oil lubed vs. oil-less compressors

[tigster]

been thinking about changing my air compressor. it's an oilless that says 7 CFM at 90 psi, but i don't quite believe it. i've seen some places say that a compressor with an oil lubed pump will recover faster, which mine definitely does not do. is comparing an oil lubed vs. oilless that are both rated at let's say 6.5 CFM at 100 psi, like comparing apples to apples, or are they somehow different because they recover at different rates? thanks.

[hankj]

It really depends on how much air you need.

I hate oil-less machines. Noisy, run too much, etc.

Get a decent air compressor that will last you as long as you and your grnadkids live. I'd recommend a slow turner, rather tha a high RPM unit.

I really like Quincy and Eaton for the fact that they run slow, run quiet, and will last a lifetime.

Hank

[whateg0]

You don't say what brand of compressor you have now. I think that ratings for compressors are similar to those of the tools that use them. I don't think that the type of lubrication is important in determining the ratings. Tools are rated incorrectly as often as the compressors. I also don't think it makes a difference in the recovery times. The big differences between the type of lubrication IMHO, are noise - oil-less is LOUDER, and longevity - oil-lubed tend to last longer.

Dave

[tigster]

right now, i have a 4 HP, 11 gal, which is a coleman powermate i bought at kmart about 15 years ago. your right! it is EXTREMELY noisy. i plan on buying a cutmaster 52, and the specs for air flow say 300 - 500 CFH. that translates to 5.0 - 8.3 CFM. i'm not sure if that means anywhere within that range will work fine, or whether it means it uses 5.0 CFM at 20 amps and 8.3 at 60 amps of plasma output. i'll have to email thermadyne and find out, unless someone here is already using one and knows what will work. i just want to make sure i have enough compressor for this cutter, but i would also like to upgrade my compressor at the same time. i only have one 220 v outlet, to be used for the cutter, so the compressor is something i'm trying to keep at a 115 volt unit and rated for 15 amps (i have a 20 amp 115 line), and an oil lubed so i can hear myself think again:). thanks for the replies, they're very helpful!:D

[whateg0]

As far as the air requirements go, just plan on the upper end of the range, or maybe a bit higher. Like I said, stuff always uses more than they say, and compressors often provide less than they say. Have you looked at the compressors available in your price range and with the power requirements you have? Limiting yourself to a 110V compressor is going to severely reduce the capacity you'll be able to get. What pressure does that plasma cutter require? The CFM is listed at a given pressure. X @ 40psi but Y @ 90psi.

Good luck in your search.

Dave

[tigster]

thanks, Dave. it looks like the cutter requires 75 psi, and i'll still have to check with thermadyne on the flow requirements. one more "quick":rolleyes: question. upon doing a lot of researching on compressors, i found a feature i'm not familiar with. dewalt makes some that have a dual control, so that you can set it for on / off, or constant running. it states that constant running reduces breaker tripping. does this mean if i have a 115 20 amp line, and the compressor is rated at 115 / 20, that i'll have no problem. is this a situation where it requires 20 amps for the motor to start, but a lot less amps to keep it running? i know on the compressor i have now, it is a 115 / 15, and used to run on a 115 / 15 line. it would do the on / off thing, but trip the breaker after about 15 minutes of use (probably warming up and then drawing slightly more current). then i upgraded the line to a 115 / 20, and no more probs. just wondering if this constant running feature would allow me to run a 115 / 20 compressor on a 115 / 20 line with no probs. thanks.

[tigster]

Limiting yourself to a 110V compressor is going to severely reduce the capacity you'll be able to get.


Dave

Dave, you are wise beyond your years! ;) after weighing all the options, i have decided to put in another 220 v line, get a 220 v compressor, and not look back.

thank you.

[tnmike]

Oilless vs Oiled. I quickly came to the conclusion that oiled is better. It will last longer and its quiter. I wanted a small portable unit and while the oiled units are heavier that is what I went with.

I bought a Makita MAC700 from Amazon...$159 delivered. It looks like its very well built and will do the job.

[whateg0]

Forgot to mention 2 areas where oil-less can be advantageous. If you are going to be using the compressor in a mobile environment where it may be unlevel, the oil-lubed may not be the best choice, as they like to be pretty level to ensure proper lubrication. The other area is painting. The oil in the air has the potential, if not removed, to contaminate paint.

FWIW, I have the 60 gal Husky (rebadged Campbell Hausfeld) from HD. Not the quietest model, but works well.

Dave

[tigster]

does anyone have experience with this model?

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311707_200311707

i know it's not a name brand, but the price sure is right. is it about the same quality as the home depot model of husky, which is apparently campbell hausfeld? i did a lot of research, and it seems people are having problems even with name brand ones. at one point i was looking into the ingersoll rand 60 gal model. i found out with some digging, for instance, that the pump on this model failed for one buyer. after he called customer service, he found out the pump was made in india.

Dave, do you know what the output in CFM your husky puts out at 90 PSI?

[whateg0]

It doesn't look like it's on HD's website anymore. Here is the blue version.

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=93973&cg1=10646&cg2=10689&cg3=


Dave

[tonylumps]

This is the same compressor i just bought at HD Husky decal but Cambell Housfield ID tag and you send the warranty to CH.Its not on the HD website but they had three in there stockroom where i bought it 399.00 .It must have had an inch of dust on the box The only thing i did was order a Solberg intake filter To try and quiet the intake down Other than that it's no louder than my small Ch that is also all cast iron one cylinder pump Tony

[whateg0]

I had thought about using a different air filter, too. I've heard that much of the noise is from the intake and exhaust. No different than the pump that moves our cars, really. I have even considered a regular automotive muffler, but I don't know it that would work.

Dave

[tonylumps]

I just got the filter.Ordered the wrong connection size I am going to try to get a bushing or jury rig something tonight let you know if it reduces noise level But I think the compressor will keep up with anything i have Tony

[tonylumps]

Just installed the solberg Filter/silencer Had to use a reducer Cuts the intake noise done to a slight hum Tigster it's not a bad compressor for the money here are the specs on this model 3HP.240 V 15 amp 60 gal.tank Twin cylinder all cast iron pump 11.5@40 psi 10.2@90 psi Pump casting stamped Made in USA 399.00 Plus some plumbing and the Filter Dave this filter is worth the money 22.36 +shipping With a little Maint.to the eliment it should last a couple 1000Hrs And a new eliment is 4.95 Tony

[tigster]

thanks, Tony. i was just in HD looking at it earlier tonight. i will probably purchase it. it will certainly work for me and provide all the air i will need. can you provide a link to this solberg filter? so it really cuts the noise level? does it basically replace the original air intake filter?

any oil lubricated pump will certainly be quieter than my current oilless!

regards...

[tonylumps]

Tigster It will replace it The one that comes with the compressor is pitiful I got the filter from ecompressedair .com it took 3 weeks to get it but they have all the sizes or tptools .com they have a couple of sizes I measured my intake wrong it has a 1/2" pipe thread i ordered a 3/4" but i got an adaptor for it It worked out good the filter is a lot larger The one that comes with the compressor is pitiful . Tony

[tigster]

now i may decide to go with Lowe's compressor, Kobalt brand. it is a 60 gallon, 11.5 CFM at 90 vs 10.2 on the campbell hausfeld, and a 3 year limited warranty vs 1 year. same price, 399.

[tonylumps]

Tigster check past post's on this forum something came up on the Kobult you are looking at I saw that one at Lowes If i had my truck with me i would have bought it Then i read something about it and never went back to Lowes can you find out who makes it Someone on this forum should know Tony