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Anyone used an Eaton Air Compressor? I am looking to upgrade my air compressor when i move into the new house and have been looking at these from Eaton.. Seem pretty good from the specs, wondered if anyone had any experience of them?
I use my compressor to power my air tools that i use to work on my 92Z. I posted it in fabrication, seemed to be the best place to start since i will be using air tools to fabricate things for my 92Z.
I thought that was a pretty good response...? He went to the trouble to go find you another unit that has similar specs but is priced a bit cheaper. What kind of answer were you looking for ? An air compressor is an air compressor is an air compressor, nothing magical or special about that Eaton one.
I didnt suggest that there was anything magical or special about it.. I just asked if had anyone had experience of that manufacturer...
I liked the fact that they show the full specs of their equipment such as the low RPM, the noise is one of my biggest concerns and nowhere does HF or many others list those specs. Nowhere does it mention the duty cycle of the HF one either...
I have already done quite a bit of research and have indeed looked at that and all the other compressors HF lists (as well as Compressorsdirect, Northerntool, Lowes, Home Depot, Summit, Sears, ToolsUSA, National Tool Warehouse etc etc) but i prefer to know what i am buying before i buy it which is what led me to the Eaton compressor..
The point of my thread was really to make sure that Eatons compressors werent particulalrly poor quality or anything however since it is expanding into others also, let me ask for some opinions on the others i have been looking at
My requirements are maximum CFM per $ and quietness.. Question is, do i really need 27CFM (is it worth me spending the extra) and how much quieter is a 2 stage versus a single stage compressor?
The things i will be using the compressor for are
Some sandblasting
Air Hammer
DA Sander
Impact wrench
Air Ratchet
Die Grinder
Possibly spray painting
Keep editing - I want to buy a compressor that will last a long time and fulfill all my air needs in the future which is why i am looking at good sized units, i dont want to get an 13CFM unit now and find out it really isnt up to snuff a few months down the line and wish i had bought the 27CFM one...
I bought the ~$500 one from sears, about 10 cfm @ 100 i believe... single stage, had it for a couple years its not bad.. I looked for awhile but could not justify doubling the price for an extra 3 cfm, then you step outside of sears and everyone wants 1k more for the same specs
mine can run a DA all day long, but the motor will be going constantly and everything will get very moist, heh
DA, die grinder.. air hammer probably, sandblasting, all need alot of cfm.. but alot of the smaller units can meet the requirements they will just have to run longer todo it.. that doesnt really bother me personally, id rather save the $2000 to buy more tools then go way overkill on the compressor for what a hobbyist like myself actually needs :P
Look at the CFM rating at 90 psi for your air tools. How many of them will be operating at the same time? You only need a compressor big enough to handle the demand. A compressor that size can handle most small multi bay repair shops.
Look at the CFM rating at 90 psi for your air tools. How many of them will be operating at the same time? You only need a compressor big enough to handle the demand. A compressor that size can handle most small multi bay repair shops.
I have only some places dont list CFM at 90PSI, maybe at 100 PSI or max PSI so i listed either CFM @ 90 PSI or at whatever PSI they listed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen 87 IROC
A compressor that size can handle most small multi bay repair
This is what i was looking for, but what about the noise if it is running all the time, i would rather go too big and have it run less b/c of the noise.. I could always just try and install it in a shed and pipe the air in.. I have a small direct drive compressor right now and it is just waaay too loud - it is offensively loud and it runs non stop when using almost anything.. plus it doesnt have enough puff to even run my cut off tool continously. Almost everything i have read says to just get the biggest CFM you can afford, but is there such a thing as too much when talking about an air compressor?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen 87 IROC
You only need a compressor big enough to handle the demand.
I do and dont agree with this, yes you need need only enough to run what you got but like i said earlier, i dont want to get a 13CFM unit now only to find i wished i had got a much bigger one down the road and have to go through the time and expense again...
