Tobykanobe Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 As I build out my wood shop, my father has offered to buy me a dedicated air compressor for the shop. Although just a hobby now, I want to future proof myself a little bit for retirement when I plan on actually making money on this hobby. I would like an upright model, probably 60 gallon. Was wondering what some of you have in your shop. I have several portables, but I'm looking for something that will serve me today and in the future as my hobby turns professional in the next few years. One requirement, low noise. My warehouse has an apartment built into it that has a tenant and I try to be respectful of them. I know California Air Tools make some quiet compressors (I have a small portable), but if you have something you're pleased with on the noise front, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 I have always heard that California Air Tools are quiet. I have never heard anyone say the same of any other brand. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 18 minutes ago, Mark J said: I have always heard that California Air Tools are quiet. I have never heard anyone say the same of any other brand. x2 I have a small one and it pretty quiet especially compared to my previous pancake compressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 I got a Husky 60 gallon compressor from HD a few years ago because it was on for a screaming good price. Now I'm not so sure about that price because after moderate use the thing sounds like it's gonna grenade any day now. And it's as noisy as a freight train. Definitely NOT recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 2 hours ago, Tobykanobe said: As I build out my wood shop, my father has offered to buy me a dedicated air compressor for the shop. Although just a hobby now, I want to future proof myself a little bit for retirement when I plan on actually making money on this hobby. I would like an upright model, probably 60 gallon. Was wondering what some of you have in your shop. I have several portables, but I'm looking for something that will serve me today and in the future as my hobby turns professional in the next few years. One requirement, low noise. My warehouse has an apartment built into it that has a tenant and I try to be respectful of them. I know California Air Tools make some quiet compressors (I have a small portable), but if you have something you're pleased with on the noise front, let me know. Making money, now that the trick . I decided awhile back if I had to do it again I would look at the compressor as the #1 tool in the shop and not the tablesaw. I like to run pnuematic sanders but requires 13-15 cfm these days. Look into it...sanding,spraying even blowing tools off.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 Go with a unit that uses crankcase oil and belt drive. Oilless units are typically very loud, and not really designed for the volume needed to fill a 60 gal. tank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 2 hours ago, drzaius said: I got a Husky 60 gallon compressor from HD a few years ago because it was on for a screaming good price. Now I'm not so sure about that price because after moderate use the thing sounds like it's gonna grenade any day now. And it's as noisy as a freight train. Definitely NOT recommended. I think I have a similar one but its been going strong for over a decade. When I got the small California Air Tools one I thought I should replace the big one...then I looked them up at $2,700 my old one's not that load lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 I have a 10 gallon California Air tools one I'm quite happy with. It's far quieter than my previous oil filled 5 gallon no name one was. It's not going to have the same air flow as a bigger unit, but I'm pretty sure they also make bigger sizes these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Ragatz Posted March 19, 2020 Report Share Posted March 19, 2020 I'll add my endorsement for California Air products. I have a small one in my shop - does everything I need it to do (mostly pneumatic finish nailer and filling my bike tires) and very quiet. I'm just a hobbyist, so I may be missing something, but why would a one-person woodworking shop need a 60-gallon air compressor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tpt life Posted March 20, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 20, 2020 Because pneumatic sanders are awesome. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted March 20, 2020 Report Share Posted March 20, 2020 To operate a venturi vacuum pump for a vacuum chuck, or a vacuum kiln. What's a pneumatic sander ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted March 21, 2020 Report Share Posted March 21, 2020 I have a 4 HP vertical 80 gallon twin V cylinder compressor that is really handy when I need the air. I can run a spray gun without any strain. Nailers aren't any problem. Air tools aren't a problem. My venturi vacuum pump barely makes it break a sweat. I used copper pipe to plumb my shop and have three reels for the hoses. Having said all of that, there are drawbacks to a big compressor. While not loud like a diaphragm pump, it definitely isn't quiet in a deep thumping way. Most off the time, it doesn't even cycle while nailing a project together. And it takes about quite a bit of space. I have it tucked back behind my saw, so it doesn't interfere much, but I can't use the space on the wall behind it because it is too tall (almost 6 1/2 feet). Sometimes I wonder if I overbought, but other times I am glad I did. At least I never need to worry about having enough air! