GOING screwy; pick a screw compressor for me...

[Theloniousmonk]

any of them... no such thing as a whisper quiet compressor. hell, ambient is what, 20db... at what distance are they measuring the level? 5ft...10ft...20ft...? it makes a difference, and the volume of the area around the unit makes a difference too. if you put a 65db unit in a 1000x1000 room, the intensity is much less than in a room that is 30x30... basically the sound waves bounce off walls, increase velocity and then intensity, err something like that (i'm not a sound engineer)...but if you open the garage door, you open up the volume of the room.

I'm sure you will be very happy w/ the Quincy, they are very nice compressors, some argue the absolute best.

the ONLY "quiet" compressors I have ever been around/fixed/sold were the small consumer grade diaphram pumps used for filling tires and running brad nailers... alot of the advice from some other members should be heeded. I would have asked you some of the same questions if I was doing a requirements audit: what are you using it for? what is your maximum scfm consumption (all tools combined and individual)... where are you putting it, will it be enclosed? Not to get too personal, but if you are getting migraines, like I get, unless it is a pressure sensitive headache (like getting one when the weather changes), the spl isn't going to effect you much... they ****, but you'll have compromises until the unit is fully enclosed in a separate space.

 

[930dreamer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHAM...motive_Tools&hash=item27b6b79488#ht_500wt_975

 

[Climber]

Booty,
I feel your pain. I am right now looking for compressor as well. You'v been visiting my thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80996

I know exactly what you need. Good quality, less noise, value investment, 5 hp, 14-17 A CFM compressor.

My strong suggestion:
Quincy QR-25 type compressor, model F325 of F340 Vertical 80 or 120 gal tank.
My dealer gave me price:
F325 w 80g tank - $2,989
Required 5hp, 230/1/60 Magnetic Starter - $135
Shipping to your place - $???

Here is specs:
Motor 5Hp
Pump Rpm = 796
Weight = 770lb (975 w 120g Tank)
dimensions - 68x26x50 (73x26x56 w 120g tank)

Few thinks you can do to lower noise:
1. Put muffler on intake. I think you can drop 10-15dB
2. Put smaller pulley on el. motor. You will lose CFM, but drop noise. FYI do not go below 450RPM. Pump requered 400 rpm minimum. This method especially effective if you using more productive pump, like 340, 350 or 370.
3. Build enclosure for whole compressor or just pump-motor part. Sound proof material is available in your local home improvement store. With right tools and materials 3-4 hours work.

Cheers! keep us posted.

 

[Bootybug]

any of them... no such thing as a whisper quiet compressor. hell, ambient is what, 20db... at what distance are they measuring the level? 5ft...10ft...20ft... they ****, but you'll have compromises until the unit is fully enclosed in a separate space.

Building anything in my garage, a small area with three large bay windows, isn't likely. So just finding as quiet unit as I can would be wise.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHAM...motive_Tools&hash=item27b6b79488#ht_500wt_975

Looks like a mini fridge. Too cool. Not for me, though--I'm going the other way now due to this forum. Piston!

Booty,
I feel your pain. I am right now looking for compressor as well. You'v been visiting my thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80996

I know exactly what you need. Good quality, less noise, value investment, 5 hp, 14-17 A CFM compressor.

My strong suggestion:
Quincy QR-25 type compressor, model F325 of F340 Vertical 80 or 120 gal tank.
My dealer gave me price:
F325 w 80g tank - $2,989
Required 5hp, 230/1/60 Magnetic Starter - $135
Shipping to your place - $???

Here is specs:
Motor 5Hp
Pump Rpm = 796
Weight = 770lb (975 w 120g Tank)
dimensions - 68x26x50 (73x26x56 w 120g tank)

Cheers! keep us posted.

Interesting. How large is it compared to the QT Extreme 5hp? Would it be over-kill for someone who uses it once a week?

 

[Climber]

...

Interesting. How large is it compared to the QT Extreme 5hp? ...

The Qt and QR series are very similar size wise. The HUGE difference is QR pumps are pressure lubricated. It's not only prolong live of pump, it also make it quieter (I'd guess -5dB on low Hz).

