advice needed on new air compressor

[daugen]

I currently have a small Craftsman 1hp 125psi 3 gallon 15 amp 2.4scfm@90psi air compressor I bought a few years back to upgrade from the typical Air Station tire filling pump. It's oil lubricated and seems to work ok, but puts up a terrible racket when running. Almost too much to take inside a residential garage. But it appears pretty well made, like a Campbell Hausfield rebadge. But it clearly is not enough to run air tools, though I did get it to run a small air ratchet.

I'd like to "move up" to a larger unit, that could run a 1/2-3/4 impact gun, and be able to handle "light" farm work. I'm thinking of an impact gun in the 600 pound torque range, mostly for taking off blades and other odd jobs. But a main priority to me is finding a machine that runs quietly, or more quietly perhaps than average. I saw a nice IR impact gun rated at 600 torque and 82db. Most of the other guns seems to make more than 90db, and I'm sure my compressor is louder than that.

I don't need a large commercial unit., and at the moment don't have room for it. Is there a compact unit that will give me enough air, not make a lot of noise and hold up? I'd like to know what works for all of you, and what specs I should be looking for. I have a 350 pound torque electric Dewalt gun that works fine on my lawn mowers, but I'd like to start a complete air system. How much cfm should I look for? I was thinking in the 8-10 range, but would like your opinions. Likely to stay out of Harbor Freight on this one, the stuff I buy "for life" I'd like not to be Chinese... And I'm wondering if I really need to think about building a sound enclosure for the compressor instead of paying three times more for a quieter unit. Loud noises bother my ears and I don't want to have to wear ear protection while using air tools, if possible.

thanks Drew

 

[Zebrafive]

Air compressers are loud. An enclosure might work, but I would be concerned about cooling. The pulley on mine is also a fan.

 

[daugen]

Ingersoll Rand makes a line of Garage Mate compressors that tout their quietness:
FREE SHIPPING — Ingersoll Rand Garage Mate Air Compressor — 2 HP, 5.2 CFM, Model# P1.5IU-A9 | 2 - 9 CFM| Northern Tool + Equipment
this one seemed reasonably compact, but is 5 cfm enough? I've never going to use a 1 inch 2000 pound torque driver, or some other
air hog, but I'd rather err (air?) on the side of something a little larger than I need.
Hmmm, made in Taiwan. Sigh.

 

[ray66v]

Compressors, and air tools, are often loud. But the truth is, they don't have to be.

One advantage I had working in a shop was, I got to try things first. As one example, I found some air ratchets are half as loud as others. And the quieter ones worked just as well, sometimes better.

This is another case where you usually get what you pay for. The better quality, higher prices stuff is usually quieter, but not always.

We had a direct drive Atlas Copco 10hp air compressor, that you could not stand to have in the same building, even if it was behind closed doors, and it was not a cheap compressor.

With compressors, direct drive is usually high speed, and it's usually loud.

A belt driven unit is where I would start. I have a belt drive compressor in my barn that is so quiet, it wouldn't wake a sleeping baby. Everyone who sees it want's one, but sadly, they don't make this model anymore.

Try to find a specialty retailer that has units you can hear run. They are few and far between anymore, but you never know.

Having a compressor room is nice to help keep down the noise, but you have to have good ventilation to keep it from getting hot in there.

 

[Soundguy]

as with many things.. bigger is better.. and there's no replacement for displacement..

a 60g upright compressor will probably more than do ya.

look around. betweent he large box stores ( lowes, HD, etc and harbor freight.. you can find units from 450-600$ for the economy models.. )

 

[cointoss]

I can't help you on the large compressor but I would not get rid of the smaller one either. Typically, you need air volume for air tools and sand blasters but who wants to wait or pay the cost to fill a tank for the small jobs i.e. filling car tires, bikes, etc.

 

[Soundguy]

yup.. my pancake comp satys int he garage to fill car tires... the big comp stays in the shop to fix tractors..

 

[ray66v]

I can't help you on the large compressor but I would not get rid of the smaller one either. Typically, you need air volume for air tools and sand blasters but who wants to wait or pay the cost to fill a tank for the small jobs i.e. filling car tires, bikes, etc.

