Air Compressor and Lift

[Blown&Injected]

Looking at making the purchase.

About $800 gets me 18.1 CFM@90 psi
About $400 will buy 11.8 CFM@90 psi

both 60 gallon tanks

I am certain the 18.1 CMF job will do, but with only one tool running do I really need all that?

As far as a lift, I need to do a search, but for basics, a 2 post, asymmetrical, clear floor unit.

Ideas?
Warnings?
Recommendations?

TIA

 

[2quiktocare]

Hey Blown, I went thru the same thing at home with my compressor (before my ex got the house). I found which of my air tools had the highest required air flow and then added 25% to it and figured what rate of air use I would have. My thought is go big, because it will actually take less energy to operate in the long run. Mark

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by Blown&Injected
Looking at making the purchase.

About $800 gets me 18.1 CFM@90 psi
About $400 will buy 11.8 CFM@90 psi

both 60 gallon tanks

I am certain the 18.1 CMF job will do, but with only one tool running do I really need all that?

As far as a lift, I need to do a search, but for basics, a 2 post, asymmetrical, clear floor unit.

Ideas?
Warnings?
Recommendations?

TIA

Mine's 11.5 @ 40 and only 9.1 at 90 PSI. 30 gallon tank, 240V. I use an impact wrench, 3/8" drive ratchet, cut-off tools, die grinders, etc. I paint with it and finished my basement with it (pneumatic framing nailer, finish nailer and some paint). I've never run out of air and it doesn't really run that often (though it's in my basement so I'm not totally aware of when it's running if I'm in the garage). So 11.8 would be plenty, 18.1 would be way more than enough. At twice the $, I'd stick with the 11.8. The $400 difference is more than 10% toward your lift cost.

Post whatever you come up with on lifts - I'll be looking to buy one in the spring (I said that last spring, too, but one of these days I'll get one).

Jim

 

[John Larkin]

I am sick of my compressor. 3HP, 30 gal tank, 8.0 cfm @ 90psi. I'd like to get a larger compressor for it. I can run an air ratchet but an impact and/or sandblaster doesn't work properly. Neither does a die grinder, at least not great. I wonder if an auxilary tank would help.

 

[Mease Performance]

compressor and lift

check out Ebay, you can find smokin deals on there for perhaps an EX body shop compressor....

we bought ours for $200 and it will put out 200+psi, has 150 gal tank and a 3 cylinder pump, puts out an ungodly amount of CFM.... given you dont need something this large....check out ebay for something with an 80 or 120 gal tank, single phase (5-8hp).....

On the lift, shoot Turbo87limited an Email (bubba nicholson) he is a dealer for shop equipment and can have these items shipped directly to your doorstep!

hope this helps!

 

[tom h]

Originally posted by John Larkin
I am sick of my compressor. 3HP, 30 gal tank, 8.0 cfm @ 90psi. ... I can run an air ratchet but an impact and/or sandblaster doesn't work properly. Neither does a die grinder, at least not great.

I think many of the "ratings" are overly optimistic. I'm sure everyone has seen ordinary, upright household vacuum cleaners rated "6HP Peak!"

IMHO, the compressors sold in Home Depot/ Sears are more likely to be over-rated.

Eg, I have an Emglo, twin-tank, wheelbarrow style, cast iron, belt-driven compressor w/ 1.5HP motor, often favored by construction workers. Relatively small tanks, with (seemingly) "small" motor but I have never had difficulty with any air tool running continuously (but I don't use inline sanders, which I guess are air hogs).

A good industrial motor (Baldor, Century, etc) will produce an honest 1.5 HP, at 15Amps-120V. That is near the practical limit. You CANNOT get more than about 1.5HP continuously. Of course, going to a 15A - 230V motor you can get an honest 3HP continuously.

 

[tom h]

Originally posted by Blown&Injected
As far as a lift, I need to do a search, but for basics, a 2 post, asymmetrical, clear floor unit.

here's some possibilities for beginning your search and learning more:
http://www.rotarylift.com/Home.asp?language=English&location=United States
http://www.mohawklifts.com/

 

[Buicksx2]

I have the Rotary A7000 asymetrical lift, cost a little over 3 grand and the best money I ever spent. Have not had a problem with it from day one.

Best of luck.

