Air Compressor

[William1]

I need (want) a new air compressor. Old noisy as hell Sears 20 gallon will stay in the garage at the house. Wife uses it, car tires, when it dies, I'll wing it.

New building, I want a quieter one (75dB or less), ideally 175psi and around 10 CFM @ 90 PSI.. Building will be plumbed and the compressor on the second floor. Going to have a remote on/off switch and 240V (20 amp). Has to have auto drain. I'd like an aluminum tank. Ideally, 30 to 40 gallon tank. I'd love a dryer but those get real pricey.

I was looking at California Air Tools, but they only go to 20 gallon aluminum and the price jumps to get good CFM.

Was also looking at Puma.

I don't really care if it is oiless or splash.

Suggestions?

 

[Henro]

I don't have any suggestions, other than if it is for long term use, I personally would avoid the oiless type...at least in the size you are considering.

 

[jimh406]

I'm afraid I don't have anything near that quiet and powerful. However, it seems like most people at least list the dB. The quieter powerful ones are a lot more expensive.

 

[RCW]

@William1 - - -

This was 2017 here on OTT when I was looking. Not sure if helpful. Most of the pictures don't show.

Air Compressors | OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

I ended up with a 20 Gallon Ingersall-Rand.

It's not anywhere near 9cfm or an aluminum tank. It's quiet, and has a 100% duty cycle.

I would NEVER go back to an oilless compressor. I gave my old one to my neighbor across the road. I heard it running last year.....from the inside of his garage....

Are you limited to 120V, or do you have 240v available?

I still sometimes wish I could have squeezed a 60 gallon compressor in.....although I really like the compressor I have.

A 60 gallon compressor really opens up possibilities for 9 cfm, and other options you're looking for.

 

[stevewhitts]

I think it will be a challenge to find something that meets your requirements and is that quiet. I think you may want to look into building a sound box for the compressor.

 

[fried1765]

I need (want) a new air compressor. Old noisy as hell Sears 20 gallon will stay in the garage at the house. Wife uses it, car tires, when it dies, I'll wing it.

New building, I want a quieter one (75dB or less), ideally 175psi and around 10 CFM @ 90 PSI.. Building will be plumbed and the compressor on the second floor. Going to have a remote on/off switch and 240V (20 amp). Has to have auto drain. I'd like an aluminum tank. Ideally, 30 to 40 gallon tank. I'd love a dryer but those get real pricey.

I was looking at California Air Tools, but they only go to 20 gallon aluminum and the price jumps to get good CFM.

Was also looking at Puma.

I don't really care if it is oiless or splash.

Suggestions?

A 2 stage "Quincy", (175 psi, 20cfm)....... if you re willing to spend big bucks!
You will need to build a sound enclosure.
Great machine.
Have had one (pressure lubed) for 30 years.

 

[McMXi]

I need (want) a new air compressor. Old noisy as hell Sears 20 gallon will stay in the garage at the house. Wife uses it, car tires, when it dies, I'll wing it.

New building, I want a quieter one (75dB or less), ideally 175psi and around 10 CFM @ 90 PSI.. Building will be plumbed and the compressor on the second floor. Going to have a remote on/off switch and 240V (20 amp). Has to have auto drain. I'd like an aluminum tank. Ideally, 30 to 40 gallon tank. I'd love a dryer but those get real pricey.

I was looking at California Air Tools, but they only go to 20 gallon aluminum and the price jumps to get good CFM.

Was also looking at Puma.

I don't really care if it is oiless or splash.

Suggestions?

I've been running the same IR for close to 20 years now but compressors have come a long way since then.

You should take a look at Emax Compressors. They offer some very quiet models. Made in the USA too.

Emax Compressor – Innovation | It's in the air.

emaxcompressor.com

 

[William1]

@William1 - - -

This was 2017 here on OTT when I was looking. Not sure if helpful. Most of the pictures don't show.

Air Compressors | OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

I ended up with a 20 Gallon Ingersall-Rand.

View attachment 152632

It's not anywhere near 9cfm or an aluminum tank. It's quiet, and has a 100% duty cycle.

I would NEVER go back to an oilless compressor. I gave my old one to my neighbor across the road. I heard it running last year.....from the inside of his garage....

