Air Compressors, any recommendations?

[willy44]

I need to get a new air compressor to replace the old Craftsman ( which is really loud!). I don't run a huge shop and I don't sand blast but I still run all the usual tools ( die grinders, impacts etc.). Now because I am a student I have to insert this disclaimer, I'm not made of money :money:. I was looking at the single stage 60 gallon models of all the brands, but having never owned one that large I don't have any experience in knowing which ones are bad or good. The Ingersoll Rand tools I've used were really good tools but the ss3L3 air compressor they make gets terrible reviews. On the other hand the Puma PK6060v compressor gets good reviews and is the same price. The Quincy Q13160VQ seemed to have some plastic parts on it which wasn't to appealing, but hey most of the cars now are all plastic. The compressor is going to be used to work on cars, and restore an H (separate thread once I get the necessary equipment) and I would like to paint the tractor myself so ideally it should run an hplv paint gun. It seems to me just by reading the specs a 60 gallon single stage should work, but I'm open to suggestions.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these compressors?
A quiet air compressor is my goal so does anyone know if any of these models are quiet? Or does anyone know of a model that is more quiet?
How is the customer service of these brands or any recommended brands?

I know its a lot of questions but I don't want to buy one twice or deal with constant problems.

 

[Fallon]

Get a belt driven oil lubricated one. Those oil free ones are noisy crap that die quick. The slower the pump turns, the quieter as a general. so get a big slow pump that puts out the CFM & pressure you need over one that spins faster.

I'm finishing up a rebuild on a Saylor Beall thats as old as I am. The new ones only have a few minor differences than my 30+ year old one. New is WAY out of my price range & yours too i expect.

Figure out your CFM & pressure needs then shop based on that. Tank size is only a buffer, so if the pump cant keep up with your usage, it just means you wait longer for it to fill back up. 2 stage units are a little more efficient & do higher pressure (175psi or so), but sacrafice CFM. A single stage unit tops out at 120psi or so. You can have single stage pumps with multiple cylinders, so cylinder number doesnt equal stage number.

 

[RNeumann]

I'll play contrarian- about 25 years ago I purchased a Mikita compressor made for job sites. It's a little over 6 CFM. The thing has worked great and continues to run great. I use it for all the typical tools and tasks. I also have a dedicated shop IR compressor that has an oil bath, belt drive and is something like 60 gal. If I only had one it's an easy choice for me- I'll take the Mikita 7 out of 7 days a week.
The only spec or need you don't mention is PSI. Some compressors are in the 125psi range and some 160+psi.

 

[Bird]

When I was repairing/rebuilding mechanics' air tools, I bought one of the same model Puma PK6060 compressors. And of course it was run every day. If you don't need more than 120 psi, it's a very good piece of equipment. When we had to sell the place in the country and move back to town, my real estate agent also had a ranch and I sold the Puma air-compressor to him.

 

[Johnny g]

I prefer the two stage, you say you don't want to buy one twice so I would suggest getting one that is more than you think you need(CFM/ PSI) , I would also recommend 220 volt over 110. and check the motor rpm, 117 or thereabouts is good, 230 or thereabouts is not so good. the higher speed is just over working and wearing out faster .

 

[Egon]

Figure out your maximum air CFM / pressure requirement and go from there. Be aware of your power supply and what can be handled. You may also consider cobbling together a system with different components. These can be placed at different locations to minimize noise. It may be possible to refurbish one of the older cast iron piston type compressor??

 

[LD1]

IMO all the piston ones are noisy. Keep the compressor away from the work area if you want a quiet piston type.

I have been keeping an eye on craigslist for a while, just waiting on a good deal to pop up on a 5-10HP screw type compressor.

 

[jenkinsph]

Figure out your maximum air CFM / pressure requirement and go from there. Be aware of your power supply and what can be handled. You may also consider cobbling together a system with different components. These can be placed at different locations to minimize noise. It may be possible to refurbish one of the older cast iron piston type compressor??

I agree with this post ^^^.
Take into consideration future needs and available power. Don't go for a 3 phase model if the power requirements are not available to you. Dayton speedaire (?) is one of the quietest piston compressor imo. I think the belt driven slower turning compressors was a good suggestion too. I would skip the oil less compressors as they are loud.

 

[willy44]

From what I figure the most air heavy tool I'm planning on using would be around 7-8 cfm at 90 psi. All the compressors I was looking at put out 10 or 11 cfm at 90 psi, that should be enough to allow the tank to recover I think, but there again having never owned one this large its going to be a learning experience I think. That being said all the single stage units I was looking at are belt drive and oil lubricated, no oil-less for me anymore, and they are all either 230V or 208-230V. I don't run anything over 90 psi and the average max psi for a single stage seems to be around 135, it seems sufficient to me as long as I don't open up a full time mechanic shop.

LD1, I have a California air tools 5.5 gallon 1hp compressor we bought for doing work inside the house. It's oil-less and runs at 60db, I love the little thing. I cant say as to what the longevity will be, its only 6 months old, but right off the bat its an awsome little compressor.

Has anyone built an enclosure for their air compressor? Mine is going in a barn and I was thinking of building a small enclosure to maybe mitigate some of the noise

 

[mechanic]

You will be fine with the 60 gallon compressor. I used them for years doing the same thing you are doing. They are good air compressors. Don't buy the kobalt it's worrisom.Never owned a pumpa but I hear they are good also. I think the campbell husfeld warranty would be better if you need it worked on.60 gallon would be fine.

