Help me decide on a new air compressor

[737mechanic]

In another thread I talked about my 29 year old craftsman compressor quiting on me. Well I have decideed to get a new compressor.

I would like opinions on what the best bang for the buck is. I have looked at craftsman, husky, ingersoll rand, champion and many others and am more confused than ever on what the best deal is.

This would just be for my garage so I can run a couple different air tools.

What is the main benefit of a two stage over a single stage. I see the pressure is higher but I wouldn't need anything over about 125 to 130psi so would a two stage be something to still consider.

I would like a quite one with good output if that is possible.

I was thinking of spending $1000.00 or under.

Any opinions would be great.

 

[ford33]

It is difficult to make a recommendation based on the limited information you provide. There are many choices in compressors in the <$1,000 price range.

What do you use compressed air for in your shop? Do you use low volume air tools like impacts and ratchets or do you have a blasting cabinet and air grinders? Are you using one tool at a time? Do you "sweep" the shop floor with a blow gun?

More information would be helpful. Also, what area of the country do you live so recommendation could include stores in your area?

 

[737mechanic]

I want to most bang for the buck. What I mean is the most capable compressor that is good quality. I will sacrifice output volume for better quality but I want something that will last another 29 years.

I am looking at 60 and 80 gal compressors with output from 10scfm to 18scfm at 90psi. The compressor that quit after 30 years was rated at 11.3 at 100psi and even though that was enough to do everything I ever needed I would like to upgrade from that number.

I mainly have two questions.

#1 Most air tools are rated at less than 120psi so the tank pressure will be regulated down to around that pressure so what is the main benefit of a two stage 175psi compressor over a 145psi single stage.

#2 What brands are considered better than others.

 

[GlenC]

Well, you have a number of things to consider. For the same input power; two stage = higher pressure,lower volume; single stage = lower pressure, higher volume.
The tank pressure, tank volume and pressure switch determine the air reserve to be used before the compressor starts. Depending on the air tool usage (_cfm @ 90psi) a two stage may not be able to keep up with extended continuous use. I have a 5HP industrial two stage that, at times cannot keep up with my larger air sander/grinders... For the most part, never a real problem.

You can determine you usage habits and figure how much use is needed. Two stage might run less frequently (larger reserve) but may not be able to keep up... Single stage may run more often, but supply all the volume/pressure needed.

I would like to have a 7.5HP single stage for the high volume @90psi

 

[cheechi]

higher or lower tank pressure affects the mass of air that's available for you to use. So the combination of the tank size & pressure is what determines how much air can be stored. You are confusing regulating the line pressure with the tank pressure. I'd recommend you keep the tank pressure how it's designed.

Could you list your air tools and how frequently each are used?
Is your current compressor running 120v or 240v? single phase?

 

[Carla]

Your most cost-effective investment is a good used unit in the Quincy, Saylor-Beall, or Curtis makes.

it may take some looking to find one in really good condition, and you may need to replace a three-phase motor with a single-phase unit, but those makes of compressors are the 'good ones'. The cheaper makes are 'gambling devices'.....you may 'get lucky', or you may not.

cheers

Carla

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I think my next compressor will be an excellant condition used one in the $1200 range... I will never go cheap on a compressor again...

 

[737mechanic]

Most of what I do with my compressor is air nailers and sanders with some 1/2 impact use when working on cars.

I just went to northern tool and looked at the Ingersoll they had there and it has a china made pump. I went to lowes and they had a Quincy that says made in America on the tank but I could not see where the compressor was made. It was cheaper than the Ingersoll but had a lower scfm rating also.

 

[GlenC]

Nailers don't take much, impact needs some pressure reserve, but nothing like a bug sander, plasma cutter, etc.

 

[26 Flatrod]

I need some help as well, I do not want to hijack this thread, but I thought the discussion could cover both applications.

I am replacing a single stage speedaire unit that put out 9.5 SCFM at 100 psi (max 125psi). I use it for working on cars, but it never kept up to air grinders or cut-off wheels and it did not provide enough pressure for a good impact wrench. I also use air chisels and HVLP paint guns, but they do not take as much volume as the other tools.

What kind of pressure and volume numbers should I be looking at? Sounds like I need high volume and high pressure. what is the recommendation for something like this? If I had to give something up, It would be the higher pressure.

 

[cheechi]

Are you limited to 120v or single phase 240v? What's your budget?

What do your grinders say they use in scfm? Could you use them intermittently or does the compressor have to be able to keep up? Going up from 10 scfm you're looking at several 60+ gal 240v units, maybe that's what you have already?

 

[GlenC]

I think industrial compressors run single stage at 145psi and two stage at 175psi. You might see as much as 20% volume difference at 90psi between single and two stage for the same HP.
I figure I would be good with a single stage that is 25cfm or greater @90psi. I have some 1.1HP Dotco sanders that like lots of air! The Sioux, 18cfm free, 35cfm full load...
Higher pressure gives a longer reserve before compressor kicks in (really powerful blow gun too!)

 

[skruft]

I would say, there are many choices. Several years ago I "upgraded" my old Craftsman with an IR 80gal 2-stage that was under $1000. It was overkill but on sale.