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted March 22, 2020 Report Share Posted March 22, 2020 After the first tank full of air drops below the required pressure for the intended use, the size of the tank doesn't matter. That's when the amount of air that the compresser will produce comes in, and why you need to look beyond just the tank size when shopping for one. Tank size really matters little. This one has pressurized oiling, and I'm not sure exactly why, but it's not even as loud as the little oilless ones. It's on a 120 gallon tank, and will run everything I own without waiting for it to pump back up, except a pneumatic rock drill. It's now detuned down to a smaller motor, produces 38 cfm at 175 psi with the 7-1/2hp motor, and feeds a refrigerated dryer that can handle 55 cfm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Sawdust Posted March 23, 2020 Report Share Posted March 23, 2020 Wow Tom! That thing is a monster! I've used pneumatic sanders in the past on cars and airplanes but I like electric for woodworking. They're instant on and don't blow any oil out the backside. I like to keep my pneu tools well-oiled but not my wood projects. They also blow dust around when you may not want that. Pneumatic die grinders are the best, but I don't have much use for them, again, in woodworking. That said, if I had an aux air tank hooked to my excessively noisy oil-less compressor I bought from Costco in '98 I'd feel more comfy about running pneumatic tools with it. I would suggest putting some money into a nice plumbing system around your shop so you have air ports anywhere you may need them. I share my shop with the rest of the garage and am always jonesin' for air outlets near car tires. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted March 25, 2020 Report Share Posted March 25, 2020 I got it off CL for 500, and paid the seller to deliver it. Also found a deal on a 7-1/2hp single phase motor, and starter. Refrigerated dryer also came off CL. All together, I have less than a grand in it, including the dryer. It runs like a new one, and now have a spare 10hp 3-phase motor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted March 28, 2020 Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 Blow oil out the back side? I would NEVER use electric when pneumatic is available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Sawdust Posted March 28, 2020 Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 Just now, BillyJack said: Blow oil out the back side? I would NEVER use electric when pneumatic is available. Not me Billy. They’re great for metal but if you oil them regularly they will blow a small amount of oil out the exhaust. That’s not good for wood. Metal it can be cleaned off. I have a full suite of pneumatic tools from my aircraft days; they’re sparkless and safe in a hangar environment and they work great. But not in my wood shop. Each to his own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted March 28, 2020 Report Share Posted March 28, 2020 Pneumatic is all we use on large shops or factories. Hey don't pay enough for me to use electrich when pnuematic is faster and not as hard on your hands... Good pneumatic sanders can be bought for $150-$200 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobykanobe Posted June 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2020 So the update here is that I was given a free Craftsman 60 gallon air compressor. There's a catch. No compressor or motor. The manual is not available per Craftsman. I picked up a HF Compressor for it but now I need a motor. I'm totally in the dark as to what I need and don't want to overspend. There are several motors on CL from Dayton and others. Looks like the least I can expect to spend is $90. My question I need help on is what is the minimum I can go with as far as motor specs. Can anyone give me a clue, because I have no clue and don't want to buy something from mistake. The three Dayton's from the same guy look brand new or lightly used. The model numbers are below: 6K321BA $100 5K442C $100 5K118J $60 The link to the HF Compressor motor I bought: https://www.harborfreight.com/145-psi-3-hp-twin-cylinder-air-compressor-pump-67697.html Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted June 14, 2020 Report Share Posted June 14, 2020 For tools in use, you need to know that the compressor can match your CFM of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobykanobe Posted June 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2020 You mean like a brad nailer for example? Or???? Or what the compressor is rated for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobykanobe Posted June 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2020 Per the HF compressor details, requires a 3hp motor. That's a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobykanobe Posted June 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2020 HF motor is 175, Ebay has one for $150, free shipping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlyoak Posted June 15, 2020 Report Share Posted June 15, 2020 I have a California Air ordered and due Tuesday or Wednesday. Before I have been through 3 pancake type compressors. That was a mistake. I have read that the Calif. air compressor 8 gal one HP should last for 3000 hours. Pancake 500 hours. Much cheaper per hour on the Calif air. And better. https://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-series-of-air-compressor-contractor-grade/1-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-8010/ $161 plus tax delivery included from Home depot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobykanobe Posted June 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2020 I too have a California Air and have been happy for it. This compressor is to run a few lines not only in my wood shop but throughout the warehouse that wood shop is in. Mainly blowing stuff off and filling tires with this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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