Replace or "upgrade" my air compressor

[Martin W]

I have two DV piston type compressors. Very happy with both.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=47353a05bf245a6aJmltdHM9MTY5ODYyNDAwMCZpZ3VpZD0wMjMzYjkzMS1kYTM3LTZjMGMtMTg1NC1hYjQ0ZGJhNDZkNDkmaW5zaWQ9NTE5OQ&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=0233b931-da37-6c0c-1854-ab44dba46d49&psq=DV+compressor&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZHZzeXN0ZW1zLmNvbS9lbi1jYS8&ntb=1

 

[Deleted member 69715]

Adding my vote to stay away from oilless. I don't know what they were thinking when they started that idea. Due to the age of your present equipment I'd replace the whole thing, mainly because exploding tanks are not fun.

 

[mac1911]

In my attached garage, I have a 3rd, maybe 4th hand air compressor. It's right below our bedroom. It's an older Craftsman that has a good airflow and capacity, the problem is, it's getting louder and louder. If I have a demand for air later in the day, it wakes up my wife. Not a good position to be in.

It could use a rebuild, but unfortunately, rebuild kits for these are no longer available. I feel like it's on its last legs, as a motor and pump anyway. I don't think the tank is in too bad of condition. Even though it doesn't get drained everyday, I do drain it every month or two. which is still bad, just not as bad as never.

I want to replace it or at least upgrade it with a new motor and pump, with something that is quieter. I see there are a number of "quiet" compressors on the market that are supposedly 70db, but which one to choose is something I could use your help with.

For those that have larger capacity (60 gallon and up) QUIET compressors, was it worth the extra money? What make/model do you have?

If I were up just upgrade the pump and motor (220 volt), are there any brands to stay away from or are ones to look into?

I don't have an endless budget, but I am willing to spend a little more if I can check a few of my boxes. I hope to add a plasma cutter to the arsenal, so having a good airflow rating and tank capacity is going to be imperative. Especially if a CNC plasma comes after.

I am looking for specific options or opinions on specific manufacturers, not generalized answers. I know what my options are, 1. Run it, 2. Replace it, 3. Upgrade it.

View attachment 464432

That will never be “quiet”
There are many new compressors that will be “silent” vs the one you have.
Its probably a wash buying new motor and pump and retrofitting the old tank vs just replacing the unit. The old tank could be put into use or just sell that old craftsman.

 

[Barncat]

I have a “quiet” compressor. It is an oil less husky from Home Depot. It is quieter, but only after it starts on full speed and full volume. Then it slows down and therefore quiets down.

 

[DavidR8]

I recently bought a small, one gallon Metabo HPT compressor for trim work around the house. Had a Fini Scout oil bath 2 gallon that was stupidly loud. I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the Metabo but the thing is shockingly quiet. Maybe as loud as an aquarium air pump.

 

[woodchucker]

Lots of compressor experience here. IMHO those "oil free" pumps don't last. If you want quiet and high output, a rotary screw compressor is the ultimate way to go, though they are quite pricy. Next would be a low speed, 2 stage piston compressor with an oil filled crank case. Quincy is a good brand of this type. Either way if you want to use for plasma you'll need a good air dryer as well.
You can also abate the noise by lining the area surrounding the compressor, walls & ceiling with several layers of sheetrock and a sound absorbing material, high density fiberglass or mineral wool insulation, etc.

homosote too.

 

[woodchucker]

I recently bought a small, one gallon Metabo HPT compressor for trim work around the house. Had a Fini Scout oil bath 2 gallon that was stupidly loud. I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the Metabo but the thing is shockingly quiet. Maybe as loud as an aquarium air pump.

Metabo is a top brand.. Yes, they bought Hitachi , but Metabo's stuff has been high quality.
I like Hitachi too, but the sale has caused me concern (batteries)....

 

[DavidR8]

Metabo is a top brand.. Yes, they bought Hitachi , but Metabo's stuff has been high quality.
I like Hitachi too, but the sale has caused me concern (batteries)....

I have two Metabo tools, the compressor and a 4-1/2" grinder. Really like it too.

