I am looking to get an air compressor for my room/shop. Mostly for shaping/sanding right now, but also something that would work for airbrushing down the road. I would like something that does the job, but as small as possible. Anyone have suggestions on HP, gallon size, and psi pressure? Would a 1 1/2 gallon, 1/2 HP work? Do I just run a hose across the ceiling, and drop it down over the racks? Along these lines, I read with interest the “shop space” thread. My shop is 10x20, with a 4x10 storage space off of that. I plan to do all the shaping, glassing, sanding, etc. in this space. Therefore, I would like to find a way to keep the mess as small as possible. A vacuum hooked up to my planer seems like a good idea, so as not to get dust all over my glassing supplies and other tools. Do I just run a hose from the vacuum to my planer (do I have to modify it somehow)? Herb, I saw your setup but don’t quite get it. I have a window fan but have yet to find out how well it works when I’m sanding (I will take it out and cover the window when I shape). I am hoping it sucks all of the dust straight outside. Basically, I am looking for ways to keep the dust to a minimum. Any suggestions any of you have is greatly appreciated. I have been watching this forum for over a year now and am genuinely thankful for it (thanks swaylock), and the advice from Herb, Jim, Dale (hey Dale), and everyone else. Thank you and happy surfing- ryan
I am looking to get an air compressor for my room/shop. Mostly for > shaping/sanding right now, but also something that would work for > airbrushing down the road. I would like something that does the job, but > as small as possible. Anyone have suggestions on HP, gallon size, and psi > pressure? Would a 1 1/2 gallon, 1/2 HP work? Do I just run a hose across > the ceiling, and drop it down over the racks?>>> Along these lines, I read with interest the “shop space” thread. > My shop is 10x20, with a 4x10 storage space off of that. I plan to do all > the shaping, glassing, sanding, etc. in this space. Therefore, I would > like to find a way to keep the mess as small as possible. A vacuum hooked > up to my planer seems like a good idea, so as not to get dust all over my > glassing supplies and other tools. Do I just run a hose from the vacuum to > my planer (do I have to modify it somehow)? Herb, I saw your setup but > don’t quite get it.>>> I have a window fan but have yet to find out how well it works when I’m > sanding (I will take it out and cover the window when I shape). I am > hoping it sucks all of the dust straight outside. Basically, I am looking > for ways to keep the dust to a minimum. Any suggestions any of you have is > greatly appreciated. I have been watching this forum for over a year now > and am genuinely thankful for it (thanks swaylock), and the advice from > Herb, Jim, Dale (hey Dale), and everyone else. Thank you and happy > surfing- ryan Ryan You can get a 6 gal. compressor @ Costco for about $130.00 or try K-mart,but don’t waste your time with a small compressor they just don’t have enough volume.Also you can check out pawn shops for tools ,but watch what you are buying,and bargain down the price always. The vac set-up is not to hard to figure out ,you do need a planer that has a vac hook-up or can be adapted,like the Clark Foam planer.After that, it’s a matter of running a slide wire or cable over your racks(length wise) with a pully hook-up ,or you can even use short bundge cords with plastic ties and split rings.Herb.
Ryan>>> You can get a 6 gal. compressor @ Costco for about $130.00 or try > K-mart,but don’t waste your time with a small compressor they just don’t > have enough volume.Also you can check out pawn shops for tools ,but watch > what you are buying,and bargain down the price always.>>> The vac set-up is not to hard to figure out ,you do need a planer that has > a vac hook-up or can be adapted,like the Clark Foam planer.After that, > it’s a matter of running a slide wire or cable over your racks(length > wise) with a pully hook-up ,or you can even use short bundge cords with > plastic ties and split rings.Herb. hey ryan, i do all my work in a smaller area than that and sometimes have to work on more than one board at once. as far as getting dust on your glassing supplies i have found it best to keep my shaping stuff in a box, glassing stuff in another box, and sanding stuff in yet another box, and just bring in whatever i need for the stage i happen to be at. there is no way to contain the storm of dust that is produced using a power sander that i have found and it gets everywhere. i have just found it easier to keep my stuff separate and that way the glassing stuff can stay dust free. also extraneous shelves and surfaces are just more to clean if you do not need them for holding stuff. just my two cents. trev
Thanks for the responses Herb and Trev. Herb, I do use the Clark pro, is there a certain part I need to order from them or is there something I could get at the hardware store? I understand now the rest of the setup, so if you could fill me in on the hose adapter I’d be stoked. Thanks- ryan
Ryan…I have the Hitachi pro (sealed bearings) modified by clark, too. When I ordered it from Clark, FLORIDA…I paid like sixteen bucks extra for (what I thought would be) a “modified for vacuum”…ready to go…planer. What I received when I got the planer was an adapter…(which, if you get it straight from Hitachi{and they WILL sell it to you through the mail for HALF THAT PRICE}). This adapter will allow you to use a vacuum, but you’ll actually have to break or cut away a piece of the housing and affix it yourself. I was a little “perturbed” by this, I’ve got to say. I thought the thing would come ready to go. Hey, when you’re all psyched, and you get this little adapter, and are basically told “here you go,(sucker)- have a nice day!” - It renews my disdain for certain aspects of business. Caveat Emptor…in other words…buyer beware…I guess I should have asked.(the implications WERE different, though) I’d have called more often, but for a big company, Clark Foam, Florida has no 800 number, and it get’s a little “pricey” when you’re kept waiting on the phone - long distance - by “Dude”. “Dude” don’t know “Jack”! Aloha, …T.
Costco does have the best deal. Steve
Sorry for my previous entry, boys…don’t know how this wound up here…T.