"Shop" Compressor Build

I got a buncha free stuff at work today. Compressor tank, mini blasting cabinet, and a high lift jack. I'm going to start researching what compressor will pair well for paint and blasting and see what I can find for cheap or free. There's always plumbing in the trash at work!

That's a score!

Yes, that IS a score!  

On the compressor, that is a nice, big tank and I'd be looking for a 5 HP motor, which is about what you can run with 220V single phase, and a compressor to match.  You want the biggest you can get to minimize the time it runs so the air can cool and the water will condense out.

I'd love to go with a motor that large eventually. For now I will have to settle with the biggest 120V motor I can find until I buy a house... Tank is 40 or 50 gallons I think, haven't even checked yet. It just looks huge because the blasting cabinet is tiny.

As Gary said for what you want to do a 220v and 2 stage compressor is what you need even more so for the blasting.

As for cooling I made a drier from base board fin tubing and copper fittings.
When it was tucked in a corner withno air flow around it Ihad to use a box fan to blow air on it.
It works pretty good as I get no water at the hose end when using sanders or painting.
I also used a piping system to run air drops, 5, around my garage with drip legs at each and no water there either.
Dave ----

I would have to unplug the laundry dryer every time I wanted to use it. Not the end of the world but tedious. It would be simple if the breaker box was mounted outdoors, then I could just rig up a temporary outlet.

I found the original motor for the compressor in the scrap pile at work. 2HP 240/480V 3 phase. It will work on residential power if I use a VFD. I will have to see about the compressor pump itself, I hope I can mash something together.

Ah, back when Grainger/Speedaire was quality!

If for now you only intend to use it for a bit of spraying or intermittent air tools (not sandblasting or long term grinding) I don't see a problem running a cheap offshore 120V motor and pump.
You can always trade up when you get a place and have a dedicated 240V circuit run.

Hell, I put a Horrid Fate electric motor into a table saw at work 5 years ago when it melted down on the weekend in the middle of a job rush.
I think the guy still hasn't made it right!  

A 1.5kw VFD would probably set you back more than a 120V 2hp motor of the proper rpm and shaft size.

Horrid Fate, that goes up there with their Snap-Off tools.

We got some old VFDs at work I can borrow. They need their capacitors exercised anyway.

I have a scabbed together compressor as well!

Mine is a 60 gallon tank with a 1HP 120V motor running a compressor off of a 30 Gallon Craftsman paint sprayer.  I can fill from empty to 125psi in ~10 minutes.  While I haven't tried a DA sander or a paint sprayer, I do use a die grinder frequently.  I'll try and snap a picture in a bit.