The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Input requested for air compressor sizing and type

I'm shopping for a new air compressor. I think a 60 gallon 10-14 scfm should meet my needs but I'm not sure and don't want to have to buy another later on.

The compressor will be used to air up truck tires, run a a needle scaler (10 scfm) and I will probably purchase a soda/sand blaster and spray painting equipment. I don't want one that has to run all of the time to keep up with the scaler. I think that is my biggest load.

Also any input on screw type vs 2 stage. I was told the 2 stage is quieter than a screw type. Which is more efficient?

Dan,
I'm sure you've heard it before, get the very biggest you can afford. I recently bought a two stage, 80 gallon, 18 cfm at 100psi, 20 at 175, and it does what I need. It has a built in regulator so you can turn down the pressure to the tools being used. I run my sand blast cabinet, impacts, 10 gallon sand blaster and it kicks in frequently when using high demand tools like the cabinet and blaster. It doesn't run very long though. I hope this helps.

thx But they are all over the place regarding price, I don't want to find out the hard way that more expensive is not really better.

Dan I agree with Fox. Shop around is the best bet unless you just want to put the money out and buy a Quincy! I've been running my 80gal two stage professional Craftsman with the same stats Fox mentioned above for the past 10 years and I mean run it hard. I used it for over 10 years but only hard the past 10. I did have to replace the electric motor last year but found a nice one locally for less than 200. I run air tools, cabinet blaster and just about anything else I want to.
I'd also be sure to shop for "quietness" unless its going outside. Just about all of them are pretty loud sitting in a corner.
Note: someone mentioned putting a quick connect on the drain where you can hook up a line and drain it easy without having to get down on your knees to drain it. This is one good idea and I plan to do that. I have it piped from underneath but a quick connect with hose helps you "put the water where you want it. Just thought I'd throw this in.
.....also mark any balancing weights that may be on your flywheel. They are known to come off on occasion and finding them, or knowing where they went can be a chore. Just saying....

The old compressors seem to last much longer that the newer made one(5 years or less) , I have a campbellhusfeld that lasted almost 10 year before I had to change the compressor and then the motor. when they both died again about 3 years later i got a new 60 gal 5 hp IR and it died just out of warranty two years a 3 month later and could not get parts for it. I made the choice and got a 80 gallon 7 hp Quincy so at least when it dies I can get parts.

warranties on compressors now are only 1 and 2 year with an extended warranty

Fox X 3.

Fox x 4...this is one case where bigger is better!

I have a BIG Quincy single stage, two cylinder, pressurized oiling system with unloaders and a 5hp motor that is on a 60 gal tank. I have the pressure switch set at 125 pounds and I've been running it for 20+ years (it was used when I got it), sand blasting, cabinet blasting, tools, painting etc. If I had to buy a new one I'd get the two stage because of the higher pressures they can maintain.

Mike B

Perhaps now is a good time to put a plug in for maintenance. Although I'm sure there are some out there that have never had the oil changed I highly recommend it as well as checking the pop off valves and such at least once a year. Its also wise to put it in a good place for air flow. Keep it as cool as you can.

Take care of your compressor and it'll take care of you.

Good advice, Alvin,

My 10+ year old Harbor Freight 80 gal 5HP 2-stage compressors lives/runs in a garage bay separated from our work bay (I am lucky to have a large garage). The oil has never been changed (it looks to be clean) - nonetheless, I should have changed it.

Another maintenance recommendation: drain the tank as often as necessary. Here in NY, at least once a year (before winter hibernation) is all that is needed - but it is needed (and, that water would freeze during hibernation).

The 80 gallon, 5hp, 2 stage is the way to go. I run my whole shop with an Atlas-Copco that is 25 years old. I had to replace the electric motor, but the cause was my fault. it got too much paint dust inside it. My old shop had the compressor too close to the prep area that I primered & pre-painted.

Just had to replace the "portable" sears compressor in my shop/work space. Like many, here I have limited power to the shop. I use an extension cord( I know, I know...but 100 feet to the shed is costly add on venture). So after the crooks busted the door open and hauled out every thing...and that includes stuff from my Grandfathers Plumbing shop. I had to decide what to replace and what to let go. I worked that little Sears compressor to near death. It was a greedy little pig, hard on start and unable to run a DA for very long. I have replaced several circuit breakers on the line that supports the shop. So I was looking for the "most" compressor I could get for a 115 Volt line. Local "Industrial" providers were happy to point out what they had on the floor. But most were interested in more "commercial" applications. One local vendor was willing to listen. So after some looking and some other considerations, I went with a Quincy upright. It has wheels, and I can move it. It has a 2 stage Iron pump with a belt drive. It came with a 2 HP motor. And...made in the USA. Yes it was more money than I wanted to spend. It is quiet...very quiet. Nice when you and the compressor have to be close. So far all I have run is the stapler(not much of a test) but, it started easy. Ran quiet and it came up to the set pressure from full empty to 80 PIS in about 1-2 minutes. No leaks and supported a 150 foot hose(fence project) Never waited, and...never heard that thing run. I may have done good.

Quincy is a well known good compressor. I used a 2hp for many years and it only had a 20 gallon tank. Set at 90 PSI it ran a lot when doing mechanical work but held up well. In fact, I still have it in a corner of the shop. I bought it in 1983 and hate to part with it.

....oh, one thing I must add. I think it ran so long because my neighbor "switched" the wires to where it ran on 220 which I realize you do not have.

I think you did good as long as you do not run multiple things at one time.

Steve,

What size wire and circuit breaker serve the 120v line to the work area? That line should only be loaded to 80% and your new 2-hp motor should draw about 24 amps...what's the name plate amps?

Mike B

I have also been kicking around a bigger Compressor, and while looking around, I see the Eaton Polar Air that is made in Ohio. Specs look pretty good to me, and the price is in the ball park, but I don't remember any one ever mentioning this brand. Any comments? Obviously, a lot of you have had good luck with compressors from Sears or HF, but I think the quality of what you get today is a bit less than say 20 years ago.

What is the part number for the Eaton Polar Air unit?

5 h.p., PPE05V080I1

Industrial 5HP 2 Stage Single Phase 80 Gallon Vertical Air Compressor