Help me pick the right compressor

[bastage]

So as I am new here be gentle please...

Basically I am lining my garage with shelves & leaving cutouts for the larger items (deep freeze & compressor).

My garage is a fairly small 2 car garage & in the 7 years since I built the house I had so much **** in there I had a hard time parking my motorcycle inside, much less my car. So all of the projects I have thought I would tackle never even got started. Now that I can park the car & the bike in there and actually still work around the remaining pile (funny what getting divorced will do for the amount of **** laying around) its time to finish putting stuff together.

Well my current compressor drives me freeking insane with the noise. Its a 5hp 20 Gallon Oiless DeVilbiss that I got for the fantastic price of free so its getting replaced in this process.

I know that the most important thing when choosing a compressor is what tools I will be using and well... I dont really have an answer to that... I have in the past done lots of woodworking including some furniture. Also I don't buy new vehicles and dont demand a lot of flash so its completely reasonable to expect that some day I may actually want to sand & do a half ***'d job of painting a car, truck or small boat.

The problem I am having is deciding on what compressor to go with. Budget is a concern, but more importantly not buying another anytime in the foreseeable future.

Locally I have been scouring craigslist & the facebook classifieds & cant find anything that appears to be good quality for a good price within my budget so thats leaving me buying new.

As its a small garage I would prefer a more compact compressor. But the only thing that I can find that really fits that bill is the Puma 5 hp 40 gallon (TE-5040V) & the Snapon (BRA5140H) with the same specs. I have a neighbor who has the snapon & it was about 1700 from the tool truck so its out based on price alone (and I seriously doubt its spec'd 14 SCFM @ 175 PSI). I cant find much for reviews on the Puma or the 80 gallon version that is the same other then height (TE-5080V) so I am really not sure I want to drop the 1000 dollars it cost's into it.

If I give up on the "short compressed" part of what I am looking for it opens a couple of doors, but none seem like all that good of options. There is a whole bunch of single stage 60 gallon compressors anywhere from 430-700 (either local or ordered) that all seem to be about the same & even the name prand ones have mixed reviews (IR & Quincy both which are at the high end of that range), the HF 60 gallon 2 stage for 780. I can also find a couple of other IR compressors between 900 & 1000 locally, but the reviews on them are significantly lower then that of the HF unit. As such I am trying to decide between these 3.

$430 - Porter-Cable Single Stage 3.7hp 60 gallon

$790 - Central Pnumatic 2 stage 5hp 60 gallon

$999 - Puma 2 stage 5hp 40 gallon

I am setting myself at a HARD budget of 1000 dollars for the compressor itself. I would of course prefer less, but I am not one to cheap out when its going to last.

So is spending the extra on the Puma really worth it. It would gain me more space that I am looking for the 40 gallon @ 175 PSI I think would be plenty of air for me since I am typically solo & if not then its with my 10 year old daughters help and would probably still only be one tool at a time. So if anyone knows of any other "stubby" 2 stage compressors please do tell.

 

[Zogman]

I recently purchased an American General which I think is the CP 2 stage unit that you listed. I like it a lot. I put a good size intake muffler on it and it helped a bunch. I did put mine in an enclosed room though.

 

[rburke65]

No specific name brands but for $1K, I'd be looking on Craig'slist. You'll never be sorry for a 2 stage, 5 hp., 60 gallon tank. They are out there.

 

[bastage]

No specific name brands but for $1K, I'd be looking on Craig'slist. You'll never be sorry for a 2 stage, 5 hp., 60 gallon tank. They are out there.

My friend I have been... Couple times a day at the very least.. The only thing that is even tempting thats popped up is a frankenstein with a CH tank, Harbor Freight 5hp pump & a craftsman 5hp motor for 300 bucks.. Thats not enough savings to have something pieced together when new with warranty & probably performing as well if not better is 430.

 

[ckpitt55]

For what it's worth, I bought the HF 60 gallon 2 stg 5hp compressor about a year ago and it has run absolutely awesome. At times I run it pretty hard using a crud thug to blast undercoating off of wheel wells and the underside of my car (20-30 minutes continuous). I've also painted with it along with a little sandblasting and all of the other typical air tools (die grinders, da sander, etc.). It's been rock solid, I have nothing bad to say about it.

For the money I don't think you can go wrong, there's not a chinese part on the thing (at least the important parts)...ASME welded american tank, American motor, italian pump, german pressure switch.

