Let'sgoflying! said:
Troy I am looking around for a compressor for the garage and saw your 60gal Kobalt, is that 220V and 7.0hp? Do you 'member if they come with a warrantee?
Does it say 135psi max, and do you know if its two-stage?
Dave, you're spot on. I paid $429 (before tax) for this unit at my local Lowes store. It's a single-stage unit, but belt driven and uses oil in the compressor--all the reading I did said the oil-less units are MUCH noisier and don't last nearly as long.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=3692-48540-K7060V&lpage=none
They have two models that look identical (except for the fan shroud), one is $499, the other is $429. They have the same size tank (60gal), same exact motor (7.0hp), the only difference is they run the more expensive one harder to get 13.3 continuous at 90psi, vs. 10.8 CFPM at 90psi on the less expensive one. Seeing as it's the SAME tank and motor, and I'm not going to be using any tools that require more than 10.8@90, I went for saving the cash and buying the $429 unit.
They have a 3 year warranty on the unit and will sell you an extended warranty if that's something you want (I didn't).
Yes, it's 220V/15A on the motor; I installed a 220V/20A breaker in my box in the garage (easy to do--just be safe, or pay someone...
instructions on how to do it are actually ON Lowe's site). I think you're better off learning how to do it and tackling the project than paying someone... you'll be doing a lot of "learning new things" when building an airplane project anyway, and much of it will be electrical (unless you farm out the panel and wiring)... might as well start with this! Just be sure to ask for help or guidance, as you will with the airplane, from an experienced person if you don't know how to do it.
Let'sgoflying! said:
PS have you any ideas about noise suppression? I though of putting my hangar compressor in an insulated box but was worried about heat. I can put mine outside at the house but I bet your neighbors wouldn't be thrilled with that. (my nearest one is a mile!) Anyway that repetitive popopopop cycling drives me a bit crazy and I was looking for ideas.
If you have the option of putting it outside your shop and plumbing the line inside, go for it... just build a lean-to-roof or something to protect it (somewhat) from the elements. If you put it outside, your electrical wiring requirements just got a little more stringent; you'll want to make sure the electrical connection is in NEMA enclosures or other fittings that are protected from the elements (water).
I was VERY surprised how quiet (relatively) my compressor was when we started it up. I put it on a 24x24" square of the spongy mat material you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot--you know, that stuff that interlocks to form a more comfortable surface for standing on in a workshop. I got two packs of 4 interlocking squares for $14.95 each... $30 for 8 squares. I trimmed off the interlocking tabs on ONE of them and used it for the compressor, between the compressor and the concrete floor. I used the other seven as cushions in front of the workbenches.
Anyway, the mat really helped absorb vibrations, and when I went into the house and closed the door, you could just
barely hear the compressor [Teresa said, "It's RUNNING!? Really!?" That's got to tell you something!]. I walked outside, and in my driveway with the garage door closed, it sounded like a big fan, not obnoxious at all. I walked across the street onto the other sidewalk, and you'd only know it was running if you were listening specifically for it, so I'm confident my neighbors in their houses won't even know it's running... now, what kind of noise the rivet gun and bucking bars make on metal might be another matter entirely!!
Good luck, Dave!
