Re: [ST] Compressor question.....no MC content

[John Ulizzi <jaulizzi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Brett,

I not only rememberr that thread, I marked the spot.
And I think I instigated it when I bought my first
compressor a year ago. But that site didnt offer an
answer to my question. Anyway, here it is:
http://www.kmstools.com/pages/compressguide/index.htm

If memory serves, they recommend the belt driven
separate motor and pump oiled units over the direct
drive oiless ones, mostly for longevity. I would have
preferred to go that route, but my situation didnt
provide for that. I will say that the direct drive
oiless units are much, much louder, like by a factor
of 2 or 3 times over the belt driven units. This site
goes into vast detail on duty cycle, drive units, CFM,
longevity. It is EXTREMELY informative. Many thanks to
the poster that originally sent it.

The three axioms of compressor ownership seem to be:

1) Buy the biggest one you are looking at/can afford.
Like your first microwave or fax machine or pressure
washer that you never thought you would use much,
after you have had it for a month or so you will find
many other uses for it and wonder how you ever lived
without it. Seriously.

2) Actually, buy one twice as big as you think you
will need or can afford....

3) See above

I dont know what your size or price range is, but I
will share my experience. A year ago I bought my first
unit. I was looking at ~ 125 psi, 15-20 gallons, about
$200. Several people talked me up to the Sears 150psi
33 gallon unit...." you know, you get the thing home
and you get yo air tools, an zip zip, you be a zip
zippin mutha f**ka ". And they were absolutley right.
In some cases it was barely enough, but for the most
part it was adeqaute, just right. Glad I stepped up
from the unit half its size, and for only a 100 bucks
more , I got double the capacity AND a set of tools (
air hammer, 3/8 rachet, and 1/2 impact wrench). Very
wise choice, and I was very happy with it, even though
it was a direct drive unit ( I didnt know the
difference then ). The only problem was that I got it
on sale and it was a horizontal unit. They made the
exact same thing in a vertical, but it wasnt on sale.
Oh well. Well, almost a year went by and I rearranged
my very small and over stuffed garage, and wanted to
put my compressor in the corner standing up, but low
and behold, I didnt have a stand up compressor. On a
long shot, I asked Sears Hardware about it, and
believe it or not, they were willing to trade me, no
money. Kudos to them !!! I did a little research and
found they had a slightly better unit in their pro
line with a two stage ( still direct drive) pump that
was higher pressure and much quieter ( my only gripe )
than the original for about $120 more. I figured they
were so cool about swapping, I should upgrade just to
throw them a few more bucks, and that is what I got.
Yesterday. And set it up this afternoon. So for a
little over $400 I got a 175 psi direct drive two
stage pump 26 gallon unit with a bunch of tools. If I
were starting from scratch, I think I would be looking
hard at a unit at Home Depot, their house brand, but
its made by Campbell Hausfield, similar size and money
but a separate motor and pump oiled unit. But I hate
Home Depot, because of their lack of service, and
after what Sears Hardware did for me, what can I say.
I would never hesitate to buy something from them just
becuase of how they treat their customers.

FWIW.....hope this helps...

John



--- BrettWilson21@xxxxxxx wrote:

> There was a very informative thread on compressors a
> while ago.
> 
> I'm looking to buy one myself but searching the
> archives didnt reveal the 
> previous posts. 
> 
> At the risk of running a thread a second time ;-) I
> would appreciate the info 
> a second time. This time I'll save it. Honest.
> 
> Cheers,
> Brett.
> _______________________________________________
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