I,m buying one tomorrow for a remote job I'm doing. Probably 2 gal. Any recommendations. Hope to catch something on sale for Christmas.
Is this something you would buy on cragslist?
It always seems as though items like that on Craigslist are priced a little too high for the trouble of driving 20-50 miles.
When I recently had a remote job to do, I tried one of those Co2 cylinder kits from Lowes. The box claims that you could get 1200 shots out of one cylinder. TOTAL BS! I found myself changing cylinders about every time I reloaded staples.
I've fixed two DeWalt pancake type compressors for friends. One has only been used once before and the regulator broke, the other maybe 5 or 6 times and it broke a reed valve. When I ordered the parts, they sent me a new retrofit kit to fix the problem that they evidently had. Both were fixed easy enough, but a virtually new compressor better had perform much better than that. The only reason the owners didn't return them was that they bought them and never used them until after the manufactures warranty ran out.
I've never seen a Co2 kit. I'll steer clear of those. Several years ago I bought a no name pancake type for $60. 1-1/2 years later the barring in the motor wore out. Cheap. I'd like to avoid that this time. Can I get anything good for around $100?
I won't recommend a brand name here since I know more about large industrial type compressors rather than the portable type. Although, I said I won't recommend a brand I will say Bosch and Bostitch seem to be popular. With the economy still in the hole and builders aren't working as much right now, I would think you could find a decent deal on brand name compressors in local pawn shops or flea markets. The good thing with them, they probably at least will let you hear and see it run for proof of it working at that time.
Kyle
I have a Porter Cable pancake style compressor, but it's a 6 gallon (thought not very heavy). It does everything I need it to do quite handily (pneumatic stapler, but most importantly it powers the solenoid that runs the automatic tack and presser foot lift on my Juki).
Next move is to lose the hose and use PVC pipe to get the air where I need it with varied connection points along the line. And buy a nice rubber hose, the two I have are stiff and a pain to deal with when using the stapler (they were wicked cheap)!
I have been using one of these regularly for on-site work for the last 3 or so years. I love it.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&q=maxus+air+compressor&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11202293330517902015&sa=X&ei=jn_iTtvTGOnw0gHX4NDVBQ&ved=0CJUBEPICMAI
Previously, I used a Porter Cable twin tank. I scared more than a few cats when it kicked in. It was also a montster to haul up and down the steps. I also had a small Campbell Hausfeld compressor. it worked fine, but the engineers at C-H told me it was not designed for more than occasional use. I passed it on to my son in law who said he would use it to "blow things up," and by that I am hoping me meant inflation.
It is relatively quiet, as far as compressors go, though it is an oil-less.
The tank is aircraft aluminum that means two things:
- The whole unit weighs 23 pounds, not the 40 or so that a steel tank would
- The water drain comes out crystal clear. No rusty water dripping and spraying.
I use a 15' rubber hose. It wraps easily around the handles.
A buddy of mine has the next model up and he likewise loves it.
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fpublic%2F9JF2S164kubmoWgkvPUE2F2OkwSIhes-BjLmySBwjpr-58KXXFWp8JuYlGg8Bq7wg_IR6KS2DTnRLzHwtZY91QxG9aqyfDqNSQ7vHBytt21SV-GyEX47WVfJG8gBV45JuZmL19B8KXUV-MBRgxshvsskMwinOygZatFQ5KT8XZmJIvvs0-jTgq8OJXYaCBuQ2VuUN65LBzrEU-lchPcNtWWkqPEtBIu9DVmZ3RD5B9dUqIOjAMymi4noNX4upIy5mJwtucQPvBJRThKHdEEdLabOGYM8wNQWTQys0Q&hash=97f16528f4cce143ece2c746ed569884)
Quote from: bobbin on December 09, 2011, 12:16:39 pm
I have a Porter Cable pancake style compressor, but it's a 6 gallon (thought not very heavy). It does everything I need it to do quite handily (pneumatic stapler, but most importantly it powers the solenoid that runs the automatic tack and presser foot lift on my Juki).
Next move it to lose the hose and use PVC pipe to get the air where I need it. And by a nice rubber hose, the two I have are stiff and a pain to deal with!
I have the same one and have used it to death. Its ten years old and it still runs excellent. Great compressor. You can get them at Lowes.