I can agree to a point. But, If you have a good compressor, and your hoses and piping is all in good condition, it will stay full, or mostly full, for a long time, even when your not using it.

 

[Bird]

I can agree to a point. But, If you have a good compressor, and your hoses and piping is all in good condition, it will stay full, or mostly full, for a long time, even when your not using it.

Yep, I keep my compressor full all the time. My current 30 gallon Industrial Air by PowerMate is 5.7 cfm at 90 psi, kicks on around 125 and off at a little over 150 psi. It's plenty for all my air tools, but would be a bit small for sandblasting, impacts larger than a half inch, and some sanders. Of course, I probably use compressed air more than most. This morning, after I shaved, I used it to blow the whiskers out of my electric razor. Then I later used it to blow the debris off the Stihl string trimmer after I did some trimming and edging, and then I used it to clean up the ZTR after I finished mowing.

 

[Artisan]

I think I would select the largest tool you plan on
using and then determine it's air usage, probably expressed
in CFM and then look at compressors, and the size of their
storage tanks so as to make sure you buy something that
will run your biggest tool. You can always add an additional
storage tank as well...a small compressor = long recovery time,
more power = less, I do believe....

 

[leveled]

I have a Quincy compressor that is very quiet, I can have a conversation standing next to it. Its a 80 gallon 5 hp 220 with baldor motor that runs at 1750 rpm's. You want to look for one that runs 220 at 1750 rpm. i used to have a older sears that was very quiet and smaller 20 gallon still see them on craigslist from time to time. good luck

 

[daugen]

thanks for all the advice. I've been studying the air tools and it seems that most are in the 5-6cfm range, but a few like sanders and paint guns are in the 10cfm range, so
I'm going to aim for 12cfm or close to it. And while I thought I'd like to stick with a 110V unit, they don't produce the power needed. Which brings me to my biggest concern. Hidden in a few
tool specs are the terms "average consumption". One said 5cfm average but a whopping 12 cfm at full load. So I wonder if the specs usually given are just "average". So does one's 600 pound torque impact
wrench only put out 400 trying to get a frozen bolt off? Seems to suggest that going a little larger here makes the most sense, which means at least a 3.5hp motor, and likely a 5. So I'm looking in the range of 3.5hp with a 60 gallon tank to 5hp with a 80 gallon.

I like the Quincy line, all US made, though I wonder if their least expensive stuff still is, since they have a factory in China now, which may only be for local consumption there. Quincy and a few others make super expensive air compressors for hospitals and industrial use, so I think any company that knows how to build very high quality equipment must have some trickle down high standards they apply to their lesser spec equipment, assuming they just don't offshore production. And then, I'm sure, there are good Chinese air compressors, but part of me still wants my money to stay "at home". I had two of my next door neighbors laid off three years ago when the economy took a dive, and it made a real impression on me. So I'm sure I'll pay 20-30% more, but if that's only a couple hundred bucks, spread out over the next twenty years, I'm willing to do it. The Puma compressors also looked nice, and I'm sure there are Ingersoll Rand and Campbell Hausfield units that would do ok too. So I'll study cfm and db ratings and go eyeball the units at the box stores just to educate myself. Frankly they all look pretty similar. And I've read enough blogs where units melted their plastic covers from overheating so I think the enclosure idea is out. Though the bigger ones are all metal, the cooling problem remains.

so far this one looks most promising to me, and seems reasonably priced: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200479713_200479713

 

[Kioti Tom]

I have a single stage 60 gallon upright 5 hp compressor. This is too light for what I really use. I have to wait for the pressure to build back up.. If you can afford it. I would get a 2 stage compressor which will handle the torque you want on your air gun. minimum of 5 hp, but. better with a bit higher hp compressor motor... Try TP Tools website, they carry Quincy and IR compressors.. TSC carries IR compressors.. just to name a few places to search..
Good luck with your search.
Tom

 

[daugen]

I'm always looking for reasons to take a drive to TSC, one of my favorite places, so I'll check them out. Thanks

 

[leveled]

Why would you want their disposable line. Also IR makes nice compressor but TSC carries their lower line that run at high RPMs and have smaller pumps. If your looking for inexpensive unit find a used one that runs at 220. Oh have you considered the IR TI 2135 Impact gun its got loads of power for such a small unit.

