Screw compressor good for a small garage shop?

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P-Ritch

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Hey All,

Pretty new here and have a question right off the bat. I'm setting up a small shop in my garage and was about to pull the trigger on quincy 5HP 2 stage piston compressor. Then a great deal showed up on craigslist of a quincy 5HP screw compressor with a built in refrigerated dryer still on the pallet asking about 75% the cost of a new one. I'm going to be using the air for a small blast cabinet mainly and few air tools at first, but within a few years I'd like to get a CNC mill as the finances allow.

It would be about $1500 more for the setup, but it would include the dryer (right now I'm about to spend $2k for the new piston setup). Would that be a good choice? Right now I'm looking at it as buying a compressor I could eventually grow out of vs buying a compressor that I would eventually grow into.

What are your thoughts and opinions on the matter.
 
A screw compressor is generally both quieter and more efficient than a piston machine. Can you get me a model number? I might even have a parts breakdown for it on my computer. I work on mostly screw compressors every day.
5 HP is a nice size too.
A refrigerated dryer will get you a dewpoint of between 34 and 38 F. Think of it as something like a window AC for compressed air'
 
The dryer will allow you to use the blast cabinet all day. And not have the media wet and clumping.
If you have the funds, and don't find it unreasonable, the screw compressor is the way to go. It produces more air, and is quiter. It can cost more to repair, but if you take care of it, replace the filters, change the oil, you won't need repairing.
 
  1. In Tucson you really shouldn't need a dryer. Screw compressors are great, But you should be able to get a good used two stage unit for under 1k on Craigs list, and spend the money saved on other needed shop equipment. JMO. Mike
 
Woodchucker is right, I was called out to "repair " a Sullivan 25HP screw machine just this week. That particular machine is over 30 years old and the only thing that was wrong is the owner forgot where the reset lever was from the last time I showed him,,, 4 years ago.
 
Strangerthings, the model is a 4152002717. That was the other perks I was considering about it as well was the cooler outgoing air and the quieter operation. It's going to be right next to the cabinet in the garage and that would be more than welcome.

FOMOGO, that is my current dilemma. I don't feel I can really justify for my current situation and location. However, where I hope to see myself in a few years shop-wise I would need more air on demand. But things don't always go the way you plan, so it could be a waste after all.

I didn't know the maintenance was less involved for a rotary screw compressor. Thanks for all the input so far!
 
The only issue I'd have to add so far is that the piston is single phase so I'd be able to plug it right in to my current 230V, but the screw is 3-phase so I'd have to get a converter. I'd more than likely go with a VFD.
 
Recently upgraded my compressor to a Champion HR5-8 Advantage two stage 5Hp, it includes an after cooler, Auto drain, Mag starter and low oil shutoff. I added an hour meter for oil changes, and will switch to synthetic after it is broken in. I believe air flow wise a piston vs. screw will give similar CFMs but depends on the working pressure, so at 150 PSI a screw is rated for around 16-17CFM, the HR5-8 is 17.3 at 175 PSI. At 125 PSI a screw will increase to around 21-22 CFM. The screw will be much quieter, but then it runs all the time when you are using it, so energy wise if you are using it intermittently a two stage I would expect to be cheaper. Durability wise, they both will probably outlast us, the better air pumps units are rated at around 30,000+ hours. I previously had a Curtis industrial CA-5, but the Champion is a bit quieter and has a low speed air pump. So very satisfied with it and it cycles about 25% of the time when using a die grinder, a blast cabinet it would be running more frequently. Quincy also makes good compressors, but they require you to buy their maintenance kits to extend the warranty, and more recently there seems to be more complains about taking care of warranty claims. The dealer that I purchased mine from (Pacific Air Compressor) sold a number of different brands and recommended the Champion. If you need higher airflow for a blast cabinet they sell 4 piston two stage 7.5Hp unit that flows 26 CFMs at very low pump speeds. Either way, both brands at this level should be reliable and last a long time with basic maintenance. I use two air filters, the second is a 1 micron coalescent filter, can't say I have ever had any water in the drains.

If you want to check out the HR5-8 I am also in Tucson.
20170126_144922.jpg
 
Do your self a favor , get the deal on the screw air compressor. If you don't I bet down the road you will regret it. But it's your choice from my past forty plus working years I've gone cheaper only to pay twice. ThAt machine will last your lifetime if you maintain it . Never know where you may be in ten years the compressor will be.
 
Screw compressors don't do well in unheated areas. Given your particular situation, you might need to heat the cabinet.
 
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