 

[StevenMorgan]

If you're willing to scour craigslist until the day you find a deal, I can say that $500 should easily get you a decent 60 or 80 gal compressor.

You definitely want a two stage, and a no kidding 5hp 230v motor. Any of the older cast iron pumps are going to be rebuildable and capable of supplying you all the air you'll need for your lifetime. Look for Saylor-Beall, Champion, Ingersoll Rand T30, Devilbiss, Quincy, etc.

 

[Falcon67]

I've had a Campbell 60, the same unit as the Porter-Cable in your first link. Paid $399 for it. It's done everything I asked over the last 8 years or so. Including panel painting. It's tucked into a little closet in the shop. It "replaced" a 25 gallon Porter-Cable portable iron compressor unit that I haven't had the heart to get rid of because it's a good unit.

 

[dtbingle]

Another vote here for the 5hp 60-gal harbor freight compressor, however it is pretty loud. As an FYI, I replaced the stock air intake filter with 2x solberg "silencer" filters and it didn't reduce the level at all.

My opinion is get the biggest tank/highest cfm output within your budget and address the noise level with a closet. Even expensive compressors that are "quiet" may still be more than what you want to hear if it's running a lot.

Sound levels of two harbor freight compressors in link below. For reference, the product manual for the 60-gal unit lists 88 dB @ 3 ft.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5917026&postcount=1

 

[BillK]

Welcome to the forum ! I think you would get a lot more realistic suggestions if you told us exactly what type of tools you are planning on using with the compressor. A DA Sander is going to need a lot more air than an impact wrench.

I personally have a 3 HP 30 gal Craftsman single stage that I bought new in 1973. It has done everything I have ever needed over the years including painting my Wife's 70 VW bug many years ago.

I think that noise would be very important in a small garage like yours. Mine is pretty quiet but some of the new ones are crazy noisy. Someone mentioned 88 decibels in one of the replies, that would require hearing protection for sure. I can stand three feet from mine and carry on a conversation easily.

There is my thoughts,

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have a twin cylinder oil-less and it is ear piercing loud. I do not use it and my daughter is taking it to her cabin in the country.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have an Ingersoll Rand T30 on an 80 gallon tank. The slower speed of the two stage pump is easier on the ears. I like this compressor. I bought the tank and motor on Craigslist and the pump at an auction. I am out of pocket, if I recall, about $300. Some assembly was required.
These deals show up every so often. I like to gather the pieces as they become available. Patience.

Like the cows say, this thing really MOOOOVES air

 

[bastage]

So I know that an 80 is better then a 60 & a 60 is better then a 40, but I do not want an 80 or even a 60 if I can avoid it. Having an extra shelf every day is preferential to not listening to a pump cycle as often when I am using it. There is absolutely no way I can put the compressor in a closer either. My thoughts for noise were to have it in its own little shelf box area with about 6" of clearance on the sides, back & above. It will be sitting on a 3/4" horse stall mat to absorb vibration & then will have all the solid surfaces in its little cubby covered in acoustic foam. I have used this foam in the past to cut down on sound on several projects in the past & while its definitely not 100% it'll do a bunch to cut the sound.

 

[BillK]

You still haven't said what type of tools you plan on using with it ?

 

[bastage]

You still haven't said what type of tools you plan on using with it ?

Thats because I dont really have an answer to that... I am primarely looking at stuff that I believe will cover "most" of what can be done at home (given no room for a sandblasting box). And I know that I cant run a DA sander off of 14 SCFM compressor, but thats going to be the case be it 40 or 80 gallon.

I really dont know what else to say. The plan is to be covered for just about anything I "could" want to do with it at home.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Here is an idea that might work.
Buy a small compressor for your daily needs and when you need some big air you can rent a HONDA powered compressor for that air intense job. Renting is cheap.

 

[bastage]

Renting isnt too bad cost wise, but not at all convenient

 

[rsanter]

If the compressor you currently have is getting the job done for you but it's the noise that is the issue. I would look at moving it outside and into an enclosure. That will cut the noise you hear, protect it from the weather and reduce sound to the neighbors.

