[TheForge] air compressors, CFM, and psig

[marc3rd]

Even If you have 2 or 3 people in the shop (which most of us don't) the 
chances of using 2 or more high volume air tools at the time is very seldom 
if not never. and even if this occurs how hard would it really be to say Hey 
I have to get these widgets done by tomorrow, could you work on something 
else and come back to your plasma cutting?
So unless you have cash to burn pick your biggest item  or two and add 25% 
and let it go at that. If you find you are under a year or two from now, add 
that second compressor, plumb them together and you are back in business.

--------------------------------------------------
From: "terry l. ridder" <terrylr at blauedonau.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 12:40 AM
To: "CGRAF" <adveniam at att.net>
Cc: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [TheForge] air compressors, CFM, and psig

> hello mike;
>
>
> On Wed, 6 May 2009, CGRAF wrote:
>
>> terry l. ridder wrote:
>>
>>> plasma cutter
>>> soda blasting unit
>>> parts cleaner
>>> high volume low pressure spray paint unit
>>> assorted hand held pneumatic tools, die grinders, angle grinders,
>>> drills, impact tools, 3/8 inch pneumatic ratchet, pneumatic chisels,
>>> and the ordinary tasks of inflating pneumatic tires, blow down
>>> equipment, etc.
>>>
>>>
>> terry, the real question is, do you foresee wanting to run all of these
>> full bore at the same time?
>>
> that i do not have a good handle on. it would depend on who is in the
> shop and what they are working on. that being said i can easily picture
> the plasma cutter going, the soda blaster going, and the parts cleaner
> going all at the same time.
>
> what would change the equation is if i were to purchase a small water
> jet cutting unit and retire the plasma cutting unit. that removes the
> plasma cutting unit load on the air compressor but adds a rather large
> load on the 3-phase side of the electrical. water jet pumps are
> obscenely expensive.
>
>>
>>  If so what do each of them require and at what pressures? Just add up
>> whatever you see using simultaneously then add 25%/50% depending on your
>> level of paranoia.
>>
>
> i figure that i need at least 55 cfm at 125 psig.
>
>>
>> While it is real hard to imagine a compressor being to big, other than
>> the cost and electrical consumption, you might want to consider that two
>> or more smaller units staged to come on at different pressures would
>> have its advantages. Not in the least is the insurance that redundancy
>> gives on not being shut down due to mechanical failure. This could also
>> be cheaper to run under light loads.
>>
>
> exactly!!!
>
> that is what has lead me to look at duplex and quadplex air compressors.
> the duplex and quadplex provide redundant reliability and economy. they
> cost a bit more but that is saved in electric bills and maintenance.
>
>>
>> Mike Graf
>>
>
> -- 
> terry l. ridder ><>
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