Air compressor

[tonyorlo]

I've been searching on here for awhile, and have read a lot on this subject but I haven't came across many discussions on atlas air compressors. I'm looking for some opinions and or experience with either of these air compressors. I'm on the fence about which one I should buy.

Bel Aire 318vl
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/BelAire-318VL-Air-Compressor/p4848.html

Or


Atlas AF9
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/A...Phase-80-Gallon-1725-RPM-Motor-Air-Compressor

I didn't see anywhere stating what the pump is made of on the atlas.

Any thoughts?

 

[bochnak]

FWIW, the Atlas has a Puma pump on it. I just picked up a 25yr old unit with a similar pump, except the single stage cylinders has disc valves versus all reed valves on the TK50 Atlas unit.

Here are some threads you may find useful:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234467

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18437&page=2

 

[BUDSVTX]

Agree with bochnak, it is a Puma compressor. Looking at the pictures, the motor pulley is really big, almost as big as the compressor pulley, which means the pump will be turning fast. They tell you the motor RPM, but not the compressor RPM. It does have a lot of bells and whistles.

BUD

 

[bochnak]

Agree with bochnak, it is a Puma compressor. Looking at the pictures, the motor pulley is really big, almost as big as the compressor pulley, which means the pump will be turning fast. They tell you the motor RPM, but not the compressor RPM. It does have a lot of bells and whistles.

BUD

Good point. I guess that is how they get more CFM out of the same pump: higher HP and RPM. My pump pulley is 2x that of the motor, so 1750/2 = 875 pump RPM.

It does have a lot of nice features.

 

[tonyorlo]

Thanks for those threads I'll read them over. I did notice the 1725 motor rpm, I didn't see anywhere saying what rpm the bel aire ran.

One of my concerns is replacement parts. I hate to buy the atlas and end up not being able to buy new rings for it or valves. Sounds like that won't be a problem because it's manufactured by a common compressor company?

Thanks for the replies guys!

Edit: just recieved an email from Greg smith. I asked about the pumps material. They said the pump on the compressor is die casting aluminum pump with cast iron sleeve. Any advantage or disadvantage for that? I would think a cast iron pump would be better.

 

[bochnak]

One of my concerns is replacement parts. I hate to buy the atlas and end up not being able to buy new rings for it or valves. Sounds like that won't be a problem because it's manufactured by a common compressor company?

I have the tpv-50 pump which is discontinued. It's 25yr old.

The pump you listed is a tk50 and parts are readily available. I talked to a guy named Steve over on the link below and mentioned that parts are readily available for that pump. Here is an exploded diagram:

http://allaircompressorparts.com/tk50pumabarepump575hp.aspx

 

[javajaws]

Do you really need the 7.5hp? If you could get by with 5hp I'd much rather go with a better quality Champion or Saylor-Beall for almost the same price.

Saylor-Beall 735-80: 5hp/80g, 1750/900 RPM, Baldor motor, mag starter, cast iron made in the USA pump with disc valves. ~$2300

Champion HRV5-8 Centurion: 5hp/80g, 1750/800 RPM, mag starter, cast iron sleeved alum USA pump with reed valves. ~$2k

 

[tonyorlo]

A 5hp shouldn't have a problem for my garage. I need to be able to spray a car, and run a sandblaster. It's a 1 man shop, so I never run more than one tool at a time, that could change though. I just like the idea of overkill, but I know I shouldn't cut corners to save a few hundred bucks. I probably would feel better buying a Champion or Quincy. Bel Aire has been around for awhile though haven't they?

 

[tonyorlo]

Should I consider an IR? I know atleast 10 people who own them, but thats why I came here. No one has experience with anything other that IRs and champions.

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Ingersoll-Rand-2475N7.5-FP-Air-Compressor/p769.html

 

[65f100]

Definitely consider a Champion R-Series over the Centurion Series as they don't blow out head gaskets. I hear good things about the Saylor-Beall compressors as well.

 

[Techie1961]

The pump on the Atlas looks the same as the mid level pump that they put on DevAir compressors. It is a bit different but there are a lot of these high speed 2 stage compressors in slightly different designs. I think that all of them are Asian built but not sure. They run hot though due the faster RPM at the pump. Personally, I don't like them but they are a budget pump. I know that IR is a good brand but DevAir used to be as well. They are all feeling the pressure to provide value. The higher end DevAir pumps are bullet proof and built here (i.e.North America) but are pricey.

It isn't a cheap compressor but rather a mid level. It should be plenty for a garage but YMMV. I don't know anything about the other pump. I personally would be looking at the IR if I could afford the slightly higher price.

 

[b-body-bob]

Definitely consider a Champion R-Series over the Centurion Series as they don't blow out head gaskets. I hear good things about the Saylor-Beall compressors as well.

My champion doesn't even have a head gasket because the jug and head are all one piece. It's got the R15B pump with DISC valves not reeds.

From looking at the TP tools site, it's the Advantage series. If you look at the photos you can see the difference in the head between the Advantage and Centurion (Reed valves) series

 

[65f100]

Exactly, if it doesn't have a head gasket, there is one less failure point.

 

[Techie1961]

Exactly, if it doesn't have a head gasket, there is one less failure point.

I'm trying to figure out if there are any detriments to a one piece head/cylinder. The only thing that I can think of is that it will be really tough to get a good finish on the cylinder walls; you can't do a cross hatch pattern or get an accurate bore. With the integral head, you can't go past the end with the hone. Maybe they have some sort of finishing method that works well but I doubt it. I wouldn't rely on a compressor that only has a machined bore.

If anyone knows how they do it and get it right, I would love to hear about it. I am always interested in new manufacturing processes.

 

[b-body-bob]

Could it be that the piston design accommodates the depth they can hone?

I had mine apart, built in 95, used daily at a lube shop, still had crosshatch on the bore.

I didn't take any photos down into the bores, didn't hone or replace the rings either. Probably should have, it's a little down from factory spec but not enough to worry. I figured the less I did, the less chance there was that I'd screw something up.

 

[Techie1961]

Could it be that the piston design accommodates the depth they can hone?

I had mine apart, built in 95, used daily at a lube shop, still had crosshatch on the bore.

I didn't take any photos down into the bores, didn't hone or replace the rings either. Probably should have, it's a little down from factory spec but not enough to worry. I figured the less I did, the less chance there was that I'd screw something up.

My first real job at 16 was as an automotive machinist apprentice. We had a Sunnen cylinder and Sunnen rod hone. When we were setting up for honing, we were supposed to have the hone go slightly past the ends of the bores before changing direction. You won't be able to do that with a one piece and if you checked, it was likely a bit smaller bore at the very top where the stones don't stay as long. Probably doesn't matter too much on a compressor vs. an engine. Seems like a great design actually