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East of Broken Bow | In my shop, I have a very 'odd' setup, if you want to call it that. I have, right now 3 smaller compressors, that I can hook to a common manifold, with standard quick couplers. I too was also looking for a bigger shop compressor, that would run anything I had, or to be able to run a blow gun and never run out of air, but my budget was next to nil. However, at auctions, garage sales, and on the 'Junk Jaunt', I could find these smaller compressors, very cheap. So what I did, was build a manifold that lets me hook up multiple compressors, to an air reel in the shop. The manifold has the couplers on it, so I can hook/unhook a compressor, and not lose the air in the reel. The way it works is this: The compressors have similar CFM, but different size tanks, so I put the one that airs up the fastest hooked up all the time. This way, if I need to air up a smaller tire, like on a pickup or trailer, it takes less than 30 seconds to air up enough to start filling. If I have a bigger project, I just plug in another one or two, to match the air requirements for whatever job I have in mind. I leave the hoses unplugged, but usually hanging right there near the manifold, so it only takes a couple seconds to add/remove one. I can't remember off the top of my head, but I think all 3 compressors are rated between 5 and 6 CFM, and have tanks from 5 to 25 gallons. Running them all at once, I have more or less 40 gallons of 'tank', and better than 15 CFM. It's kind of an odd sound, with multiple compressors going at once, but it works for me. Also, if I need air somewhere remotely, if there is power, I can just grab the little one, and go, as long as there is somewhere to plug it in. I use those little coiled air hoses between the compressors and the manifold that you can get about anywhere for $3-$4, and from the manifold to the reel, and on the reel itself, I have a large enough line, to run my biggest air gun. I know it sounds like a lot of messing around, but I have a pretty decent CFM shop air system, and on a VERY low budget. I've gotten good usable compressors as cheap as $20. One thing that surprised me, is that even those little pancake compressors, like roofers use, will not only pump a fair amount of air (at least the better ones will) but the ones that use an oil-lubricated pump, at least the name brand ones, will last an awfully long time. I have one that's been my little 'go to' for over 15 years. In general, the 'oil free' ones, don't hold up nearly as well, under heavy use (like running for a half hour or more without shutting off). I still will browse garage sales, for bargains, and already have an almost new DeWalt 5 gallon on hand for a spare, still in the box, that I got for a song. | |
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Shop air compressor, on harbor freight budget
