Another air compressor big enough question

[mayday0017]

I know air compressor's have been covered about every way imaginable on this forum so I will not ask "which is the best one I can get". But I have an opportunity to buy this craftsman for $750 brand new and I am very much in the market for a new compressor. I currently do quite a bit of blasting using a pressure pot type blaster and my current is a very loud craftsman oil less 4.9cfm at 90 psi 33 gallon compressor.

If i switch to this one will my compressor be able to keep up with my blasting almost 100% so it won't be running non stop even during my 10 minute breaks?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...p-00916477000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

So i guess what I'm asking is will this be enough for a single user system in a home, but I do a little more demanding work then the average home user.....

 

[mayday0017]

Guess i should post the other I am considering as well, I am finding that used cost as much as new so at least it is easy to look around and then find coupons to use.

This is the other, the CFM is 18.1 at 90 instead of 14.1 at 100psi like the craftsman advertises, not sure what that makes the craftsman at 90 guessing around 16 scfm. But would the extra 20 gallons of storage be worth the trade off? Also the craftsman is 175psi instead of 135psi....

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_211720_211720

 

[mayday0017]

bump

 

[PT Doc]

I believe the motor on the Sears is 3450 rpm. It will be loud. This compressor its the same as Kobalt, Sanborn, and many others. You get bigger numbers but quality overall its less than the better compressors but your price is very attractive. Pass on the IR.

 

[mayday0017]

Dang, I am looking for something that isn't OMG loud.... My current oilless is so loud I can't hear myself think and I'm looking for an oil compressor that I could talk to someone over even if I have to raise my voice some. Suggestions?

 

[fred d]

I am a firm believer in volume 60 gal is better than a 40
80 is better than a 60

That being said the quality of the pump and motor is more important.

Lowes has a IR 60gal for $650(plus another 10% off if you are ex or current military) it is a 3hp compared to the NT 5hp

BUT i would google the model number of the compressor you are intrested in before making a purchase to see what others think(do a search on the modle number her as well)

 

[stonesfan68]

If you buy a reciprocating compressor then you need to get a set of ear muffs at the same time. They are all loud.

 

[mayday0017]

Well, went ahead and bought the air compressor... $840 w/ tax and everything, Figure I am just a home user and a 14.1@90psi 80 gallon oil 2 stage compressor should be a huge step up in ability compaired to my 4.9@90psi craftsman oilless 33gallon....

Also from what I've been reading the sound level of this new compressor should be much better then the oilless I had, and I figure if nothing else at least at the additional CFM and Storage capacity it won't be running non stop like my other did....

I am still open to comments and suggestions though, as I haven't picked it up yet only paid for and waiting till I have time to drive to sears and pick it up. But I think for $850 I got about the best possible deal I could with out getting lucky and finding something on craigslist (which I haven't seen anything but a bunch of compressors selling for as much or more then they do new so far).

 

[pipsters]

I bet it's a decent compressor. I have the smaller 25 gal Craftsman pro and the specs are underrated, IE it performs better than advertised. It smokes all the other comparable 5-6 cfm @ 90 psi compressors. I would except yours to do the same.

I'd suggest a mod to add an aftercooler to it however. Even on my small compressor temps out of the pump are in the mid 200's. Just plumb in a line from the pump output to the aftercooler then to a moisture separator then to the tank.

Use synthetic pump oil and should last you a really long time.

Another one to look at is the Harbor Freight 2 stage 165 psi unit as well for roughly $800 + tax. No idea in the difference though.

 

[JASTECH]

What is a "reciprocating compressor"?

At the farm & ranch stores out this way they carry Quincy air compressors. "I" think they are better then IR compressors of today. Have you tried pricing them? Others can chime in on Quincy's units and how they compare.

 

[mayday0017]

Quincy makes great units, however I can't afford a comparable one...

 

[RECox286]

What is a "reciprocating compressor"?

To reciprocate: travel back and forth. The piston "reciprocates" while

the connecting rod changes that up and down (back and forth) moment into

rotary moment of the crankshaft. (er, just like the infernal gasoline engine

that powers yer car, unless you happen to drive a Mazda, or Cambells'

Blue Bird, which was powered by a jet engine.)

Uncle Bob

 

[sr71]

....unlikely it will keep up with a 100% duty cycle. My three cylinder 2-stage kicks out 25 cfm (@ 90) and will not keep up with my pressure blaster when I'm doing car frames ect. Now..that said, I'm using 1/2" Hose (ID) and fittings for high flow so I am probably not doing myself any favors. If you survived with 4.9 cfm and are now going to 18 cfm you'll be fairly pleased.

