Well we finaly did it (me and my dad) halfed on a new Ingersoll Rand air compressor. We got an 80 gallon 18.1 cfm 5hp (12 h.p. peak) single stage compressor. And man does it fly. We picked it up at Tractor Supply for a mear $750.00 what a deal. Because 3 years ago we paid $450 for a craftsman oilless 60 gallon and I burnt it up. So today when I wired and plumbed it up I plumbed it into our 60 gallon tank (I got rid of the old pumps set up off the craftsman and mounted our hose real on top of it) so now I have a whopping 140 gallons of air on tap. It can rebuild both tanks form around 100 psi to 140 psi in about a minute and a half with no tools or about 2.5 minutes while using a die grinde with the regulator wide open. So if your looking for a good compressor go to tractor supply.

 

Sounds like a good set up, congratulations!

 

You can't go wrong with an Ingersol Rand, they're one of the best.

 

I have a small 5 gallon 135HP compressor, and I'll never bother going back to non-air tools again!

 

I still like electric tools in some cases. I don't like running a 3 hp motor to spin a die grinder.

 

Monster, I'm jealous! One of these days...

Mike, what kind of die grinder do you use? You seem to imply that it is electric. I have seen some people use an industrial flex-shaft, electric die grinder for head work, but have not been able to find a good source for them.

 

why did you get the single stage? even with all the air is cant keep up?

 

it keeps up no problem (18 cfm) I run all ingersoll rand air tools and it out works the tools no problem. it keeps up with the compressor at the body shop where I painted my truck. Also I only got the single stage because money was tight and I dont realy need 175psi of air.

 

ahaha your compressor has more hp than some hondas!

I have been meaning to get a new one my little 3/4 compressor wont' run anything, but i can air up tires

 

Isn't that dangerous having two wired together? I thought of the idea, but my old tank isn't rated for the higher pressure of my new one so I haven't tried it. It's only a 25psi difference so I might try it one of these days. Mine is a 30 gallon Craftsman. It's big enough and doesn't do so bad with a sander. Of course it runs all the time, but oh well.

 

just use a pressure regulator between the two tanks

 

That's a good idea. Will give that a try and see how it works.

 

Wow, what a great setup!

 

That sounds like a deal, good price for an IR. I need one about that size pretty bad, I have, like a 2 HP and a 75 HP, (have a 185 CFM IR/JD 4 cyl diesel, runs like a sewing machine) Anyways, next time I'm in TSC, I'm gonna check it out!

 

Bronconut, that diesel compressor sounds like overkill. 185 cfm? Holy smokes, that's like a hurricane machine. Would you want to trade for a 30 gallon Craftsman? Probably not, thought I'd try though.