Compressors - Starting my Shop

[TBEVO]

Hi Everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster. I just finished my 40x40 stick built on a foundation wall garage in Wisconsin last fall. I have read on here for hours and hours at night for planning and techniques to build this garage. Its fully insulated and heated. I have a full time job but am using it to make some nice side money hustle and so far its been keeping me quite busy. I have a rotary SPO12 lift and a derek weaver changer/balancer so far. The work keeps piling up. I am using a really small harbor freight compressor right now and it seemed to be fine for just usual tasks as I have a abundance of new cordless battery powered tools for wrenching on cars. I have now found myself needing more air with the tire changer and the occasional blast jobs/other tasks. I think a 5hp will be plenty? I am willing to pay for quality and lifetime durability. Somewhere in the 3-5k range. I initially started looking at the eastwood scroll and emax silent air as I really want a nice quiet machine that doesn't irritate me everyday it runs. Im 28 years old, so I want to save my good hearing. I researched for hours multiple nights on all the old threads on here and still am struggling with a conclusion. I think ive researched enough to state my use doesnt mix well with rotary/screw operation. Ive found that low rpm dual stage piston compressor are decently quiet? Here are a few im looking at currently. Let me know if im looking in the right direction, or if this is all complete overkill. I usually research the hell out of everything i buy and getting something that is way overkill, but atleast it lasts and leaves me room for growth!

Thanks for your time,
Alex

Saylor-Beall 5 HP Splash Lubricated Two-Stage Air Compressor, 17.3 CFM @ 175 PSI, 80 Gallon Air Tank 230-Volt, 1-Phase | VT-735-80-230-1

<p><strong>BRAND NEW</strong> Saylor-Beall 5 HP Splash Lubricated Two-Stage Air Compressor, 17.3 CFM @ 175 PSI, 80 Gallon Air Tank 230-Volt, 1-Phase | VT-735-80-230-1</p>

www.compressorworld.com

Champion 5 HP Air Compressor Two Stage, 17 ACFM @ 175 PSI, 60 Gallon Air Tank, 208-Volt, 1-Phase | VR5-6

<p><strong>BRAND NEW</strong> Champion 5 HP Air Compressor Two Stage, 17 ACFM @ 175 PSI, 60 Gallon Air Tank, 208-Volt, 1-Phase | VR5-6</p>

www.compressorworld.com

Chicago Pneumatic RCP-581VQP, 5 HP Two-Stage Air Compressor, 18.5 CFM @ 175 PSI, Quiet Sound Enclosure | 230 Volt 1-Phase

<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">BRAND NEW 5 HP Chicago Pneumatic Two-Stage Quiet Enclosed Piston Air Compressor | 1 Phase | 80 Gal | 18.5 CFM @ 100 PSIG | RCP-581VQP</span></p>

www.compressorworld.com

 

[iamrfixit]

Out of those I'd choose the saylor beal every time.

I just purchased a 10HP Emax early this spring. It's a beast at 38cfm and it runs unbelievably quiet compared to the old C'aire 5HP that it replaced. It's also available with their silent air option but I didn't get that and don't know how much more difference it would make. I'm still amazed how quiet it is every time it cycles.

The old compressor is also two stage but has the higher speed 3450 motor on it and it is considerably louder. The Emax has 1750 rpm motor and disc valves in the four cylinder compressor. I'd been looking at a quincy locally and considered ordering a saylor-beal, but had also looked at this Emax several times. I was about to buy the quincy locally when I stumbled on the Emax at Home Depot onine. It was something like 25% off at that time, came out to only $2250 with free shipping and I jumped on it. Took about 6 weeks to be delivered via freight truck.

 

[brothernov]

I found this in another thread hear on GJ. Found it enormously useful. What I gathered from all my reading here was that motor and pump rpm is the most important thing to look for (lower the better)

 

[X1 Mike]

Spending that kind of money I would definitely look at a scroll compressor.

Eastwood Elite QST® 80/120 Scroll Air Compressor

Own Your Own Business? Meet Your New Silent Partner!!!

www.eastwood.com

 

[pvanderlugt]

I put my air compressor in a closet, insulated with rock wool, and double layer of drywall …compressor mounted on rubber pads….. can just hear it rumble….

 

[TBEVO]

Out of those I'd choose the saylor beal every time.

