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Super quiet air compressor setup for CNC plasma cutting

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Tobias

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Jan 4, 2020
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sacramento
Looking at 4 options (but not limited to) for my CNC plasma setup which needs 8cfm @90psi however i will be spray painting using the compressor as well.

I dont want the neighbors getting irritated hearing the compressor constantly running so im looking at some lower DB options such as these:


- https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-elite-qst-30-60-scroll-air-compressor-with-quiet-technology.html

- https://www.homedepot.com/p/EMAX-80...tor-Pads-and-Auto-Drain-HEI07V080Y1/317326056

- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mega-Co...ic-Upright-Air-Compressor-MP-6560VB/321073786

- https://www.amazon.com/California-A...ompressor/dp/B07G46DLGF/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Please let me know what you think and if i would be better off enclosing a regular noisy "husky" compressor or if its best to save up and just buy one already quiet such as the polar air EMAX model thats 80gal and 30+cfm
 
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mp23

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Not sure how quiet it has to be but the one I just got from lowes is so much quieter than my old craftsman professional its hard to believe
 
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Sumboodie

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There's a guy on here that bought a Chineese OPA? Brand. Was going to write up about it a month or so ago but havheard back. back.
 
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qdvuu

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Why not get one with the rotary screws rather than reciprocating type? My company replaced its old reciprocating one with a rotary screw one and the noise and vibration dropped to almost nothing.
 
OP
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Tobias

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pcutt said:
Why not get one with the rotary screws rather than reciprocating type? My company replaced its old reciprocating one with a rotary screw one and the noise and vibration dropped to almost nothing.
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Can you link me what you had in mind? Im not opposed to it!
 
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BrooklynBravest

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Aug 7, 2014
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I own the Eastwood for 3-4 years now. Running a cnc plasma.

Works very well, have to replace the start capacitor every so often and air filters. They’re both under $15.
 
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GeoBruin

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BrooklynBravest said:
I own the Eastwood for 3-4 years now. Running a cnc plasma.

Works very well, have to replace the start capacitor every so often and air filters. They’re both under $15.
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I think the newest version is supposed to have fixed some of the issues with it. I haven't seen any feedback on the new model but at $2,000, this could gain some traction if the issues have been solved.
 
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dnschmidt

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The EMAX is the way to go but not the one you picked. Eaton, who makes EMAX for Home Depot sells the same compressor with a very effective muffler system which is a box they mount to the side/back of the compressor. I saw Flexzilla demonstrate one of these at SEMA and you could hardly hear it run. HD sells these right along side the one that you picked. You are in the right church but in the wrong pew. Here is a link to the exact unit: https://www.homedepot.com/p/EMAX-80...tor-Pads-and-Auto-Drain-HES07V080Y1/317326055
 
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MOS3522

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BrooklynBravest

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Had no idea a new one even existed.

Looks like they stopped including a cover, which i took off mine anyhow.

And added a water separator.
 
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Leaflessshadetree

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Don't ask.
GeoBruin said:
Some things never change. OP needs 8 CFM at 90 psi. Denny recommends $3,500, 80 gallon, 7.5 hp, 25+ cfm compressor.

Cheers!
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OP also states to be used for painting which I'd estimate at 12 CFM. (With a CNC and painting media blasting isn't out of the realm of possibilities either).

Is it possible to have too much CFM? What issues result?
Sure the smaller Emax is cheaper and still has enough CFM advertised. It also will run more while possibly producing as much (or more?) noise than the $3500 unit.

Another recommendation is $300 but only 4.5 CFM.
I've heard that some companies exaggerate a bit on compressor specs. Not sure I'd take a chance on this one being satisfactory.
 
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dnschmidt

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GeoBruin said:
Some things never change. OP needs 8 CFM at 90 psi. Denny recommends $3,500, 80 gallon, 7.5 hp, 25+ cfm compressor.

Cheers!
Click to expand...
I will defend myself:
1st) He said he also wanted to paint cars. If he's using top of the line spray guns (SATA, Iwata, Sagola, DeVilbiss, Walcom and others he needs at least 13 SCFM. So there.
2) He listed the same compressor himself without the silencer. I just picked the exact same model but with the silencer.
3) Never know when he's going to want to add a sandblaster.
 
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908Jim

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How far are your neighbors and what is your expectation of how loud (or quiet) it should be? Most 60 Gallon belt driven units with low speed cast iron pumps are going to be pretty quiet if it's in your garage. I doubt very much your neighbors would hear it.
 
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Blackbyrd

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OH man. This is an interesting topic!

I used to do resin casting as a side huslte and had to give it up after my son was born. Been debating getting back into it and a quiet compressor was one of the limiting factors for me. My sons room is above the room I did my work in. I dont really have cfm requirements just need to fill a paint pot with 40 psi pretty quickly.
 
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Donnie O

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Jul 30, 2021
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I have the eaton compressor and dryer. It has a continuous run feature so it doesn't turn off and on all the time.

I run a cnc plasma table along with air ups tools and other stuff. It's been great and it's quiet. Right around 80db. You can't hear it outside my shop and I have a 30x40 shop in my neighborhood.

It's about 2 years old. 17.5 scfm@175psi

20220408_163919.jpg
 
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Sumboodie

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Tobias said:
Id prefer in the 60-70db range just to avoid neighbor complaints and if it costs me an additional price to be safe i can save up a bit
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Hiw close are your neighbors?

