Long time no see - sorry; just retired & have been trying to catch up on some things.

Speaking on "catching up on things", just got the slab poured for the garage -will need to find a "recommended" compressor / tank so I can begin doing the repairs on Harrison. This will not be a business use setup - but from what I've read, I'll need a two-stage verticle compressor to do the things that I want and not be dis-appointed. Will do lots of sanding / grinding and would like to try my hand at painting (since I have a little more time on my hands).

Could I get some recommendations for good compressor? I'd like to add the wife works at Lowes - and the 2 stage Kobalt compressor they have on display looks really nice (taller than me) after her 10% discount... but it doesn't "have" to be a Kobalt if I'm going to have constant problems with it.

Thanks guys,
Loveoldtrux

 

A good compressor is a investment for a long period of time. Your on the right track.



The BelAire's are the only one's I can find that have a ACFM [Actual Cubic Feet per Min] Real world numbers, not some lab test.
No other manafacture will list it.

This is not a bad price with the shipping.

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=9328

Use that price as a base point and shop online some more.

I paid under $1000 a few years ago and the price jumped $100 a week after I bought mine.


2yr bumper to bumper warranty. I did have to use it and there were no questions asked and a imediant shipment of a new motor was sent.
I asked, " Hey how about sending me some more air filters and oil for my trouble?"

No problem, sent it right out.

I have installed a hour meter on the unit. This way you can keep track of service.

 

Here's another 218 model.

http://www.toolsusa.com/asp/item_det...V&GENB=ac&UID=

This is a 216 model. I haven't investigated the difference. I do see it has some sort of auto drain which is nice.

I have one on my unit, but I bought it extra.

http://www.toolsusa.com/asp/item_det...V&GENB=ac&UID=

 

Warthog5 - that's pretty nice looking!! Good fer bicycle tires too, huh?

Did you end up bolting this beast to the floor or is it heavy enough to just sit in the corner somewhere? I believe the Kobalt 2 stage is something like 550 pounds --- I don't think it's going to vibrate anywhere....

I notice the thread has 39 viewings and only 1 reply --- anybody else had good luck with their 2 stage compressor or are they ALL trouble?...

Thanks - Loveoldtrux

 

I don't have it bolted to the floor. However it is still bolted to the skid.

I still have the tank for my 60gal single stage Sanborn. It sit's outside the shop under a lean to.

It is not rated for the 175psi, so I have the Belaire turned down to a max of 150psi and it's fine.

I can turn 2 ball valves and bring the 60gal tank online for a grand total of 140gal capacity. I only do that if I'm sandblasting.

 

I just purchased and installed an Eaton 5-HP 80 gallon vertical V-Twin compressor ($1132) in my garage to replace my previous compressor, which was a Porter-Cable 3HP 60 gallon vertical compressor. I do a lot of media blasting for my multiple restoration projects and my old compressor just was not up to the task. This Eaton compressor is over engineered and was the best compressor in this price range IMHO and has many options that similarly priced compressors did not have. Some of features I like is the massive 5HP motor (~ 99 lbs), magnetic starter, continuous run feature, double motor-to-pump belts, ball valves used for oil and tank drains. This compressor delivers 19.5 CFM @ 100PSI (Free-Air value not the pump displacement) and the 5-HP motor runs at 1/2 the RPM's (1750 RPM) of their competitors (3450 RPM) to get these values. The slower pump speeds mean quieter operation, less heat, and less water condensation. The continuous run feature is great and saves you money on your electric bill and helps to keep the compressor pump cooler, which in turns prolongs the life of your pump. To use the continuous run feature you open a valve allowing air to be delivered to the two pump heads when the compressor is up to pressure. The air pressure then opens the intake valves and allows the air to enter and escape through the open intake valve, which cools the pump. When the air pressure drops below the threshold value of the valve the intake valves close and the tank re-pressurizes. This feature saves you $$$ on your electric bill because it reduces the constant start / stop of the 5HP motor. This compressor is much quieter than my old compressor as well and when the continuous run mode activates the load on the motor is greatly reduced and the compressor runs even quieter. When you buy an Eaton compressor you are buying directly from the manufacture and you cut out the middle men and therefore get a better price. Eaton even lets you choose the color of your compressor (12 colors to choose from). I choose Hunter Green, see photos below. If you order one of these compressors order the rubber mounting pads ($19) to reduce vibration. I anchored my compressor to my cement floor using cement anchors and lag bolts, but remember not to tighten the bolts too tight. The idea is to keep the compressor stationary, but allow it to ride on the rubber mounting pads to isolate compressor vibration from the surroundings. With my old compressor I just left it on the small pallet it came bolted on and it never moved, but my new compressor came on a full size pallet and I was not going to leave it on this for obvious reasons. Having the right compressor for the job is very important. Not only will it save you time and give better results, it will out last an improperly sized compressor.



http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catal...747/172993.htm

 

I will mimic what cujo8 has mentioned above. Eaton has a great reputation for making a very well built compressor. A few pennies more at the outset will last a long way.

 

Been searching for compressore for some time now. Seems many of the manufacturers assemble them in U.S. but the parts are imported from elsewhere. An issue I had with Eaton is that the compressor is built in China, not to say it's inferior, still considering, understand Eaton has good reputation. Intend checking whether Belair imports the compressor parts before making decision.

dave

 

daveenglelson - yup; in 1980 when I was servicing Wordplex Word Processors the computers were actually ASSEMBLED in America (in Mountainview, CA) so the sales force could tell clients our computers are "Made In America" but guess what - all parts were sent piece by piece from the UK.....

 

Cujo8 - very nice looking unit!! (I like the green, but I think I'll get red since I just retired from Compaq Computer Corp)

In about 2 weeks I'll be ordering trusses and getting them jerked up on the top plates -as soon as the shop is rough-framed, I'll definitely give the Eaton unit consideration....

Thanks for your input / feedback everybody....

 

Loveoldtrux, I'm sure you'll be happy with your new Eaton compressor, because I know I am. Your going to need those trusses and a friend to get the compressor off the shipping pallet. I thought I was going to be able to use my engine lift to lift the compressor off the pallet and position it in my garage, but the legs of my lift were not wide enough to straddle the shipping pallet. I used a section of 2x4 across two of my trusses, section of heavy chain looped around the 2x4, hooked come-a-long to chain, made another loop around the motor/pump mounting plate with heavy tow strap, and then hooked the tow strap loop onto the other end of the come-a-long to lift it off the pallet and my friend pulled the pallet out from under the compressor. Going up with a come-a-long is much easier than going down BTW, at least with the one I have anyway, but it can be done if you are careful. My friend and I then slowly walked the compressor over to the place I wanted it positioned. You'll need a 40amp 220V breaker and 8-3 gauge wire to hook up the compressor. I had a 2-pole mini-breaker box laying around, so I hooked up a second 40amp 220V breaker as a service disconnect and I ran another small section of 8-3 wire in 3/4" flexible plastic conduit to the magnetic starter box (see the picture I posted above). Good luck with your new compressor and garage!