Seeking air compressor recommendations

[tube80z]

My only advice it mount the compressor up high if you can.  Then you can have the floor space for something else.  Mine is in a loft in my shop and out of the way.  I looped my main air line and all drops come off the top.  Main lines are all angled down to one corner and I have drains at all corners.  I have a special filter for my plasma cutter (looks like it uses toilet paper) and a desiccant system for the main shop.  Probably not as good as an air dryer but then again this is non-commercial.  The compressor is an old 7.5 HP Costco 2-stage cast iron compressor.  Oil is synthetic and it's been in three shops now and is about 16 years old.  Having the compressor raised makes it easy to drain the tank via a remote line I have running from the bottom.  I use a contactor as a remote switch to turn the compressor on and off.  Nothing fancy has worked for years.  My blast cabinet is the only thing that makes it run continuously.  The tank size is 80 gallons.   If you want more air volume you can use a propane tank  I got an old 150 gallon propane tank I was going to add but decided I already had enough capacity for the moment.

 

Hope this helps,

Cary

[RebekahsZ]

Thank you. So, you run continuously with the blast cabinet same as my buddy with the 60 gal? So in not seeing a benefit to going 80 instead of 60. I'm learning something from every comment. Thanks fellas. The mason is laying the bricks on the exterior of the shop today!

[tube80z]

A blast cabinet goes through a lot of air.  I wouldn't use that as the main planning priority personally.  The one thing I didn't mention is that I have a special connection that is before the main regulator (I usually run around 100 PSI in the main line), which is connected to the tank.  It shuts off at 155 PSI.  I use that one every now and then when I need some extra oomph.  Nice option to have if you have a few tools or tanks that need the extra pressure.  I have a tire tank that can hold 175 PSI if needed.  I've used propane tanks converted to do this too.

 

Cary

[RebekahsZ]

Here are a couple I'm considering if buying new:

 

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Ingersoll-Rand-2475N7.5-Air-Compressor/p707.html

 

http://www.bendpak.com/Air-Compressors/LS580V-601

 

Off to ebay and craigslist to see what is out there.

 

Learning about these rotary-style compressors is interesting.  However, I am somewhat constrained by space.  Most of them have horizontal tanks.  I'm wondering what my options are to slim them up to fit in my assigned space.....my assigned space has the following measurements: _____ wide, _______ deep, ______tall (to be filled in tomorrow).

 

Here are a few examples I found:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Polar-Air-Eaton-Compressor-7-5HP-Single-Phase-Rotary-Screw-W-60-Gallon-Tank-/361484736083?hash=item542a2b5653:m:mJYjaYDlLbUqUvUQSSJs44Q

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QUINCY-ROTARY-SCREW-COMPRESSOR-40-HP-AIR-END-REBUILD-/161354568956?hash=item25917b54fc:g:4pkAAOSwirZTsw~y

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPAIR-ROTARY-SCREW-COMPRESSOR-15-HP-AIR-END-REBUILD-/161354567315?hash=item25917b4e93:g:RvIAAOSwh6xTsw9L

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atlas-Copco-10-HP-Base-Mounted-Rotary-Screw-Air-Compressor-208-230-460-3-60-/121725545673?hash=item1c57686cc9:g:SsAAAOSwMmBVxh3E

 

I'm not seeing a tank on a lot of these....I really think I goofed when I built the shop, having only enough space to go with an upright piston-compressor.

Edited February 7, 2016 by RebekahsZ

[nismo silvia]

If you are worried about shop space you can buy a tuff shead and mount the compessor in it, then you don't have to worrie about the noise from the compressor running.