Are you limited to 120V, or do you have 240v available?

I still sometimes wish I could have squeezed a 60 gallon compressor in.....although I really like the compressor I have.

A 60 gallon compressor really opens up possibilities for 9 cfm, and other options you're looking for.

I've already got a 240V 20 mp breaker, remote switch and indicator. Just waiting for the compressor then plumb it (Probably just use regular rubber air line until I plumb the shop.)

I have 6' of head room at the knee wall, rising to 8,' 2' out, so I can fit a 60 gallon.I think.

A oil pokapoka...is a lot better than the oiless BRAAAAAAAA
I want dry-ish air too, nothing worse trying to dry a engine part than seeing fog blowing out the nozzle. Im hoping a auto drain helps that.

 

[William1]

Too many amps!
This might be the ticket

Quincy Q13160VQ 3.5-HP 60-Gallon Belt Drive Single-Stage Air Compressor 230V 1-Phase

Buy Quincy Q13160VQ Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Quincy 3.5-HP 60-Gallon (Belt Drive) Single-Stage Air Compressor (230V 1-Phase) ratings before checking out.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Add an 'intercooler' between the compressor and the tank ! You'll get cooler, dryer air INTO the tank.
Lots of 'how to do it ' videos and website about this.

 

[William1]

Add an 'intercooler' between the compressor and the tank ! You'll get cooler, dryer air INTO the tank.
Lots of 'how to do it ' videos and website about this.

I 'get' how compressing air squeezes he water out but a intercooler would have to have an auto drain, right?
Got any links to a rationally priced intercooler?

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Too many amps!
This might be the ticket

Quincy Q13160VQ 3.5-HP 60-Gallon Belt Drive Single-Stage Air Compressor 230V 1-Phase

Buy Quincy Q13160VQ Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Quincy 3.5-HP 60-Gallon (Belt Drive) Single-Stage Air Compressor (230V 1-Phase) ratings before checking out.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

I have the "little brother" to that one. Quincy, 26 gallon, 120V model.

It's a fine little compressor that has performed admirably thus far.

It powers my impacts and my CNC plasma cutter pretty well.

I don't have any "hard numbers", but it is "noticeably quieter" than the old Craftsman that it replaced. (which still works, but has been retired to the cottage)

Although if I were to "do it over", I would have picked something like you posted, maybe even bigger.


As a side note: I tried an "Oil-less model" about 25 years ago. After about 15 minutes of using it, I boxed it back up and returned it to Sears, due to the insane noise level. Not sure how the new ones stack up now though.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I 'get' how compressing air squeezes he water out but a intercooler would have to have an auto drain, right?
Got any links to a rationally priced intercooler?

The quest to get "dry air" is something of a "sore spot" on the Langmuir Forum.

It's somewhat akin to "the best oil" or "the best grease" debate.

These guys go at it 'day and night' about what is the best way to get dry air, cause its of "super importance" in the plasma cutting realm.

One thing that most people agree on, is the use of the "motor guard toilet paper" style filter.

https://www.amazon.com/Motor-Guard-M-30-Submicronic-Compressed/dp/B000GI0H2M/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1335907189878501&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aHfDPYfQPLSY5R25U9jdspiaOUBFDCwvQYzGGnb05efkFmbwS1MU9In8XNuVuLM1BqPe7acZ2re_IFo4E95bQDK0WXASaswq9hE9Bg1ckc_mdo8ORBR6CD2Dc48uMmcyH0W5sun2z1BWH3M0FwbYo1YU466A5BE-LvzGBD_YhHio9w4zec7eoGD-K449dXncoFoRed7v4EKkcLuSBTShWPKbdIv1JSxnAMpV9NGiO2agq-jMbnmN6rkne2OV2em-CUTQitZbkKJfpJsW2AsG_Rd4l67zfPSwBx7lepSmT-8.tDZer_N0zhMBydoU6YLTmEBKtJYUuyWlACoxCxvQD50&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83494586646583&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=106490&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83494536645945:loc-190&hydadcr=24657_13769816&keywords=motor+guard+filter&mcid=df5e9eb39f0f3e409457ddf4534e5d32&msclkid=451c798baf5416cacd67118989a44cef&qid=1744971510&sr=8-1&th=1

From what I gather, the Horror Fright refrigerated one is the cheapest/easiest way to get "pretty dry" air.

https://www.harborfreight.com/air-t...s/line-dryers/compressed-air-dryer-40211.html


Although I admittedly only use a "motor guard" filter and "desiccant dryer" for my plasma set up, which seems to work "well enough" for me.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I need (want) a new air compressor. Old noisy as hell Sears 20 gallon will stay in the garage at the house. Wife uses it, car tires, when it dies, I'll wing it.

