Need some opinions please. I've been looking around, and have narrowed it down to a few 6.5-7 HP/60 gal compressors. I've looked at Campbell-Hausfeld, and a few brands I've never heard of like Puma, Farmhand, and U.S. General. I plan on running basic air tools (ratchet, cut-off wheel, impact, mini-grinder, a lower cfm hvlp gun). Most of the ones that I can afford (single stage) all have the around the same CFM (12 @40 and 10 @90). However, the Harbor Freight model (U.S. General) states it's a 6.5 hp 60 gal single stage, yet puts out 14.5 @40 and 12.85 @ 90....plus costs less than the others! Is this possible or are they exaggerating the cfm? Can the reading be taken another way that legally allows them to advertise this, or could it be correct? I guess I just don't see how it could be 2 points higher than all the rest, especially when it's a 1/2 HP down from the others. What do you recommend? Anyone using the U.S. General compressor? Thanks.

I'd be leary of the HF one.
Having gone from one like your talking about to a bigger one. I'd say the best thing to do is get the one with the most cfm output you can afford. The old saying "it's better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it." is so true with air comps.
I got mine from Orschlen's Farm Supply in Ottawa Ks.Check out some of the tractor/farm supply places.
More CFM the better. ;)

graemlins/waving.gif
Rick

You should search this for prior threads. If possible, go with a 2 stage unit. I have a cast iron pump single stage (Cambell Hausfield) that works real well. If I had to do it again, I would get the 2 stage. Mine will keep up, but it does generate a lot of heat when running. I will run a fan on high to blow air over it when doing a high consumption job. The 2 stage definitely runs cooler. Stay away from the oil-less types and I would probably not run an aluminum pump compressor. A lot of the air tools, like a cutoff grinder and air ratchetts really eat up the air. If you can swing it, something around 14cfm @ 90 is good, but this is 2 stage territory. Most single stage units are rated around 10CFM @ 90. Also, be sure to run a larger pipe between the comp and the air/water separator/regulator. I have about 40' of 1" steel pipe installed, it really cools the air down before the water separator and lets you get the air much drier.

Originally posted by GRN69CHV:
Stay away from the oil-less types and I would probably not run an aluminum pump compressor. WHY?? - Just wondering what is the disadvantage of oilless? Went by Sears Warehouse today & they had a 60 gallon 7HP 2-stage OILESS for $400. But- somewhere in the back of my head I remembered that others have said to avoid oilless...so whats the deal :D

Oilless typically run at higher rpms, don't last as long, are louder and create more moisture in the air.

Pretty much any cast iron 2-cylinder single stage 60 gallon compressor is the same as any other performance wise. The HP numbers mean almost nothing and the cfm numbers are sometimes a little manufactured too.

Peter

they're noisy, i mean real annoying. and they dont keep up well either, i would suggest the traditional style as well:
220V dedicated electric motor, that drives the cylinder via a belt or belts, that has lubrication. you might check out what sams club has to offer.

Sears has a nice 25 gallon, 2 stage, 3.5hp(?) 175 PSI upright - One of their black professional models. I have it and it's more than enough for anything I need in my personal garage. I was going to go with a 60 gallon myself, but this gives me portability (friends can borrow, or tuck away somewhere to give me more floor space when needed) and 110v convenience. The 2-stage keeps up with whatever one tool I'm running no problem.. and much quieter than their red one stage. Under $400 I believe when they do their sales.

Sears Compressor (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00916778000)

Interesting...I never knew that they made a 2 stage oil-less compressor till I clinked on the link. Only issue is that it doesn't put out enough cfm to run the HVLP I'm looking at. Yes my coleman 20gal/5hp is very noisy and annoying. The lowest I've been able to find on a 2-stage 60 or 80 gal is $749. That's pretty steep for me. There's a guy selling a 2 year old C-H 2 stage 80 gal that was $850 new, I'm just not sure what to offer him. I know I can get a new 7hp/60 gal single stage for $400. Shouldn't that be enough for a small shop with only one tool running? They crank out 12.5@40 and 10@90. Anyone running a single stage like this? Having any troubles? What will and won't it run? It seems the cfm requirement for like tools (hvlp or air grinders for example) are all over the place. They seem to have a 4-5 cfm range difference for the same tool type! Look at hvlp's, they range anywhere from 7 to 12 cfm (at least the one's I looked at). that's quite a spread. It makes choosing the gun you want a lot more difficult. Thanks for the input!

I've got a 20 gallon that is pretty good and does OK for a conventional spray gun, but I wanted to step up to a HVLP. After a lot of consideration, looking at 60+ gallon compressors I chose to get a used compressor off of Craig's List that I will run along with my 20 gallon. For me it was a good decisions because it was cheap. I never use a DA, sand blaster etc. The only thing it is used for is an impact wrench, airing up tires and painting. The two compressors have nearly 60 gallon capacity and put out 18cfm @40 and over 16cfm at 90. If you have a smallish compressor already, consider this. For 100-200 bucks you could be in business. If you want something that'll run air hog tools alot and for a long time this is not for you.

What's "Craig's List"? Thanks.

The typical 60 gallon single stage you're asking about will run just about any tool but don't expect it to sandblast. Unless you buy good tools (sanders, grinders etc) with low cfm requirements it will basically run the whole time you're using them. It will supply you're needs for a single garage but it won't be overkill by any means. I was a little short on money when I bought mine but if I had to do it over again I would have saved till I could buy a 2-stage.

Peter

Craigslist is an online classified (www.craigslist.com). You can select major cities that are near you to search. If you are like me and have a good small compressor and don't plan on doing a ton of work requiring a heavy duty compressor, it's an option. Once in a while there are mechanics or guys with home shops that sell 60-80+ gallon compressors. You gotta check em out closely though, you don't want to buy something thats already worn out.