Compressor suggestions

[Dave Chizek]

I purchased an AirfForce 400 and am looking at updating my air compressor. My use for this item varies from farm repair work to do-it yourself projects so it is difficult to say what it will primarily be used for. Likely the most common wall thickness would be 1/4-3/8 wall tubing products. My old compressor was a 20 gallon antique that probably had few original parts remaining on it. I have heard good things about Puma brand compressors but always willing to hear input from others. Also would size of tank capacity would you recommend?

[hankj]

Welcome aboard, Dave.

If the AF400 is the only thing you need air for, it only requires 4.5 CFM. There are a bundle of contractor-style compressors that can do that.
The expense comes from adding a dryer between the compressor and the plasma cutter. Clean, dry air will stretch the lifspan of the torch parts, which get expensive if you eat a lot of them.

If you are going to buy a new compressor, conside all of your needs, and size it to supplt the largest tool you will run.

I like slow turning units best. Quieter and longer lived, IMHO. Quincy and Eaton are tops in my book. IR also has some nice units, but they are all fast turners!

Hank

[Nickoli]

Just my .02 cents... stay away from the oiless type compressors. The decibel level is bad enough (cant hear yourself think) and when using with a plasma cutter the airtank recovery time isn't all that great. Althought the oiless have a time and place I would look for something with a stand alone pump and motor with the highest cfm rating your wallet can handle. Take it from me I fell for the cheaper price the 1st time around and had to shell out even more the 2nd time to upgrade to better equipment!

[mike6845]

Dave:

You just put out a fair amount of money for your AF 400. The compressor to supply it is not where you want to go out and get the cheapest thing you can find. I would reccommend a compreesor that is not an oiless one because of quality, reliability and overall noise. Spend a few bucks more and get one with at least a 20gal tank so that the compressor doesn't have to run constantly and also make sure that you have adequete output filtering to keep the water vapor out of the supply line to the plasma cutter. Usually I am not a fan of Harbor Freight but they have an oil lubed 21gal compressor on sale now for $139. That would be the minimum I would consider for this application.

[Dave Chizek]

Ideally I want a 60 gallon horizontal tank installed in the storage space above my garage to have reserve capacity for new/improved equipment. Any recommendations for a dryer? Does the type e.g. desiccant - fullfill any/all requirements? Sorry but I am pretty new to this and want to do things right the first time around.

[Bobcatter]

TP tools has good reference information, see their link on the lower left menu of their site for Tips/Technical information. It shows the proper way to design your air plumbing system.

If you have a good design of your air lines, you should be able to get rid of the water with relatively simple arrangements. With high volume you can go to refrigerated units. Here is their link for dealing with water. I am not with the company or anything, just a happy customer.

http://www.tptools.com/dg/110_Water-...egulators.html

[Sberry]

Yes, air comps like welders is a poor place to skimp, most of the units with 60 gallon tanks will run most things a home/hobby type wants to run except for continuous sanding or heavy brushing used in auto body work.

[John Stuckey]

Eaton with TP Tools piping setup