lies dam lies and statistics, also compressor horse power ratings .

[Mike Hide]

My 30 year old Sears air compressor has given up the ghost. Actually it was made by Devilbiss and went by sears only in name . The primary use has been for spraying furniture finishes.

I went to the local Lowes and HD to find a new one . In the meantime I figured I would get one a little more powerful. My old one was rated at 2 HP.

I found a 7HP unit at Lowes and the similar one at HD. Then checking the specs I noticed that the 7HP was "peak" and that the continuous rating was 1

1/2 HP. On the side of the unit was a sticker showing which tools it could be used to operate . A Spraygun was not one of them .

So what the heck should I be looking for in this day and age a 20 HP unit ?

[GTO69RA4]

Don't go by the little words or HP figures, find out what the air delivery is. Then see if your spray gun is under that ceiling. You can actually operate any air tool on any compressor, but if the compressor doesn't have the delivery you'll have to pause as it recharges the tank.

GTO(John)

[Mike Marlow]

that's what matters. For spraying you'll need around 10SCFM for a good continuous supply of air. That's quite an easy number to come by in compressors today. You should be able to find plenty of 5HP compressors delivering at least 10SCFM. Most of these are around the $400.00 mark. FWIW, both the HD and the Lowes compressors are built by Campbell Hausfeld. Absolutely no difference between like compressors other than one store may throw in a regulator as part of the deal and another may not. The important thing is to know that CH does not build a spec compressor for the chains.

[GregP]

Something in the "1000 peak watts" range :-)

[Steve Hopper]

I looked at the offerings at Lowes, Home Depot, Northern Tools, etc. I wasn't satisfied with the offerings and did some research and came up with what I think is a very good deal on a very, very powerful compressor. North Central Air in Downs, Kansas sells Industrial Gold Compressors and Leeson Industrial Motors. To make it short, I got a

42 CFM dual stage, 4 cylinder, with unloaders and all that stuff, along with a 7 1/2 HP Leeson Industrial motor (both compressor and motor rated at 100% duty cycle), the pilot valve, check valve, etc. including shipping for a little less than $800. I added a used (but in great shape) 120 gallon tank and I have a real horse of a setup.

The specifics on the compressors manufactured in Missouri are at:

specifics: Cast Iron head, cylinders, after cooler, intercooler and pump body. 5 individual concentric disc valves. Strict monitoring of Cylinder casting hardness complements the 4 Hastings USA rings. Connecting rods are precision bored Steel not Cast Iron or Aluminum and have Japanese world class full compliment needle bearings. Only Hastings USA machined steel piston rings. Tests show a 2-3 times longer life than Chinese made rings. Automotive-type, precision grounded crankshaft. Crankcase Breather Tube returns to intake so the compressor stays cleaner, better looking and quieter. Deep pitch Flywheel results in a 10 degree cooler output temperature. Non-asbestos Armstrong USA gaskets.

I can't tell you the prices going through Industrial Gold direclty because I bought mine through North Central Air (which I understand is where the Ind. Gold compressors were originally made).

If you are in the notion of building your own unit, I'd strongly recommend you contact REX at

North Central Air

619 Morgan Downs, KS 67437 785-454-3409 Last email address I have is [e-mail]

[Greg O]

I have this compressor, it serves me well. It runs my spray gun.

is a light duty unit as are 90% of the units you see at home stores. I paid just under $400. Greg

[Eric Ryder]

one....

[Mike Hide]

Sorry for the double post on the same subject ... thanks for the good advice ,the porter cable unit seems to be a good solution it doesnt take that much room either.....mjh