Chris
When my old big unit broke this summer I went to lowes and bought s lobslt 2 gallon it Hans on the wall and can be easily removed and has feet i ppa. To use it mobile on a boats interior. Soon
http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy102/Mike8560/20703609.jpg
Quote from: bobbin on December 09, 2011, 12:16:39 pm
I have a Porter Cable pancake style compressor, but it's a 6 gallon (thought not very heavy). It does everything I need it to do quite handily (pneumatic stapler, but most importantly it powers the solenoid that runs the automatic tack and presser foot lift on my Juki).
Bobbin your going to have to fill me in about this. Air compressor hooked to your sewing machine? Never heard of such a thing.
Sounds like the Porter Cable comes highly recommended. $99 for the twin tank at Lowes. I'll check it out.
Thanks all.
Quote from: kodydog on December 09, 2011, 05:36:51 pm
Sounds like the Porter Cable comes highly recommended. $99 for the twin tank at Lowes. I'll check it out.
And the great thing is, you can return it after the remote job if you don't like it. ;)
Try
that with Craigslist.
True that Sofa.
Hammerandhand your compressor looks sweet too.
Here's what I found at Lowes
Porter Cable 1 hp 1.5 gal ? psi $79
(electric)
Kabalt 1 hp 2 gal 135 psi $129
(electric)
Campbell Hausfeld .33 hp 2 gal 100 psi $99
(twin tank)
Porter Cable
(pancake) .88 hp 6 gal 150 psi $159 (I think like Bobbins)
The ones that say electric are all in a tight little plastic case. To me they look kinda cheap.
I don't think 100 psi or less is going to cut it.
I know the tank size is important as to how often the thing will turn on and off but...
Why is the HP important? Life of motor?
Quote from: kodydog on December 09, 2011, 06:32:38 pm
Why is the HP important? Life of motor?
Yeah, life of motor. And I would think that HP and tank size go hand in hand. For instance, how long would it take a 1/2 HP motor to fill up a 60 gallon tank?
I have a Juki 1541N7. It is fully automatic; servo motor, automatic backtack, presserfoot lift, and undertrimmers. The solenoid that fires the automatic backtack and presserfoot lift function is pneumatically powered, so you have to have a compressor to supply the air to a regulator on the machine, near the control box and motor. As I understand it, Juki switched to the pneumatic system after previous models burned out the electronic lifters repeatedly. I think it has to do with the heavy duty nature of the model in question. My other Juki (9010 SS) is a lighter duty, needle feed, full function machine and doesn't require pneumatics to power the automatic functions.
Kody:
Go with the porter Cable pancake compressor / 6 gal. It is worth the extra money. Since it has a larger tank it wont run as often either.
These little compressors are loud as hell and annoying. :)
Chris
I particularly loathe the noise of the compressor. It is loud, but in my case it's on the ground floor of the barn and that muffles it somewhat. There has also been some discussion about getting a larger tank and putting the whole shebang inside a "soundproof booth".
Quote from: bobbin on December 10, 2011, 05:12:02 am
I particularly loathe the noise of the compressor. It is loud, but in my case it's on the ground floor of the barn and that muffles it somewhat. There has also been some discussion about getting a larger tank and putting the whole shebang inside a "soundproof booth".
My shop compressor is 2 large rooms away (over 75 ft.). I have a remote on/off switch hanging from a light above my desk. I ran the hose above my drop-ceiling in to my work area. I couldn't even tell you when it comes on.
I miss the old belt-driven ones. They were a lot quieter. But then, I always had the fear that I'd forget to turn it off at night, and the belt would come off, and it would run all night.
Bobbin: I bet you would be surprised at how seldom a 25-30 gal. AC would come on during an 8 hr. work day.
Many moons ago now I worked in a very small garment factory. All the overlock machines were set up to trim the threads automatically. The trimmers were run pneumatically with the assistance of vacuum to pull the threads back and down to the the knives. It was an unbelievable time saver (about 30% time, actually per piece!). The compressor was located in its own room in the cellar. As I recall, there was the actual compressor and there was a large tank, too. The compressor was fired up in the AM and it ran until the tank was filled. It would fire periodically over the course of the day as machines drew the reserves down enough to trigger a reload.
I don't fully have a "handle" on how compressors work, but my brother does (lots of auto body experience, painting in particular). He suggested the addition of PVC piping to my workroom with quick connects at various sites along the run. He also suggested adding a tank to further minimize the on/off of the small compressor. In exchange for custom draperies he has committed to assist me.
