Help with compressor choice

Raymond_B

Raymond_B

Hobbyist
OK, it looks like I am FINALLY going to pick up a good compressor for my home shop. I've picked you guy's brains quite a lot and have narrowed down my choice to two very similar units. The first unit seems to be the one I want. 80 gal capacity and a 650 RPM pump, but is a single stage.

What are your thoughts? This is for a home hobbyist, I do want to sand blast and paint every so often. 17-19 CFM, I know is on the low side from some of your recommendations, but it should be OK for low volume use right?

This one http://www.eatoncompressor.com/5hp-2-cylinder-single-phase-80-gallon-vertical-air-compressor

VS.

This one http://www.eatoncompressor.com/5hp-2-stage-single-phase-60-gallon-vertical-air-compressor
 
I'm curious to know if you have reached out to any local air compressor repair businesses that might help you into something better for similar money. They know what fails and what lasts.
 
eaton is cheap chinese stuff today . like crash said it you can find a rebuilder you can save a lot. my 5 hp was a rebuild in 84 . i rebuilt it about 18 years ago . i plan to splurge this fall and buy a new pump . has to be quieter than my old one .
 
I have an 80 gallon single stage V4 compressor that puts out 17.3 cfm at 90 lbs. This sounds really great and it is a lot of air for the money but THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT. Any single stage pump will have to turn more rpms to make air and will generate more heat during the process. This in turn will cause even more moisture problems.

If at all possible buy a 2 stage compressor. You will not regret it. It will last longer, run quieter, run cooler and produce less moisture. The advice you get here is worth listening to.

I live with mine but would not go this route again. Good luck with what ever you buy.

John
 
Thanks guys, I had chosen that site based off some recommendations here a while back. But I really like checking out a local shop. I'll do that.
 
Run from the Eaton. I basically have a 5 year old $2,600 dollar air tank. That is all that is left of mine.

Craiglist a real 2 stage and overhaul it to make sure you don't have an oil pumper. Usually lots of good choices on there for 5hp. Quincy QR is the best.
 
anotheridiot;n76288 said:
Best advice is get a 175 PSI machine and run it at 125.Its the best way to prolong the life of a compressor.
Click to expand...

That is so true, it will work half as hard and recapture quicker, with less heat.
My Eaton was factory set to go off at 150 and I've left it that way.
It has served me well, I hate to hear the new units aren't as good,
at one time they were the best.
 
Personally I would stay away from a compressor that has more than 2 cylinders. Twice as much to go wrong or replace. Plenty of 2 cylinder 2 stage units to choose from.
 
I've found a couple of local shops and I need to go down and talk with them.

I did run across this monster on CL and believe it or not I do have 3 phase available at my house. It's an older home built in the 50's and apparently 3 phase was fairly common.

Anyway here's the ad, I'd like to talk them down lower if possible, but it looks in good shape.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/tls/5208147015.html
 
That looks like a pretty good value, if it is indeed in good shape. For that much money I would want to hear it run, though.
 
I see it's closed but if it were me you can find a good 3ph compressor used on the cheep compared to 1ph because 3ph is harder to sell because not a whole lot of people have 3ph in their home. I wish i did cause I was watching a Champion duplex 10hp 3ph on eBay it sold for 2k and was the exact same one we have down at my work and it cost 14k new and it never gave us an issue under demand all day 5days a week
 
I have also had good luck with schulz compressors. I am actually shopping for a compressor now and I may consider getting another. The one I have has been running heavily for the last 20 years. I just blew a valve, I am going to rebuild it but I may buy another to get me going quickly.. However after a long talk with one of their suppliers they discontinued the older pumps like I have and went to a smaller pump and cranked up the speed. I told him I don't want one that spins that fast and he builds them custom, It looks like we are going to go with the 15hp pump with a 10hp motor and slow it down with the pulleys. the 15hp version is a 3 phase compressor and I don't have 3ph, another option is a phase converter, which my uncle can build me.. So jury is still out. I may also look at a quincy.
 
Thank you, I have seen that brand offered by a compressor shop here locally. I missed the used one on CL so I am still looking and look forward to seeing what you decide.
 
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