High Pressure air compressor- buyer options ?

[tarbellb]

Im purchasing some machinery that requires 215psi @ 8.8cfm (~16bar @ .25m3) on a 60+ gallon tank compressor

- The catch is its a unknown quality of compressor they combo the machine with, im worried it may have issues down the line.

Current price on the compressor is $3400- which squarely puts it in the "super cheap overseas models only" category


What I would like is options for finding a unit that matches (or exceeds) these specs but can be paired with a longer warranty, maybe 48 months?
Ive searched Amazon for a similar unit that I can layer on their sweeping Extended Warranty option, but havent found anything.

So GJ, can you find something that meets this criteria? PRICE ($4k or less) , PERFORMANCE, + a extended warranty?


I think this is a long shot, not only finding the machine because the specs are tough (7.5kw (10hp) is on the low for this format), but also the price and warranty. Its out there, Alibaba and Chinadirect.com etc...

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

Sounds like you will have to pay to play. Expensive machines need expensive tools

 

[Junkman]

Contact a Quincy dealer and see what they can do for you. Asking if free.

 

[PCustoms]

Im purchasing some machinery that requires 215psi @ 8.8cfm (~16bar @ .25m3) on a 60+ gallon tank compressor

Ok, curious, what equipment?

 

[LS1-IROC]

We use SMC booster air amplifiers on a lot of our equipment we make, not sure how many CFM they can provide however, might be worth a look and be a lot cheaper than a specialized compressor.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

A Quincy QR series recip is good to 500psi. A DV Systems 447 is good to 300psi. 8cfm isn't much. A good 5hp machine would do that easily. Upsize to a 10hp for some margin. I wouldn't trust a business to a no name overseas compressor with questionable parts and service support.

 

[mike93lx]

We use SMC booster air amplifiers on a lot of our equipment we make, not sure how many CFM they can provide however, might be worth a look and be a lot cheaper than a specialized compressor.

Do you store any air at the higher pressure?

8.8scfm is about 250L/min. I took a quick look at the smc web page and they definitely have models that easily do that volume,but not all of them can do the ~2MPa pressure he needs.

I'd definitely explore this option before buying a high pressure comp that is very expensive and likely hard to get parts for

 

[TurnipTruck]

I don’t know if it’s still a thing, but I remember a recent 500psi air system for carpenters/contractors, supposedly for less bulky air nailers.

 

[mike93lx]

I don’t know if it’s still a thing, but I remember a recent 500psi air system for carpenters/contractors, supposedly for less bulky air nailers.

Max makes them, but they are very low volume

 

[stonesfan68]

Contact your local compressed air distributor. Depending on the application and duty cycle, you may be able to use a 125-200 PSIG standard shop air compressor and an air amplifier (Haskel is one brand) with a dedicated air receiver and pressure regulator. I‘d stay away from eBay or Amazon for this class of equipment unless you can tolerate the downtime.

 

[tarbellb]

I see a few of the compressor wizards in here chiming in, thanks for the replies so far.

Yes I looked into a air amplifier / booster. It seems like a route but when I started comparing prices and quality I was left in a similar situation where budget dictated a less reputable brand of booster.

Thanks @MacMcMacmac for the suggestions, I'll research Quincy QR and DV Systems. I feel like they are going to be pushing the upper price limits quickly.

@PCustoms its for a fiber laser

 

[tarbellb]

Quincy QR series says 500psi max intermittent and 200psi constant pressure

Anybody have experience with this QR series, is running the machine at 215psi continuous a possibility ?

 

[mike93lx]

Quincy QR series says 500psi max intermittent and 200psi constant pressure

Anybody have experience with this QR series, is running the machine at 215psi continuous a possibility ?

It the demand really continuous? I bet Quincy has duty cycle info on those figures and it would be worth a call or email

 

[LS1-IROC]

Do you store any air at the higher pressure?

8.8scfm is about 250L/min. I took a quick look at the smc web page and they definitely have models that easily do that volume,but not all of them can do the ~2MPa pressure he needs.

I'd definitely explore this option before buying a high pressure comp that is very expensive and likely hard to get parts for

Yes, we have small receiver tanks that store the air after the boost.

 

[Firebrick43]

We used double acting air intensifiers at the factory and they never gave us any troubles themselves over 15 years. They were directly mounted to an 80 gal vertical ping tank.

The higher pressure was hard on the blow off valves for some reason and needed replaced every few years. I nearly beat one of the other mechanics when I found his “fix” was to put a pipe plug in its place

 

[PCustoms]

@PCustoms its for a fiber laser

That seems nuts....

