[mtx11]

i have a air compressor with a 15 gallon tank 2.5 horspower motor. i find myself running outta air with sand with a da or chisel. can i add a exrenal tank to it to have more capasity so it maintains a constant pressure or do i need a bigger motor?

 

[Blue93Dakota]

You need a bigger compressor or smaller air tools. A larger tank will only prolong the inevatible.

 

[mtx11]

so either bigger motor or smaller air tools. dont most air tools use about the same cfm or is there a special kind out there.

 

[medic201]

A DA sander runs constantly as opposed other tools like chisles or wrenches that start and stop. Most DAs need 12 to 15 cfm constant to run. Go for a compressor that is minimum 10% more CFM than you need for the job. Dont pass up CFM for tank size. Blue93Dakota is 100% correct a bigger tank wont help if the pump wont put out enough CFM.

 

[JimLusk]

Yep, you need more compressor, more motor, more pump, and more tank.

 

[Little Blue Guy]

Yep, you need more compressor, more motor, more pump, and more tank.

yup...bigger compressor with a higher CFM rating

yer gonna burn up that small one

Bryan

 

[donram360]

a bigger motor alone wont help a thing.

 

[Jeep_Explorer]

They are getting harder and harder to find, but of you ever come across a smaller screw compressor, jump on it like a fat kid would a smartie.

Those are the best compressor you will ever own.

 

[rangoRT]

I picked up a 5gal 1hp 120V compressor, oil pump at 125psi max on a half price sale to inflate tires, dust brakes, etc. I thought about getting a nice 25gal tank with a 12.5CFM rating that was also on sale for a not so great $800 (Canada overpricing...). It wasn't available in a vertical tank design so not only does it cost 8 times as much, but it would take up four times the garage space. The downside is that I'll muscle my automotive work using hand tools as the compressor has a meager 2.4cfm rating at 90psi. Shockingly it's quite quiet and 5gal size is great for topping up tires (95% of it's use!).

I had a screw compressor in my old shop. I paid a LOT for it, it worked flawless for many years at 100% duty cycle. They run 3-4 times more than a cast iron pump compressor. It pays to shop around if you want to go that route...

 

[Mopardude]

This is just my 2 cents but pay the money for an oiled compressor what ever you get. The sound alone on the oiless is enough to drive you mad.

 

[JimLusk]

This is just my 2 cents but pay the money for an oiled compressor what ever you get. The sound alone on the oiless is enough to drive you mad.

Got that right... My next door neighbor had one. Used to drive me nuts at my house when it would go on...

 

[moe7404]

compressed air is VERY expensive. you should look in to a electric unit, it will be much cheaper.

 

[JosephC]

I bought a IR 15hp screw compressor 10yrs. ago and have not looked at anything else. If I would have to look at a compressor again I would do the same. I would start looking at the used machinery sites for used industral compressors. My brother just bought a 6yr old IR screw compressor for $1500. Its a 10hp like mine and he can run any air tool he wants and only takes up a 4'x4' corner in his garage. That is compressor,air dryer and 100gal. storage tank.

 

[donram360]

I bought a 2 stage Emglo 80 gallon 5HP upright many years ago for $500 used, it has a 4 cylinder 2 stage pump. I have never not had sufficient air for anything I have done; and that includes a lot of sand blasting, with a 100 lb pressure pot. It is tired now, I need to rebuild it, I have gotten more than my money's worth from it so far. just waiting for the weather to allow me to work out there long enough to do the rebuild...

 

[ckhenshaw4]

I bought a Quincy 7.5hp upright with a 4 cylinder 2 stage pump. I can run every tool in our small body shop at once with no problem. It puts out 25 cfm at 175 psi continually. Love that thing.

 

[teginder81]

yea dude totallly agree with jimlusk you need bigger bigger compressor, bigger pump, and bigger motor for that your little tank aint gonna work

 

[donram360]

I bought a Quincy 7.5hp upright with a 4 cylinder 2 stage pump. I can run every tool in our small body shop at once with no problem. It puts out 25 cfm at 175 psi continually. Love that thing.

yup my Emglo is a 4 cylinder 2 stage IIRC its rated at like 18CFM at 175 PSI... single stage pumps are rated at *only* 100 PSI though they max out at around 120-125 so 12 CFM @ 100 isn't that good... at 100 PSI mine does something like 22 CFM. (its been a while since I looked at the book)

 

[new"D"owner]

you can add extra tanks its a quick fix expired 100lb propane tanks hooked together work well for more reserve but your compressor still will need to catch up from time to time but you will increase your working time dramatically with 3-4 tanks and bump up the cut out pressure to 150-80 psi

 

[donram360]

check kiji or craigslist... always buy a bigger unit than you think you need, you can't have too much compressed air but you can have too little!