 

[AllenV]

Take a moment to quantify your long-term air "wants" and try to come up with a requirement for a compressor that will continue to serve you into the future. For example, a hobby-grade plasma cutter from Eastwood specs as much as 7 CFM at 60 PSI ( I don't have a plasma cutter, just looked it up.) Another example, I used to have a Craftsman compressor much like yours (looked the same), I was fine for a air-powered tools until I began to use a die-grinder to strip paint and rust off an old car parts. Then I found I could only "grind" for about 5 minutes until the tank emptied and I had to sit and wait for the Craftsman oilless to refill. I would spend as much time waiting as stripping. Now include the manufacturers spec'd duty cycle on the compressor. Many of then only support about 25% duty cycle.

In my search for a new compressor , about 3 years ago, I wanted roughly 12 CFM at 60 PSI to support a die grinder and medium-small paint guns (NOT HVLP) at very nearly 100% duty cycle. (Stopping to wait for a compressor while painting is death on the paint job.) Then I also wanted a small foot print to fit my shop , and I wanted quiet to save my ears.

Others have already given you good advice on quite piston compressors and brands. Some of those would also have suited my needs, except for small size. I found a scroll compressor that ticked all the boxes.

Eastwood Elite QST 30/60 Scroll Air Compressor with Automatic Drain System

Combining whisper-quiet operation with high airflow and 100% duty cycle, the Eastwood Elite QST30/60 compressor delivers unmatched performance without unwanted noise.

www.eastwood.com

It cost a bit more, but not a lot more than the high-quality piston compressor with >12 CFM.

By the way speed, CFM, rules here. I also considered using my old craftsman tank as an extra air storage tank. The fatal flaw there is that if your job demands more than the max full-time CFM of the compressor then you will run all your tanks down eventually. It just takes longer with bigger tanks. Then you have to stop and wait, even longer. The big tank or the extra storage tank are fantastic for getting lots of air for a short job, no question. The dryer advice given above is also spot-on. Many example can be found at various forums for build low-cost, effective, dryers. 30 ft of 1/2-inch copper tubing, tilted to pool water at each end, with drain valves at each end is a great start.

EDIT: I just looked. The Eastwood Scroll cost the same or a bit less than some of the 5 HP 80 Gal units linked by previous posters.

 

[wachuko]

Take a moment to quantify your long-term air "wants" and try to come up with a requirement for a compressor that will continue to serve you into the future. For example, a hobby-grade plasma cutter from Eastwood specs as much as 7 CFM at 60 PSI ( I don't have a plasma cutter, just looked it up.) Another example, I used to have a Craftsman compressor much like yours (looked the same), I was fine for a air-powered tools until I began to use a die-grinder to strip paint and rust off an old car parts. Then I found I could only "grind" for about 5 minutes until the tank emptied and I had to sit and wait for the Craftsman oilless to refill. I would spend as much time waiting as stripping. Now include the manufacturers spec'd duty cycle on the compressor. Many of then only support about 25% duty cycle.

In my search for a new compressor , about 3 years ago, I wanted roughly 12 CFM at 60 PSI to support a die grinder and medium-small paint guns (NOT HVLP) at very nearly 100% duty cycle. (Stopping to wait for a compressor while painting is death on the paint job.) Then I also wanted a small foot print to fit my shop , and I wanted quiet to save my ears.

Others have already given you good advice on quite piston compressors and brands. Some of those would also have suited my needs, except for small size. I found a scroll compressor that ticked all the boxes.

Eastwood Elite QST 30/60 Scroll Air Compressor with Automatic Drain System

Combining whisper-quiet operation with high airflow and 100% duty cycle, the Eastwood Elite QST30/60 compressor delivers unmatched performance without unwanted noise.

www.eastwood.com

It cost a bit more, but not a lot more than the high-quality piston compressor with >12 CFM.

By the way speed, CFM, rules here. I also considered using my old craftsman tank as an extra air storage tank. The fatal flaw there is that if your job demands more than the max full-time CFM of the compressor then you will run all your tanks down eventually. It just takes longer with bigger tanks. Then you have to stop and wait, even longer. The big tank or the extra storage tank are fantastic for getting lots of air for a short job, no question. The dryer advice given above is also spot-on. Many example can be found at various forums for build low-cost, effective, dryers. 30 ft of 1/2-inch copper tubing, tilted to pool water at each end, with drain valves at each end is a great start.

EDIT: I just looked. The Eastwood Scroll cost the same or a bit less than some of the 5 HP 80 Gal units linked by previous posters.

As mentioned in another thread, looking at air compressors for when my detached garage/workshop is done...

Looked at the one you suggested but this video gave me second thoughts...I also read the comments from owners that also chimed in. I do not want this much hassle with an air compressor.