 

[ray66v]

Keep in mind, the tank size is not that important. The compressor size is important.

The pump has to be big enough to run the heaviest drawing tool you have, and then some. If not, the tank will empty, and you will run out of air.

Air compressors are like tractors, it's only too big, if you can't afford it.

A compressor twice as big as you need, will run cooler, and last twice as long.

Get the biggest one you can afford to buy, and get power to.

Don't go cheap, and you many not ever need another. My current compressor is 33 years old, and going strong.

I would never willingly buy a compressor or air tool, without hearing it run. Buying from an actual compressor dealer, allows you to hear it first.

Air compressors, and air tools, don't have to be loud to have power. Most of the loud stuff, is loud, because it's junk.

I would also recommend a two stage compressor. One reason is, if you ever have a bolt you can't break lose, a 1/2" impact wrench can produce substantially more power by increasing the air pressure beyond what a single stage can offer.

 

[jbwilson]

Willy44 - With belt drive compressors none of them are quiet, but a low pump rpm speed is conducive to making the noise level bearable. Aim for a pump that operates at less than 900 rpm, and avoid those that operate at more than 1100 rpm. Low speed pumps will be larger than the high speed ones because they move more volume of air per stroke. Also a cast iron pump is quieter than a cast aluminium one. John

 

[LD1]

Keep in mind, the tank size is not that important. The compressor size is important.

The pump has to be big enough to run the heaviest drawing tool you have, and then some. If not, the tank will empty, and you will run out of air.

Only true if you are speaking of continuous use. Something like a sandblaster, air powered grinder, etc.

For things like impact wrenches, nail guns, air ratchets....there is plenty of time to recover in between stuff that a smaller compressor will work.

I do agree to buy the biggest one you can afford.

 

[cmyoung2]

I have a Campbell, 60gal, bought on sale at TS, maybe 4-5 years ago. Think it is around 10cf @90psi. It has always done all I need, which sounds similar to what you are doing, general farm shop work. It is not as noisy as some, but I did not want it in a metal building, so I left it on the pallet it came on and built a 2x4 frame around it, covered it with vinyl siding to match the end wall of the shop(plenty of ventilation), piped the air into the shop. It is outside, protected, accessible, and quiet. Put a long drain valve on it so I can drain the water out regularly, and I can check the oil level easily. Probably would not change anything.

 

[Pete6114]

I got this guy and couldn't have chosen a better one.
QP | Quincy Compressor

 

[sd455dan]

Great posts and info for the OP

:2cents:
i agree with most of the previous points made.
But with the new XT impact wrenches from HF you can have over 1000 lbs ft. with 90 psi.
many of the air tools have a 90 psi (safe) limit on them but I can definitely see an advantage of 160PSI+ if running a long air hose though.

As far as the consumer series Ingersol Rand compressors... maybe they have gotten cheaper built over the years?
I have had 1 for over 30 years and liked it so much i bought a second one of the same vintage (230volt 60 gallon 10.9cfm @90psi) i paid $450 for each for but gives 120 gallons of air storage and over 22 cfm @90 but it probably does pull a bit more current than a larger single pumped unit.
The extra cfm really helps for when I am sand blasting, painting cars or running D/A sanders continuously- sandblasting is the hardest on cfm and can use more air than they can provide using a 110lb HF blaster opened up non stop.

Looking at new units on a budget, I would also be looking at IR, Quincy and Puma to, and watching for a big sale.

Any decent oil sumped, belt driven compressor based 230vac unit has to be better, than ANY of those 120 volt oiless direct drive units...imo
If the noise is (really) important then spend a bit more money and buy a slower spinning pump equipped compressor, but verify the CFM@90 and power requirements.
Also as has been suggested could add on a small room or enclosure with good air flow access to reduce db's in main work area.
although New is nice, I wouldn't eliminate also watching Craigslist to, sometimes some great deals do come up.


Good Luck on your search,
There is a compressor out there with your name on it:thumbsup:

 

[dodge man]

I had one of the oil less craftsman air compressors also. It was very loud. I now have a Ingersol/Rand single stage, 60 gallon, 220 volt and its very quiet compared to the Craftsman but still a little loud. From what you describe it would work for you. A dual stage would be better but they cost more also.

 

[murph1]

I bought a Polar air single stage 150psi 15 cfm at 850 rpm.

 

[ray66v]

Only true if you are speaking of continuous use. Something like a sandblaster, air powered grinder, etc.

For things like impact wrenches, nail guns, air ratchets....there is plenty of time to recover in between stuff that a smaller compressor will work.

Assuming only one person will be using it at a time, and not really using it, when they do, of course, even a little crappy HF, or sears compressor can work.

The fact that the compressor needs to be bigger than what you are drawing, or you will out of air, is a simple reality.

People are welcome to throw the dice and hope it's big enough. Perhaps it works out for them.

 

[franklin2]

I wonder how two of these would work side by side? They are on sale for $149.00 each with the coupon. That would give you 9.4 cfm @ 90 psi for $300. I am super cheap though. Ratings are so-so, not too bad.

21 gal. 2.5 HP 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor