LF advice/suggestions on a new smaller air compressor

[RustE]

What would be the difference in final operation between the two?  None the way it looks to me, either way it can't cycle.

My thought is a setup that interrupts the power supply to the compressor with a switch.  You're correct that it's not any different using a power switch on the compressor versus using a separate switch mounted elsewhere or remote controlled.  Otherwise, the compressor will automatically cycle when the tank drops below the set pressure (usually 90-100 psi).

 

[wptski]

My thought is a setup that interrupts the power supply to the compressor with a switch.  You're correct that it's not any different using a power switch on the compressor versus using a separate switch mounted elsewhere or remote controlled.  Otherwise, the compressor will automatically cycle when the tank drops below the set pressure (usually 90-100 psi).

Yeah, two switches in series makes no sense to me.

 

[JustinWG]

Again, thank you for the input.

In all likelihood, this compressor will be used to trim and to hang doors, then spend some quality time serving the hobby shop.  I do not intend on trying to utilize for mechanic nor finishing tools.

Regardless of unit, the electrical panel is very easily accessible in the garage/shop.  The panel and circuits were replaced as a contingency of us buying the home.  We have plenty of capacity in the panel if needed.  As it stands, the garage is on its own separate breaker. 

Now it's just a matter of really deciding on which option to go with.  Going with something small(er), allows for more money for other tools - always a favorable idea. 

Thanks again.

 

[JimD]

I have three compressors and use the smallest, lightest, quietest one the most.  It is a Senco and costs about $100.  It weighs only about 30 lbs.  They have almost the same thing at HD for $150.  The difference seems to be cosmetic.  I have used it with my flooring nailer.  I have to wait occasionally with that big nailer but for most of what I do, it keeps up.  I wouldn't try it with a spray gun but for nailers, it works.  If I needed to frame a house I would drag out a bigger compressor but for finish work or a few big nails, the little Senco is all I need.

 

[Tinker]

I have the small Senco in my cellar shop. It is adequate for use with my nailer, both large nails and brads.  It is a little more noisy than my JC 10.  I keep the JC 10 out in the barn as it is better for use for tires on trucks and other equipment. Of the two, the JC 10 is quieter. The Senco is much lighter in weight. I have read somewhere that the small Sencos are quieter than the older models.
Tinker

 

[hawkeyestoob]

Another vote for Rolair here.
I picked up a VT25BIG a while back once my 70's era craftsman finally gave up and have been extremely happy with it. The 100% duty cycle 13.8 AMP motor makes it easy to run from almost any outlet. Coming in at 6.5 CFM @ 90 PSI it is one of the highest outputs of anything I could find without going to a much larger unit. This was very beneficial when I had to use an air chisel to remove a large area of tile floor. The large wheels make it very easy to move around as well.

VT25BIG link here

 

[leakyroof]

Another vote for Rolair here.
I picked up a VT25BIG a while back once my 70's era craftsman finally gave up and have been extremely happy with it. The 100% duty cycle 13.8 AMP motor makes it easy to run from almost any outlet. Coming in at 6.5 CFM @ 90 PSI it is one of the highest outputs of anything I could find without going to a much larger unit. This was very beneficial when I had to use an air chisel to remove a large area of tile floor. The large wheels make it very easy to move around as well.

VT25BIG link here

  The shipping weight is 108 lbs-  HOW heavy IS this compressor... [eek]

 

[wptski]

The shipping weight is 108 lbs-  HOW heavy IS this compressor... [eek]

Nothing at their site but one vendor has it as 100 lbs which is only 8 lbs of packing for shipping and that doesn't sound correct to me.

 

[billg71]

I have the Rolair VT20TB, it's noisier than the JC10 but not objectionable(79 dBA). It puts out almost twice the air at 90 psi than the JC10(4.2 vs. 2.35) but not as much as the VT25BIG at 6.5 cfm(and 86 dBA).

It's a matter of how much air you need and how much noise you're willing to put up with. None of these compressors will run a framing gun at normal production speed but if you're climbing up a ladder to nail a stud and then climbing back down to shoot the next one into the bottom plate the VT20 and VT25 will do.  I run my VT20 into a 13-gallon intermediate tank and I can run a 15-gauge trim nailer long enough to trim out a window, install a pre-hung door or nail up a long run of baseboard before running short on air. The VT25 would go longer but I've spent most of my life having my hearing ruined by noisy tools and I'm willing to make the trade off. Plus there's the benefit of not having to listen to the wife complain about the noise resonating from the basement all through the house.

I've found the VT20 to be a decent compromise between performance and noise. And with the storage tank I can use an HVLP conversion gun on pretty much anything I want to spray short of a car.

HTH,
Bill