I've owned the Eaton compressor your considering for about 5 years. Overall I'm very happy with the unit. What kind of sandblasting are you considering doing? This Eaton compressor replaced my SEARS model 18419 60 gallon vertical compressor (likely the $500 one previously mentioned). I owned that compressor just one year and sold it because it wouldn't keep up with my Harbor Freight ITEM 93608-1VGA sand blast cabinet. I'd sand blast for about 7 minutes, then run out or air and have to wait about 6-7 minutes for it to cycle off again. I decided to sell it before I beat it to death by running it continuously. The Eaton (which I nicknamed "Big Red") is a huge improvement. I never run out of air now. The only complaint I had with the Eaton was the air pressure gauge used on it. The gauge isn't oil-filled. I've mounted my compressor on rubber isolating pads, yet it still killed the air gauge in a few short months. After I destroyed the second gauge (which was replaced under warranty) I purchased an oil-filled gauge which is what Eaton should have installed in the first place and haven't had any problems since. I did have to adjust the belt guard slightly because it was making an annoying buzzing when the compressor was on, but it's been quiet and trouble free since. I've since upgraded to a larger sand blast cabinet which uses quite a bit more air and the compressor still keeps up with the air requirement. Also my auto-drain went bad after a couple of years. I've removed it and installed a manual ball valve instead. The auto-drain only makes sense if you're using the compressor on a daily basis. I don't. I'd only plug it in when I ran the compressor. Otherwise it would pop off every hour and scare my wife. The valve corroded and was sticking open. A cheap brass ball valve from Home Depot solved the problem.
Thanks man, good review. It sounds like the compressor itself can't be all that loud then if you were able to hear the belt gaurd buzz over it? I have no idea how much noise one of these big units makes, but anything must be an improvement over the little direct drive i have now :-)
what usesful things can do you with sandblasting? I am considering an air compressor, and did not think about sandblasting... i know for removing paint and stuff down to the metal, what else? thanks!
80% of the noise involved in running an air compressor is generated by the air intake, compression noise coming out of the intake... I have seen a few compressors that had fabricated mount over the intake and mounted a cherry bomb type muffler pointed strait up... That made them MUCH quieter. No real restriction, muffler stopped some noise, and the rest bounced off the ceiling and dissipated. Better muffler probably would work better but you can buy a cherry bomb for like $20. If you have a welder, tap some holes, and get some pipe from the store, you could probably have the thing fabricated for less than $50.
Something you may not have considered is the power requirements for some of these compressors.
A compressor around the mid-20 CFM mark will have a motor larger than 5HP. Many power companies forbid single phase motors larger than 5HP (running). In this case a larger motor may only be used if it is approved by the power company. Basically what they are trying to do is to make sure you aren't overloading part of the supply system or affecting your neighbors by causing voltage dips during startup.
A few years ago I went down the road of "which compressor to buy." My drive at the time was that my 5HP (peak) compressor was just a little too small for some air-tools, but ended up damaging it trying to keep up with sand blasting. Sand blasting just takes a tremendous volume of air to be effective. The compressor was also generating very hot and damp air while trying to keep up with the demand.
After checking around, I found that most hobbyist class compressors were only good for and average of three to five years before they blew up. Considering the use of the compressor it was reasonable to conclude that the life span of a cheap compressor would be on the short side. These hobbyist compressors were meant more for running a small air tool for a few hours, not for throwing sand for 30 minutes at a time.
When I sat down and thought about things I realized that I would own this compressor for decades to come. This pretty much set me on the idea that I would want to buy a compressor that was a low-end version of a commercial unit. After shopping around I found that I could locally buy Ingersoll Rand compressors, a brand that has been around for a long time and manufactures commercial grade units. It took a while to save up the money, but in the end I ended up buying a 7.5HP unit that has worked wonderfully. Parts won't be an issue, and I am doubtful that I will ever need more compressed air than it can supply.
The only down sides are, as previously mentioned, the huge power requirements and that the compressor is a pain to install and relocate due to its hefty 550lb stature.
Just a few thoughts from someone who has been down this road, and one that followed the "do it once and do it right" philosophy.
Something you may not have considered is the power requirements for some of these compressors.
A compressor around the mid-20 CFM mark will have a motor larger than 5HP. Many power companies forbid single phase motors larger than 5HP (running). In this case a larger motor may only be used if it is approved by the power company. Basically what they are trying to do is to make sure you aren't overloading part of the supply system or affecting your neighbors by causing voltage dips during startup.
A few years ago I went down the road of "which compressor to buy." My drive at the time was that my 5HP (peak) compressor was just a little too small for some air-tools, but ended up damaging it trying to keep up with sand blasting. Sand blasting just takes a tremendous volume of air to be effective. The compressor was also generating very hot and damp air while trying to keep up with the demand.
After checking around, I found that most hobbyist class compressors were only good for and average of three to five years before they blew up. Considering the use of the compressor it was reasonable to conclude that the life span of a cheap compressor would be on the short side. These hobbyist compressors were meant more for running a small air tool for a few hours, not for throwing sand for 30 minutes at a time.