...
Would it be over-kill for someone who uses it once a week?

I don't think so. Any think under 10Hp is not overkill. Consider paint gun or sand-blast can draw 15 CFM easy. To my opinion any think under 15 CFM is a joke for "serious hobbyist". Overkill starts from 25cfm for same guy. I am not talking about professionals.

 

[Climber]

Take a look in my add I have Quincy pumps RPMs, CFMs and motor size calculations.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80996&page=2

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have a QR-25 model 325 and it is not overkill for an individual. It is just about right for a "serious hobbyist", will last forever and runs quietly.

One question though, as agonizing as you are making this decision and as many times as you have decided and than changed your mind, you wouldn't happen to have a brother nicknamed Merk would you??

 

[Bootybug]

Thanks for the information. I am awaiting a quote for the QR series.

I have bought two other compressors in the last ten years and don't care to buy another. Both sit in my garage awaiting departure.

I want "one" more.

 

[Bootybug]

I was told the QR came with a simplex starter. Is that standard (magnetic?)?

 

[Flathead Youngin']

others have mentioned the silencer on the intake....don't forget you can plumb some pvc pipe up in to the attic (or outside or anywhere you want)..........that will relocate some of the sounds generated by the intake......

just another option....

i too like the sound of a low rpm big compressor....some are louder than others some just sound precise, some sound like a freight train coming through your home.....

i understand the noise.....mine isn't real loud 7.5hp belair, it's in my detached garage and on a quiet it night about 3am, sometimes, i can hear it kick on.....if it were attached i'd probably hear it every night...

 

[Bootybug]

Well, the price is close. $3,400 to $3,500. Then for an extra $500, on the QT side, I can get 7hp. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Climber]

Voice from sky:
" QQqqq RRrrrr ....."

 

[Bootybug]

hmmm. Time to present it to the boss (wife).

 

[bmwpower]

hmmm. Time to present it to the boss (wife).

Now you have to run it by her? I see no compressor in your future. lol

 

[Buck_nekid]

At a plant I worked at we had 250hp sullair screw compressor. Would I like to have it umm sure. But 3ph capable of 250hp I don't have. In cases when dealing with that much air there is no tank, the piping system is the tank. We had a forklift driver take dow a 2" line once if it wasn't for the noise no one would of known. Air was still available to everything that need it.
I think a 5hp 2 stage IR is enough for home use.

 

[Bootybug]

Now you have to run it by her? I see no compressor in your future. lol

That is so funny, I am going to share it with the wife.

Well,..maybe not. Maybe I'll just man-up and make the decision on my own. I'll tell her her opinion and that will be that. She knows who the man of the house is and who makes the decisions around here.

Ok. She says I can get a compressor. What is a pancake compressor?

 

[Theloniousmonk]

small, low cfm compressor that looks like a pancake.

used for nailers and whatnot - great if you do const. work... most have a fairly quiet diaphram style pump.

 

[Bootybug]

Just kidding.

Quick question:

on the QT Series; I noticed the pumps on the 5hp and 7.5hp were rated differently. The 5 was rated at 942 RPM and the 7 at 1026 RPM. I would have assumed the additional CFM was from the bore and stroke, not the faster RPM's? Am I missing something?

 

[Bootybug]

Compressor review/ranking:

http://www.woodworkinginstructor.co...ect-announces-best-two-stage-air-compressors/

 

[bmwpower]

Just kidding.

Quick question:

on the QT Series; I noticed the pumps on the 5hp and 7.5hp were rated differently. The 5 was rated at 942 RPM and the 7 at 1026 RPM. I would have assumed the additional CFM was from the bore and stroke, not the faster RPM's? Am I missing something?

It's the same pump with a bigger motor/more RPMs at the pump. That's how they make more air.

Compressor review/ranking:

http://www.woodworkinginstructor.co...ect-announces-best-two-stage-air-compressors/

Lol...They won't recommend a QR series cause they don't sell them. QR is usually only sold via industrial suppliers.

 

[Bootybug]

Strange how they rate the same in sound at 65dbs, eventhough the 7.5 runs faster.