 

[ray66v]

If you want a good compressor, for one man to be able to work using a sander for any length of time, you will need a minimum of 12-14 cfm @ 90 psi. Anything less than that, and you either going to have to use the sander at really low speeds, or intermittently.

While 12-14 cfm will allow continuous operation of a DA sander, it will require the pump to run continuously, which will have the potential to make lots of heat, and water, especially in warm weather. This can require additional expense to deal with.

The higher pressure compressors are more desirable, but 150psi is enough.

Don't go all in on one just because it has a big tank, that is not paramount. You are going to be running off the pump for continuous service, if it can't keep up, the tank size won't matter much.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. ditto that. and remember. a unit that is 150 psi vs a 120 psi the 150 is giving you really.. alot more air.. especially if you are using it at say.. 90..

onthe paint gun.. figure that as intermittant use. you rarely are paingin witht he trigger pulled 100% of the time.

same on a big air wrench. the tank will carry thru most laods.

now.. stuff like sandblaster and sander or an air drill.

oce you use down to the cut in.. it's all compressor... thus a 2 stage is usually nicer.. if you need it.

soundguy

 

[daugen]

Why would you want their disposable line.
I don't...
Interesting that Quincy shows two pump specs, the lesser line at 10,000 hours and the "pro" line at 50,000 hours.
If one runs a compressor ten hours a week, allegedly the cheaper unit should last 19 years. That's better than disposable, but run it
20 hours a week and now we're under ten years. The challenge of course is cost; doubles in price to get the better grade, mostly equivalent compressor.
For my application, not sure I need the "better" unit, but no matter what, I need enough cfm.
Also interesting that I've seen some double cylinder single stage units, but most, if not all, 2 stage units are double cylinder.

My friend and I both bought HF one ton hydraulic lifts to pick up our mowers and equipment. Mine has worked fine. His let go on him recently while he was underneath, apparently because
he turned the valve too tight and it failed. Scary. The lifts look identical to the Torin units, maybe a Chinese copy of a Chinese unit. I always use jack stands, but as always,
one gets what one pays for. I don't see any dangers from a compressor, but another life lesson that less is rarely more. But I also don't need a rotary screw compressor for sure.

 

[ray66v]

Why would you want their disposable line.
I don't...
Interesting that Quincy shows two pump specs, the lesser line at 10,000 hours and the "pro" line at 50,000 hours.
If one runs a compressor ten hours a week, allegedly the cheaper unit should last 19 years. That's better than disposable, but run it
20 hours a week and now we're under ten years. The challenge of course is cost; doubles in price to get the better grade, mostly equivalent compressor.
For my application, not sure I need the "better" unit, but no matter what, I need enough cfm.
Also interesting that I've seen some double cylinder single stage units, but most, if not all, 2 stage units are double cylinder.

My friend and I both bought HF one ton hydraulic lifts to pick up our mowers and equipment. Mine has worked fine. His let go on him recently while he was underneath, apparently because
he turned the valve too tight and it failed. Scary. The lifts look identical to the Torin units, maybe a Chinese copy of a Chinese unit. I always use jack stands, but as always,
one gets what one pays for. I don't see any dangers from a compressor, but another life lesson that less is rarely more. But I also don't need a rotary screw compressor for sure.

With Quincy and other better compressors, I will bet you also get a heavier gauge tank on the better units.

Hold on to one long enough, and you could find out why that matters. A lot of these compressors today, are throw-a-ways, not designed to last for decades. If you don't use it enough to wear out the pump, you could end up down the road with a rotted tank.

Even if you are diligent about draining condensation, you can still get a tank that has a spot that stays just wet enough, to eventually rust through. So, the thicker the better. (Except when you have to move it.)

 

[crazyal]

I have a Speedaire 5hp single stage 60 gallon compressor. It's an older model that doesn't have a filter on the intake. It's enough for doing most anything I want to do but I have always wanted to upgrade to a 10hp (single phase) Quincy. I have no problems running an AirCat 1/2" impact wrench or painting. There's enough breaks while doing those tasks that it can easily reach full pressure and shut off. But if I start doing things like sanding then it runs continuously. The AirCat impact is extremely quiet and is about as powerful as you can get in a 1/2" drive.