Dunno if this is in the right forum..

I bought a 15g "Brute" air compressor from Walmart for $200 (http://www.brutepower.com/products/a...x.cfm?p_id=397) , thinking I had to go for a deal like this because of the included tools.. well, the included tools were junk, my 175ft lb electric impact wrench ($60) feels twice as strong as the supposed 235ft lb that came with the compressor. The only tools worth anything is the blowgun, and I can pick one of those up for $5.

Not sure the CFM ratings are accurate, I had a CH that seemed to fill the tank more slowly but had a higher CFM rating, the brute has a 15A motor and is oil lubricated but is still nearly as loud as the oil free CH, plus this one trips my breaker when the temps are below 40F or so and that gets annoying quick.

Anyways, I think I'm going to take this one back and get a better one. I want to be able to do small amounts of sand blasting (i can take my time with it), but I don't want to get too extreme, I don't spend too much time using tools that require an air compressor.

https://www.ruralking.com/Store/detail.aspx?ID=28956 - I was even thinking about this, but it would be overkill.. hell, I'd spend this much on a smaller one with similer CFM ratings if such a thing existed, but they don't.

So what are my options at around $300? why can't they make this stupid 60g compressor on a 20g tank for $100 less, that's exactly what I'm wanting.

 

In that price range You might consider a used name brand used compressor. Also check the requirements of your sand blaster since they can really push the limits on the compressor. Our own 80 gallon compressor empties in 30 - 60 seconds when sand blasting.

Also, you might want to try synthetic compressor oil for whatever you get. I've had good luck with the Ingersoll Rand compressor oil. Much easier starting in the cold.

 

If you have the room I would recommend something like the one you posted a link to that has a 60gallon vertical tank delivering around 11cfm (Not an Oil-less design). These type compressors run 220V, but they will work far better than any portable compressor, especially if you want to do sand-blasting. Even with the 60-gallon 11cfm compressor you'll have to wait for the compressor to recover if you media blast for extended lengths of time, but I think for how you described you'd be using this compressor, it would work just fine. When comparing compressors the thing to compare is their CFM ratings not HP and a larger holding tank is always helpful. You may find that the air tools you have will now work better when you have enough CFM to operate them.

 

> CFM @ 90 PSI 4.2

From personal experience you need 6.0 CFM at 90 psi with a 20 gallon tank to properly run a 1/2" impact. For under $300, Northern sells Colemans up to the task. I would take the $300 and buy a used two stage 175 psi if using a sand blaster.

 

I'm moving, Uncle is selling me his place.. just asked today and apparently the garage I'm getting into does have 220v to it, so it should be easy. I'm going to look around for a used compressor but I'll probably just buy that one for $399. I did see an 80G (I think?) on Craigslist for $300, it was 16CFM or something but was really old.. however, it was designed like my brother in-law's small compressor and seems easy to fix, electric motor driving a compressor with a belt.

and I really don't think the Brute I have is 4.2CFM at 90PSI, it gets to 120PSI a lot quicker than the 6(I think?)CFM camball hausfeld I had prior.

also did some reading and the tools this thing comes with really are junk.. the impact is like 8CFM @ 90PSI, most of the 600ft lb impacts I see for sale don't use anything near that consumption at 90PSI.

 

There is nothing wrong with an old compressor. My grandpa gave me an old Quincy pump that had seen better days. I figured it was junk. Turned out to be a 1964 Model 230. Its a twin cylinder single stage. The pistons are 3.5 inches! Best part was EVERY single part was still available from Quincy. They even sent me the original exploded view parts list and owners manual in .pdf. Talk about an air mover! Once the rings finally seated, it will fill my 60 gal tank plus 40 more in reserve in about 4-5 minutes from empty.

 

I'll throw in another vote for used name brand, or at least a large used one. My compressor now is a Craftsmen 60gallon upright that has a late 70's motor and compressor head on it. All free stuff off CL, and a bit of ingenuity. I did bake it pretty good running my needle scaler, so I'm replacing the compressor head with a new one from Harbor Freight or Northern Tool, but that'll put me at a grand total of about $150 into this rig.
Make sure you set your air system up properly, though, or it won't matter what sort of compressor you have.

 

I think I found it, dunno what I was doing wrong. Hopefully I'll find a used one within the next week, but if not I'll probably get this.

That's a lot of CFM, I could run most (even highend) tools continuasly with this one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92504

 

I just read somewhere that HF compressors are garbage and their CFM numbers are BS.. do you guys agree? Maybe I will just pick up a nice 6CFM namebrand compressor..
I also noticed it didn't have wheels in the rear, so it's going to be about as portable as the 60G and will take up nearly as much space.

Oh, when I talk about portability I'm not going to be moving it around.. but trying to move the damn thing to the rear of my garage has to be possible, I still don't see how I'm going to move a 400lb compressor.. can't even pick it up, my truck is in pieces and the reason I need the compressor, heh.