If you cannot do that you can build an enclosure for it indoors. There are lots of plans on the net for enclosures that have sound baffles but will still let it get airflow.
A lot of the noise comes from the intake so putting a different intake with a larger filter is a good thing, but I know some of the lower end compressors don't give that option

Bob

 

[bastage]

If the compressor you currently have is getting the job done for you but it's the noise that is the issue. I would look at moving it outside and into an enclosure. That will cut the noise you hear, protect it from the weather and reduce sound to the neighbors.

If you cannot do that you can build an enclosure for it indoors. There are lots of plans on the net for enclosures that have sound baffles but will still let it get airflow.
A lot of the noise comes from the intake so putting a different intake with a larger filter is a good thing, but I know some of the lower end compressors don't give that option

Bob

No room indoors & there is no place outdoors that I could build anything within building code without piping the air the full length of my house.

I am in a subdivision on a 1/8th acre and there is literally exactly 5 feet either side of my house before you get to my neighbors property.

 

[bastage]

Question.. For those of you more knowledgeable then I (as in everyone)...

If I bought a small compressor (horizontal 6 or 8 gallon) can I easily replace the pump & motor on it with 5hp variants & then put a larger tank or 2 in the attic above my garage. Would there be any disadvantage to this assuming I routed a manual or automatic valve to purge the water from the tank down into the garage. Trying to think of how I can maximize my space & the area above is in scissor truss's so while it would be a PITA to get a tank up there it wouldnt ever have to move again & it would be out of the way.

 

[Z2V]

Wow, your houses are 10 ft apart. I hope you get along well with your neighbors.

 

[bastage]

Wow, your houses are 10 ft apart. I hope you get along well with your neighbors.

Lol.. Yeah. Well my house has the largest footprint allowed. Most of the rest have a bit more room.

 

[Smokey bear]

You're worried about the cost of a new compressor... why not build a box for the compressor you have and house it outside and put some sound deadening on the inside.

I replaced the motor on my compressor last year and cracked the pulley in the process, the new pulley that arrived was smaller so the speed of the pump/compressor was reduced. This really reduced the noise so maybe fitting sfor merging to vary the speed on your own would be good. If demand is increased for a job then you can up the speed and deal with the noise on that odd occasion.

 

[bastage]

Uhhhh... I guess I need to go add cliff notes to the OP since it looks like the thread isn't actually being read.

 

[chops101]

It sounds like noise and space is an issue.
I recommend 2 stage as others have said. You can talk beside them as they run.
A commercial type comp will last you a lifetime in residential use, and yes it took me many months to find my deal. A new IR 5hp-60 gal vert- 2 stage for around $500. The guy had bought it prematurely for a business that he never opened.

Initially I had it in a very cramped 22 x 24 garage and it worked out great in every way. I also do some sandblasting with it.

Your question about installing in an attic - not a good idea. These 2 stage units aren't loud and the footprint is workable.

 

[bastage]

It sounds like noise and space is an issue.
I recommend 2 stage as others have said. You can talk beside them as they run.
A commercial type comp will last you a lifetime in residential use, and yes it took me many months to find my deal. A new IR 5hp-60 gal vert- 2 stage for around $500. The guy had bought it prematurely for a business that he never opened.

Initially I had it in a very cramped 22 x 24 garage and it worked out great in every way. I also do some sandblasting with it.

Your question about installing in an attic - not a good idea. These 2 stage units aren't loud and the footprint is workable.

Not talking about installing the whole thing in the attic. Just a large aux tank. And a small but way overpowered compressor (basically the pump, motor and whatever the smallest tank with the right size mounting plate is) down ink the garage.

Basically what would be above is only a tank that I can plumb a drain down into the garage for.

 

[sierradmax]

What do you have for power?

 

[bastage]

What do you have for power?

Standard residential. Going to run the 240v to wherever I need.

 

[StevenMorgan]

You could get a good pump and motor that puts out the required CFM and mount it on a shelf overhead on a plate without the tank... up high and out of the way.

Then get whatever size tank fits your space and hook it up as a remote hopper when needed or put a tabletop on top of a big horizontal tank or whatever suits your space. 90% of the time you really don't need the massive tank except when you are running the big air tools. Filling tires could be done straight off the pump.

 

[bastage]

You could get a good pump and motor that puts out the required CFM and mount it on a shelf overhead on a plate without the tank... up high and out of the way.

Then get whatever size tank fits your space and hook it up as a remote hopper when needed or put a tabletop on top of a big horizontal tank or whatever suits your space. 90% of the time you really don't need the massive tank except when you are running the big air tools. Filling tires could be done straight off the pump.

