Air Compressor Advice

[bowlman]

For over 20 years now I have been using an electra Sears air compressor. Last time I went to drain it, the drain plug snapped and now all it does is spin. SWMBO has graciously allowed me to begin looking for a replacement. Any words of wisdom on what to get/what to avoid? I use it mainly for powering air powered sanding, blowing out chips/dust, and for power carving using a rotary handpiece for some BIG mills. Any advice welcome. Electric preferrred. Upright or horizontal; 1 tank or 2; horsepower? CFM/minute ?

Dick Gerard
aka bowlman
woodturn4@comcast.net

 

[Hstudio]

If the compressor that you have is in good working order, with the exception of the drain plug, head down to your local hardware or auto parts store......you can pick up a new plug up for $2. A couple spins of a wrench and a little teflon tape and you are back in business! I keep a couple spares on hand for such an emergency. But, if you really want a new compressor, buy the biggest compressor that you can afford....you won't regret it.

Here is the I-R compressor that I have...It is huge!

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...oductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=526&R=526

 

[Kurt Rosenzweig]

But his wife said it was ok to buy a new 1!!!! He can't waste that! Come one Studio! You know better then that! LOL!!!!

 

[Max Taylor]

air compressor drain plug

Hi,
methinks you were unaware that the drain plug is threaded in opposite direction is why you twisted it off. Remember that when you install the new one. However, if you really, really want a new one, fix this one up on the sly, and after getting the new one, sell the old one. You need a new tool or two, dont you. Just a thought. Dustpan

 

[Steve Worcester]

methinks you were unaware that the drain plug is threaded in opposite direction .....

I have to say that the crapsman I have is normal thread.

 

[Max Taylor]

cwompressor drain plug

I have to say that the crapsman I have is normal thread.

Hi Steve,
Sorry for the confusion. What I meant was, the plug for draining is threaded in reverse. The replacement plug which includes the draining plug is indeed normal threads. Sorry, Max, disguised as dustpan.

 

[quartlow]

You want low rpm, big displacement and single stage.

Two stage compressors are for devolping high pressure, while granted if you have an 80 gallon tank at 150-170 psi it translates into a lot of volume over 110 to 130 psi in the same tank.

Keep in mind higher pressures create more heat, more heat means more condensation, which in turn means more water in the tank, and more moisture in the lines.

Your running air tools you need volume not pressure. Ever notice almost all air tools are rated at 90PSI.

Ingersol rand made one that was a 4 cylander single stage unit. I have a friend on the west coast that has one. you can quite literally stand alongside it while its running and talk on the cell phone. Cut in pressure is set at 100psi cut out is set at 125PSI, when it cuts in it runs about 3 minutes to fill a 120 gallon tank from 100PSI to 120 PSI. It will run 3 air tools at once and still not run all the time.

Now I realize you probably are not looking to spend $1300, the point is you want volume as opposed to high pressure.