I just purchased a 10HP Emax early this spring. It's a beast at 38cfm and it runs unbelievably quiet compared to the old C'aire 5HP that it replaced. It's also available with their silent air option but I didn't get that and don't know how much more difference it would make. I'm still amazed how quiet it is every time it cycles.

The old compressor is also two stage but has the higher speed 3450 motor on it and it is considerably louder. The Emax has 1750 rpm motor and disc valves in the four cylinder compressor. I'd been looking at a quincy locally and considered ordering a saylor-beal, but had also looked at this Emax several times. I was about to buy the quincy locally when I stumbled on the Emax at Home Depot onine. It was something like 25% off at that time, came out to only $2250 with free shipping and I jumped on it. Took about 6 weeks to be delivered via freight truck.

Great to hear a good review of the EMAX. This was one of the units I was looking at initially. I will keep an eye on HD website for discounts.

EMAX ESP05V080I1 5 HP 80 Gal 175 Max PSI Plus Silent Air Two-Stage Stationary Electric (208, 230 Volt 1 Phase) Reciprocating Air Compressor | Ferguson Home

Save on the EMAX ESP05V080I1 from Ferguson Home. Low Prices + Fast & Free Shipping on Most Orders. Find reviews, expert advice, manuals, specs & more.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

 

[TBEVO]

I found this in another thread hear on GJ. Found it enormously useful. What I gathered from all my reading here was that motor and pump rpm is the most important thing to look for (lower the better)

Thank you!

 

[TBEVO]

I put my air compressor in a closet, insulated with rock wool, and double layer of drywall …compressor mounted on rubber pads….. can just hear it rumble….

Did you do any ventilating?

 

[TBEVO]

Spending that kind of money I would definitely look at a scroll compressor.

Eastwood Elite QST® 80/120 Scroll Air Compressor

Own Your Own Business? Meet Your New Silent Partner!!!

www.eastwood.com

I would like that one. No 3 phase though

 

[Walkers]

Any of those compressors will serve you very well, you are trying to pick the best of a very good lot.

 

[marak]

I have had the 5hp Champion you show for about 6 years now and couldn't be happier. I use it for plasma cutting, media blasting, grinding, playing with the cat and everything in between.

 

[TBEVO]

I have had the 5hp Champion you show for about 6 years now and couldn't be happier. I use it for plasma cutting, media blasting, grinding, playing with the cat and everything in between.

Great to hear. Looks like they are a lower rpm motor, so sound should be bearable?

 

[tdkkart]

The Chicago Pneumatic isn't even in the same class. Yes, it claims 18cfm, but notice it's at 100psi, rather than the 175psi the others are rated at.
The scrolls are tempting, I've worked on several, both vacuum and compressors, the biggest issue I see it that they work, right up until they quit. The scroll tip seals destroy themselves in a matter of seconds, so one minute you're working and the next you have no air, at which point the seals are stupid expensive for what they are.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Great to hear a good review of the EMAX. This was one of the units I was looking at initially. I will keep an eye on HD website for discounts.

EMAX ESP05V080I1 5 HP 80 Gal 175 Max PSI Plus Silent Air Two-Stage Stationary Electric (208, 230 Volt 1 Phase) Reciprocating Air Compressor | Ferguson Home

Save on the EMAX ESP05V080I1 from Ferguson Home. Low Prices + Fast & Free Shipping on Most Orders. Find reviews, expert advice, manuals, specs & more.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

I have their full package 10hp VFD v4 model. I love it. very quiet, and it'll run down to half speed (even quieter!) instead of cycling on/off. I have it set to hold 90PSI because I don't need anything higher.
this one:


I've got over 2500 hours on it so far.

 

[engineer2]

I'd be good with Saylor Beall.
One consideration is the distance to your local dealer and parts supplier.
We have Champions at work, but their low oil switch is finicky and we had one fail. Replacing it is a major project, so we bypassed it.
With that kind of budget, I would get a refrigerated air dryer too.

 

[TBEVO]

I have their full package 10hp VFD v4 model. I love it. very quiet, and it'll run down to half speed (even quieter!) instead of cycling on/off. I have it set to hold 90PSI because I don't need anything higher.
this one:


I've got over 2500 hours on it so far.

