compressor advice

[2fpower]

Well, it is time for an upgrade. I have had a Coleman Black-Max 5hp portable compressor for 12 years now (5 cfm), but it is just not enough for my upcoming sandblasting adventures. I was hoping to get something like 12 - 15 cfm.

So, I am looking for advice. I know I don't want harbor freight quality stuff, I want something that will last.

I was going to go used, but just saw this...

5 HP INGERSOLL RAND Air Compressor T30 60 Gallon - eBay (item 140309859376 end time Apr-03-09 07:00:15 PDT)

My first thought is that I don't want to save $300 - $400 to get something that is 6-8 years old, and don't know how abused it was.

Any thoughts on what brand to go with, what to stay away from is appreciated.

Erik -- I know you offered to let me borrow his big ol' compressor, if I can't decide in the next couple weeks, I will take you up on it.

 

[exrsa1]

Craigslist

Kelly, I too have been looking, and have seen some pretty good deals local on Craigslist. Just a thought. That particular one you show there, I missed at an estate sale by 5 minutes for $400. It's a nice machine.

EDIT: I stand corrected. It was a single stage for $400 at the sale.

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Kelly your more than welcome to borrow mine.. Just got it in the garage at the new place. It'll keep up with 2 d/a sanders running full tilt all day long.

 

[ebutlerfj40]

Look for a rotary screw type unit not a piston type. Screws have a 100% duty cycle and can deliver lots of cfm. I have a Kaeser rotary screw on my spray foam rig and love it.

 

[2fpower]

Eric-

Where can I find an affordable rotary screw? They seem out of reach to me...

k

 

[turd]

look at speed of the compressor,,,slower is quieter,,,and things last a bit longer..
some folks wind em up to make a little more air,,,
"medicine is 50% observation" ben casey,,,,look at the pump,,if it looks wimpy,,like a kmart pos,,it probably is,,,
cfm is like,,,well,,,breasts,,to me,,,the bigger the better,,,
i run eatons,,,price was right,,built like tanks,,service after sale is good,,,

hiya eric,,,you keepin busy??life is good here in the cornfield 'dude

 

[2fpower]

ROTGLOL ...me too on the funbags.... I will check out the eatons. Thanks for the advice.

 

[2fpower]

Turd-

Thanks for the advice... just jumped off the toilet and picked up a eaton. I should be sandblasting in three weeks.

Kelly

 

[kc_chevota]

good choice that is what i put on my comp when the old head quit.

 

[2fpower]

Rob. Thanks for the confirmation. I had heard of Eaton, but assumed they were out of my price range. I really appreciate advice from this board -- there are some great people here. I would not have looked at them.....

What really sold it was that they have a 5 year warrranty on every single square inch of their compressors. Most other brands are 1, some are 3 but are limited.

I ended up buying it through ebay with a 14% coupon deal a friend told me about, so it was the same price as the IR unit. I may be slow, but I ain't stupid -- it was the one to buy.

 

[2fpower]

got it

Thanks to my Rob and Andrew, got it in and running. Yesterday I sandblasted out in the driveway, and it was awesome. I put a fan pointed at the motor/pump, and after about 15 min of cooldown after 2 hours of blasting it was just warm to the touch.....

Oh, like the color???? GO KSTATE.... (doing our part to get people off of Social Security)