Re: [AMC-list] Compressor size for touch-up paint?

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Bruce, you aren't doing anything commercially with it, just using it in a home shop. I ran with a 120V 26 gallon Campbell-Hausfeld for years. It's just enough to spray paint using one of the old style siphon guns. Something like this one: 
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200396622_200396622

That will be sufficient. I primed my car and sprayed under the hood and in the interior (stripped the car) with single stage acrylic paint. When priming I would wait a few seconds for the compressor to stop once it kicked on. When using air tools it's the same thing -- when the compressor cycles on stop for a minute (usually 1-2 real minutes) for the compressor to catch back up. Continuous use like that would eventually burn it up, but I STILL have that compressor in use (though seldom now), and it was used when I bought it! You might have luck checking at pawn shops, but they usually want for used what you can get reconditioned at Northern (or new at HF) with a warranty. Make sure you know what new will cost first!

If you have the room for a 40-60 gallon 220/240V compressor you won't be sorry. I doubt you'd ever need anything bigger unless you plan on going into commercial or really heavy hobby use like a big blast cabinet (60 gal will feed a small to medium sized one, big enough to clean a six cylinder head). Home Depot has a decent one for under $500, and Northern has a couple:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200396620_200396620
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200365168_200365168

The recon compressors come with a full factory warranty -- I wouldn't blink at getting one of those. There's not much that can go wrong, and what can would usually be replaced when reconditioning (bad motor or bad compressor, or some small part). Northern doesn't list the warranty on the recons, so I'd call and check. Should have at least a 90 day, but the CH models have a one year factory warranty and is extendable to a replacement warranty for $50. Check the local HD also. 

There's no need to spend over $600 on a home shop compressor. Any of the cheaper ones will last for years, and you won't have to wait on a 30-60 gallon. My brother only has a 60 gallon similar to the Morgan for his farm shop, and it gets used quite a bit! Bought it at one of the traveling tool sales that has Harbor Freight type stuff for $400 because it had been scratched up a bit. Only real damage was the copper tube from compressor to tank had a dent in it. He's been using it two years now. He had an old 30 gallon he got used years ago and replaced the compressor and motor on over the last 10 years (not both at once). I gave him $150 for it when he got the bigger one. I was looking at the bigger one and he mentioned that it was a good deal, wished they had two. I really didn't need a 60 gallon, so he got the big one for $250. I have a little 12 gallon tank from a small portable compressor that died tied into my 30 gallon also. 

----------
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:07:28 -0500
From: Bruce Griffis <bruce.griffis@xxxxxxxxx>

What would be the compressor size, horsepower rating,
CFM I would need if I wanted to touch up my paint? Are the touch-up
guns a good thing? I want to keep as much of my original paint as
possible, and only hit scratches - but I might want to paint my popup
camper to match at some point.

I've been checking out used 220 Volt Sears compressors with 20 gallon
tanks. Is the tank size too small? Or just right if I work in
sections? Would a 120Volt system work? (I think my only 220 volt run
is to the washer and dryer - I think I've only got 110 in the garage).
If I'm surfing Craigslist, what size and rating should I look for?

If you were to Northern Tool it - what gun / compressor would you get?
Or would you go for a new gun and a used compressor to keep the bucks
down?

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)



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