DIY user - 60 gal 5hp compressor, 18 scfm advertised, enough?

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phordguy

Hey I'm a diy user that will probably never sandblast anything, just looking for a little more "umph" than my 10scfm little craftsman. Do you have an opinion on if this would be enough for a good 3000 sata rp or similar? I have a Iwata w400 now and LPH400lv and hope to trade up sometime in the future. Also hoping to run my sanders, etc with ease. If I paint more than a couple cars a year I would be in hog heaven just don't want to run out of compressor.

These Ingersall Rand 60 gal 5 hp compressors are $900 or 850 at tractor supply and local. I can come up with another dryer before spraying summer weather but do you think this is under rated or a step in the right direction for an all over?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720

Thanks guys and please don't sugar coat it, I'd rather buy what I need now and if an 80 gal is more better for all over spraying please let me know what you think...
 
That's my compressor. I'm not sure but I remember the advertized cfm being a little off. Possibly 18.1 cfm @ 40 psi and 15 cfm @ 90 psi is correct. Anyway I love it but I've only painted one car. She has a 100% duty-cycle and is cast-iron if you do any sandblasting you should be good.

Maybe a pro will chime in, but there are hobby guys using a lot less !!
 
This is what I have and I would consider it the minimum to get by with. Its a 6 hp, two stage with 80 gallon tank. My sandblast cabinet will cause it to run continuously as will my DA.
P1010007.jpg


If you plan to do more than one car and can afford it go for bigger.
 
That is (Ingersall Rand 60 gal 5 hp compressor ) the compressor I have and find it quite adequate for my needs. I have not sand blasted with it, nor did I purchase it with that intended usage.
I have access to a 140cfm@100 psi for sand blasting.
 
I would consider that to be a minimum if you plan on painting any over all jobs. That compressor will likely not support a DA or air grinder for continuous work. You stated that you plan on "Trading up" on your paint gun. If you mean that you plan on getting a Sata, then get a much larger compressor. There is nothing wrong with an Iwata, and it will require considerably less air.

Keep in mind that the tank size has little bearing on it's capacity. The tank is simply for reserve.

Aaron
 
Ok thanks, what would be a good scfm advertised figure to shoot for if I wanted to run a DA with any length of time or a sata 2000 hvlp / 3000 or rp ?
 
If I was to buy another compressor it would be at least 24 CFM @ 90 psi. I would try to get the biggest and best I could afford. It is very frustrating to have to wait for your compressor to catch up or to have tools that aren't working to full capacity because your compressor is running out of breath.
 
Originally Posted by wyomingclimber:
"Well, I got my IR SS5L5 up and running. Here's the skinny:

Time to fill a 60 gallon tank to 90psi: 2:43
CFM @90 using Kinch's calculation: 16.3
Range based on Kinch's stated margin of error: 11.4-21.2cfm@90

Running a 9/64 nozzle in my blaster with no media in it and taping the valve open, the tank pressure stabilizes at 83psi with the compressor running constant."

I added:
Here is a nice flow chart, 80 psi with an 1/8 orfice is around 23scfm.

bigger is always better in this case, if I had the money I would have a Curtis SE7 rotary.


orifice-air-leakage-diagram.png


The Ingersoll Rand rating of 18 @ 90 is a fair assessment.

btw,I have this same compressor and have had no issues with it.
 
I've used a D/A sander and it has always kept up with no reduction in performance.
 
A 9/64" nozzle is about 1/2 the size used in most blast cabinets for rust and paint removal.
I still maintain it is the minimum size compressor for this line of work. It will get the job done in a one man shop but it is going to run most of the time.
 
I have an IR, I think it is one size bigger than the one you are looking at. It's 80 gallon, 19 or 20 CFM at 40 psi. Mine is pretty good for hobbiest-level restoration work, which is what I use it for (and farm use).

I had one problem with it so far. The copper line that goes from the compressor to the tank broke. It was fatigued from vibration. Just looking at it, it has to be a common problem. It is an easy fix after you tack down a flaring tool the right size (I think it is 5/8).

It will run any air tool I have and it still shuts off from time to time. Of couse, I let off the trigger sometimes, which makes a big difference.

For sandblasting, it is good for small jobs like fenders. I use a bigger compressor for big sandblasting jobs, becase it would never keep up.
 
[QUOTE='68 Coronet R/T;5786]A 9/64" nozzle is about 1/2 the size used in most blast cabinets for rust and paint removal.
I still maintain it is the minimum size compressor for this line of work. It will get the job done in a one man shop but it is going to run most of the time.[/QUOTE]

then I guess the OP is just fine with it since he is like me, a DIY guy :)
 
Compressor size is dependant on what you're going to use it for. I could do a complete repaint on a car with a $20 touchup gun and a $120 110V contractor type compressor if its a solid color and I only did a few panels at a time. A lot of air is always nice but for some it may not be in the budget for a large compressor. Awhile back I bought a cheapy 110v $100ish compressor from Advance Auto Parts for my Dad to spray woodworking projects with, also picked up a couple $10-$20 ebay touchup guns, air hose, water seperator.... I plugged the thing in and tested it in my shop before giving it to him just to make sure everything was working ok including the guns-worked just fine, in fact I sprayed a firewall with it that night as a test and it worked just fine-I remember laughing to myself-thinking less than a $200 setup and I know if I had to I could actually pull off a show winning paint job with it if done a few panels at a time-solid colors. How long would the compressor last though?
I have a 1975 Emglo 80gallon 5hp that's been with me for 23 years, 175psi cfm? I rebuilt the pump once and changed the motor a few times but faithfull and well built IMO, also had an old American 1947 that I would fire up with the Emglo when blasting but now I farm most of the blasting out and I let that pump go to a friend. Some of the newer compressors don't seem to be very well made unless you get into the $2K+ range.
 
The thing about compressors to remember is the 90 PSI rating
is the one to go by for checking CFM's.
The 40 PSI rating means nothing, the compressor
is always pumping against the tank pressure which is most
always 90 PSI or higher. So that's the replacement CFM that's
important for replacing what you're useing.:cool:
 
Good point about CFM JC. It seems that they intentionally make it confusing by using different psi/cfm ratings.

Compressors are like garages...get one 2x as big as you think you will ever need, and it will still end up being too small some day.
 
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