I had a 60 gallon cheapy Husky in my shed at my old house. Ran a 1" line underground in conduit to the garage, maybe 85ish feet.
Could barely hear at the house, couldn't hear it inside.
I left it on for 10 years, it'd come on at night or whenever.
 
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cad70

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The Lowes model looks almost identical to the HF Fortress.
 
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u3b3rg33k

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dnschmidt said:
The EMAX is the way to go but not the one you picked. Eaton, who makes EMAX for Home Depot sells the same compressor with a very effective muffler system which is a box they mount to the side/back of the compressor. I saw Flexzilla demonstrate one of these at SEMA and you could hardly hear it run. HD sells these right along side the one that you picked. You are in the right church but in the wrong pew. Here is a link to the exact unit: https://www.homedepot.com/p/EMAX-80...tor-Pads-and-Auto-Drain-HES07V080Y1/317326055
Click to expand...
we've got the 10hp VSD model at work. nice and quiet when it's just floating setpoint.
GeoBruin said:
Some things never change. OP needs 8 CFM at 90 psi. Denny recommends $3,500, 80 gallon, 7.5 hp, 25+ cfm compressor.

Cheers!
Click to expand...
and QUIET! quiet costs money!

also no one is recommending filter/driers??? c'mon! THIS! IS! GJ!

but seriously, paint hates oil & water, and plasma consumables last way longer with a dryer.
 
OP
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Tobias

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sacramento
neighbors bedroom is about 15' from the garage which is where im setting up the CNC. So far I havent had any complaints but i just want to be cautious as Id hate to get on anyones bad side

Thats a good point on the filters/driers what do you guys recommend? I saw HF has the $600 dryer but i was hoping something simple with 3 stages could do the job for water separation?



Theres an EMAX compressor 5hp 80gal for sale $3000 on craigslist in my area. Worth to buy it and be done?
 
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Sweetcorn

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North Central Ohio
Tobias said:
neighbors bedroom is about 15' from the garage which is where im setting up the CNC. So far I havent had any complaints but i just want to be cautious as Id hate to get on anyones bad side

Thats a good point on the filters/driers what do you guys recommend? I saw HF has the $600 dryer but i was hoping something simple with 3 stages could do the job for water separation?



Theres an EMAX compressor 5hp 80gal for sale $3000 on craigslist in my area. Worth to buy it and be done?
Click to expand...
New at Home Depot price for that is $2,899.00
https://www.homedepot.com/p/EMAX-80...tor-Pads-and-Auto-Drain-HES05V080Y1/317326054

My father in law bought the same EMAX compressor I have at Home Depot with no hassles. By the way, we have both been very happy with ours. They're both 7.5 HP, 80 gallon, 31 CFM.
 
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u3b3rg33k

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Tobias said:
neighbors bedroom is about 15' from the garage which is where im setting up the CNC. So far I havent had any complaints but i just want to be cautious as Id hate to get on anyones bad side

Thats a good point on the filters/driers what do you guys recommend? I saw HF has the $600 dryer but i was hoping something simple with 3 stages could do the job for water separation?



Theres an EMAX compressor 5hp 80gal for sale $3000 on craigslist in my area. Worth to buy it and be done?
Click to expand...

this works well, Tsunami water separator, oil coalescer, high temp air dryer. the Tsunamis protect the dryer from gunk (no one wants to clean a dryer heat exchanger), and 4C/40F dewpoint air is good enough for our needs. at home I use desiccant beads when I need dry air, for the 3 minutes a year I need that's fine.

Screen Shot 2024-01-04 at 12.48.16.png
 
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rpcraft

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Anyone I have known that bought one of the eastwood scroll compressors had nothing but issues with them until they finally just got fedup and replaced them with a regular compressor. They had issues with oil contaminating the air and scroll motor failures, and that happened multiple times with three people. Eastwood was OK with support and/or replacement but at a certain point they just couldn't afford the down time any longer because they had a business doing plasma cutting and similar functions. Just food for thought.
 
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rpcraft

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Tobias said:
neighbors bedroom is about 15' from the garage which is where im setting up the CNC. So far I havent had any complaints but i just want to be cautious as Id hate to get on anyones bad side

Thats a good point on the filters/driers what do you guys recommend? I saw HF has the $600 dryer but i was hoping something simple with 3 stages could do the job for water separation?



Theres an EMAX compressor 5hp 80gal for sale $3000 on craigslist in my area. Worth to buy it and be done?
Click to expand...

Not for a 5 HP compressor in my opinion. Any good name brand compressor of the same size would be half the price (new) at most any location. If I am on marketplace looking at 7.5 HP compressors I am not willing to go beyond 1200 to 1500 and usually can find a 5hp IR for around 800 or so on most any given time. You can go to Tractor Supply and get a Dewalt 7.5 HP compressor (80 Gallon) for just 2500 USD if you care to look.
 
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drmarkr

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dnschmidt said:
I will defend myself:
1st) He said he also wanted to paint cars. If he's using top of the line spray guns (SATA, Iwata, Sagola, DeVilbiss, Walcom and others he needs at least 13 SCFM. So there.
2) He listed the same compressor himself without the silencer. I just picked the exact same model but with the silencer.
3) Never know when he's going to want to add a sandblaster.
Click to expand...

Dude....you don't have to defend yourself. This is the garage journal and any job we're contemplating justifies whatEVER tool we think it *might* need! That's how we roll around here....!
 
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