I normally don't ever disagree with any of BrianP posts, but I'll add my opinion on this since I spent years of my life painting cars and using pneumatics and selling compressors. House painters use oilless compressors because they are very light, dont spill when tipped and are cheap. Nobody painting anything else uses oilless compressors, they are loud, ineffcient and get tired fast. All small portable compressors have a built in regulator, fixed compressors that are'nt meant to move do not, you need to add a regulator.
Air tools can run at a compressors full volume, but the ability to control speed is desirable on some tools, spray guns in particular, and sanders have a sweet spot. Media blasting doesnt always need to be 100lbs.
The reason those campbell type oiless compressors sound like they are about to cough a rod is the rpm they have to turn to put up the CFM they post. The older generation oil filled import compressors are really loud also, the new designs are much better. They have redesigned the valve systems and are getting air volume at 15-1700rpm. not the 3000 the older generation ran at.
Big cast compressors are usually at least twin, maybe three cyl so they get twice the air every rpm and get to turn slower, with occasional oil changes and clean air filters they should run nearly forever.
don't forget if your sucking dirty air into your compressor, like having it beside where your sanding, all that grime passes thru the valve system and grinds in the cyl walls. Clean the air filter once in a while.
There are some real deals on older generation compressors, like Husky being cleared out. Way better stuff is in the pipline, and available some places now.
If you have a bargain import compressor its not a good idea to leave pressure stored in the tank, the backpressure sits on the pump and thats not good, the moisture should be drained daily to minimize rust in the tank.
Air tools can run at a compressors full volume, but the ability to control speed is desirable on some tools, spray guns in particular, and sanders have a sweet spot. Media blasting doesnt always need to be 100lbs.
The reason those campbell type oiless compressors sound like they are about to cough a rod is the rpm they have to turn to put up the CFM they post. The older generation oil filled import compressors are really loud also, the new designs are much better. They have redesigned the valve systems and are getting air volume at 15-1700rpm. not the 3000 the older generation ran at.
Big cast compressors are usually at least twin, maybe three cyl so they get twice the air every rpm and get to turn slower, with occasional oil changes and clean air filters they should run nearly forever.
don't forget if your sucking dirty air into your compressor, like having it beside where your sanding, all that grime passes thru the valve system and grinds in the cyl walls. Clean the air filter once in a while.
There are some real deals on older generation compressors, like Husky being cleared out. Way better stuff is in the pipline, and available some places now.
If you have a bargain import compressor its not a good idea to leave pressure stored in the tank, the backpressure sits on the pump and thats not good, the moisture should be drained daily to minimize rust in the tank.