New building, I want a quieter one (75dB or less), ideally 175psi and around 10 CFM @ 90 PSI.. Building will be plumbed and the compressor on the second floor. Going to have a remote on/off switch and 240V (20 amp). Has to have auto drain. I'd like an aluminum tank. Ideally, 30 to 40 gallon tank. I'd love a dryer but those get real pricey.

I was looking at California Air Tools, but they only go to 20 gallon aluminum and the price jumps to get good CFM.

Was also looking at Puma.

I don't really care if it is oiless or splash.

Suggestions?

I have a commercial standalone dryer you can have for free. Its a four hour round trip drive from Richmond.

Dan

 

[woodman55]

As far as noise level, I think I would either move the compressor or build a box around it.

 

[John T]

Too many amps!
This might be the ticket

Quincy Q13160VQ 3.5-HP 60-Gallon Belt Drive Single-Stage Air Compressor 230V 1-Phase

Buy Quincy Q13160VQ Direct. Free Shipping. Check the Quincy 3.5-HP 60-Gallon (Belt Drive) Single-Stage Air Compressor (230V 1-Phase) ratings before checking out.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

I have the Quincy QT54 .... from Northern Tools. free shipping also.
had it over 5 years.

my advice is don't fall down the rabbit hole of over thinking dry air with all kinds of inter-coolers and crazy piping....

I use an auto drain off the bottom tank drain....

Off the top air output it goes up to the ceiling then down to 1 drop leg with a ball valve drain

then into a water separator
then a Motor-Gard M60 filter
then into a small desiccant filter and finally a regulator.

sounds like a lot but it's all in line...

works fantastic. change desiccant MAYBE once a month.

I save the desiccant and dry it out next to the wood stove and reuse it.
pink/wet blue/dry

 

[fried1765]

I have the "little brother" to that one. Quincy, 26 gallon, 120V model.

It's a fine little compressor that has performed admirably thus far.

It powers my impacts and my CNC plasma cutter pretty well.

I don't have any "hard numbers", but it is "noticeably quieter" than the old Craftsman that it replaced. (which still works, but has been retired to the cottage)

Although if I were to "do it over", I would have picked something like you posted, maybe even bigger.


As a side note: I tried an "Oil-less model" about 25 years ago. After about 15 minutes of using it, I boxed it back up and returned it to Sears, due to the insane noise level. Not sure how the new ones stack up now though.

I have the little Quincy as well.
An RPM comparison number will tell the real noise story.

 

[William1]

I have a commercial standalone dryer you can have for free. Its a four hour round trip drive from Richmond.

Dan

Interesting.
Why are you getting rid of it?
What is its power requirements?
Footprint?

To all, I really appreciate the information/advice. Its definitely helping guide me

 

[TheOldHokie]

Interesting.
Why are you getting rid of it?
What is its power requirements?
Footprint?

To all, I really appreciate the information/advice. Its definitely helping guide me

I got the dryer almost 20 years ago along with a venerable old 240V 3PH Wayne compressor and never installed the dryer. Its rougly 3' W' x 2' D x 3' H and I believe it and the compressor came from a defunct service station. It has a 120 VAC single phase fan motor which I expect runs on an ordinary 15A circuit.

My age and health are telling me its time to start cleaning out the shop and its simply excess to my needs.

Dan

 

[mikester]

Husky 4.5 Gal. 175 PSI Portable Electric Quiet Air Compressor 3320445 - The Home Depot

Power up your air tools by selecting this durable Husky Portable Electric-Powered Silent Air Compressor. Easy to handle.

www.homedepot.com

I bought one of these as a portable unit. Very quiet and good CFM compared to my old pancake unit. I'd buy one again and would recommend. Fills tires and runs power tools well.