Air compressor for shop

B

Banskytrees

Location
lindenwold NJ
We are looking to set up 2 stations to blow out saws and would like a hose free for such things as tires etc . We currently have a 20 gallon compressor thinking 60 gallon 5 hp from harbor freight would cut it any thoughts or ideas appreciated thanks!
 
Before buying anything from Harbor Fright that I'm going to depend on I read a LOT of reviews. Not just on the HF site either. There are other places to get reviews.

You might talk to an industrial air power vendor first. They can make sure that you get one with the right pressure, CFM and recovery time. Pre-drier, automatic tank drain, muffler and air intake filter are all important. They might have a rebuilt or trade-in that would be much better than anything from HF.

Do you have 220v available? If not, you might find the whole issue would be solved by having 2-3 small pancake compressors. I found one in a dumpster with a broken plug. After wiring a new plug I've found that it puts out enough air to clean saws just fine. If I need to go a distance I have a couple of large gauge extension cords. If you go too far you're better off going with longer air hose in 3/8" diamater rather than the 1/4" they come with.
 
If all you want to do is blow off saws, I would think you could plumb a hose to your second station, and keep a splitter at the compressor to have 2 stations. The compressor is going to run, but I think it would do the job. Or like Tom said, just add a pancake compressor.

If you plan on running air tools, completing shop repairs, blowing out truck and chipper air filters, metal fabrication, etc. I would look into a 80 gallon compressor, and buy as nice as you can afford and/or justify. I couldn't do nearly as much in the shop without a nice compressor.

I own quite a few HF tools, but most of their stuff is hit or miss so make sure to do your homework. I have one of these hoses at my saw bench, I like it for cleaning saws.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-ft-x-14-in-coiled-polyurethane-air-hose-61980.html
 
Speaking as someone with a lot of experience with both compressed air and HF tools, I strongly suggest AGAINST buying non-mobile compressors from HF. If it rolls or has a gas engine, no prob, buy it, use it, return it for a new one just before the 2 year guarantee(yeah, I buy most of the guarantees at HF, they're set up with a strange biz model and actively encourage the swap out practice). You're generally going to wire and plumb in a larger compressor and even with the guarantees, I'd rather deal with a service tech than having to drag 300 lbs of compressor back to do an exchange.

How large of a compressor is needed is the big question, and for simple blow outs, cleanup, airing tires, etc, pretty much anything 20 gallons+ and greater than 1 1/2 hp will work perfectly fine. You're probably in the right range looking at the 60 gal 5hp models, if you're considering an installed compressor. The biggest question to ask yourself is what will the max usage be? As far as the aforementioned uses, no prob, most any compressor will do the job. Expanding the usage to air tools, sanders, etc, or additional stations, that's where you're going to find limitations. Past a certain point, tank size doesn't matter. The tank is there to provide a start/stop buffer and for momentary small usage without the compressor needing to kick on. To give an example, the 5 hp motor putting out 16 cfm can fill that 60 gallon tank aprox 8 times in a minute.

Another thing to think about for maximum usage is duty cycle. HF doesn't list a duty cycle for their compressors. A 5hp IR from Tractor Supply company is actually $100 less than the 5hp from HF. It's also significantly quieter and designed to have a 100% duty cycle.

Another point to ponder is what accessories are available. You can buy bigger mufflers, air cleaners, automatic drain valves(water condenses in the tank) etc for the IR. Not nearly as much from HF.
 
harbor freight is a place where you can get some ok stuff

but a lot of it is junk and doesn't last too long. cheap for a reason
 
Banskytrees said:
We are looking to set up 2 stations to blow out saws and would like a hose free for such things as tires etc . We currently have a 20 gallon compressor thinking 60 gallon 5 hp from harbor freight would cut it any thoughts or ideas appreciated thanks!
Click to expand...
How many saws, how often?

I almost bought a shop compressor. May still some day. We hooked up a hose system on our bucket trucks air brakes tank. We air tires up and blow saws out in the field, or at the shop. We only have 10 saws though.

I got sold on the new cordless M18 Milwaukee fuel impact gun to change tires. Out performs all others...iirc 750ftlbs of tightening and 1000ftlbs of loosening! Rides in the front of my truck everyday. When the mini gets a flat, it's like NASCAR! Changing chipper blades is a pleasure too.

If I want to paint or sand blast I have several friends who bought big compressors and never use them.
 