I've always used an electric stapler, and the move to a pneumatic one was a quantum leap forward for me! It's light, easy to handle, and just light years ahead of the electric one. I want to explore the world of spray painting, too! You guys have created a montster, you know.
We don't use it a whole lot, and this'll probly jinx me. But the lil pancake compressor that came with the business is still clattering away. Sounds like it's full of marbles but keeps on pumping up. It's at least 10 yrs old. Looked for lubrication points but can't seem to find any. I do clean the intake filter and drain the condensation from the tank regularly? Got a similar, newer Campbell/Hausfield at the house as backup if needed.
No reason not to plumb with pvc, just remember to use cleaner, primer & plenty of glue on your joints and allow enough dry time. Watched my neighbor plumb a line one day. No cleaner, no primer, sloppy glue job. He waited maybe 5 minutes then fired up the compressor. I tried to tell him what was gonna happen but he wasn't listening. Sure enough just as soon as the compressor pumped up & shut off. BOOM! Pffffft ...
I read a lot of stuff about running compressed air pipe awhile back. I liked this article.
http://www.exair.com/en-US/Primary%20Navigation/Knowledge%20Base/Air%20Data/Pages/CompressedAirPiping.aspx
gene
I have another Porter Cable compressor that has a 20 gal tank with wheels. This is my main compressor and is an oil filled compressor. This compressor runs very quiet and because of the large tank it will fill and I can do a large amount of stapling before it turns back on again. I appreciate its quiet operation versus the pancake compressor which will drive you nucking futs. :)
I have the pancake compressor mounted inside the basement of my coach and it is connected to an automated hose reel. If I need a portable compressor I simply disconnect the hose and take it out and to where ever I need it.
I need to get both shops plumbed for air lines. I am going to be moving my large compressor to the garage storage addition I built last summer and then plumb it back to the woodshop and the upholstery shop using PVC pipes and separate regulators & moisture traps. I want to put in several connection points in different areas. In the upholstery shop I just plan on installing one regulator, one moisture trap and one connection point with a coil hose.
I haven't a clue as to when I will be able to do that as I am so busy right now I have no time for anything but sewing.
I am way behind on my project list around the house. :)
Chris
Hey I saw someone talk about a co2 conversion from home depot. I have been running a co2 tank for the past couple of year its a big tank I get refilled at a welding place here in town. I used a old military surplus regulator that was in my dads garage.
Quote from: OddBall13 on December 11, 2011, 07:55:21 am
Hey I saw someone talk about a co2 conversion from home depot. I have been running a co2 tank for the past couple of year its a big tank I get refilled at a welding place here in town. I used a old military surplus regulator that was in my dads garage.
I tried the little Co2 cylinders with the regulator that you attach to your belt around your waist. It came from Lowe's. Nice rig. Shot staples great. But I didn't get enough shots per cylinder to justify the cost.
How many shots do you get from a big tank? What does it cost to fill the tank? Of course, PORTABLE was the operative word in this topic. If you have to haul a big tank around, might as well take a big air compressor.
Kody
Buy the biggest one you can afford
Air tools take a lot of air to run
You want a unit with quick recovery otherwise you will be standing around waiting for the compressor to catch up
Allan
the co2 tank I use is 7 inch diameter and about 23 inches tall weighs about 10 or 15 lbs. right now it is holding 700 psi and I have http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-lb-CO2-Tank-Steel-Cylinder-Homebrew-Fresh-Hydro-/280771187067?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415f44517b This is close to mine. I think when I filled it it was 1800 psi. I havn't used it much but have had it for 3 years with out refilling it i think its only 20 or 25 bucks to fill it and you can rent tanks for like 5 bucks with no return date. It would be great if you don't have power at a job sight. hope this helps
I ended up lugging my 25 gal compressor to the job (4 dinning seats). Couldn't make up my mind that fast. But I still need a portable one for a restaurant in St Augustine were working on soon. Gonna be burning some midnight oil on that one. I'll have between 2:00 am (when they close) and 5:00 pm (when they open) to get a banquette done.
I like the looks of that twin tank Hammer has. Light weight aluminum. $150 on internet.
Allen your right about size matters. Mojo and Bobbins 6 gal pancake looks good too. $150 at Lowes
The whole co2 thing is interesting but can't imagine ever working some where with out power.
Thanks all.