Hmm it seems the polar air compressors are cheaper than emax? I thought they were the same thing.

5HP Single Phase Vertical Silent Air System 80 Gal|Polar Air by Eaton Compressor

Eaton Compressor carries an impressive line of quiet air compressors, including this single phase 5 HP Quiet Air Compressor with 80 Gallon Tank.

eatoncompressor.com

EMAX Silent Air Industrial E450 Series 80 Gal. 175 PSI 5HP 19 CFM 1-Phase 2-Stage Vertical Stationary Electric Air Compressor HSP05V080I1 - The Home Depot

EMAX Industrial PLUS Silent Air Electric Air Compressor delivers overwhelming performance to ensure that they meet the demand of environments.

www.homedepot.com

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Hmm it seems the polar air compressors are cheaper than emax? I thought they were the same thing.

5HP Single Phase Vertical Silent Air System 80 Gal|Polar Air by Eaton Compressor

Eaton Compressor carries an impressive line of quiet air compressors, including this single phase 5 HP Quiet Air Compressor with 80 Gallon Tank.

eatoncompressor.com

EMAX Silent Air Industrial E450 Series 80 Gal. 175 PSI 5HP 19 CFM 1-Phase 2-Stage Vertical Stationary Electric Air Compressor HSP05V080I1 - The Home Depot

EMAX Industrial PLUS Silent Air Electric Air Compressor delivers overwhelming performance to ensure that they meet the demand of environments.

www.homedepot.com

same thing. I called eaton compressor, I got a blue one. it's what they had available, and I needed it ASAP.

but make sure you're comparing apples to apples. eaton's list price won't include shipping, home depot's MIGHT (to store anyways).

 

[X1 Mike]

I would like that one. No 3 phase though

The smaller one still has impressive specs and is half price as well as being single phase.

Eastwood Elite QST 30/60 Scroll Air Compressor with Automatic Drain System

Combining whisper-quiet operation with high airflow and 100% duty cycle, the Eastwood Elite QST30/60 compressor delivers unmatched performance without unwanted noise.

www.eastwood.com

 

[vanapplebomb]

Saylor Beall is top of the line. They still make their pumps here in Michigan in a small shop. Very high quality stuff. It’s obviously louder than all the “quiet” compressors out these days, but you can make your own air intake silencer to muffle it more. At any rate, in my experiance, those are the most bullet proof reciprocating compressors on the market today.

 

[oldmachinenut]

I have a 60 gallon 2Hp. Quincy 310 and a 80 gallon 5Hp. Quincy 325 in my shop. They both have Solberg inlet filters and you can carry on a normal conversation when either is running.

 

[PoorUB]

Buy a good belt drive oil lube compressor and build a closet for it. I also have an exhaust fan in my compreeor closet that turns on at 100F.

The Saylor Beal is about as good as they get.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

The CP is going to be a high rpm reed valve pump under all that plastic and doesn't compare in any way to the other two.

You can't go wrong with the other two. I'd pick the one with the best motor, since the pumps are stout. The xtra dough gets you 20gal more tank capacity with the SB, but it may not be relevant.

 

[American Locomotive]

I'd go with the Saylor Beal. That's old iron (in a good way), there.

 

[tarbellb]

Avoid the new kid on the block baby scroll

You are in the $weet spot of classic, quiet, reliable, powerful, rebuildable, belt driven oil lubed piston compressors.

 

[TJMtl]

I would recommend the compressor that I got a few months ago. S-B PL737-80. 5hp motor, with 707 pump. runs at 488rpm.

 

[metlmunchr]

Either the Saylor Beall or the Champion should be good long lasting compressors.

The price on that CP is insane, and here's why I say that. CP is an Atlas Copco brand. If you look at the BelAire 318V (another Atlas brand) it has exactly the same output at both 100 and 175 psi as the CP. But the BelAire is a $2000 compressor vs the CP at $4000. The CP runs at ~1400 rpm which strongly indicates that it's using an ABAC/IMC pump which is another Atlas brand. That's probably the best high speed pump brand out there for hobby or light commercial compressors in the $1200 to $2000 range, but it sure ain't what you expect to get for $4000. BelAire, CP, and Quincy are all built in the same plant in Alabama. So, you build a $2000 BelAire and include a sound enclosure which is also a BelAire option, then add a mag starter, an oil switch, and an auto drain, and Voila!! You've now got a $4000 CP.

