[jwholden]

I have a Sears Compressor in the garage that is doing an acceptable job supplying compressed air, 6.8 CFM at 90 PSI. However, the thing is LOUD and runs out of air quickly when blowing off equipment.

I will be sandblasting my bobcat in the next week or so and dread having to wait for the tank to refill with air.

I know I don't need a T30, but 17.5 CFM at 175 PSI sounds pretty darn cool. Big grunt.

Has anyone in these parts pulled the trigger on a 'bigger' air compressor? I assume there would be no regrets, once I swallow the cost.

[Bill Schwab]

JW:

Before you drop big bucks on an air compressor, consider your average usage, and what you would ever need more punch for other than sandblasting your bobcat.

Consider that you could get the machine done and primed for $500.00-$700.00 about anywhere and be done with it.

If you are still intent on getting a bigger unit, make sure you get one with cast iron sleeves on the engine, no aluminum as they will wear faster. If you get one, go 220v, with a tank of 200 gallons, and install a pressure regulator and water filter so you can paint with it.

Plan on dropping $2K for a good unit. If you are worried about noise on yor current compressor, build yourself a dog house out of plywood and insulate it. Make sure there is a vent sdo it can inhale air, and that will quiet it down.

[Robert T]

I have an IR T30. I use it to run a 1" impact. I don't think you will even need any more air than it will produce. It will be nice anytime you use a bodyshop type tool , like a da sander or something like that.
The T 30 is loud too!

[jwholden]

So, even with Sears having a 10% off sale I decided to hold off on the compressor. However, I WILL be getting one in the NEAR future.

Anyhow, as I was reading the instruction manual I noticed that they have new electronic drains that automatically drain the tank once a day. How cool is that!!! How many of you guys actually drain your tank once a day?

I also noticed that the drain valve is located in a very awkward place under the compressor and would be a PAIN to reach to drain every day. I then got to thinking and figure it couldn't be too hard to attach some piping, an elbow, and a ball valve to the tank drain to move the handle to a more accesible, and easier to open, location.

Has anyone tried this before? I'm thinking of giving it a shot on my current sears compressor and see how it works out. Maybe I'll drain the tank more often!

[diginahole]

My compressor is a portable one, so every time we finish with it, it gets drained. I used to do heavy machinery moving in the winter months. In industrial plants many compressors are mounted way up in the rafters and seldom get drained. I remember removing one that had become inoperable. It probably died because it was FULL of water. Putting in a remote drain just may have saved this one.

I had a truck with air brakes. It might have got drained weekly but not likely even that often. It was very rare to get more than a drop out of the three tanks. Still a good idea to do it daily in my opinon though.

[Stonehenge]

We don't do it daily for our little compressor, but we do it every so often. Each time we do There is a good amount of black moisture that comes out, and all over my hand if I don't get it out of the way fast enough.