've done plenty of it--but my first choice is to find a ready-to-run solution so I can get back to woodturning, my first love.

If only I could turn a wood air compressor...:D

D.

[Dan Case LR]

I should have been more specific. Electric only--for use inside garage shop.

D.

[Brian Lamb]

I use a 2hp 10 gallon California Air Tools compressor, one puts out about 5cfm, but they are about $350 at Home Depot, two of them would be $700, quiet, portable and give you the 10cfm you need... and fit in your budget.

[Adam Herman]

I would stick with belt drive only, as the direct drive stuff is generally not built as well and is non-fixable. You will have to go 240 to get one machine that will do that cfm. How about something like a Rolair? heavy, very well built but still portable.

http://www.toolnut.com/Rolair_3095K18_Heavy_Duty_3_HP_Wheeled_Compressor_ p/3095k18.htm

[Malcolm McLeod]

I need a new air compressor that will consistently deliver at least 10-12 CFM@90PSI....

Consistently or Constantly? You didn't mention how you will use the air.

Ken suggested big pump/small tank. What about big tank / small pump? Could you use a compressor sized for space available, portability, and access requirements - but under-sized for air delivery?? And, could separate large air receiver(s) (located nearly anywhere) provide the make-up air required for peak-use times. And then recharge while you 're-load'?? Just be careful you don't exceed the duty cycle of the motor.

(Betting this is vacuum holding/chuck, so I know its a long shot, but just trying to think outside the box.)

[Dan Case LR]

Consistently or Constantly? You didn't mention how you will use the air.

The biggest consumer is a pneumatic sander. Not necessarily every day of my life, but when used it's used heavily.



Ken suggested big pump/small tank. What about big tank / small pump?

If I had room for a large tank I'd have room for a large compressor on top.



(Betting this is vacuum holding/chuck, so I know its a long shot, but just trying to think outside the box.)

I've never tried vacuum chucks. If I did my bank account would spring another leak!

Thanks!

D.

[Dan Case LR]

I use a 2hp 10 gallon California Air Tools compressor, one puts out about 5cfm, but they are about $350 at Home Depot, two of them would be $700, quiet, portable and give you the 10cfm you need... and fit in your budget.


Interesting idea, Brian. I'll give that some thought. My understanding is that as oilless compressors go, CAT is a good product. Do you think they would stand up to heavy use?

Thanks!

D.

[Justin Ludwig]

Call Portland Compressor. 800-542-8300 (tel:+1-800-542-8300) Extremely helpful and knowledgeable folk.

[Jim Becker]

I'd hazard a guess that your requirement is pushing the limit of anything "small" and portable to extreme limits...I've never seen anything "common" with that like of air flow and portable. Hopefully, one of the custom places can come up with something for you. Air sanders and portable compressors are not normally used in the same sentences... ;)

[Joe Jensen]

Air Compressors direct has a great filter tool where you pick your requirements. Here is one from them. 12.1 cfm at 100psi. 3HP single stage portable.
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/MAXair-P4125H1-MAP-Air-Compressor/p5488.html

[Brian Lamb]

Interesting idea, Brian. I'll give that some thought. My understanding is that as oilless compressors go, CAT is a good product. Do you think they would stand up to heavy use?

Thanks!

D.

I have about a year on mine and it runs a lot, it sits next to my CNC mill and supplies blow off air and air for tool changes and coolant. I have read good things about them, but given the length of time so far, I can't say what the thought will be 5 years from now. But, I see no reason to suspect the unit to be short lived, it's heavy duty and not your typical cheap ass oil-less noisy compressor.

I have a 60 gallon vertical Ingersoll Rand and it's 95 decibels when it's running, the CAT is 74db, my mill makes more noise than the compressor. If your "heavy use" is only occasional, I'd do what I did, buy one, see if it keeps up, figuring if it can't on a regular basis, then purchase a second and plumb the two units together. It's very simple to do, they have two outlets on the panel, one port could be just a jumper hose from the two tanks.

[Bruce Page]

Air Compressors direct has a great filter tool where you pick your requirements. Here is one from them. 12.1 cfm at 100psi. 3HP single stage portable.
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/MAXair-P4125H1-MAP-Air-Compressor/p5488.html


That looks like the perfect answer.

