Air compressor for spraying and finishing

[John Bailey]

As I research tools and equipment for my new shop, I'm beginning to think about spray finishes and painting. I won't be using a compressor for nailing, just finish work. What should I be looking for in terms of size, power, brands, price or anything else I should be thinking of?

Thanks for any information.

John

[tod evans]

cast iron pump, american made motor/pump, 60-80 gal minimum.17+cfm...02 tod

[Ken Garlock]

cast iron pump, american made motor/pump, 60-80 gal minimum.17+cfm...02 tod

Tod, you forgot 2 stage with 5hp motor. They are spelled Ingersoll Rand.

[Michael Gabbay]

John - Go over to the Homestead Finishing forum. This question is asked all of the time. I've seen Jeff Jewitt recommend some of the Sears compressors that are around $300.

Mike

[Roger Reynolds]

HVLP 3 stage, water based finishes.

[Jeff Horton]

I am using a gravity feed gun and a old 2hp Sears compressor with a 20 or 30 gallon tank. Not sure of the CFM but never ran out of air. I would imagine a similar one would be around $300. With this set up you don't need a huge compressor. Also it's overkill for an air nailer which is a good thing.

[Michael Perata]

cast iron pump, american made motor/pump, 60-80 gal minimum.17+cfm...02 tod

I have a Porter Cable unit (Model CPLC7060V) putting out 12 SCFM @ 40 PSI that nevers runs out of air with my conversion HLVP gun.

Cost me <$500 at Lowes a while bakc.

[tod evans]

john, since we are using brand names here i would recomend quincy or ir, in the past i have tried to save money by purchasing the "buzzer" type compressors and have found them to be short lived and very annoying. no disrespect to ken, but both companies make single stage compressors that will move more air at 125psi for the same dollars and because they are single stage they will live longer....then since you`re independantly welthy there are the small "screw" pumps made by both companies and another called kieser. in some parts of the country these are called rotary vein pumps.....nice stuff/big bucks..02 tod

[Kirk (KC) Constable]

I have the Porter Cable 60 gallon '7 HP' model that goes for $400-500...and have also installed and used the comparable IR, which usually is around $100 more than whatever the PC/Huskie/Farmhand model is. Doing it again, my PC would say IR. Although I've had no issues it, there's a lot more plastic on the PC than the IR, and the IR seems a bit quieter.

KC

[John Bailey]

Ok,

I know, or I think I know that PC is Porter Cable, but I don't know, at least I think I don't know what IR is.

John

[tod evans]

ingersoll-rand

[Jim Becker]

Without getting into specific brands (other than mentioning I'm also an IR fan and owner), the bigger the tank, the better you will be. The more the compressor has to run while spraying, the more the filters (you need to install them!) will have to work to remove moisture from the lines and the more the system will have to work just to work. 60 gallon compressors in a rainbow of colors are available for reasonable costs...buy the best quality you can afford. I caught a sale awhile back at Tractor Supply and got my 60 gallon IR for about $489 plus PA sales tax...

This size compressor is also very nice for piping in the shop for all your pneumatic needs. For spraying, I actually put a dedicated drop with an additional moisture filter and regulator for convenience.

[John Bailey]

Thanks All,

I think I've got enough information to go out and start kicking tires now.

John

[Vaughn McMillan]

Ok,

I know, or I think I know that PC is Porter Cable, but I don't know, at least I think I don't know what IR is.

John

The "IR" stands for infrared, which is the type of remote control most decent compressors have these days. Of course, with these higher-end compressors you should also use fiber-optic hoses, for less air distortion, higher blowthrough and better windage. (And don't forget to buy a few air hooks, too.)

Or what Tod said.

- Vaughn...glad I could help

[John Bailey]

Vaughn,

Sorry, but fiber optic isn't available in my neck of the woods, and I do mean woods. So, I guess I'll have to put up with a slow, dial-up compressor. I wonder how many times I'll have to dial it before it fills.

John