I couldn't figure out where to post this thread, so it's going here. I'm looking at two Craftsman air compressors and could use a little help deciding which one to go with. They are both 60 gal, 7hp, & 240 volts. The main differences are 175 vs. 150 psi and the one w/ only 150 psi delivers greater scfm.

Here's a link to the comparison:

http://www.sears.com/sr/product/comp...d1074072457=on

Which one is better for automotive/mechanic type work? I don't get why the 150 psi puts out more scfm than the 175 psi one does. What gives? Originally I wanted the one w/ 175 psi b/c of more psi, but now I'm thinking the other that delivers more scfm is actually more important, but I'm not sure... Thanks in advance.

 

You don't need 175 psi for any normal task & the extra volume is always a good feature from the 150 psi model.

 

Just be careful that isn't realy a 7hp motor. It takes 8.8 amps @ 115 volts or 4.4 amps @ 230 volts to equal 1 horse-power. Also remember that cut off tools work better at 120 -140 psi. I just had a custom compressor built instead of buying one of those. Also remember the higher rpm the shorter life of the motor.

 

With 9 bikes, space in my garage is at a premium. I got rid of the huge old compressor, and I now use CO2 (www.powertank.com). Even though these little tanks don't seem like it, they hold a tremendous amount of gas!

 

Raptormattman is correct. Don't get caught up in the hp numbers on those "cheapy" air compressors. They are for marketing purposes only and do not reflect the actual power output of the motors. If you look at the volts and amps listed on the various "hp size" cheap compressors you will see that, in many cases, the power input to each is the same. THAT IS AN IMPOSSIBILITY! Also, you can't get more power out of a motor than you put into it. You actually get less power due to unavoidable inefficiencies. Your 7-hp compressor has only 2-3 real horses. The false horse power numbers put on those units are flat-out lies and should be illegal.

 

get the 240 volt version 150 psi we run it very nice, quite loud though think of putting it somewhere far away

 

What's a great idea is piping your intake and filter outside to quiet the thing down big time. Most of the noise you hear is coming from the intake side. I did it and it works great![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]