New or Used Air Compressor?

[Cripes]

I am going to start doing my own fluid filming on my 4 vehicles. Ideally, I would see about 4 CFM at 90 PSI. This puts me in the realm of a large portable air compressor, or a stationary. I like the idea of a compressor that has serviceable oil, but so many are oil-free.

Anywho, Ive been looking at new and used models, and see some appealing used compressors near me for about 1/3 to 1/4 of a new unit. Any thoughts on this?

 

[The_Jeff]

Go used, lots of people upgrade or get out of the hobby.

Don't get a "pancake" one if you can help it, get something with oil in it.

 

[Trav]

HF has a 20 gallon with oil pump for $200.

 

[Chris142]

Watch out for used ones. If nobody drained the tank regularly it will rust out.

 

[Rand]

Are you sure its 4cfm or "average 4 cfm"


IIRC if you are using the FF spray gun you want 6-8cfm at 80psi+
for continuous spraying

That puts you into 230v territory.

 

[brandon9715]

I bought a Grip Rite GR2500 at a local auctioneer for $25, tax included. It’s beat up, but builds air and performs without issues. I would like a larger tank, but for how often I undercoat vehicles (2x a year total) it works no problem. I would prioritize a compressor that is oiled. They last much longer and maintenance is dead simple.

 

[burbguy82]

I am going to start doing my own fluid filming on my 4 vehicles. Ideally, I would see about 4 CFM at 90 PSI. This puts me in the realm of a large portable air compressor, or a stationary. I like the idea of a compressor that has serviceable oil, but so many are oil-free.

Anywho, Ive been looking at new and used models, and see some appealing used compressors near me for about 1/3 to 1/4 of a new unit. Any thoughts on this?

Oilless compressors are typically for 33% duty cycle, meaning not continuous use. Some are, like VIAIR, but most commercially available units that are oil-less, will not last under continuous use.

I suggest an oil lubricated unit for what you are going to be doing, with a large tank,

 

[CDX825]

Speaking from experience I would get at least a 60 gallon compressor. Bigger the pump the better. Ive been spraying fluid film and now woolwax since 2012. Started out with a 60 gallon compressor with a 12 cfm pump. It was sufficient but I had to add and air dryer to keep from spraying moisture out with the spray gun. Anything smaller is going to run a lot and you will fight with moisture in the air and in your sprayer.

 

[brandon9715]

Speaking from experience I would get at least a 60 gallon compressor. Bigger the pump the better. Ive been spraying fluid film and now woolwax since 2012. Started out with a 60 gallon compressor with a 12 cfm pump. It was sufficient but I had to add and air dryer to keep from spraying moisture out with the spray gun. Anything smaller is going to run a lot and you will fight with moisture in the air and in your sprayer.

For homeowner use once or twice a year, why would anyone need 60 gallons? Sure, bigger is better for continuous spraying, but that’s unnecessary imo.

 

[Rand]

For homeowner use once or twice a year, why would anyone need 60 gallons? Sure, bigger is better for continuous spraying, but that’s unnecessary imo.

4x a year technically.
also 60gal doesn't take up any more space vs a 20 or 30 unless you are stowing the portable unit under something.
its stationary however.
once you have big air you can find more uses for it.

 

[CDX825]

For homeowner use once or twice a year, why would anyone need 60 gallons? Sure, bigger is better for continuous spraying, but that’s unnecessary imo.

I sprayed a lot of fluid film with a 60 gallon compressor. I can't imagine doing it with something smaller. Could you? Sure. Would it be fun? No.

 

[OM617YOTA]

Around here, used compressors are either clapped out borderline scrap metal, or people are asking five bucks less than new.

If you're not in a hurry, get a good idea for specs, keep your eyes open and see if a used deal comes around. Otherwise, used makes no sense, in this area.

 

[MrBubba]

Buying used poses a risk if they did not properly maintain it and drain it, if it rusted internally and explodes it will go off like a bomb destroying much near it.

Buy new, maintain it and keep it for decades instead of buying a risk.

 

[billt460]

My biggest concern with used, (especially if it served its life in a humid climate), would be internal tank rusting, along with the danger of explosion that it presents. That said, I have a Campbell Hausfeld I bought new at a Farm & Fleet in Woodstock, Illinois back in 1985.

It spent 5 years in the Midwest, and the rest of its life in AZ. It's still going strong. I've never even changed the belt. I've only used Mobil 1 in the crankcase. 0W-30 for the 5 years in a temperate climate. And 10W-40 since it's been out here.

For a total of 3 compressor oil changes in 41 years. Each time it was changed, it looked like it just went in. The cheap dino compressor oil it came with was too thick for Chicago Winters out in the garage.

It would trip the breaker on startup. So that's when I went to the Mobil 1 Synthetic and never looked back.

 

[demarpaint]

Speaking from experience I would get at least a 60 gallon compressor. Bigger the pump the better. Ive been spraying fluid film and now woolwax since 2012. Started out with a 60 gallon compressor with a 12 cfm pump. It was sufficient but I had to add and air dryer to keep from spraying moisture out with the spray gun. Anything smaller is going to run a lot and you will fight with moisture in the air and in your sprayer.

Exactly! Get a 60 gallon compressor, it was one of the best investments I made. As a result of replacing my smaller compressor my air tool collection grew which was another plus for me.

 

[billt460]

Exactly! Get a 60 gallon compressor, it was one of the best investments I made. As a result of replacing my smaller compressor my air tool collection grew which was another plus for me.

This is the mistake I made. I think mine has a 12 gallon tank. I rigged up another 11 gallon tank which helps. But if and when I have to replace it I'm going with a 60 gallon tank minimum. Larger volume really helps when using a lot of air.

 

[demarpaint]

This is the mistake I made. I think mine has a 12 gallon tank. I rigged up another 11 gallon tank which helps. But if and when I have to replace it I'm going with a 60 gallon tank minimum. Larger volume really helps when using a lot of air.

I hear ya! I have a Craftsman 20 gallon compressor for well over 40 years, which I struggled with when I started rustproofing my vehicles, or when it came time to use something like an air saw, grinder, or a powerful impact gun. Once I bought the 60 gallon compressor I realized I should have bought one decades sooner. At the time the issue was space, that problem was resolved 28 years ago when we moved to the house we're in now. Bigger is better.

I still have the Craftsman compressor, it is in great shape, but won't fetch much at a yard sale so I keep it for pumping up tires during the winter months. I most likely won't be using the big compressor in the winter so I let the air out of the tank and shut it down from about December to April.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

Keep your eyes open for a good old USA made compressor on craigslist. And pay a little more for it. I bought a 3 cylinder, single stage SpeedAire back in 2000 at an auction for $200. It will put out 18cfm at 150psi depending on the speed you run it. I have the owners manual. Machine shop was going out of business. They were using it to run their whole shop but also for painting small parts.

Unfortunately they were spraying paint right around the compressor. When I got it home to change the oil, the oil would not even drain out because of all the paint in the crankcase from breathing all that paint. It was like somebody filled up the crankcase with thick, grey, oil based paint. I poured some kerosene in and ran it a minute or so and drained it. Repeated a few times until it came out clean. Finally filled it up with good old M1 10w-30.

I would guess it's a 70's vintage machine. Still runs beautiful. My point is that if it's a quality USA machine, it's going to last and you will still be able to get parts. They're pretty simple. The only things I have done are change a few gaskets and clean and flip over reed valves. Drain the tank occasionally.