[Bill Dufour]

Mount the tank in the attic and hook a hose from the portable compressor to the tank plumbing. maybe use a small tank on the compressor for quick use. Like a five gallon tank or smaller.
Bill D.

[Bill Neely]

Speedaire has a compressor that fits your needs. I have an older one that is very similar, the only thing I don't like about it is - because the tank is small it runs pretty much continually when I'm using a lot of air.

https://www.grainger.com/product/SPEEDAIRE-Portable-Electric-Barrel-Air-WP157586/_/N-aepZ1z0r5a4/Ntt-Air+Compressors+and+Vacuum+Pumps?sst=All&s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/1NNF6_AS01?$smthumb$#nav=%2Fproduct%2FSPEEDAIRE-Portable-Electric-Barrel-Air-WP157586%2F_%2FN-aeyZ1z0h26wZ1z0r5a4%2FNtt-Air%2BCompressors%2Band%2BVacuum%2BPumps%3FR%3D1NN F7%26_%3D1475048615963%26picUrl%3D%252F%252Fstatic .grainger.com%252Frp%252Fs%252Fis%252Fimage%252FGr ainger%252F1NNF6_AS01%253F%2524smthumb%2524%26s_pp %3Dfalse%26sst%3DAll

[Ronald Blue]

What about a vertical tank (stationary) unit and build a mobile base for it? Not all that different that mobile bases for larger bandsaws that also are top heavy. It opens up a lot more options and I think keeps you under your target price while giving several higher quality options to choose from. Just something to consider.

[Cody Jensen]

Just to give my $0.02 about this. At work we have a air bearing stage, which required 3 CFM at 90 psi and we have a small dryer for it that uses about 1.5 CFM to regenerate, so conservatively 5 CFM. This number seemed extremely small for a 240V compressor, but a cheap 3.7 HP, 60 gal Sanborn from Menards shook itself apart in less than 3 months. There is a difference in asking a compressor to give you its rated amount for 5-10 minutes at a time, but ask it to give you something 24/7 and the consumer units don't hold up. We have had smaller units running some pneumatic legs and they have also prematurely failed from 24/7 air use, including a 6 gal CAT compressor. For 8-5 "shop use" you may be okay, but I wouldn't be comfortable running anything less than 5 HP at 10+ CFM for more than 10-20 minutes at a time.

[Ronald Blue]

The only compressors designed for 100% duty cycle are way over his limit that he set. Compressors of that grade are usually water cooled and screw type or double action pistons that pump both directions.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Speedaire has a compressor that fits your needs. I have an older one that is very similar, the only thing I don't like about it is - because the tank is small it runs pretty much continually when I'm using a lot of air.You have to be very careful about air claims made by the mfg.
Notice that Speedaire says "free CFM", not SCFM (standard cubic feet per min).
.
The actual amount of compressed air delivered @ 90 psi is probably more like 5 or 6, not the 10 that it misleads people into believing.
Here's a good explanation of what "free air" is http://www.truetex.com/aircompressors.htm

[Don Sundberg]

You need to strech your budget or wait for a sale on a Quincy QT-54 or similar. It's a 5 hp 60 gal vertical tank two stage pump thats good for 15.4 cfm @ 100 psi. If the vertical it too tall they generally make an equivalent that uses a 30-40 gal horizontal tank that they use for the gas powered portables. I wouldn't run a sander on anything less than a 2 stage compressor.

[Don Sundberg]

Rolair has this one but its seems to got for 1299.

https://www.rolair.com/products/air-compressors/wheeled-electric/3095k18

3 hp 2 stage dual hotdog portable tank.

If you need to move the air compressor to service it you may be boxing it in too tight for it to cool itself. Most air compressors have a recommended minimum distance they need to be installed from a wall.

[Mike Cutler]

You need to strech your budget or wait for a sale on a Quincy QT-54 or similar. It's a 5 hp 60 gal vertical tank two stage pump thats good for 15.4 cfm @ 100 psi. If the vertical it too tall they generally make an equivalent that uses a 30-40 gal horizontal tank that they use for the gas powered portables. I wouldn't run a sander on anything less than a 2 stage compressor.

IIRC, that is the compressor, Quincy QT-54, that Dan ended up ordering.
I waffled between the Quincy and the Rolair and went with the Rolair V5160PT03X. Both are really nice air compressors for a home setup