80 gal. compressor: Eaton or Porter Cable?

[beanz2]

Hey guys,

Just starting out with my garage outfitting and I decided it's time to move up from an oilless Sears 30 gallon compressor to a serious unit since I like working with a bead blaster.

I thought I had my heart set on Eaton's 7.5hp two stage 80 gal. compressor when I found a used Porter Cable 7.5 hp 80 gallon compressor for almost a fourth of the price of the Eaton's. It is only 2 years old and probably is an older version of their current 80 gallon unit. Of course the used one has no warranty, but the price is good.

What's your opinion on Porter Cable compressors? Do they tend to overstate the power output of their compressors? Is the brand new Eaton worth $1200 over the used Porter Cable?

Your replies appreciated,
Dave

 

[Brian]

Ignore the HP rating. It is unimportant when comparing compressors. Instead look at the CFM rating at the same psi.
The Eaton is 26 CFM @ 175 PSI. The Porter Cable you linked is 15.2 @ 175 PSI.
The Eaton is probably more than your average Garage mechanic needs but is possibly a better quality unit.
What is the air consumption of you bead blaster? If it is more than 15.2 and is used continuously for long stretches the Porter Cable may have a hard time keeping up.
However 80 gal at 175 psi gives it alot of reserve and I'm sure the quality is perfectly good. $1200 can go a long ways towards other garage toys.

 

[beanz2]

Thanks, Brian. The bead blaster takes 5 to 14 cfm between 60-100 psi. It's only a cheapo HF benchtop unit. But as you said, the extra $1200 can buy me a really nice new blasting cabinet.

How does Porter Cable compare to Eaton, is it like Craftsman to Snap On? Or more like SK to Snap On?

Dave

 

[Danglerb]

Porter Cable isn't the company it once was, and I think Campbell Hausfield actually makes there compressors, but they still have some top rated models. If the model you are looking at is a twin iron cylinder with a good motor it should last a long time.

OTOH I have no problem with cheap tools that work.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Deals only come along occasionally, You can buy the Eaton any time. Get the Porter Cable, use it, If you find it really isn't up to what you need, you can easily sell it and buy something else.

Charles

 

[SteveU]

If you buy the Eaton you will not need to buy another compressor, it will run anything a home mechanic will throw at it. I looked at it this way, I bought their 5hp which runs anything I have & the price I paid is a distant memory where having a compressor that doesn't do what you want it to will be an ever present source of aggravation. Can't compare the HP ratings, Eaton uses Clydesdales, Porter Cable uses shetland pony's

 

[chad s]

I looked at it this way, I bought their 5hp which runs anything I have & the price I paid is a distant memory where having a compressor that doesn't do what you want it to will be an ever present source of aggravation.

Yup, I second that!

 

[russlaferrera]

The Eaton compressor is way better than Porter Cable. I have been considering the 10 HP compressor with the 7.5 motor. At 600 rpm it has to be quiet. Plus should you ever need more CFM, you can put a 10 hp on it.

As with most things buy the best you can afford. Get the largest one you think you can use.

Have you checked ebay under Eaton Compressor? Eaton is running some good deals.

 

[shopforeman]

The Eaton gets the nod here. In regards to the motor ignore the "advertised" horse power and look instead at the amp draw of the motors. Here is a calculation I saw in another forum for calculating true Horsepower based on the amp draw.
For example, a five HP motor should draw about 15 amps while running. Starting loads are higher of course.

240 volts * 15 amps = 3600 watts

3600 watts / 746 watts/hp = 4.8 hp

For bead blasting I would not even bother with the lower cfm's advertised with the porter cable.

 

[toms73novass]

The Eaton compressor is way better than Porter Cable. I have been considering the 10 HP compressor with the 7.5 motor. At 600 rpm it has to be quiet. Plus should you ever need more CFM, you can put a 10 hp on it.

As with most things buy the best you can afford. Get the largest one you think you can use.

Have you checked ebay under Eaton Compressor? Eaton is running some good deals.

I thought that I would chime in. I have a 7.5 hp 120gal eaton and it is relatively quiet. It is awsome when it comes to cfm... I can sandblast and it will actually shut off while I am blasting!!! A rim that would take me about 1 hour to throughly blast before takes me 20 min. I have had mine for about 6 months and have not had any problems.

 

[beanz2]

Well . . . the deal was too good to be true. When I got to the compressor seller's place, I immediately noticed the tank was a bit smaller than I expected. It was only 60 gallons instead of the advertised 80. Then I noticed the sticker says "7 starting hp, 3 running hp". I was miffed at the seller, but a bit relieved now reading the comments you guys wrote.

I guess I will keep saving my pennies, nickels and dimes for an Eaton. Thanks for all the replies. This board is awesome.

Dave

 

[invader]

I found this pump / motor setup http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311709_200311709

on an 80 Gal tank for $658. Full cast iron, did the magnet check.. only downside is single stage.

It's the big one @ Lowes.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=137603-71025-KLA4508065&lpage=none

oh, and it's not [Peak] as it says. 4.5 running according to literature.

Both made by Coleman Industrial. Just a juxtaposition of parts it seems.

 

[russlaferrera]

Eaton compressor for a 4 cyl, 10 hp compressor with a 80 gal tank,a 7.5 hp motor, and a lot of extra stuff, $1647 plus shipping .

I think it's the best deal around. Wish I had the $$.

www.eatoncompressor.com/

 

[PoorOwner]

It's not fair to compare the Porter Cable, Craftsman (both devilbiss) and Lowes stuff to the Eaton, the price is not that close.. For example the Porter Cable 80 gallon, 2 stage is around $850 with free shipping. And it draws 23 amps @ 240V.

Eaton cost a few hundred in freight alone and about $1200 to buy their cheapest 80 gallon last I checked. The Eaton warranty also does not include any labor unless you are local to them.. (based on one guy's experience on the Eastwood forum, seemed to have some hassle with the company when his compressor broke).

I would LOVE to have a 24 CFM of air but it comes at a higher price tag, and bigger breaker than 30 amps. Eaton is a premium product for sure!

When I was shopping though I did not want so spend over $1000 delivered and also didn't want a unit over 400 lbs as I had very limited help to install it, (the eaton weights much more..) So I went with a cheaper offering from the "big" companies.

 

[MDH9252]

So how does the Eaton compressor compare to an advertised comperable compressor from Ingersol Rand model 2475N5? It claims to deliver 16.8 cfm at 175psi.