Advice on small compressor

hb2 · Post by **hb2** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:25 pm

Unless governed an air tool actually uses the most air at free speed. What sometimes happens when rating air consumption is that an assumption is made in regard to duty cycle. Air tools require a lot of air even a .4hp die grinder requires at least 20 cfm to run constant duty. Small compressors are great for tools like nailers, inflation and blow off but do not have enough flow for any serious sanding, grinding or cutting.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:58 am

Actually I believe a compressor rated at say 6 cu feet at 90 psi is in fact capable of producing that much air at that pressure.

In the past there have been a few lawsuits against manufactures that made false claims, so I believe if a machine is rated at such and such it will perform that way. I happened to be included in a class action suit against one company for the way they labeled their compressor. Got a $10 check whoopie!

Now to the tool, if the tool claims it needs 5 cu feet at 60 Psi you can be reasonably sure a 6 cu foot at 90 psi is more than enough to meet the need.

THE PROBLEM! Most compressors are not labeled continuous run. In fact if you fully read the instruction most give a duty cycle. Case in point run for 10 minutes off for 30 run for another 5 minutes off for 30 run for 2 minutes off for 15.

What you see is as the compressor heats up the run time starts falling.

Now back to our 6 cu feet as 90 psi and 5 cu feet at 60 psi tool. You can probably run it fine for about 10 minutes then you have to stop and let the motor compressor cool cycling through the manufactures criteria.

That is why shops that use air tools go big. The buy a compressor that more than handles all the tools plus has a long run time. Pair this with a big pressure tank you find the compressor stays well within the suggested run time while fully powering the tool.

Little pancake compressor may have the power and all to do the job but their limited run time will kill you. I have seen compressors abused that you could literally fry and egg on. When it finally crapped out the owner said I knew this was piece of junk, the manufacture lied. No the manufacture didn't lie, the owner simply ignored run time limit the manufacture had placed on the unit.

hb2 · Post by **hb2** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:32 pm

All I was trying to say is that there are no die grinders that only require 6 cfm of air to run constant duty. Pencil grinders yes,but not die grinders. Orbital sanders require 16 cfm of air to run constant duty. Air tools require a lot of air. Why do I know this? I design them for a living. Reading this over it sounds like I am being harsh and please do not take it that way:)

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:21 pm

hb2 wrote:All I was trying to say is that there are no die grinders that only require 6 cfm of air to run constant duty. Pencil grinders yes,but not die grinders. Orbital sanders require 16 cfm of air to run constant duty. Air tools require a lot of air. Why do I know this? I design them for a living. Reading this over it sounds like I am being harsh and please do not take it that way:)

Input from one who 'knows' of what he speaks is always welcome and not construed as 'harsh', merely informative.

BuckeyeDennis · Post by **BuckeyeDennis** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 11:02 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Input from one who 'knows' of what he speaks is always welcome and not construed as 'harsh', merely informative.

And a big Amen! to that.

kittyboy · Post by **kittyboy** » Sat Mar 19, 2016 9:52 am

can someone please tell me if i have to control duty cycle myself with the on off switch? i get that 50 % means it can only be running half the time tool is working. my makita 5200 runs constantly when air hogs like da or die grinder try to get used. so if the thing is running constantly, to keep the tool moving anhd the tool eats up whats in the tank in a few seconds.........i don't get it

kittyboy · Post by **kittyboy** » Sat Mar 19, 2016 9:54 am

air tools require alot of air.....thanks for the lesson professer

kittyboy · Post by **kittyboy** » Sat Mar 19, 2016 9:58 am

too bad it can barely keep up with one nailer.

kittyboy · Post by **kittyboy** » Sat Mar 19, 2016 10:01 am

yeah, pancake means staplers, nailers only. maybe a 3 second squirt off blow gun.

everettdavis · Post by **everettdavis** » Sat Mar 19, 2016 11:29 am

hb2 wrote:All I was trying to say is that there are no die grinders that only require 6 cfm of air to run constant duty. Pencil grinders yes,but not die grinders. Orbital sanders require 16 cfm of air to run constant duty. Air tools require a lot of air. Why do I know this? I design them for a living. Reading this over it sounds like I am being harsh and please do not take it that way:)

What compressor model do you personally own or recommend for this application?

Everett

Shopsmith Forums

Advice on small compressor

Re: Advice on small compressor

Re: Advice on small compressor

Re: Advice on small compressor

Re: Advice on small compressor

Re: