Shop compressor

[Loren At 65GS]

I'm sure someone out there has much more knowledge about compressors then I.

I am looking to finally get a new compressor for my shop. Any help in direction would be appreciated.

  Loren

[Mark Ascher]

Hi Loren,

I'm going to need something better in that dept. in the next few years too.
I'll post a link that might helpful.

Mark

[Mark Ascher]

This'll give you a start.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217109

[Loren At 65GS]

Thanks Mark, got signed up. Informative site.

   Loren

[Brian]

If you are going to run a bead blaster (every car restorer needs one), get the Ingersoll-Rand 7.5 hp model with the 80 gallon tank.  That is what I have and it hasn't missed a beat since I bought it in 1998.  It is just over 24 CFM at 175 psi.  Also has an aftercooler on it that cools the air and gets most of the moisture out before it gets to your equipment.

[Loren At 65GS]

Brian,
  Thanks for the suggestion. I thought someone with experience might come forth.
I do intend having a blast cabinet and will be doing body work as well.

The site Mark posted seems to prefer copper supply lines to plastic. Need to read some more as to why.

  Loren

[Brian]

I ran all galvanized steel screw pipe with a rubber hose between the compressor and the pipe.  I put a regulator at each outlet, so the pipe has full tank pressure on it (175 psi).  Plastic pipe is iffy at that kind of pressure.   Where I had to run the line underground from the shed to the garage, I ran 3/4" flexible copper with a soldered on fitting at each end that connected to the screw pipe.  Did that because steel pipe will not hold up over time under ground.   Don't think I would use copper other than underground though--it does not have the tensile strength that steel does and is more suceptible to cracking. 
  Northern Tool sells the I-R compressors. 

[WkillGS]

Ingersoll-Rand 7.5 hp model with the 80 gallon tank.    It is just over 24 CFM at 175 psi.

Nice!
I've had my Sanborn since the early 90's. 80 gallon tank, 5hp, 2-stage compressor. 175 psi, rated at 16 cfm @175 psi and 18 cfm @100 psi. Was around $800. It's worked well for hi-flow use such as sandblasting, air sanders, paint guns, etc.

Decide what tools you will be using and look at their air flow requirements. Spec the compressor to provide enough flow. if you use a compressor that's too small, you'll have to stop working and wait for the compressor to catch up.

A quality compressor is likely to have better components such as cast iron cylinders vs aluminum.

[Weldar]

There will be an elevation derate as well. Believe cfm rating is based on atmospheric pressure at sea level (may be wrong here) and certainly is a consideration at 7000 ft where I'm at. Should not have a problem with schedule 80 PVC at 175 psig although steel is always better where practical. The length of the lines can also be an issue if the diameter is too small.

Dwaine

[Loren At 65GS]

Hi Dwaine,
  Thanks for the info and thoughts.
You're definitely at a much higher elevation then here in NE at about 1200 feet.
From reading on the Garage Journal forum, I'm leaning toward 3/4" steel pipe. I won't have a great deal of line distances to run.
Brian's and Walt's recommendation on compressor helped confirm my direction with that choice. Definitely something 2 stage with cast iron cylinder and at least 60 gallons.

Still in the planning stage,

  Loren