As far as the QR, I agree--industrial use. It is not an option for me anymore given its location in the garage. I was hoping to put it outside by my AC units but the area isn't large enough.

Not to mention I have two small children and I don't want them touching anything they shouldn't so that QR is more of a hazard for sure.

 

[Bootybug]

Is there ANY reason I shouldn't get the 7.5 HP?

 

[bmwpower]

Is there ANY reason I shouldn't get the 7.5 HP?

Added power consumption. Can you provide the juice it needs?

 

[Thedroid]

Like was mentioned before, what are your needs? You mentioned painting, but didn't mention your guns requirements. You also mentioned occasional power tools, but didnt provide any specs.

I guess the real question is why do you need the extra cfm, because that's the important number, not hp. Figure out Your maximum cfm requirements and go from there.

 

[Bootybug]

Added power consumption. Can you provide the juice it needs?

Like was mentioned before, what are your needs? You mentioned painting, but didn't mention your guns requirements. You also mentioned occasional power tools, but didnt provide any specs.

I guess the real question is why do you need the extra cfm, because that's the important number, not hp. Figure out Your maximum cfm requirements and go from there.

The five horsepower can meet my needs, blowing, painting, impact wrenches and polishers for aluminum and paint, as well as rotary cut-off tools. Then anything I can't think of now I may need later.

You see, $500 more gets me from the 5 hp to the 7.5hp. In the grand scheme of things, it's just not that much.

So the question is: Is it worth the extra $500?

 

[dwm]

If you don't need the CFM, my answer would be 'no' when comparing a model that uses the same pump just at higher RPM. If you need the CFM, 'yes'.

As for noise... most air ratchets are much louder than an oil-lubricated compressor. If you're coming from an oil-less compressor, you're going to notice a huge reduction in compressor noise. Remember, the decibel scale is logarithmic... 3dB is a doubling in perceived sound level. There is a HUGE difference between 65dB and 75dB! And yes, I'd bet that 75dB is wildly optimistic for a typical 30 gallon or larger oil-free at 1 meter.

Before last month, the only compressor I had at the current location was an oil-less. Left the old oil-lubricated at the previous house (sold to new owners). When I forgot to turn off the oil-less at my current residence, it would wake me up at night if it recharged. I now have an IR SS3L3 located even closer to the living space, and I can't even hear it from the living space. The noise difference between oil-less and oil-lubricated is night and day.

 

[Bootybug]

If you don't need the CFM, my answer would be 'no' when comparing a model that uses the same pump just at higher RPM. If you need the CFM, 'yes'.

As for noise... most air ratchets are much louder than an oil-lubricated compressor. If you're coming from an oil-less compressor, you're going to notice a huge reduction in compressor noise. Remember, the decibel scale is logarithmic... 3dB is a doubling in perceived sound level. There is a HUGE difference between 65dB and 75dB! And yes, I'd bet that 75dB is wildly optimistic for a typical 30 gallon or larger oil-free at 1 meter.

Before last month, the only compressor I had at the current location was an oil-less. Left the old oil-lubricated at the previous house (sold to new owners). When I forgot to turn off the oil-less at my current residence, it would wake me up at night if it recharged. I now have an IR SS3L3 located even closer to the living space, and I can't even hear it from the living space. The noise difference between oil-less and oil-lubricated is night and day.

Great information, and thank you for your commets. I am surprised you would pass on a 7.5hp unit for an additional $500. Is it because of the higher RPM's? I assume so as it apears they are just squeezing more CFM out of it by speeding it up and wearing it out faster--more heat, more noise. Correct me if I'm wrong, please.

 

[Bootybug]

I ordered the 5 hp QT Extreme Series today. Yeah, I could have ordered the QR-25, but with two kids playing in and around the garage, I felt it wiser to go with something covered and quiet. I haven't seen any reviews from end customers, and believe it may because for the price you could purchase so much more compressor.

So, I will post a very honest and straight forward review when I receive it.

Thanks for your help folks.

 

[McRae]

A little late in the game, but for any other with similar preferences, try these: http://www.silentaire.com/silentaire/sil_air.asp

I think that they're basicly a row of pancakes on big cylinder. Really quiet, quite common to build them into racetrailers in Europe and they don't disturb driver/engineer conferences inside the trailer.

