On Wed, 25 Feb 2004 21:20:50 -0800, "SteveB"
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

It's simple and hard.

How much air, and _at what pressure_ does the plasma cutter you are
going to use need?

How much air _at the required pressure_, do the two comps supply?

You should be able to find the rating of the comps in CFM @ 90 PSI. If
they supply X CFM at 90 PSi, they will probably supply 5/2X CFM at 45
PSI...as the pressure drops, it's easier for the comps to supply the
CFM at that pressure.

To join two comps, you don't daisy chain, you side-by-side them. It
should be done before the regulator(s), with the better regulator
being the one that you actually rely on for working. That would
probably be the two cylinder. Many regulators look good until you
start drawing air, then their crappy design makes them drop pressure.
If you join after the regulator, they can result in one comp doing all
the work. You need to "pool the tanks", so to speak.

I have two compressors, a one horse two cylinder Craftsman, and a two horse
oilless Craftsman. The two horse is NOISY, and I haven't even fired up the
one horse yet, but imagine it would be a little quieter with its belt drive
and separate compressor.

I will be getting a plasma cutter soon. I was wondering if I connect the
two together if that would handle the requirements of the plasma cutter. In
addition, I would like just a little more oomph and reserve for times when I
spray paint. Would having two connected compressors have any advantage.

AND, how about if I got a volume tank, and hooked it up with the two
compressors? Any advantage gained?

A tank will allow longer pauses between pumping, then enforce longer
pumping. You don;t magically get more airflow, except for intermitent
jobs. It _might_ help to have a huge tank if your plasma cutter was
_just_ too much for the pump(s), and you knew that you would only use
it for a couple of minutes at a time. then you need to do the math.


Or should I just bite the bullet and go
buy the big $600 I-R that I really want? I could sell the two compressors
to defray some of the replacement cost, and get a freestanding unit that
would take up less space.

The only advantage of the two smaller ones, if they are done with
quick release stuff, is if you need to take one with you.


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