To be clear, this is not a recommendation for the BelAire as it isn't the class of compressor you're shopping for, but rather just an example of the marketing ******** so prevalent today where the name of a long established brand is whored out at grossly inflated prices.

 

[TBEVO]

I would recommend the compressor that I got a few months ago. S-B PL737-80. 5hp motor, with 707 pump. runs at 488rpm.

Where did you purchase it from?

 

[TBEVO]

Either the Saylor Beall or the Champion should be good long lasting compressors.

The price on that CP is insane, and here's why I say that. CP is an Atlas Copco brand. If you look at the BelAire 318V (another Atlas brand) it has exactly the same output at both 100 and 175 psi as the CP. But the BelAire is a $2000 compressor vs the CP at $4000. The CP runs at ~1400 rpm which strongly indicates that it's using an ABAC/IMC pump which is another Atlas brand. That's probably the best high speed pump brand out there for hobby or light commercial compressors in the $1200 to $2000 range, but it sure ain't what you expect to get for $4000. BelAire, CP, and Quincy are all built in the same plant in Alabama. So, you build a $2000 BelAire and include a sound enclosure which is also a BelAire option, then add a mag starter, an oil switch, and an auto drain, and Voila!! You've now got a $4000 CP.

To be clear, this is not a recommendation for the BelAire as it isn't the class of compressor you're shopping for, but rather just an example of the marketing ******** so prevalent today where the name of a long established brand is whored out at grossly inflated prices.

Thank You!

 

[TJMtl]

Where did you purchase it from?

A local Saylor-Beall dealer. It took a while due to receiver tank shortage.

 

[volaredon]

I have a 5hp 80 gallon upright, 2 stage Emglo. Bought used out of the paper about 20 years ago. I went to the local air compressor place and all the way til the original owner sold out, when he found out what I had, he'd ask me from then on, "So when you gonna sell that thing to me"? I had a standing offer from this compressor dealer to sell it to him for $1200. I gave $500 for it to begin with.

Its a little noisey but not as bad as some I have heard. My neighbor 2 doors away had a C-H 2 stage, and when both were running and I was in my front yard (the guy lives behind me, I'm on a corner lot) I could still hear HIS over my own. Since I built my detached garage, I moved it into there. I would like to pour a pad and put up an "outhouse" sized building, just big enough to house this compressor plus space to get to the tank drain, filters and oil drain as needed and run a pipe from this outhouse to within my 30x36 garage.
Originally I had the compressor in my 10x12 shed and plumbed into my attached garage on the OTHER end of the house. for a couple of years I ran an air hose across the front yard to the new garage from the compressor before moving the compressor to the new garage. 125' of hose. when the compressor was in the shed on the other side of the house, I couldn't hear the compressor run, when I was in my garage at all. When my neighbor had his, my unit was still hard wired within my shed. Shed doors wide open and standing in my front yard.
results of which was louder above.

My Emglo is a cast iron pump, 4 cylinders. my neighbor's was a 2 cylinder aluminum pump.

 

[rider]

Saylor-Beall makes great compressors, and they're made in the USA. I'm extremely happy with mine and would recommend one without reservation.

Be sure to get an aftercooler.

FWIW, if you don't have a local dealer, MTF Equipment in Houston (www.mtfequipment.com) had better pricing than CompressorWorld, and they were very easy to work with.

 

[dnschmidt]

Congratulations. Your one of the few new posters that haven't asked if they can use their air nailer compressor to run a sandblasting cabinet. Champion, Eaton and Polar (which are both the same but one ships free to Home Depot and the other it's on your dime) and Saylor- Beall are all great units. My only suggestion is that you might be happier with a 7 1/2 HP unit as these put out more air and if you're going to be doing sandblasting or respraying complete cars that additional air will come in handy. I have a 17 scfm Quincy and there are times when I'm sanding down a complete car prior to refinishing that the compressor really needs to work hard. Just a thought.

 

[driftpin]

I have a south FL friend who has operated a compressor business for almost 40 years. I bought a used 705 80 gal. 240V Saylor Beall from him, and I couldn't be happier. I use it for media blasting, powering air tools, and airing-up things. It works flawlessly. If you buy a Saylor-Beall, you will be very happy with its performance.