 

[Bootybug]

Yeah, I've seen them; not enough power and way expensive. But very quiet.

 

[bmwpower]

Cool. Good luck. I expect a full pictorial.

 

[dwm]

Sorry I missed your last question to me. Yes, I'd pass on a 7.5 HP vs. 5 HP if they're using the same pump and you don't need the CFM. You wanted quiet. Yes, the same pump at higher RPM is generally going to be louder (and run hotter when it's running). You can often bump to the higher HP later by just swapping in the 7.5HP motor and some other small parts anyway, if you need it.

If you're coming from an oil-free, I think you're going to be delighted with the 5HP QT Extreme. It will cycle a lot less on the same tasks, and be much quieter when it runs. Get it reasonably isolated from the slab and I think you'll be a happy camper for a long time to come. Your air tools are now going to be a source of annoying noise. Of course we can point you in the right direction for that too, LOL! But in the end, even the quietest air ratchets and impacts are loud; nature of the beast.

A good friend is an audiologist and has convinced me to use ear plugs. At home I use the disposable kind, with a dispenser on the wall. Cheap, effective, and when a fresh pair is always available, it's hard for me to make an excuse to not use them. Most of us don't think about hearing damage until it's too late.

 

[Climber]

It is hard to choose between best compressors. Bootybug, no meter what you choose, if it's Quincy - it's good.
I got Q for you: what is problem (safety point of view) kids and QR series? I am sorry, but I am missing the point.
Any way, when is it coming? Do you have slab to put on it? Are you planing to put some kind of shelter from elements? I'd hate to see $4k sitting outside, fading and rusting. May I suggest:

 

[Bootybug]

My kids are young, and anything hot with moving parts "in the garage" is a hazard. I can't pour a slab for a compressor in my neighborhood due to the Homeasshole association. They'd shoot it down, guaranteed. So it must go in the garage. The enclosure is wise as it keeps little fingers and hands away from things they shouldn't touch.

Otherwise I would have done just that.

 

[Climber]

I see ...
keep us posted.

 

[Bootybug]

I received the unit yesterday, an absolutely terrible day for me to be getting a compressor given I'm so sick. They had it on an over-sized pallet at the very front of the truck. I was the last drop, apparently. To boot, as I looked inside the truck at the delivery man trying to manipulate the "too short" pallet jack under the compressor, in big print on the top of the crate is states "LIFT OTHER SIDE". Well, that wasn't possible because the forklift driver drove the thing directly against the wall of the truck, with the sign in his face, I'm sure.

The delivery guy beat it up for almost an hour before getting it to the lift of the truck. I had to ask that he cover the unit with a blanket as he was pushing the flimsey side boards into the unit everytime he moved it, hitting the cabinet.

Then it wouldn't fit on the lift. So he had to hang it off the side of the lift while he lowered it. It finally fell some eight or so inches to the floor of the lift on the truck side. Man, I swear they send these guys out by themselves to move stuff this big with a pallet jack that couldn't lift my bicycle on a good day.

I had to help him put it up the drive way, which was pre-negotiated as being included so I wouldn't have to do it, but here I was with Pneumonia helping him push it.

I will say the unit is finished out really nice, smaller than I expected which is a good thing, and made with incredibly solid parts. I'm impressed as hell.

Will get it hooked-up next week when I'm feeling better and report back with pics....

 

[bmwpower]

Cool. Anxious to see picts. Does this model come with an auto drain?

 

[Climber]

Yeee!

 

[Bootybug]

I finally got the compressor hooked-up and I can't believe how quiet the unit is while operating. I am simply stunned. If they set this up at a show people would be buying it like crazy. It is very impressive. I can see where the quiet comes from, tons of insulation.

Is it worth the extra money? I don't think so. However, if you value your peace, it is worth it.

I am very impressed. Pics to come shortly...

 

[Bootybug]

Cool. Anxious to see picts. Does this model come with an auto drain?

I'll let you know tomorrow when I have a chance to really look it over.