 

[turbo87limited]

I can sell you a Forward Manufactoring Lift, (Made in U.S.A.) 10000# capacity, assymetric, clear floor lift, with 5 year warranty, for $2500.00 + shipping. This unit also comes complete with truck adapters. We don't sell any 7000# units much anymore, because of the small price difference between the 7k & 10k. One more thing Forward is owned by Rotary Lifts. I have 100's of references availible if any one is interested.
Bubba Nicholson

 

[myclone]

Buying an air compressor is dependant on your needs. If you do major body work or sand blasting you WILL need plenty of CFM. As was mentioned board files and sand blasting absolutely eat air like its going out of style. If you dont do a bunch of body work/restoration or head porting then a somewhat smaller unit will prolly do just fine.

I have an old two stage, single phase 220v, with an 80 gallon tank that does just fine for air ratchets and impacts but cycles on and off a fair amount when I break out the die grinder for porting heads or the board file when doing body work.

Just remember, its a whole lot better to have the CFM available and not need it than to actually need it and NOT have it.

Im not in a position to own a lift so I cant really help ya there

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by turbo87limited
I can sell you a Forward Manufactoring Lift, (Made in U.S.A.) 10000# capacity, assymetric, clear floor lift, with 5 year warranty, for $2500.00 + shipping. This unit also comes complete with truck adapters. We don't sell any 7000# units much anymore, because of the small price difference between the 7k & 10k. One more thing Forward is owned by Rotary Lifts. I have 100's of references availible if any one is interested.
Bubba Nicholson

What are the dimensions/foot print of that model? Is it 110 or 220V? Anywhere you can point me on the 'net to see it?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Blown&Injected]

Wow! Thanks for all the tool talk!

Yeah, the 2-stage jobs crank up the cfm a good bit and some are intercooled! First stage pumps up a bit, air goes through a radiator type device and then the cooled compresses air gets another pump up. Naturally the cost gets pumped up.

I was getting enthusiastic reading turbojimmy's experience, but then myclone hit me with the 2-stage 80 gal AC running out!

My dilemma. I will be doing some body work, but I would estimate the body/restoration projects to be no more than one car per year. I do not see more than one set of heads getting touched up per year or two! Initially, my concern was about painting my car. Seems like the cup spray guns and even the gravity feed HVLP sprayers use a lot of air.

Bubba, thanks for the offer, I will consider it. I have been looking at 7,000 LB units. Perhaps you can explain some of the things to look for in a good lift - or to watch out for in a bad lift.

I have been looking at lots of different lifts from a Google of automotive lifts. It is possible that some other type of lift may serve my needs. There will probably be periods as long as a month were the lift will not be used even once.

 

[Vector]

You will want a two stage job, you will NOT want to stop while spraying your car to wait for more air. A big sanding job, then air to blow all the debris out of the garage, then paint.

Your biggest concern will be portability.
Does anyone know how moveable a lift is?
If you install a car lift in your garage, then move residence, what will it take to move the lift and put the first garage back into condition?

 

[jmidolo]

I had this one:
http://www.chpower.com/indexf.asp?/catalog/cdetail_unit.asp?itemid=301689

Was ok for air wratchets and such, but could not keep up with a Grinder or cutoff tool....returned it.

I got this one now. Keeps up with everything...paint, sandblast, impacts yada yada...actually mine is the model before this in All Black and their "Industrial" model line..but similar specs...works the balls. Got it used for 200 bux, runs on 220v ac.

http://www.chpower.com/indexf.asp?/catalog/cdetail_unit.asp?itemid=301480

 

[myclone]

I prolly shoulda worded my post a little different and emphasized the word old. Mine is two stage yes, but Ive rebuilt it twice and it was old when I got it second hand so its seen quite a bit of use. Anyway, a new two stage would prolly handle anything you would be doing this side of sand blasting a 747.

Just remember that impacts, air ratchets, and the like only get used for short "bursts" which doesnt deplete the air supply nearly as fast so a smaller compressor can keep up just fine. On the other hand doing body work, head porting, and sand blasting is a large and constant drain of air which will require a larger compressor to keep up with.

Anyway, from the sounds of things you arent doing full on body work or restoration all day every day so a smaller 2 stage would be more than adequate 99% of the time IMO.

 

[turbo87limited]

As far as moving your lift when you decide to move, it is not a big hassle. The only thing you will leave is a few holes in the floor where it originally was, and if your want it to look perfect, just grout up the holes. As far as footprint on my lift, it is 138" wide, and stands just 12' tall. It is 230 volt single phase power. Most houses have this current, it is the one that runs most stoves and clothes dryers. Hope this helps.
Bubba