air compressor

[preacherman]

I am in need of a new air compressor. The one I have is ancient. I spray 1 or 2 cars a month. I have HVLP and conventional. The problem is that I do not know what CFM or HP the one I have now is. It is a 60 gallon tank and has a fairly large electric motor on it , 22o volts. It runs too much and I know it is worn out. What should I start looking at for spraying? Thanks alot!!!

[cheesy1]

I am in need of a new air compressor. The one I have is ancient. I spray 1 or 2 cars a month. I have HVLP and conventional. The problem is that I do not know what CFM or HP the one I have now is. It is a 60 gallon tank and has a fairly large electric motor on it , 22o volts. It runs too much and I know it is worn out. What should I start looking at for spraying? Thanks alot!!!

I bought a Bel-Aire 60 gallon single stage compressor from here a couple months ago and I love it. It's quiet too. I hear the 80 gallon (dual stage) are quieter than mine is. Maybe look at that one?

I know that what I paid for mine (through the autobodystore) was less than what I saw elsewhere. And I looked around.

[Dennis N. Schmidt]

With respect to air compressors large is good, huge is better and humongous is best.

[Warren]

For what I do a two stage 80 gallon 5 hp is just enough.

When I get into sandblasting it would be best to have a second even though I blast at low pressure with aluminum oxide the compressor runs too often. If you compressor runs 60 percent of your work time then is too small.

I just did some exhaust manifolds from a 70 Duster and it worked well but if I was doing much more like hours of work then a second compressor would be better.

Usually compressor people tell me it is better to double up on two fives rather than one humungous one. There is one shop near me where he has three humungous ones in a soundproof room with their own air condiioning, air dryers and more. It is a joy to be at that shop and do any work and never hear them running.

Warren

A friend bought a five horespower thing from one of these auto places and it is a piece of junk, it is noisey and rattles my brain when it runs. The price may have been better than what I have but I would have taken it back.

[Roch_Greg]

HP is meaningless when compared to CFM's. Specifically CFM's @ 90 PSI where most tools run.

If your painting one or two cars a month and doing the assocatied body work I'd go for a 80 gallon tank on with a Dual Stage setup that is if you have the room.

Bel-Aire, IR any of the major players but I try to stay away from the big box stores.

You may have to get an electrican to come out and change the wiring at the panel to 230/240 Volts depending on the model