Garage Shop: Tools

What's the difference between oiled and oil less air compressor?

Which one is better?

 

Is it 220V ?

 

it’s wired 120vac, I haven’t looked to see if it has the option on the motor to allow 220vac

 

Will it work with any household 110V, 15 Amp?

 

Typically oil-less are loud and lower duty.

 

Yes, I’d be leery running on an extension cord though, unless it was sized appropriately

 

Then would a oiled be better using it in a house, due to noise level?

 

Yes, noticeably quieter and cooler running.

 

My friend had a Craftsman compressor on a dedicated 15A outlet. It would trip the circuit constantly. I believe it was a 25 to 30 gallons unit.

 

oil lube compressors tend to recover faster as well (most are at least twin cyl) so the noise they do make isn’t as long lasting when they cycle.

 

Do you have to add oil to the compressor or are they oil filled but sealed?

 

just because the outlet had a 15a breaker and outlet doesn’t mean the wiring behind it could support the load. 15a outlet on opposite end of house from panel with 14ga wire run isn’t going to support a 15a device well. Just like a 50ft 14 ga extension cord will also fail.
Is why when friends and myself were looking for homes I specifically watched for where the power panel was placed. If it’s on the opposite end of the house from the garage or even driveway, you’re gonna have power issues in most places when trying to power big tools in the garage or driveway.

 

Oil is a service item just like a car, not as often, but it needs to be monitored and changed. Not hard, but yes, it can get messy...

The Oil lube compressor (Power by gas engine) is 14 years old, oil In pump has been changed once, and it doesn’t seem to loose oil at all.

 

This explain why he was having issues. The garage is detached from the house.

 

Does oil changes goes by hours or monthly interval?

 

most houses aren’t built with the idea that someone will actually USE the garage as a shop, you want that you specify when you build what you want and pay accordingly. Some houses are able to be upgraded for shop service easily others, not so much.

I do not have a garage, I have a 16x16 shed that I work out of, I wired the shed and the sent power from house to shed buried under ground across the yard. I have the ability to have 220 in the shed, but split it out into separate 110 circuits to allow other options. Compressor and plasma cutter have their own circuits separate from each other and I have to be selective at I have on when using the plasma.

 

Hours usually, but most don’t have hour meters on them, mine does not. I’ve consider adding one but haven’t got that far. Honestly, most compressors rarely get the oil changed On any regular schedule if ever.

 

More like yearly. There is no carbon coming from the cylinders so the oil stays clean for a very long time.

 

One thing. Oil sealed air compressors will always put some oil into the air. Okay for some tools. But it can effect paint guns if not maintained properly.

Also, a poorly maintained compressor can put more oil into tires than is good for them.

If you use an oil sealed compressor make sure you put a coalescing filter on the outlet.

 

He built the garage and wired it to accept high draw equipment. I don't know what happen. I used to watch the outside lights dimmed and flickers as the compressor kick on.

I had a electric upgrade done. The main is on a 200A breaker. I had a few 20A breaker installed in the basement.

Since I have no shed or garage the compressor would be in the basement. Hopefully I won't have any issues.