Thank you all for the valuable input will continue to a bit more homework in regards to shopping i.e HF and Northern catalog lol I feel much more informed and confident
Ryan
 
I wouldn't rule out Tractor Supply either. Don't know the brands or quality, but it gives you another place to look.
 
I've always believed in IR. At least until the other week when I saw a big IR, twin cylinder industrial unit clearly stamped "Made in China" Client that was taking delivery of it said he goes through one every 2 years. (Sigh)
 
Tr33, are you looking for a portable electric or a portable fuel unit? Also, if you're thinking fueled, there would be the option of a truck-mounted unit.

When it comes to "small" portables, my favorite electrics are the DeWalt and Bostich 200psi models and the Max 400psi system. My main reason for liking the Dewalt and Bostich 200psi line is because you have a bit less weight for the equivalent compressor. The vertical Bostich I have in the garage has a 13 gallon tank and is equivalent to a 20 gallon standard compressor. There's also the advantage of these compressors being oilless.

The Max system kind of deserves it's own category, as it's designed around their PowerLite series of pneumatic tools. All fastener drivers, of course, but where else can you find a Nailgun capable of driving 5 1/2" spikes with one pull of the trigger? Or a concrete nailer that'll fasten a 2x4 down with no prep? Of course, this comes with some drawbacks in the form of damage to the wallet, lol. $1600 or so for their compressor, between $500 and $1200 per tool depending, and then the high pressure hoses and fittings aren't cheap either. When would I suggest this particular item? Well, I was doing a lot of timber-framed retaining walls when I picked up mine and wanted a nailgun capable of putting a 5" spike through 2" roughcut planking into 6x6" uprights on the first strike. I also have a friend who does a lot of commercial work and he has my max more often than I do, he's absolutely enamored of the drywall track pinner. He much prefers it over the Hilti and Paslode gas guns or the powder-drive fasteners.

IR's garage mate line is pretty nice as well, from what I have been told.

As far as fueled compressors, everybody that does compressors has at least a few gas models out there. Very few powered by diesel, until you get up to some pretty big compressors. I'll stick to wheelbarrow-style models for comparison, they're kind of considered the start of the gas models. HF's 9 gal wheelbarrow isn't a bad model @$500, puts out 9 cfm @ 90 psi. A comparable Northstar from northerntool or an IR would be a bit more expensive, $899 and $999 respectively, but they both do put out 2 cfm more, are rated for 100% duty cycle, and come with Honda engines rather than HF's predator power.

Past the wheelbarrow compressors, you're really getting into truck or pallet mount if you're still talking portable and not a trailer. Northern Tool has a fairly nice northstar powered by a honda gx390, runs $1900 but it will put out 24 cfm. IR, Quincy, even campbell hausefeld all have models like this, usually referred to as service truck models. Not really a needed item for tree care, IMHO. There's a use for smaller compressors for regular usage, then a wiiiiiide gap between blowing out saws and using an airspade.

Of course, if you do more than just tree work and have a need for a compressor, generator and a welder, you owe it to yourself to check out a Miller Trailblazer Air Pak 302. Not exactly cheap at a MSRP of $13k, but when you add up the 3 functions if bought independently it starts to make more sense. X-ray quality welds pushing 300 A on DC stick 350A on MIG, 11,000w continuous genny, 31cfm air compressor, also with 100% duty rating. And then of course the add-on plasma capable of cutting 7/8" plate. I still regret getting rid of the one I had, but at that time I was getting out of the service biz and selling off the F450 w the bucket and the trailblazer made fiscal sense.

Finally, there's the other compressors that tree guys are familiar with. Gas or diesel, trailer mounted, primarily 150+ cfm. If you have an airspade, you already own or rent one, and if you're thinking of an airspade you're thinking about one of these too. A Sullair 185 powered by a Cat diesel runs about $20k brand new, you can get a used one in the 5-7k range. Kaeser's are available around $15k new for the same cfm, but I have no experience w that mfg yet. Big question here, of course, is buy or rent? Renting has it's advantages, namely someone else is responsible for maintenance and repairs, but with decent accounting it's not hard to build those factors into the equipment charges to customers. I lean towards buying, mainly because I'm an acquisitive pack rat, but also because I have friends in all sorts of businesses and have had some success with renting/loaning out equipment when I'm not using it.
 
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