Shop Press

[Highpower]

(05-07-2014, 07:16 AM)EdK Wrote: Thanks Arvid. I was hoping that would be the case. I'm going to get this compressor for now and upgrade later, if necessary.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardwa...-12910.htm

Ed

WARNING! Personal opinion ahead...

Ed, while that is a fine looking compressor I can just about guarantee you that it won't be long before you'll want to upgrade if you plan on this being a "shop" compressor. If it is portability you are after I'm sure the 20 gal unit will serve you well.

But if you consider that for another $140 you could move up to a 60 gal unit, the extra volume of the larger tank is a huge benefit in terms of CFM.
Sanborn 60 gallon verticle compressor

I have that very same compressor and it has been going for 25 years now. I keep waiting for it to die so I'll have an excuse to move up to an 80 gal compressor. But it's just like the Energizer bunny and keeps going... and going...

I can run a die grinder, air drill, air hammer, impact wrench etc. all day long without issue. If I want to fill tires on an early Sunday morning I can air up 10 of them easily (both cars - mine & the wife's, including spare tires.) without turning on the compressor and making noise. I keep my tank pressurized at all times. It pays off some times in case of a power outage.

The only drawback to the 60 gal is when you need major CFM. If I am doing a marathon session in the bead blasting cabinet or constant cutting with the plasma cutter, the compressor has to run constantly to keep up. It will work... but I do stop now and then to let it cool down a bit before getting back at it.

If you want to do it "one and done" my suggestion would be to get the larger compressor now, and save the expense of buying 2 compressors if you upgrade later. On the other hand, if you don't mind spending the money for both, you'll have both a shop compressor and a portable one. There is nothing wrong with that either for a card carrying tool-oholic.

Again -- just an opinion. We all know about those things...