Air compressors

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cowchaser

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I am looking at getting an air compressor for basically casting in the future and other small stuff around the garage like airing up bicycle tire ect... I have 1 20amp breaker available to me that runs all the outlets in my garage for my sharpener, drill press ect...

So what should I look for? I don't need a huge one just something I can use to cast and stablize with. My mother told me to pick one gift for Christmas, but not to go over 400 (nice mom). I am not one for taking advantage of ole mom and would be happy with a 100 dollar one if I can make it work. Any suggestions. All I have available to me to buy from is a Sears, Walmart and a Lowes. I believe if I remember the oil filled ones last longer, but I am not sure on that.
 
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How about something with a 5 Hp gas motor----you ain't got enough juice the way it is---no sense in adding to the problem. I had a Emglo for years---they work great.
 
With only 1 breaker and every thing else on it you will be blowing it if the compressor starts and you have something else running. I persoanlly have a 35 gallon but wish I purchased larger as its a bit small for some of my air tols but it will run them just strugles with it.
 
The breaker is what I figured would be a problem and why I mentioned it. Good news is after looking a few minutes ago I do have a breaker slot left. So that being said I could put it on it's own dedicated breaker. Now does that change matters? No big deal to run wire it's less than 20ft. to the box and adding an outlet is easy, being how I just added the other 3.

On a side note I HATE Federal breakers. They are notorious for not tripping and causing fires. This summer I will be upgrading to a 200 amp that is not Federal. I NEED 220. MORE POWER.
 
Dustin;
For years I had a 25 gal. with a horizontal tank. I had to replace that after my shop burned so the insurance company let me pick what I wanted. I now have a 35 gal upright tank. The foot print is about half what the 25 gal was and in a small area that was important to me.
 
I would also suggest an upright and oil lubed is usually quiter. I only have a single circuit for my garage, its not too much of a problem. I just turn it on when I need it and turn it off when I don't. I don't run anything else when its on. If you are going to use the HF Venturi Vacuum pump you are going to need a lot of air to run it. I have a 35 Gal, it is sufficient for 95% of the stuff I do. Pulling a vacuum I usually am waiting on the compressor, and using my pnumatic hammer and scrapper taking up tile I have to wait on it a lot, but the normal stuff its perfect. I sometimes wish I had a little portable one for taking into the house (I live in a condo with a detached garage) for installing moulding and stuff.
 
I know you don't want to take advantage of mum, but she wouldn't say $400 unless she was comfortable with it.

Would that be enough money to get a compressor AND get your 220 in? You could make one part xmas gift and the other 2008 birthday gift.
 
David,
Lowe's had a little portable unit that ran on air bottles to use inside.. just attached the air bottle to your belt and do your moulding.. about $100

Problem, bottles were not refillable... you have to trade them back to Lowe's for full bottles.
 
I have been using a twin stacked porter cable 1.5hp for years without any problems. The breaker doesn't blow as long as I am not using an extension cord. And I can load it into the bed of my truck by myself or put it in the cab in bad weather.
 
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