home garage compressor: how many CFMs?

[Dave K.]

I have thoughts on the "oil free" design.  My guess is that it is done to
reduce (eliminate?) maintenance on the compressor.  IF that is true, I'll
take an oil lube version.  I am not that lazy that I can't change the oil in
my compressor every couple years.  I would think the oil version would last
longer.
I have a 60 gallon 6 hp single stage upright BlackMax by Coleman unit.  I
will get the cfm rating on it but I think it is around 8 or 9 cfm.  It runs
my die grinder nicely. I put it in the basement and ran hard pipe up to the
garage.  It doesn't take up room in my garage and it sucks in clean air from
the basement.  Great set up.
One thing to check for is cast iron cylinders.  Aluminum will go to shit
after a few years.
Good luck,
Dave K.
'90 CQ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Konstantin Bogach" <kbogach at comcast.net>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 6:53 PM
Subject: home garage compressor: how many CFMs?


> Sorry for bringing it up again.  I remember seeing thread with similar
> topic some time ago but  I searched archives and  could not find the
> answer to my dilema.
> I need to buy a compressor and I am looking at two craftsman units:
> a) 6HP,  oil lub, horisontal style, single stage, 150 PSI max,  6.8/8.6
> cfm at 40/90 psi, 25 gallons
> b) 3.5HP, oil free, upright, dual stage, 175 psi max, 5.1/5.8 cfm at
> 40/90 psi, 25 gallons
>
> I like everything in b) except that I am concerned that I think that 5.1
> psi in on a margin where most tools work.  Is it right?
> Plus, I am not sure how they rate their compressors - conservatively (I
> doubt) or optimistically (most likely, I am afraid).  So, it could be
> 4.8, maybe.  b) works veru quiet, upright style attracts me too.  I am
> not going to run sanders. Both a) and b) have same price.
>
> I would appreciate if you share your experiece of how much CFMs you need
> to run most common tools and help me to make right choice.
>
> Thanks a lot in advance.
> Konstantin.
> 200tq '89  (about to start R134A conversion)
> 200tqa '89  (same as above)
> UrS4 '93
>