Which compressor would you choose?

[GR8Dane]

Hey guys.

Looking to pick up a compressor for my garage makeover. I just got my first blast cabinet and it's the **** floor model. I hear those things can really **** some wind, so I'm looking for something that can keep up reasonably but not go overboard. It'll just be me in the shop mainly running the occasional air tools plus blasting some parts for my motorcycles. I don't intend to use the blast cabinet for anything really fancy, but don't want to go undersized either. You just never know!

The compressor will not be located in the shop, so noise isn't a major consideration.

Here are my options off the local classifieds as well as some new models. Tell me what you think? Also, most of these are OBO, so I can negotiate I'm sure.

 

[Lhorn]

I wouldn't pay anything close to those asking prices for the used compressors. The CFM is mediocre, the HP is inflated and the prices are way high on all the used compressors. Frankly looks reminescent of typical CL jokers who use a machine for a while and hope they're gonna get some sucker to pay them what they spent when the machine was new.

Pass on the Craftsman. You can do better for the price.
Guys here like US General. I'm not convinced, but that looks decent, but for that price I think you can do better.

Frankly, the only ones I'd consider are the new CH. I suspect these are the same as the Husky and Kobalt compressors that your local store is selling. Here the asking price is $399 for the 60 gallon, $799 for the 80 gallon. I'd consider them because they are new, come with a warranty, and probably would do what you want them to do.

I like the idea of buying used and getting a commercial quality compressor that'll last decades and make a ton of CFM. None of those used machines satisfy that criteria. Quincy is great brand, but $800 for a compressor that makes 11 cfm @40?!! Either that is a misprint or that guy is on drugs.

I'd pass on all of those. Keep looking. Keep in mind that it'd cost only a bit over $300 to convert a 3 phase compressor to a single phase 5HP Baldor motor. If you can get a Champion, IR T30, Quincy etc for the $500 range or less you'll have a machine that'll run laps around the ones you have listed, and probably will last longer too.

 

[trailwart]

i would go with 1 not on the list. us general 7.5hp 80 gallon is a very solid unit made in the usa. it is a little more than those listed, but on when on sale and 20% coupon many have had it for the 900$ range and hard to beat the output for price, lots of info on the net for this unit.http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90836

 

[GR8Dane]

Thanks for the replies guys. I was thinking that it'd be nice to get a nice but used commercial compressor for a good price, but it sounds like none of these really fit the bill. I'm not in a rush, so I may hold out and watch the classifieds for a while or a deal on the big US General or CH.

 

[35mastr]

Dont buy any of those if you are going to run that cabinet. You are going to need at least at a minimum 20 CFM to run a blast cabinet efficiantly. Or you will be stalled waiting for the compressor to build pressure constantly.

 

[Merkava_4]

You are going to need at least at a minimum 20 CFM to run a blast cabinet efficiently.

So much for shopping on the cheap ...

 

[930dreamer]

How about finding a 5hp industrial compressor and re-powering with a single phase motor? I paid $99 for this one

 

[larry4406]

Attached is a chart I put together based on the TP website regarding cfm requirements for cabinet blasting and Brut Mfg site for pressure pots. Basically, nozzle size vs cfm and speed of blasting (some holes in the data still).

Eliminate the compressors that don't have the cfm's to suit your needs/desire (waiting for a compressor to build up pressure so you can blast for 3 to 5 minutes to wait again is not fun and gets old mighty fast). Then take your spreadsheet and divide the cost by cfm's to get cost per cfm. The least cost per acceptable cfm might then help you with your selection process.

I have been leaning towards a Puma TUE-7580, but can't find many folks with experience with that exact model, although experience with Puma appears good. This is a 7.5 hp unit, 3 cylinder, 24.8 cfm @ 100 psi. Tool Central has it on sale thru 2/24/10 for $1299.99 plus shipping.

 

[geko29]

I recently went through this same decision process and settled on the Ingersoll-Rand SS5. For $879 from Northerntool with free shipping and no tax, you get a well-respected single-stage 5HP compressor that does 18.1SCFM and is rated for 100% duty if you use synthetic oil in the compressor. Thing should last forever if you take care of it.

 

[GR8Dane]

Attached is a chart I put together based on the TP website regarding cfm requirements for cabinet blasting and Brut Mfg site for pressure pots. Basically, nozzle size vs cfm and speed of blasting (some holes in the data still).

Eliminate the compressors that don't have the cfm's to suit your needs/desire (waiting for a compressor to build up pressure so you can blast for 3 to 5 minutes to wait again is not fun and gets old mighty fast). Then take your spreadsheet and divide the cost by cfm's to get cost per cfm. The least cost per acceptable cfm might then help you with your selection process.

I have been leaning towards a Puma TUE-7580, but can't find many folks with experience with that exact model, although experience with Puma appears good. This is a 7.5 hp unit, 3 cylinder, 24.8 cfm @ 100 psi. Tool Central has it on sale thru 2/24/10 for $1299.99 plus shipping.

Thanks for the detailed reply. Good advice for sure. I probably overbought on the blast cabinet due to the deal and now need a bigger compressor. Not that that's a bad thing!

 

[GR8Dane]

I recently went through this same decision process and settled on the Ingersoll-Rand SS5. For $879 from Northerntool with free shipping and no tax, you get a well-respected single-stage 5HP compressor that does 18.1SCFM and is rated for 100% duty if you use synthetic oil in the compressor. Thing should last forever if you take care of it.

Cool. Thanks for the link. Seems like the single stage put out a little more CFM for the money, but I'm guessing they have to work harder to get there. Guess I need to do some more reading up on compressors and learn more about the pros and cons.

 

[Mickey_D]

I had an SSL3 and got to know their warranty guy pretty well. In less than two years it went through a pressure switch, pump, and two motors under moderate use. The pump on that compressor is actually made in India and is nothing like the old time USA models. The last time I was in Tractor Supply the motors on their display models are not even name brand anymore, but very crude looking ones with and Ingersoll label. I ended up buying a Champion with a Baldor motor and am tickled with how well it works and wish that I had done it earlier.