Gotta get a bigger boat (to paraphase Jaws)

R

Ron Ketcham

Active member
When I retired, brought all my tools, boxes etc to the new retirement house.

Finished out the car and half garage, more electric, paver floor, insulation, gas heat, lots of good lighting,etc.

At last I could go back to playing with all my tools, etc.

Restoring things is a gas for me, and I have almost every air and electric tool that you can get, a roll around around tool box with two additions to it, paint guns that I used a few times a year when working for shooting test panels at the Technical Center which I ran.

Well, I became tired of using wire brushes, drills, bench grinders and sheet after sheet of expensive sand paper to remove old paint and rust from the parts of things I was restoring, so since I had gotten a good air compressor, which runs all the other tools I own, got an abrasive blaster cabinet.

Whoops, gotta get a bigger boat-I mean air compressor.

I can run that one I have out of CFM/pressure in 3 minutes with the blaster!

Now, I got 220v out there, would have to string some wiring and such, but it's there for the welders.

Humm, do I go with a twin 110 and an 80 gallon tank or bite the bullet and move up to a 220v unit.

It is not going to be used all day, everyday, so electric cost is not really an issue.

Guess I fire up the old Beast, take the check book and go shopping for a bigger boat!

Grumpy

(and now you know why my nic-name is Grumpy, I don't like spending money all that much)
 
Keep an eye on Craigslist -- you can often find really nice compressors that are lightly used for cheap.



If you're looking for a new unit I'd definitely step up to a 220v unit, preferably a two-stage pump with at least a 5HP rated motor, if not a 7.5 depending on the size of your blast cabinet. The compressor I've got in my shop (actually it's in a barn about 70' from the main working shop, with air line buried underground inside Schedule 80 PVC) is a 5HP Ingersoll Rand with a 2-stage pump and 80GAL. tank. Not the cheapest in the world, but you can catch them on sale from time to time:



Ingersoll Rand 80 Gallon 2-Stage Air Compressor, 5 HP - 3496129 | Tractor Supply Company



Of course the other option would be to keep the compressor you've got and just add a second one in series with the first to supply your air system.
 
I have thought about a short term fix, doing as you say, by hooking my nailer compressor in line, however that does not answer the air storage concern. No big extra tank.

Going down to Farm and Home this morning, that's our version of Tractor Supply in this little area.

They have numerous compressors on the floor and since I have a good friend that works there, will know when some are on the down and dirty sale.

Plus, they give us senior's and 10% off the second Tue of the month on anything we purchase.

So, off to look at potential compressors.
 
Hey, a new toy will keep you off the street and in the garage. Everybody is happy! :) At least that the excuse I use when I get something new for the garage. My wife buys it.
 
Tried three of those "wife things", not good at it, been single for I think 28 years.

Not good at handling drama, etc.

Plus, good ladies, on a regular basis seems to work for me, and they know to leave by noon on Sunday before the race or football game comes on.

Looked at a Quincy and a Puma today, same motor on both, most of the electrics were same, both 80 gal tanks, both 150 PSI, 13 CFM at 100 PSI. Both are twin cyl, and 220v.

The Quincy (a local, down the river company) is well known and good stuff, but here is the decision maker for me.

Quincy-$989.00

Puma-$449.00

Now all I got to do is stop crying and spend the money.

Oh, one other thing, get two cases of beer and talk two friends into helping me load and unload and posistion in the shop.

Ahh, the expense of friends, but what the hey, they are here almost every Friday evening for Grumpy's Pub Happy Hour anyway, and the beer and cocktails are all free!

Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
Not good at handling drama, etc.

Plus, good ladies, on a regular basis seems to work for me, and they know to leave by noon on Sunday before the race or football game comes on.
Click to expand...



:chuckle: Got to respect you for your honesty about what works for you! :xyxthumbs:

Ahh, the expense of friends, but what the hey, they are here almost every Friday evening for Grumpy's Pub Happy Hour anyway, and the beer and cocktails are all free!

Grumpy
Click to expand...



:D Awesome! Wish I lived close and if you invited me, I would've been happy to show up with a case of Dos Equis or Sol or whatever your choosing.
 
Nothin like having all the right gear. Especially when you're skilled at some of that old school craftsmenship like you! Go with the big unit/220. And hope that your neighbors don't get woken up by it in the middle of the night!
 
Thanks, I am ahead on the "noise issue".

When I was VP of Hypex, a hydraulic oil pump jack, which was often used in neighbor hoods in areas like Huntington Beach, Ca, Pismor Beach,Ca, etc, the Cat and RexRoth pumps were a bit "whiney" so we learned about sound deadening, without disrupting air flow.

My buddy and partner in a few business ventures were discussing this evening about where to place the monster.

I think we may have worked it out, and be it placed inside the shop or as I would like to do, but winter is a ***** here, outside, think I can control the noise level so it does not affect others.

Plus, it would not be run on an all day basis, do who knows where it will end.

Grumpy

PS, by the way my business partner/friend is a licensed Master Electrican with over 35 years of being such.

He is also a high line HVAC professional. Ain't it nice to have friend about you with professional creditals and talent?
 
Sure must be nice. Sounds like a perfect place to have AC and a Chemical Management System in effect! Heck, even a nice little exhaust fan so can don't stick up the place with a bunch of cigars.
 
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