When I sat down and thought about things I realized that I would own this compressor for decades to come. This pretty much set me on the idea that I would want to buy a compressor that was a low-end version of a commercial unit. After shopping around I found that I could locally buy Ingersoll Rand compressors, a brand that has been around for a long time and manufactures commercial grade units. It took a while to save up the money, but in the end I ended up buying a 7.5HP unit that has worked wonderfully. Parts won't be an issue, and I am doubtful that I will ever need more compressed air than it can supply.
The only down sides are, as previously mentioned, the huge power requirements and that the compressor is a pain to install and relocate due to its hefty 550lb stature.
Just a few thoughts from someone who has been down this road, and one that followed the "do it once and do it right" philosophy.
Thanks, thats exactly what i am trying to do, do it right first time so i dont have to do it again.. I didnt know about the power company thing though, good tip... I am currently thinking i will go for something like the new Craftsman 5.4hp, 13CFM @100PSI. Just hope i dont regret not getting something that puts out nearer 20CFM or more....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scribbles
80% of the noise involved in running an air compressor is generated by the air intake, compression noise coming out of the intake... I have seen a few compressors that had fabricated mount over the intake and mounted a cherry bomb type muffler pointed strait up... That made them MUCH quieter. No real restriction, muffler stopped some noise, and the rest bounced off the ceiling and dissipated. Better muffler probably would work better but you can buy a cherry bomb for like $20. If you have a welder, tap some holes, and get some pipe from the store, you could probably have the thing fabricated for less than $50.
Thanks for the tip.. I might give something like that a try when i get moved into my new garage
Last edited by Ricco; 10-04-2007 at 12:02 AM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Thanks, thats exactly what i am trying to do, do it right first time so i dont have to do it again.. I didnt know about the power company thing though, good tip... I am currently thinking i will go for something like the new Craftsman 5.4hp, 13CFM @100PSI. Just hope i dont regret not getting something that puts out nearer 20CFM or more....
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Thanks for the tip.. I might give something like that a try when i get moved into my new garage
In fact i will prob go for this over the craftsman, the only drawback is that it has a max 135PSI... Is that a big deal?
I can only talk from experience on my Eaton compressor. It is assembled in America, but it uses some globally sourced components. For example the motor is from Brazil made by a company called WEG.
Hey folks, I ended up going for the IR from Northern for a few reasons - It has by far the highest CFM rating from ANY compressor i have seen in the price range (18.1 CFM @ 90 PSI and ~21CFM @ 40PSI - sub $1000), 100% duty cycle when using synthentic oil, 135 PSI max, I have read a lot of people think it is fantastic for home hobby use AND I havent seen any bad things written about it...
Cons seem to be the 60Gallon tank and the 135PSI max (due to being single stage) however, in my research, most people say that an 80 gallon will only allow for 2 or 3 seconds additional air before the motor kicks in, and the motor has to run longer each time to fill the tank, which isnt necessarily a bad thing, (kind of like 5 min runs to the shops isnt enough to let your car warm up)..
Anyway, I am also thinking that the 135 PSI max is actually a plus for me since the black iron pipe i plan on installing for it (from Lowes) is only rated for 150PSI.. I know i could put an extra regulator at the outlet of the tank but then thats an extra regulator i would of had to buy and all the 2 stage compressors in the price range have a lower CFM rating.
Anyway, thats my update and reasons I decided to go with the IR.. I only ordered it yesterday so will let you all know how i like it when we get moved into our new house The builders have installed a 240v outlet in my garage where i will be putting the compressor and I believe it will be rated at 30amps which I think will be OK for the 5hp (running) motor on the compressor.
wow and i was proud when i got my 1.7 hp 4.9cfm 33 gallon craftsman compressor.....i feel "tiny" now...lol. sounds like you got a good compressor. i didnt see this post till just now but my friends dad does auto body and paint and he has an 80 gallon compressor i cant remember the brand but it runs around 18cfm at 90psi. he sand blasts and everything and has no problems at all with it keeping up. it cost him around 900 bucks i think.
Last edited by 86irocterror; 02-08-2008 at 03:24 AM.
As i mentioned, i did end up getting the IR.. Here it is after i got it setup, have only used it for cutting and grinding so far but havent had to put an air tool down yet to wait for it to catch up
The builders have installed a 240v outlet in my garage where i will be putting the compressor and I believe it will be rated at 30amps which I think will be OK for the 5hp (running) motor on the compressor.
