Shop air compressors, which is quietest brand and how large of a tank?

Paul G said:
Thanks for the tip and link, I just requested some more info from them. My wallet gets nervous though when they don't list prices online lol.
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Paul, it was several years ago, but I bought the Airtower 5C (5hp/21cfm@125psi) for $6200.  It also has the built-in refrigerated dryer and filter. Pricey, but I think it was worth it.  

Kaeser has a distributor in Cypress, CA, so I drove down there and picked it up to save the freight. Really great people to deal with.

Kaeser Airtower 5C
 
Rotary screw units can be quieter but also are subject to the same motor speed issue. The faster they turn the louder they are. Kaiser and Ingersoll both make variable speed units that speed up when needed. That said, the good ones have their own sound insulating covers. The one we use daily is like John's Kaiser example, quiet enough to stand next to and have a nice conversation. It is variable speed and runs the entire shop at about half-capacity, meaning half maximum speed. No one here, even John, would like to pick up the tab on this one. It's a 400hp fully enclosed variable speed Ingersoll.  ;D
 
joraft said:
Paul G said:
Thanks for the tip and link, I just requested some more info from them. My wallet gets nervous though when they don't list prices online lol.
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Paul, it was several years ago, but I bought the Airtower 5C (5hp/21cfm@125psi) for $6200.  It also has the built-in refrigerated dryer and filter. Pricey, but I think it was worth it.  

Kaeser has a distributor in Cypress, CA, so I drove down there and picked it up to save the freight. Really great people to deal with.

Kaeser Airtower 5C
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Hello John, It's probably been a couple of years since we talked -- what is the status of your shop(s) by now?  Do you have all of your machines fired and in production?  Any exciting new ones?  Pictures?
 
On a related note, with all the concerns about rusting tanks from inside, I wonder why they aren't coated or plated inside or made completely from stainless steel? Seems like especially the latter would eliminate that safety concern, albeit at a price.
 
Paul G said:
On a related note, with all the concerns about rusting tanks from inside, I wonder why they aren't coated or plated inside or made completely from stainless steel? Seems like especially the latter would eliminate that safety concern, albeit at a price.
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. Stainless can work harden from flexing, and many air tanks can come with a epoxy like coating to lessen rusting.
 
Paul G said:
On a related note, with all the concerns about rusting tanks from inside, I wonder why they aren't coated or plated inside or made completely from stainless steel? Seems like especially the latter would eliminate that safety concern, albeit at a price.
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Depending on your age, if you buy a quality air compressor and blow it down regularly - it's not going to be a problem in your lifetime.
 
polarsea1 said:
Paul G said:
On a related note, with all the concerns about rusting tanks from inside, I wonder why they aren't coated or plated inside or made completely from stainless steel? Seems like especially the latter would eliminate that safety concern, albeit at a price.
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Depending on your age, if you buy a quality air compressor and blow it down regularly - it's not going to be a problem in your lifetime.
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Since I'm only 39, I am hoping my little JC 10 fits that category. ;D
Tinker
 
greg mann said:
No one here, even John, would like to pick up the tab on this one. It's a 400hp fully enclosed variable speed Ingersoll.  ;D
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Greg, forget about affording one of those, I'd just like to see a photo.  [smile]
 
RonWen said:
Hello John, It's probably been a couple of years since we talked -- what is the status of your shop(s) by now?  Do you have all of your machines fired and in production?  Any exciting new ones?  Pictures?
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Hi Ron, yes it has been a while.

Sadly, not too much to report. I'm running way behind on my plans to build my dream shop, life seems to keep getting in the way. I was sure this would be my year and it's already half gone. You'll find out about this when you get older, but the longer you live the faster time passes.  [smile]

Not too exciting, but my latest acquisition was a drill press.
 
polarsea1 said:
... Depending on your age, if you buy a quality air compressor and blow it down regularly - it's not going to be a problem in your lifetime.
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Looking at it that way, I guess I should be shopping at Harbor Freight.  [big grin]
 
joraft said:
polarsea1 said:
... Depending on your age, if you buy a quality air compressor and blow it down regularly - it's not going to be a problem in your lifetime.
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Looking at it that way, I guess I should be shopping at Harbor Freight.  [big grin]
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But John, you'd lose bragging rights on owning a Rotary Screw Air Compressor. [tongue]
 
I am running a 2 stage Wayne pump with a 60 gallon vertical tank. Compressor is from the late 60's, made about 20 miles from home and pumps up to 175 pounds. Has a nice chug a lug sound to it. Tank is an ASME certified tank and I had it scoped when I bought it (paid 150 bucks for it).

 
leakyroof said:
But John, you'd lose bragging rights on owning a Rotary Screw Air Compressor. [tongue]
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No way, I almost never sell any tools or equipment that I already own.  I've got tools I bought nearly fifty years ago that are still in great condition.

I heartily agree with the idea of buying the best stuff you can afford and taking good care of it. It will last you a lifetime, and you have to buy each only once.

However, as you get older your expectations can be a little lower. At this point I'm even asking my dentist for the cheaper "lower mileage" fillings.  [big grin]
 
WarnerConstCo. said:
I am running a 2 stage Wayne pump with a 60 gallon vertical tank. Compressor is from the late 60's, made about 20 miles from home and pumps up to 175 pounds. Has a nice chug a lug sound to it. Tank is an ASME certified tank and I had it scoped when I bought it (paid 150 bucks for it).
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Can't beat the price, but can you run in your living room and still hear the TV?  [big grin]
 
joraft said:
polarsea1 said:
... Depending on your age, if you buy a quality air compressor and blow it down regularly - it's not going to be a problem in your lifetime.
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Looking at it that way, I guess I should be shopping at Harbor Freight.  [big grin]
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I guess that would depend on your definition of quality.  ;D
 
polarsea1 said:
joraft said:
polarsea1 said:
... Depending on your age, if you buy a quality air compressor and blow it down regularly - it's not going to be a problem in your lifetime.
Click to expand...

Looking at it that way, I guess I should be shopping at Harbor Freight.  [big grin]
Click to expand...

I guess that would depend on your definition of quality.  ;D
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I was thinking of it more in terms more of your expectation of longevity.  [smile]
 
WarnerConstCo. said:
I am running a 2 stage Wayne pump with a 60 gallon vertical tank. Compressor is from the late 60's, made about 20 miles from home and pumps up to 175 pounds. Has a nice chug a lug sound to it. Tank is an ASME certified tank and I had it scoped when I bought it (paid 150 bucks for it).
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  The Wayne Pump Unit that our shop scrapped needed valves. Just valves, and they were STILL available, but they went with the Quincy unit. It probably puts out a bit more air than the Wayne did, but is much noisier.  Tank was an 80 gallon vertical.
I believe the compressor was early 60's. Did not really use any oil, and until the valves finally wore out, did not really require much in the way of parts for a unit that was run pretty hard as the main shop compressor 5-6 days a week.  [cool]
 
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