Looking at buying a bike lift from Direct Lift, only requirement was to not use more than 100PSI, do I buy a oil free or an oiled compressor? Is there anything else I need to be aware of? Thanks in advance

 

You can use whatever type and size compressor you want, you just need a regulator and a gauge to keep the pressure down. Mine makes 125psi at the tank and I run 90 in the garage. Mine is an oiled type.

 

Another thing to consider... Oil-less compressors make a lot more noise. I'm basing that on my experience with a texture sprayer I have that has a integral oiless compressor and it sure makes a lot of racket.

 

Oil free will sound like a jackhammer every time it cycles. Smaller the tank the more often it will cycle. I have a 240v, 60gal oil one and I would never go back to a portable oil free one.

But then again, if you're only going to be using it for the bike lift, maybe a portable one would suffice.

 

Oil free are beneficial when moving around and not having to worry about oil spilling and not oiling internal parts properly. CFM's usually lower on oiless and smaller tanks causing them them to work harder for bigger jobs

 

You want to buy an oiled compressor, run it at 125 to 150 PSI, as large a tank as possible, and run an in line regulator when needed. That would be the ideal setup. The larger the tank, the happier you will be ESPECIALLY when using it high volume; impact gun, air ratchet, etc.

 

Well, over kill is always nice but if all your going to do is run a bike life, buy cheap.

Maybe like this one.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...5362000P?mv=rr

I have this one and it's nice as it's portable and doesn't take up much room, a bit noisy though, but cheap.

On the other hand, if you have not discovered the world of air tools and think you might, think bigger.

A 3hp vertical tank unit has usually enough capacity to run most DIY air tools.

Doesn't sound like your painting, so having to wait a bit at times for the compressor to catch up isn't a big deal.

I sold my commercial Ingersall Rand unit when I sold all my painting equipment and quit working on bike performance motors and bought something like this one.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...7526_200347526

This is probably a bit much for just an air lift, but it will run air tools just fine.

Al

 

im in the bigger is better catagory, i run a 80gl tank with an oiled single piston pump powdered by a 5hp 240v motor. it pumps up to 150psi then feeds a 1" line to a air dryer, and 2 air filters then to a 1" manifold. the manifold has 1x-1/2" regulated coupler, and 3 3/8" regulated couplers then to my tire filler *50' of 1/2" air line to a coupler* once i get into a bigger shop i plan to swap the pump to a tri-piston one and adding a secondary holding tank and another manifold. i use ALOT of air so it makes sense for me to go that big. shop around i picked up my set up in the back of a barn for $50, an oiled compressor with a seperate motor will last longer and can be rebuilt cheaply where as the cheap oilfree ones are disposable and $$$$$

this is the one i picked up for $50
it looks smaller then it actually is LOL