In a past life I've been in facilities with multiple lasers and I don't recall there being anything over 150psi (shop pressure) air.

Is there nitrogen as well?

 

[tarbellb]

High pressure air can be an assist up to a certain thickness
Nitrogen is also used for thicker materials

 

[Beerhippie]

SMC booster air amplifiers

What kind of sorcery is this?

BURN HIM!

 

[PCustoms]

High pressure air can be an assist up to a certain thickness
Nitrogen is also used for thicker materials

I don't see any issue pairing a Chinese laser tona Chinese compressor.. frankly the compressor is likely to be the lesser headache.

Link to the laser spec?

 

[tarbellb]

I don't see any issue pairing a Chinese laser tona Chinese compressor.. frankly the compressor is likely to be the lesser headache.

Link to the laser spec?

From everything ive read about screw compressors, youre lucky to get reliable performance out anything but top tier mfg like Kaeser

I really liked the idea of getting a high performing recip like a Emaxx and boosting the pressure. But im trying to isolate the number of variables coming into this new venture.

Laser is a 1500w fiber

This machine and setup are to test the market. If things go well I will be stepping up to a more industrial machine, still Chinese but a more typical format (3k fiber 1500x3000 bed and matching compressor like @slodat !)

 

[tarbellb]

We used double acting air intensifiers at the factory and they never gave us any troubles themselves over 15 years. They were directly mounted to an 80 gal vertical ping tank.

The higher pressure was hard on the blow off valves for some reason and needed replaced every few years. I nearly beat one of the other mechanics when I found his “fix” was to put a pipe plug in its place

Was there specific style or brand of intensifiers you ran or know that perform? I dont know much about these and what I did find was out of budget. Appreciate any insights

If it makes sense it sure would be nice to run a reliable and simple Emaxx/ Champion/ Curtis etc... and boost the pressure

 

[Firebrick43]

Was there specific style or brand of intensifiers you ran or know that perform? I dont know much about these and what I did find was out of budget. Appreciate any insights

If it makes sense it sure would be nice to run a reliable and simple Emaxx/ Champion/ Curtis etc... and boost the pressure

I want to say it was a miller/parker but to be honest, It was just set on a standard ASME tank. I never ordered any parts and its been 6 years since I seen it so?

 

[tarbellb]

@Firebrick43 was it something like this unit?

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I’ve been trying to find a reasonable priced 5hp single phase unit. (Got offices bellow so looking for screw over piston for noise) Almost pulled a trigger on a Eastwood unit (Chinese I believe) as everything was 10-15K. I then found Kaishan PK and they have a 5hp model that’s around $4500 and appears to be made in the usa too. I just emailed them to get come clarifications.

Anyone know anything about that brand / quality?

 

[PCustoms]

Anyone know anything about that brand / quality?

Never heard of it.

Quick search they are definitely biased in China with a US presence, not much info on how much is built in the US vs. assembled from overseas parts.

Price is certainly attractive for a unit like that

 

[PCustoms]

@Firebrick43 was it something like this unit?

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Mind the flow ratio...

 

[MacMcMacmac]

A reliable single phase, rotary screw that's 150psi capable and cheap does not all seem to go together in one sentence. A screw won't be much quieter than a recip, if at all, without a sound cabinet, and that still doesn't do anything for fan noise. Speaking of which, you are going to need pretty good ventilation in a compressor room.

The only screws I would buy from Asia would be Japanese of Korean (Kobelco, Hitachi, HanWa/Samsung. Even then I'd be leery about sourcing comsumables. How easy do you think it's going to be to source filter elements for those Chinese screws every year?

If your could find a used Bauer/Rotorcomp screw you'd have a 200+ psi capable machine.

Seems like a lot of trouble for 9cfm. I'd get a used Hydrovane and an intensifier if it was me. You'll probably need a dryer and filtration as well, since those intensifiers will not tolerate wet, oily air one bit.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Never heard of it.

Quick search they are definitely biased in China with a US presence, not much info on how much is built in the US vs. assembled from overseas parts.

Price is certainly attractive for a unit like that

Confirmed they do have a US mfg center, but tis only for the larger units, the PK series is full Chinese. Any thoughts on ABAC units? They are made in italy.

I did just find a 7.5HP Quincy screw locally for a good price, however tis 3Phase. Whats the thoughts of running one of these off a VFD? 7.% HP is way oversized for my needs, but the price is right. Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm in a similar position as the OP it seems.

