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Posted by David Sherman [24.32.202.83] on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 14:33:07 :
In Reply to: OT - 60 or 80 gallon tank? posted by Desoto61 [138.163.0.44] on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 13:41:45 :
Well, obviously the benefit is you can run a tool that uses more CFMs than the compressor supplies for 33% longer before stopping to let it recharge. I'm guessing both compressors are in the $500-$800 range and I have no idea how much money $150 is to you. If you can easily afford either one, obviously bigger is better. On the other hand, if spending $150 less for the compressor will let you buy some other important tools or parts now that you wouldn't otherwise be able to afford for quite a while, I'd say more tools and a smaller receiver tank would be a better use of the money.
In my experience, the orbital sander is the tool that over-taxes the air compressor the most. With a 60 gallon "5 HP" (probably really an honest 2 HP) compressor, in my usage, I've never had to wait for it to recharge except when using the sander. I do not have a sand blaster, but I imagine they could suck any compressor dry in a hurry depending on the size of the sand blaster.
Keep in mind that it's not hard at all to add an extra receiver. There's some safety concern if you try to recycle something like an old water heater that might be part way rusted through, but with some care a lot of things can be receivers or you can buy one ready made. Maybe even find a junked homeowner-style air compressor that had a broken power end but still has an okay tank. My point is that upgrading the receiver capacity later on is easier than upgrading the compressor capacity. If $150 feels like real money to you (it kind of does to me), the smaller receiver would probably be a good tradeoff and would still be very satisfactory. I think Harbor Freight sells automatic tank drains for $10, so having one included isn't a very valuable extra.
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