 

[26 Flatrod]

Are you limited to 120v or single phase 240v? What's your budget?

What do your grinders say they use in scfm? Could you use them intermittently or does the compressor have to be able to keep up? Going up from 10 scfm you're looking at several 60+ gal 240v units, maybe that's what you have already?

I do not know if the air tools say the SCFM on them, but I can look. I would prefer not to use them intermitantly, that is what I have to do now. When I am using a grinder or a cutoff wheel, I want to keep working, not put the tool down and figure out something else to do.

The air compressor I have now is a 220v, 60 gallon vertical tank Speedaire unit I bought from Graingers. still works good, just does not keep up very well.

 

[cheechi]

well this one is 150% the scfm. Can't really tell you if it's 'enough' but it is more. Also that one is made in USA.

If you can't see the scfm on the tool itself just look up a few similar ones and see what those say.

 

[Jake79]

This is the little compressor I think I will get if mine ever craps out. I don't use much more than a random impact or ratchet at home though

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Puma-TE-5040V-Air-Compressor/p13941.html

 

[GlenC]

With my larger air tools, I would think of going the dual compressor route. Two of these would yield 24cfm @90psi
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Puma-PK6060V-Air-Compressor/p591.html

And I would have 120gal and the option to use only one compressor when the demand isn't there...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Two stage is basically out if you stick to a $1000 budget unless you find a good used one.

Basically with two stage, the higher pressure means more standard cubic feet of air (in other words, atmospheric pressure cubic feet of air) can be packed into the tank. Its just like the nitrogen bottles you service a tire with on an airplane. The bottle isn't very large, but can fill several tires with it, as the nitrogen is packed into the bottle with the molecules very close together, and when released, they spread apart to "normal" spacing. If you forsee a blast cabinet in your future, get the largest two stage the budget will allow.

Charles

 

[737mechanic]

Thanks Charles that was the only thing I figured was the benefit of a 2 stage compressor. I guess realistically I do not need a 2 stage for what I do.

I have it narrowed down to 3 compressors give me you guys opinion.

#1 This Puma that is 3hp, 60 gal at 12cfm@90psi price is $450.00 after 50 dollar off coupon. <---Very tempting because of price.

#2 This Quincy 3hp, 60 gal at 12.8cfm@90psi price is $720.00 after 10% off coupon. <---Very tempting because its a Quincy

 

[737mechanic]

#3 This Harbor freight 2 stage 5hp, 60 gal 15.8cfm@90psi price is $799.00 <-- Very tempting because of 2 stage and price.

 

[JTslim]

"What do you use compressed air for in your shop? Do you use low volume air tools like impacts and ratchets or do you have a blasting cabinet and air grinders? Are you using one tool at a time? Do you "sweep" the shop floor with a blow gun?"

Ford33
What do you consider a good "blow gun" for sweeping out the garage, I wanna see this!

 

[737mechanic]

I want the most bank for the buck out of those three which includes longevity and reliability.

ANY of them will do what I need I just want to hear other people opinions and maybe pros and cons.

The one that died was rated at 11.3cfm at 100psi so all of the 3 listed is a upgrade.

People always talk about sandblast cabinets but they never ask what size. There are very small and very huge cabinets that take very different amounts of volume so unless the cfm of the cabinet is given the question is irrelevant. Obviously all the usual type of air tools are used such as impacts, die grinders, air ratchets, air hammers, and air blowers all of which worked fine with my 11.3cfm@100 psi compressor. I would never expect a garage compressor to keep up with any tool because if that was the case there would be zero reason to have a storage tank attached to it.

 

[cheechi]

The HF one you need 30A circuit, the others you can use a 20A.

The Puma has a 50% duty cycle, at least on the website. On the sticker in person it just says let the motor cool for 90 seconds before running again. The other two don't claim a duty cycle. The HF one at least has plenty of reviews. The other things to consider is none of them have a warranty longer than 3 years

One other thing about the Puma, you see there isn't much difference between their rating at 40psi and 90psi, I'll let wiser people say for sure but it either means that pump is very strong or it's running on max. But that means that, on paper, it won't keep up with any tool. as you say. Or at least it might not. It is a bigger different than the CH clones, the HF being 2 stage isn't really in the same league though.

I'm not trying to talk down your choices, but I have been looking at these in comparison to the Kobalt/Husky 60 gal CH rebrands that both claim continuous duty cycle. That's from the label on the motor. They both claim the same cfm @40, lowe's doesn't list it at 90. Of the 3 puma, husky, kobalt in the same price range, the Husky is the one that's UL listed if that matters.

The 3 I have kind of narrowed it down to are the Husky, Puma, and HF. Basically read every thread that's come up in the past 3 years to help me decide. Hope it helps you too.

 

[synchro7]

I went with a used IR 7.5HP, 2 cyl,2-stage, 80 gallon. Removed the 7.5 HP 3-phase motor and installed a 5HP single phase with a smaller sheave turning the pump at 600 RPM. Pumps from zero to 165 in 7 minutes, and keeps up with my bead blaster. I have about $1,000. in it.