 

[Motofixxer]

I would go for the NT IR. Higher cfm and rated for 100% duty cycle. You could also look into Eatons.

 

[mayday0017]

I'm gussing this NT IR you are talking about and the Eatons that will beat this compressor are prob at least double what I am paying for this one.... Is that a correct assumption? If not let me know I haven't went and picked this one up yet only paid for it....

 

[buening]

Since you bought the craftsman, you might be able to lower the noise by getting a solberg air filter/silencer. Look over the air filter assembly on there now to see if they are like ones shown on Solbergs website, as it may already have one. The majority of the noise from a compressor comes from the intake, so silencing that as much as possible can help a bunch. Some even go as far as plumbing the intake to the outside of the garage!

Also, for it to keep up with the sandblasting depends on the sandblasting tip/gun you use. If it is a small setup then you shouldn't have any issues. It'll likely run alot but you shouldn't run out of air with that tank size and cfm. I have an 80 gal 7.5hp 25cfm@100psi compressor and a generic sandblasting cabinet (similar to HF) and my compressor runs about 50% of the time during constant sanblasting.

 

[mayday0017]

Awesome thanks for the input and advise, looks like the compressor already has a filter/silencer on it similar to or the same as a solberg. So shouldn't be to loud, if it is I'm going to pip it up the wall and then under my sofit on the house, won't be very loud and will be getting air from the shade....

 

[Motofixxer]

I'm gussing this NT IR you are talking about and the Eatons that will beat this compressor are prob at least double what I am paying for this one.... Is that a correct assumption? If not let me know I haven't went and picked this one up yet only paid for it....

The NT IR I referred to was the one you linked. Northern Tool IR

The Eaton Polar Air models are all factory direct. You order from the factory and they always know their products and have parts in stock.

I ordered a small 4 gal portable contractor style compressor. It arrived leaking oil from the end cover of the pump portion. I called them up and they said it likely got damaged in shipping and with shipping costs and the unknown damage, we are sending you another WHOLE compressor do what you want with the damaged one.

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/page/page/504413.htm Main page lots of compressor info explanations etc

http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/504747/172983.htm 15 colors to choose
5HP 60 gal 73 db noise level (lower than most air ratchets) $1149 145PSI 1750 Rpm motor Real 14cfm at 100 PSI 650 RPM



Here are more IR to compare too.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/ingersoll-rand-reg-5hp-air-compressor-80-gal--3496129
SKU Number: 3496129 $999

Manufacturers Number: TS4N5
Brand: Ingersoll Rand®
Grade: Consumer
Style: Stationary
Tank Size: 80 gal.
Running HP: 5 HP
Voltage Rating: 230 V
Phase: Single
CFM @ 90 PSI: 15.8
Maximum Pressure: 175 PSI
Width: 40 in.
Total Length: 48 in.
Height: 76 in.
Weight: 600 lb.
Warranty: 1 yr. or 2 yr. w/Use of Ingersoll Rand Synthetic Lubricant
PSI Rating: 175 PSI
Pump Style: Two-Stage
Material: Cast Iron

http://www.tractorsupply.com/ingersoll-rand-reg-3-hp-60-gallon-single-stage-air-compressor-3496111
SKU Number: 3496111 $649

Manufacturers Number: SS3L3
Brand: Ingersoll Rand®
Grade: Commercial
Style: Single Stage
Tank Size: 60 gal.
Running HP: 3 HP
Phase: Single
CFM @ 40 PSI: 13.8
CFM @ 90 PSI: 11.3
Maximum Pressure: 135 PSI
Width: 23 in.
Total Length: 66 in.
Height: 20 in.
Weight: 300 lb.
Warranty: 1 Year

http://www.tractorsupply.com/ingersoll-rand-5-hp-60-gal-single-stage-air-compressor-3301332
SKU Number: 3301332 $899

Manufacturers Number: SS5L5
Brand: Ingersoll Rand®
Type: Single Stage
Tank Capacity: 60 gal.
PSI Rating: 135 PSI
Flow Rate: 18.1 cfm @ 90 psi
Power Rating: 5 HP
Material: Cast Iron Cylinder
Application: Professionals and DIYers
Included: Belt Guard & Drain, Relief & Discharge Valves
Warranty: 1 yr. or 2 yr. w/Use of Ingersoll Rand Synthetic Lubricant