5 hp compressors, Two stage or single?

[AMCguy]

Next trip into the city I want to buy a new 5 hp 230 volt single phase compressor. I'm looking for around 19 cfm. 175 psi max. I want a 1,725 rpm motor and I want the head to run at a low rpm. And most importantly, I want it to be quiet.

There are many brands out there, but that's not the problem. I am seeing several different designs. There are the good old vertical twin, two stage units. I like them. There are also V twins. There are also triples. I like the idea of a V twin or triple. I think they would get rid of heat better. I can't help but think they look wimpy though. Maybe I'm just too used to the look of the traditional twins.

Then there are twin and triple cylinder single stage units. A salesman was telling me, if I was going to operate it mostly at lower pressures it would be pointless to have a two stage. He went on to explain but he wasn't making any sense. Can anyone shed some light on this?

This will be a basic regular use shop compressor. The reason I want to go big is, I want to also get a media blast cabinet.

Thanks

 

[DIC]

For that pressure and cfm you will need a two stage, I don't know what you mean by head rpm. Ain't none of them gonna be quiet

 

[CTester]

You can cut that rpm in half with a Champion or Quincy. Probably the quietest of the bunch. Both are high end machines, -built very well.

 

[budco]

If your going to do any kind of work using the compressor, you need a two stage. A single stage will give you about 125psi max and not near the cfm your looking for.

 

[Garage Dog]

Next trip into the city I want to buy a new 5 hp 230 volt single phase compressor. I'm looking for around 19 cfm. 175 psi max. I want a 1,725 rpm motor and I want the head to run at a low rpm. And most importantly, I want it to be quiet.

Quincy, Salyor-Beall and Champion are three manufacturers that should be considered. I have a 39 year old Salyor-Beall that is quieter and will out perform my new cast iron unit.

There are many brands out there, but that's not the problem. I am seeing several different designs. There are the good old vertical twin, two stage units. I like them. There are also V twins. There are also triples. I like the idea of a V twin or triple. I think they would get rid of heat better. I can't help but think they look wimpy though. Maybe I'm just too used to the look of the traditional twins.

Then there are twin and triple cylinder single stage units. A salesman was telling me, if I was going to operate it mostly at lower pressures it would be pointless to have a two stage. He went on to explain but he wasn't making any sense. Can anyone shed some light on this?


Compare the CFM rating of the 2 stage @ 100 psi to a comparable single stage and it might make more sense. Or you might think of it this way; lets say you had two compressors with 80 gallon tanks, one 2 stage at 175psi and one single stage at 100psi and you wanted to do as much blasting as possible at 60psi without turning on either compressor. Which one do you think you could do more blasting with? Does that shed any light?

By the way having at least an 80 gallon tank is beneficial if you are going to do a lot of blasting

This will be a basic regular use shop compressor. The reason I want to go big is, I want to also get a media blast cabinet.

If you are going to do much media blasting I would also do some research on an "after cooler" to help with water in the air, many companies will offer them as an option from the factory. Then an moisture separator and and air dryer are also highly beneficial.

Thanks

Good Luck

 

[22george]

two stage is the only way to go