Thank you. That gives me more flexibility

 

[Smokey bear]

Uhhhh... I guess I need to go add cliff notes to the OP since it looks like the thread isn't actually being read.

I read your first post not the rest of the thread, was just trybig to be helpful. Snide comments not welcome, thanks.

 

[bastage]

I read your first post not the rest of the thread, was just trybig to be helpful. Snide comments not welcome, thanks.

I didn't single you out because there were multiple comments that my response applied to. Not you specifically. No offense was intended.

 

[86turbodsl]

Keep looking. I helped a friend get a 5HP IR 80 gal vertical for about 500 at an auction house locally. There's tons of these things around. Don't settle for anything less than 5hp 2-stage IMHO.

 

[bastage]

Keep looking. I helped a friend get a 5HP IR 80 gal vertical for about 500 at an auction house locally. There's tons of these things around. Don't settle for anything less than 5hp 2-stage IMHO.

Yeah but even that isn't what I want. Looking for a physically small compressor with lots of output. And they're are so few of them I can't exactly count on ever finding one used. It seems as though my choices are going to come down to spending a grand on the puma 40 gallon and get the size I want, or go with a taller unit which would probably come down to either the HF 60 gallon for 200 less, or maybe go to the 1100 range for the belair 216 from ped

 

[86turbodsl]

If space is a problem, it is possible to stick the tank remote from the compressor. I am going to be doing that on mine. High volume and small generally don't go hand in hand. If you MUST have that, youll probably have to roll your own, especially on a budget.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[jackson1701]

I love my IR from TSC. on sale for $999,2 stage 80 gallon, very quiet and pumps out air all day long.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ingersoll-rand-5hp-air-compressor-80-gal?cm_vc=-10005

 

[bastage]

I love my IR from TSC. on sale for $999,2 stage 80 gallon, very quiet and pumps out air all day long.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ingersoll-rand-5hp-air-compressor-80-gal?cm_vc=-10005

That thing is a beast. Trying to stay compact and that thing is bigger in all ways and twice the weight of what I can get a similarly spec'd belair 60 gallon for. If I had no space issues and a forklift to move it I would jump on that.

 

[bastage]

Ok I have pretty much narrowed it down. I am either going to go with the Puma 40 gallon or the Belaire 216v 60 gallon. Which dimensionaly is the same, but 14" taller. So its still a good bit shorter then the standard 60g. The extra capacity isnt really coming into play for me, but the extra year of warranty for 60 bucks more..

I know that there isnt a lot of people using the Puma's, but how about the Belaire.. Anyone have any opinions on this model.

1060 - Belaire 216v

 

[bobabuee]

go with at very least 5hp 2 stage 60gal anything smaller is junk won't last .
a compressor when bought at first you might not think get used much but fact as you see as you grow you might grow out of it fast better to go more than what you need originally.only to be disappointed in long run and sell a sub-par compressor for bigger one in the end that you be happy with.
if space is concern build outside shed or separate pump & motor from the tank as suggested.

belaire is nice spec are good if wanting to sand and paint look for spare tank ro add lader down the road.

40 gal is not going to cut it .

 

[Falcon67]

At a bare minimum, this would be it IMHO.
http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=28969

Yes, you can run a DA sander with a 1.5 HP compressor - I've painted whole cars with one. You just have to control the water it will produce. And, it will produce A LOT of water when run close to continuous with big air demand.

My thoughts for noise were to have it in its own little shelf box area with about 6" of clearance on the sides, back & above. It will be sitting on a 3/4" horse stall mat to absorb vibration & then will have all the solid surfaces in its little cubby covered in acoustic foam.

My 60 sits in a small 24"x24" box, with Quiet Brace on the inside to dampen noise. The back side of the "box" is in the work room - the walls are 2" with some pink insulation and OSB for the outside finish. Can have a phone conversation near the box without much trouble.

 

[tthornto]

I have heard nothing but good things about California Air tools. Here is a 4HP with a 20 gallon tank puts out 12.8 CFM for $990 at the Big orange Box store. http://www.homedepot.com/p/California-Air-Tools-20-Gal-4-0-HP-Ultra-Quiet-and-Oil-Free-Electric-Stationary-Air-Compressor-20040C/206512048