I'm actually really surprised by the lack of smaller screw compressors, with the need for being quiet in so many locations, you think someone would bring something to the market targeted for that. Low noise for me is more important than high air volume, so dont need a full numerical use setup. I just have offices directly bellow the compressor room and a sales floor right next to it.

 

[Beerhippie]

Low noise for me is more important than high air volume,

There are plenty of ultra-quiet recip compressors these days. A friend had an IR upright in his shop that's easily as quiet as our IR screw. I have a little Rolair pancake that can be running in the next room and barely audible.

 

[tarbellb]

@Grant Gunderson I appreciate your contributions, your shop is always a impressive display of organization. Im excited for your new biz buildout (and maybe come visit that shop on my next snowboard trip)
Have you had a chance to hear in person the Emaxx or similar low rpm + sound deadening tech thats out there? Seems like reliable and easy solution?


BUT im focused on the higher PSI requirements (215psi continuous), if you come across a unit that can produce that def send it my way

 

[tarbellb]

Ive tapped a @MacMcMacmac for details on how to boost psi on a typical 100-150psi recip machine


Does anyone have insights on how these booster / intensifier / amplifier systems work? Ive never had to do this and in the dark.

 

[Firebrick43]

@Firebrick43 was it something like this unit?

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

That appears to be a double acting intensifier. The ones we had were larger and had tie rod type cylinders. Similar to this one

Ive tapped a @MacMcMacmac for details on how to boost psi on a typical 100-150psi recip machine


Does anyone have insights on how these booster / intensifier / amplifier systems work? Ive never had to do this and in the dark.

This is a good animation on how they work.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Yes, it's basically a large piston acting on a smaller piston to raise final pressure. I worked on one years ago good to 300psi. It was in a lab using pressure to test soil permeability. It definitely needed clean dry air.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

There are plenty of ultra-quiet recip compressors these days. A friend had an IR upright in his shop that's easily as quiet as our IR screw. I have a little Rolair pancake that can be running in the next room and barely audible.

@Grant Gunderson I appreciate your contributions, your shop is always a impressive display of organization. Im excited for your new biz buildout (and maybe come visit that shop on my next snowboard trip)
Have you had a chance to hear in person the Emaxx or similar low rpm + sound deadening tech thats out there? Seems like reliable and easy solution?


BUT im focused on the higher PSI requirements (215psi continuous), if you come across a unit that can produce that def send it my way

Thanks guys. There is zero compressor shops up here so gotta make a decision without seeing any in person. Would love a recommendation for a piston if it’s bellow 65db and ideally under $5k

 

[tarbellb]

Well I've researched myself back into the same corner

Option 1- buy the full package screw air compressor from the laser mfg, unknown quality and 12m warranty, comes w dryer filter and psi needed. Backed by the larger laser company but still unknown longevity?

Option 2- buy a reliable piston recip like Emaxx Quincy Curtis etc.. and pair w air booster to achieve 215psi (cont) however budget dictates a Chinese booster unit. Plus a dryer and filter system, also likely Chinese. This all adds to the complexity and more unknowns but gives core compressor known longevity

Dark horse option 3 - just go full Chinese mystery manufacturer, larger screw compressor w filtration / dryer system and save $1-2k ?

 

[PCustoms]

Well I've researched myself back into the same corner

Option 1- buy the full package screw air compressor from the laser mfg, unknown quality and 12m warranty, comes w dryer filter and psi needed. Backed by the larger laser company but still unknown longevity?

Option 2- buy a reliable piston recip like Emaxx Quincy Curtis etc.. and pair w air booster to achieve 215psi (cont) however budget dictates a Chinese booster unit. Plus a dryer and filter system, also likely Chinese. This all adds to the complexity and more unknowns but gives core compressor known longevity

Dark horse option 3 - just go full Chinese mystery manufacturer, larger screw compressor w filtration / dryer system and save $1-2k ?

Why are you so concerned about a chinese/mystery compressor, but seemingly okay with the same laser?

Seems to me a compressor's infinitely simpler than a laser

 

[tarbellb]

Oh I'm concerned about the laser, but there isn't nearly as many options in that field

And the 3 axis laser isn't really all that complicated, rails, motors, and the power supply. I would be more comfortable tearing into it then a screw compressor.

 

[PCustoms]

And the 3 axis laser isn't really all that complicated, rails, motors, and the power supply. I would be more comfortable tearing into it then a screw compressor.

Aren't you forgetting the laser?

 

[tarbellb]

Aren't you forgetting the laser?

Ha, thats the power supply. Its not like anybody rebuilds a laser, just swap them out. Just dont do a hot swap

 

[Torka]

I vote 3 full send chinesium.