Compressor opinions please.

[wythors]

I am getting ready to purchase a new compressor and have narrowed my choices down to the following:

30 gal, 6 hp

or

33 gal, 2 hp

They both show the same rates of flow, so I assume that the difference is merely the horsepower? A higher horsepower rating would affect how quickly it refills? Is there any advantage to a "2hp Max Developed" motor over a 6 hp motor that I'm not seeing?

Any constructive input would be appreciated.

Dave

 

[kartracer55]

Hp ratings area load of BS. the only thing that matters is the cfm at 90.

Thos are both 110 compressors, so they are probably making about 5.

I highly recomend saving up for a 60 gallon 220 model, for a few reasons.

1 those little ones are VERY loud
2 a bigger unit will provide much more air, which is key in getting the full rating out of an air tool. An impact gun will run off 5 cfm, but it will lack most of its power, and it will soon fall of in power and you will have to play catchup, a big PITA. Buy a compressor that is oiled, slow running, and in the 10-15+ range, and you will find you have more capabilities. your not going to be able to run a grinder or a ratchet on one of those portables. I know!, I used a ratchet with a 110 compressor once, and i litterally had to wait for it to cathcup after EVERY bolt I removed.

On the other hand, if its for a nail gun or staple gun, either one should work well, but if you want to be able to run air tools fairly well on them, then youre gunna need a bigger compressor.

Jim

 

[bmwpower]

They look identical. I think I have the 30 gallon/2 HP running/6 HP max model. If you play your cards right, you can get a complete set of air tools with the compressor, too, like I did. They usually have deals like this. The tools are decent for occasional use.

 

[Double Venom]

If you want to buy one compressor for the next 20 years plus, then rebuild it IF it needs it try "Eaton Compterssors." Guys I don't think they come any better. For just over a grand you get a twin cylinder "true" 5 hp, 80 gallon tank, etc. etc. I use it hard and long "everday' all day and it has never acted or sounded like it's working hard! Has a slow rpm pump, roller bearings on the rods and real valves instead of "reed valves". www.eaton.com
They will ship anywhere too!
Just another 2-cents from...
DV

 

[AdamMopar]

As stated the HP doesn't really come into play other than to confuse people. The CFM is the most important part.

As for the HP, no 110 volt motor will create more that 3 HP. Even that is pushing it.

The max HP ratings are not the running HP ratings.

To see the actual HP of your compressor just look at the motor plate. That gives the running HP.

Good luck. Adam

 

[gb387]

wythors... having just purchased a new compressor for the first time a few months back.

The compressors you are looking at work just fine as others have said look at the CFM rating as that is an accurate way to see what kind of "power" the compressor has. The higher the better. Take a look at some air tools you plan on using and look at the air consumption CFM then look at what CFM the compressor is going to produce, that should give you some what of an idea.

The compressors seem like thy are priced well... NEVER buy any tools at Sears until they are on sale! Seems all the tools go on sale about once a month.

Keep in mind the compressors you are looking at are going to be loud... they are a direct drive oil free pump. Good for most home owners. If you are going to be running some air tools that many cause the pump to run all the time you may want to consider some other options to help minimize the noise as well as extend the life of the pump. Maybe you have but just for fun check out Home Depot and Lowes just to see what else is out there.

Good Luck!

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, I have a similar eaton, as somebody posted. The thing is very quiet as far as compressors go, and it is built like a tank. go to the sears site and check under the section for "your weekler sales flier" or soemthing like that. Its in the top right corner under the tabs for the different deptartments.

I think we could all help you more if we knew A, what you want to use it for, and b what your looking to spend.

Jim

 

[krooser]

Buying an oil-less compressor for a shop is like buying a Yugo instaed of a motorhome..true, you CAN sleep in the Yugo but is it really the same? You will not be happy with an oil less compressor for long....they are noisy...they WON'T keep up with most air tools...you'll be waiting for the air to "catch up" especially with an air die grinder, sander or impact wrench making using those tools pointless. You WILL be able to fill up tires and blow-up dolls (blow-up sheep take a little longer!), however. Buy a PISTON compressor...look at www.castair.net they have lots of info...Save your money for another couple of months and buy once instead of twice.

 

[kartracer55]

Id watch out with those castair models. 1st off, Even thier "industrial" compressors have 3400 rpm motors, Thier pumps on some of thier 'industrial" models spin just about as fast as CH labled under husky, and probably kobalt, and Thier air output isnt as high as one would think for a pump spinning that fast.

www.eatoncompressor.com they have a ton of reading and thier owner or an employee will help you pick out the right model for you. They have a few different style pumps that produce the same CFM@90, so you can really get the best one for you.

Thier stationary single phase compressors start at 750-800 for a 14 cfm compressor, I have been very happy with mine.

WHAT ARE YOU USING IT FOR AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU LOOKING TO SPEND?

Jim

 

[bdaz442]

I have a 5 HP , two - stage three cylinder from Eaton and I love it

 

[krooser]

Id watch out with those castair models. 1st off, Even thier "industrial" compressors have 3400 rpm motors, Thier pumps on some of thier 'industrial" models spin just about as fast as CH labled under husky, and probably kobalt, and Thier air output isnt as high as one would think for a pump spinning that fast.

www.eatoncompressor.com they have a ton of reading and thier owner or an employee will help you pick out the right model for you. They have a few different style pumps that produce the same CFM@90, so you can really get the best one for you.

Thier stationary single phase compressors start at 750-800 for a 14 cfm compressor, I have been very happy with mine.

WHAT ARE YOU USING IT FOR AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU LOOKING TO SPEND?

Jim

Kartracer...You've got to look at the compressor RPM's NOT just the motor speed....Castair's 5 HP unit runs the pump revs at 715 RPM...some of the smaller one's do 915 RPM some other's only 585...I don't own a Castair BUT I've talked compressors with these guys at car shows and they know their stuff AND they build good compressors...plus they will CUSTOM BUILD whatever you want...

 

[kartracer55]

I was lookin at motor speed because higher speed means lower torque

Jim

 

[MXtras]

If you are buying it for looks, then it makes no difference.

BUT - you are likely buying it to use, right? In that case, I would recommend that you save a little longer and get (as everyone else is saying) the bigger, higher output compressor.

After all - when was the last time you ever heard someone say "Man - my compressor is just way too big to do the job"? (unless they have to move it...).

Get a larger compressor - you won't regret it. At home, I run off of a 22 year old 5HP, 30 gallon tank compressor with 9.7CFM at 90 PSI (I think??) - it does pretty good except for glass beading but when it needs a break I typically do, too.

I recently purchased a huge twin pump, industrial, 3 phase unit (used, but in new condition) for my shop, but I have yet to fire it up. Eaton makes a nice compressor. For an industial unit look at Quincy Compressors - they make some good equipment for the price.

Scott

 

[krooser]

Id watch out with those castair models. 1st off, Even thier "industrial" compressors have 3400 rpm motors, Thier pumps on some of thier 'industrial" models spin just about as fast as CH labled under husky, and probably kobalt, and Thier air output isnt as high as one would think for a pump spinning that fast.

www.eatoncompressor.com they have a ton of reading and thier owner or an employee will help you pick out the right model for you. They have a few different style pumps that produce the same CFM@90, so you can really get the best one for you.

Thier stationary single phase compressors start at 750-800 for a 14 cfm compressor, I have been very happy with mine.

WHAT ARE YOU USING IT FOR AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU LOOKING TO SPEND?

Jim

Kartracer....Look at the PUMP rpm's...not the motor RPM's...Castairs run as slow as 585 RPM's...