chiller and air tank (new to needing compressed air)

[Stinkhorn Press]

New to me first auto coming.

Never had/needed compressed air before. Press needs 9cfm. Probably picking up a used 3 hp Kaeser (compressor ONLY). [Pierre has some good advice about starting with a Harbor Freight cheapie to save the coin to start, but the price difference between the used Kaeser and the new HF that could handle a press wasn't enough saving to go that route.]

Where does one look for 1) high quality used or 2) decent new chiller/air tank? What sort of needs/specs do I need to look for?

[LuckyFlyinROUSH]

Craigslist, local stores might have deals. I've seen a lot of nice compressors being sold from businesses going under.

Check wiring/electrical requirements.

[blue moon]

I have a tank you can have. It'll cost you a lunch when you come to get it! I think it's 100G.

pierre

[3Deep]

I bought a Harbor Freight chiller and 8 years later it is still doing the the job and we have an all air press 8/7...congrats on your purchase

[Stinkhorn Press]

I have a tank you can have. It'll cost you a lunch when you come to get it! I think it's 100G.

sweet. i'll take you up on that!
I am assuming a tank is a tank is a tank, no?

I bought a Harbor Freight chiller and 8 years later it is still doing the the job and we have an all air press 8/7...congrats on your purchase

thanks! starting to get excited.
harbor freight sells a stand-alone chiller? what words do you even use to do a search for one?
EDIT found it "compressed air dryer" http://www.harborfreight.com/compressed-air-dryer-40211.html $430 new, about 3/400 cheaper than a similar IR

I am also assuming that there is a fair range of capability and quality when it comes to chillers, no?

[Stinkhorn Press]

Craigslist, local stores might have deals.

i'm not ever sure what sort of stores carry chillers? lowes/home depot? something else?

[blue moon]

I have a tank you can have. It'll cost you a lunch when you come to get it! I think it's 100G.

sweet. i'll take you up on that!
I am assuming a tank is a tank is a tank, no?

I bought a Harbor Freight chiller and 8 years later it is still doing the the job and we have an all air press 8/7...congrats on your purchase

thanks! starting to get excited.
harbor freight sells a stand-alone chiller? what words do you even use to do a search for one?
I am also assuming that there is a fair range of capability and quality when it comes to chillers, no?

we bought the HF chiller and it was not good enough to keep up with the press.

pierre

[Stinkhorn Press]

for pricing new chillers, what is the most pertinent information, the CFM? and is that the CFM rating of the compressor, or how much you'll need?

Grainger's Speedaire 10CFM http://www.grainger.com/product/SPEEDAIRE-10-CFM-Compressed-Air-Dryer-3YA49?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP

IR 11CFM http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Ingersoll-Rand-D18IN/p2425.html

[Binkspot]

Cfm and preferably a cycling one. It will only run as needed. I highly recommend installing a general purpose filter with a changeable element to catch debris, oil and some water before reaching the chiller.
I have always had good luck with Zek but any name brand will do the job, IR, Quicny, etc. Northern tool has a large assortment. Check with a local hose or compressor shop, might be able to get a good deal or a referbished one.

[LuckyFlyinROUSH]

Sorry. Lowes and Home Depot have larger compresors tanks/ 60gal 80gal etc on sale every now and then.

We have two Graingers. Use them for chiller and small parts.

For air lines I've found Ebay and Amazon to carry the best deals. Just use regular compressed air hose until you need more cfm. Depending on the length of your run to decide diameter. Put that compressor as far away as possible and run the intake tube to the exterior to cut down on noise.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Good-Year-50-x-1-2-Air-Hose-Rubber-Red-50ft-Compressed-Air-12709-Goodyear-USA-/121378271028?hash=item1c42b56f34:g:vmsAAOxydgZTJi3f

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I have a harbor freight chiller and I wish I hadn't bought it. It's a crap shoot. The first one didn't work right. They replaced it with another one which is worse. I don't know if it is worth it.

Darryl's works great and if I remember correctly Mike (screenprintguy) in Florida had one for years that worked great. Mine, not so much.

[mk162]

I bought one from a buddy of mine... http://www.uscompressor.com/  Their website is mainly for parts, but you can call them, great folks.

Ours is technically undersized to our compressor, but our compressor is overkill for our setup, so I didn't feel like buying the bigger one since I doubt I will be adding another auto or something that would need that much air.  I think ours handles 35cfm, our press needs 9.

I think it was around $1100 with shipping.  I added a pleated HVAC filter before the cooling fins just for some added protection.