Two Stage vs Two Cylinder Sam Ting?

[Paradise Ridge]

Howdy All!

It's my first post, although I've been lurking for a while now.

I searched the archives for compressor posts, and picked up a LOT of good info. I recommend the archives as THE place to start research!

Anyways~

I need a decent compressor for the new shop, 240V, something under 700 bucks. Vertical is best for space savings, I mainly use impacts, air nozzles, and the occasional small blast cabinet. I'd say on average I blast for an hour a month total. Big tank would be noce, but I'm looking for CFM's at this point.

'Nuff for the background. Are two stage and two cylinder the same thing? Does the first cylinder in the two cylinder unit pump into the second cylinder or do they just work in union? Do any of you have any personal knowledge on the "Two Cylinder" models?

The one I'm looking at is a HF unit, two cylinder belt drive 240V. The price is right, CFM's look good, and freight is about 50 bucks. I can't link to a pic of the ******, but you can find it at

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92504


Thanks for the help!

Scott

 

[l_bilyk]

Negative. Two cylinder does not mean it's a two stage compressor. The cylinders on that compressor work in union.

Also, I would careful about buying that particular unit. It looks like a sleeved cast aluminum pump. That type of design is more prone to cracking than solid cast iron.

Have you thought about buying second hand? You can probably get yourself a bigger, higher quality compressor for less money.

 

[MXtras]

You might be able to pick up a used Quincy Industrial unit - heck for that money you are about 3/4 of the way to a brand new one.

Scott

 

[kartracer55]

As was stated, Two cylinder may or may not be two stage. A two stage compressor pumps air to X PSI in the first cylinder, then, through an intercooler, and then into a smaller cylinder that gets the pressure to be even higher. Which is Better? Neither.... the question is which is better for you. A two stage may be more efficient, but depending on which you buy, you can get a single stage that will pump more air continuously at 90psi, which is what tools need. I have an eaton 5hp, single stage witha 7.5hp pump slowed down, and it puts out 20cfm@90. Thier 5 hp single stage, as they put it to me, is a more efficient, but puts out a few less CFM@90.

Check out the compressor threads in the general discussion area of the site. A guy on there was talking about a clearance at HF on Some CH compressors, for a few hundred off.

Id say stay away from the HF Branded stuff

Jim

 

[REFLEXX]

My 2c

Cast Iron pump, at least 2 cyl. 2 stage OK, 40+ gallon tank, LOW RPM, big flywheel. Npt Harbor Fright!!! I but a lotta **** from HF, but I've heard nothing good about thier compressors.

Avoid oil-less like the plague! Unless you want to also have a little portable 110v 5-20 gal pancake to lug with you, They make a TON of noise.

The most important thing is LOW RPM! This makes a huge difference in noise. I've got a $1,200, 80 gal, 7hp, 4 cyl, Campbell Hausfeld and it's still noisy. I have to make a concrete bunker to shut it up! I have neighbors, and at night it's really quiet around here.

If I had to do it again, I'd find the necest, OLDEST U.S. made one that I could. OR, perhaps a newer Kobalt, a Camp Haus, or an equivalent.


REFLEXX

 

[l_bilyk]

The most important thing is LOW RPM! This makes a huge difference in noise. I've got a $1,200, 80 gal, 7hp, 4 cyl, Campbell Hausfeld and it's still noisy. I have to make a concrete bunker to shut it up! I have neighbors, and at night it's really quiet around here.

I heard you can get those quieter by using a different air filter

 

[kartracer55]

I heard you can get those quieter by using a different air filter

Yeah, if you take off the filters on your compressor, and put your ear up NEAR (not in lol) the intake, you can clearly hear the loud sucking. You can get an intake silencer, or some people plumb the intakes outside. Also, building an enclosure definetly helps alot, but you still need to make sure it gets good airflow. The noise of mine doesnt really bother me, what REALLY pisses me off are blowguns... the noise irritates the hell outa me


Loll

Jim

 

[Don Lyon]

Air Compressors

Paradise Ridge, I'm in North Idaho also,Athol /Silverwood. Went to CDA power tools and bought a 60 gallon vertical, 230V compressor. Its a Porter-Cable,single stage 2 cylinder, 135 psi.$425.00 out the door, works great for me. Hope this helps.

 

[comp]

Paradise Ridge, I'm in North Idaho also,Athol /Silverwood. Went to CDA power tools and bought a 60 gallon vertical, 230V compressor. Its a Porter-Cable,single stage 2 cylinder, 135 psi.$425.00 out the door, works great for me. Hope this helps.

wow,,,, how many CFM