Air Compressor

Splinter · 05-22-2008, 10:01 PM

Does anyone have any experience with this Dewalt air compressors?

I am considering it for a shop air compressor. General shop use, air nailers, air grinder, blowing dust, ocassionally for impact tools and maybe a little spray painting.

I have a nice two tank 4 gallon PC air compressor but I would like to have a little more air storage so the compressor doen't have to run as often which requires waiting for tank to refill on some task like an air grinder, etc.

mshel · 05-22-2008, 10:11 PM

Dolan,

For light and I repeat light use, this one might be up to the task. However if you plan on any kind of impact use, it just doesn't have the guts to accomplish the task. Also, all brands of oil less compressors are traditionally pretty loud. I have ran the gambit when it comes to compressors, from a very loud craftsman oilless to a oiled campbell hausfield to my present two stage saylor beall. If you want to use impact tools, you need a lot of air or the compressor will run itself to death trying to keep up. If I were just starting out, I would put my money towards the best I could afford and only cry once. Two stage baby, the only way to go.

Just my opinion and YMMV.

Mike

Glennbear · 05-22-2008, 10:30 PM

I tend to agree with Michael, get the biggest you can, I have a traditional oil type compressor with a similar SCFM rating to that Dewalt and it really works hard when I am using an impact wrench. I regret

not getting a much larger tank when I bought this one since the larger was the same price. The larger one was 220V and I had not yet wired the shop for 220 and needed a compressor to finish shop construction. Lowe's has a Kobalt 220V with large SCFM that is not a bankbreaker.

TracyP · 05-22-2008, 10:41 PM

I have a 5 hp 60 gallon tank compressor that I bought 11 years ago at a auto parts sale. It runs quite a lot when using air sanders, but does well and runs little when using brad nailers etc. If you do not use air hungry tools it should do ok in my opinion. But with impact wrenches, air sanders, and those type tools it would probably run constantly during use.

NCPete · 05-23-2008, 01:16 AM

Dolan, I really like the idea of a larger tank. I have sprayed an awful lot with a 2 hp compressor with a 155 psi 33 gallon tank - and it performed reasonably well. I can imagine using it with impact tools with some measure of success. Sanders require a LOT of air, and I will probably never try to run a pneumatic DA sander on this compressor. I think you would be able get some satisfactory service/work with that machine, and that higher tank pressure means that it may perform almost as well as mine, but in the world of compressors, bigger is better, and I aspire to a larger compressor, too. Fortunately I have a friend who works a the new Northern Tool here in Fayetteville, and he has offered to 'help me out' when it comes time to upgrade. 80 gallon, 175 psi, 7.5 hp IR here I come!!!!

Splinter · 05-23-2008, 08:37 AM

You all have convinced me to pass on this compressor and look for one with more capacity.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Woodman2k · 05-23-2008, 11:57 PM

Dolan,
I work for Ingersol Rand and while all our compressors under 50 horsepower are built in Campbellsville,Ky what you are being advised to do is definitely the way to go.Belt driven,5 hp at least,no less than 40 gallon,60 would be better,2 stage if you can afford it and a good seperator and filter regulator is almost a given.When using a filter or seperator you must lube your tools with airtool oil on a regular basis .If your spraying to finish or clean dust off a project you don't want to be spraying air that has little droplets of oil in it.If you can find a small dryer that would be a plus.

NC pete,pm me about that 7.5 hp unit,I can check our R&D guys for info.

Glennbear · 05-24-2008, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Woodman2k

Dolan,
I work for Ingersol Rand and while all our compressors under 50 horsepower are built in Campbellsville,Ky what you are being advised to do is definitely the way to go.Belt driven,5 hp at least,no less than 40 gallon,60 would be better,2 stage if you can afford it and a good seperator and filter regulator is almost a given.When using a filter or seperator you must lube your tools with airtool oil on a regular basis .If your spraying to finish or clean dust off a project you don't want to be spraying air that has little droplets of oil in it.If you can find a small dryer that would be a plus.

NC pete,pm me about that 7.5 hp unit,I can check our R&D guys for info.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, I wish I had gone with the 60 gal. which was the same price as my 30

I already have the seperator for when I hard plumb the shop. It is encouraging to know that IR still believes in MADE IN AMERICA !!!!!!!

Travis Porter · 05-28-2008, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Woodman2k

Dolan,
I work for Ingersol Rand and while all our compressors under 50 horsepower are built in Campbellsville,Ky what you are being advised to do is definitely the way to go.Belt driven,5 hp at least,no less than 40 gallon,60 would be better,2 stage if you can afford it and a good seperator and filter regulator is almost a given.When using a filter or seperator you must lube your tools with airtool oil on a regular basis .If your spraying to finish or clean dust off a project you don't want to be spraying air that has little droplets of oil in it.If you can find a small dryer that would be a plus.

NC pete,pm me about that 7.5 hp unit,I can check our R&D guys for info.

What would you recommend as a good filter regulator and separator? How can you tell the good from the bad?

Woodman2k · 05-28-2008, 10:08 PM

Travis,
check the micron rating of the filter,the smaller or lower the number the finer the particles it will catch.Also look for a removable and/or replaceable filter element.Once it gets nasty you want to be able to replace it.As far as the regulator,look at it just like you look at woodworking tools,check for smooth controls,quality of assembly,and all the usual things.We have an industrial line that is great.Its all modular with 2 inch square extruded aluminum in 18 foot lengths as the airline which you van drill and tap a drop anywhere in the run.We need the capacity as some of our compressors are in the 500 hp range,with 1800+cfm at 145 psi.We go to 175 psi and have higher hp versions available.One unit would make air for the whole website membership.

NCPete · 05-29-2008, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by Woodman2k

One unit would make air for the whole website membership.

let's start running that line!

jeff... · 05-29-2008, 12:35 AM

I have an Ingersol Rand compressor and am darn happy with it - knock on wood I have not had one problem with it in the 4 years I've owned it, it'll take an impact wrench with no problems - best part it's Proudly built in the U.S.A

I think it's this one, but would need to check the model number ---> http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...roducts_id=689

Thanks

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