Air Compressor Time

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rt66paul

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Go down to your old local gas station. Most of them do not have the ding hoses because they are self serve. There is likely to be a great old compressor in the back and you might get it for a song.
 

rpcraft

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So this is subjective, and I have an opinion about not getting a unit that will run me out of the garage or risk hearing loss, but I have been looking at and reading reviews on the Eastwood QST 30-60 and I have been hearing a lot of great things about it. It's more expensive than a standard comparable sized compressor at 1300 USD, but its performance is pretty much above and beyond what even the much larger pro series compressors offer... The price tag is basically 1300 bucks but I know at certain times you can call and get a 10 to 15 % discount.

Here are some of it's features:

  • Innovative - Direct Drive Cast Iron Scroll Pump
  • Integrated Air Cooler - Multi-stage oil filtration system
  • Low Noise Level - Only 69db, 87% noise reduction over standard piston compressors
  • Compact Size - Performance of a 60 gallon in the size of a 30 gallon
  • Powerful - 12 cfm @ 40 psi: True output cfm 12 cfm @ 90 psi: True output cfm 145 psi max pressure, 100% Duty Cycle

It sounds small, but the reviews I have seen offer the idea that you could add extra storage if you wanted to, but because its so quiet and because of the efficiency of the scroll compressor, it doesn't run long when it runs to fill, and when it is running its not ear shattering or anything that makes you regret having it in the same room (much less next to you while working) so the idea is if it runs more because of the smaller tank it is no big thing, and due to it's size being smaller you can take it to your work area and move it around as needed

it's one of those ideas where you pay up front for the portability of the unit and save on the back end by not having to buy accessories to run air lines and extra hoses.

I'm not sure I am 100 % on board with it until either someone gives me a demo unit to try out or someone I know can get m enext to it while running and I can use something with it that uses a ton of air though, lol.

I am building a new house and keeping in lines with a two car garage so being semi portable and smaller does have it's appeal and if it does as advertised I am not opposed on spending money on a unit that does what it advertises.
 

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That scroll compressor is interesting. Rated at 100,000 hours, that means you could run it 8 hours per day, every day, for 34 years! It's also quiet at 69db, which happens to be the same noise level as the HF inverter generator I just got. Every time I start it up I realize that anything under 70db is truly quiet. Rated 12cfm at both 40 and 90 psi, I thought that was a typo until I checked the stats. That should be enough for most guys in a home garage. My sandblaster has a small tip on it and a HF 60 2-stage keeps up pretty well, it runs non-stop and shows around 115-120 psi on the gauge trying to get to the 130 psi cutoff. I don't know what the true cfm is on it though, it's supposed to be 15.8 @ 90psi but figure there's some marketing fudge factor involved so the scroll unit's "true 12 cfm" should be close. Eastwood has already said they have plans for a larger unit so if your cfm demand is high you should wait for the next model. One thing I don't like on the scroll unit is the oil filter is mounted on top of the unit in an upside-down position. I don't know how you're supposed to change the filter without dumping oil everywhere.

Good video, makes me want to buy one.
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
 

yevgenievich

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That scroll compressor is interesting. Rated at 100,000 hours, that means you could run it 8 hours per day, every day, for 34 years! It's also quiet at 69db, which happens to be the same noise level as the HF inverter generator I just got. Every time I start it up I realize that anything under 70db is truly quiet. Rated 12cfm at both 40 and 90 psi, I thought that was a typo until I checked the stats. That should be enough for most guys in a home garage. My sandblaster has a small tip on it and a HF 60 2-stage keeps up pretty well, it runs non-stop and shows around 115-120 psi on the gauge trying to get to the 130 psi cutoff. I don't know what the true cfm is on it though, it's supposed to be 15.8 @ 90psi but figure there's some marketing fudge factor involved so the scroll unit's "true 12 cfm" should be close. Eastwood has already said they have plans for a larger unit so if your cfm demand is high you should wait for the next model. One thing I don't like on the scroll unit is the oil filter is mounted on top of the unit in an upside-down position. I don't know how you're supposed to change the filter without dumping oil everywhere.

Good video, makes me want to buy one.
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
oil drains down on those units, not much oil will come out. Generally I like the rotary screw compressors, but have a 30 some year old oiled piston type at home. The scroll one from eastwood does look pretty good.
 

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Mr Clean

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Yes I talked to Lowes today. The lady couldn't find the 60 gal, 5hp, 2 stage in the system. They had a 80gal, 5hp, 2 stage in stock 1900 I just can't see paying an extra 600 for 20gal. The lady said I'll have to order it off line. I saw the 10% off for Vets. I'll have to see what I need to do to get the discount applied to the purchase.

I read something about the oil change kit gets a 3 years extended warranty, but you have to buy the 150 dollar kit every year to keep the warranty. I'll look into that a little more.

I'll be getting a Quincy 60 gallon, 5hp, 2 stage compressor. So that makes me happy..happy

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bucket

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I don't know what the measured noise output is of my Quincy, but I stuck it right in between my two garage bays (using that term loosely here, lol) and I can comfortably work on the car right next to it when it's running.

Or I could just be going deaf.
 

rpcraft

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If you can afford to wait a little while and want to make an investment I have been checking into the Eastwood QST 30/60. It's a Scroll compressor from Eastwood. It's supposed to be extremely quiet (around 68 db at full tilt I think), and even though it only has a 30 gallon tank, due to the efficiency of scroll compressors and the way they work it has the capacity more on line with a larger commercial units of a 60 gallon compressor, but with a higher rated duty cycle. It's got a hefty price tag (around 1300 USD and I think a 200 shipping fee) but I figure if it performs as advertised its worth it, especially if you need a compressor that can be somewhat mobile, yet still compact enough to not take up a whole corner in the garage (or maybe go under a bench) as well as get all your shop jobs done. I figure you can also incorporate a second tank for things like blasting or operating a DA or cutoff wheel if really necessary.

I have a friend in Austin who has ordered one and once he gets it I'm going to swing buy and see if I can taste the flavor-aide. I've seen a lot of keyboard commandos say disparaging things about why they would not own one but none of them seem to really have first hand experience with this unit and as usual I think it is the preference over the known vs the unknown. I figure the best way to make a determination is in person. Fortunately my friend runs a small business making metal products for LS swaps into Chevy trucks and various other commerical work so he has to be able to grind heavy steel, run his plasma table, and he's got to invest in machinery that works and has high efficiency rating. It seems like he was on the verge of buying a new compressor as well and after reading about the QST he stopped his previous purchase and did his homework and figured out the QST was the right choice for his needs.

If you want to check into it more here is a link to the thread over at Garage Journal:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374376

Ryan from GJ also has a youtube video of it in operation compared to a standard compressor and I have to say it seems too be very quiet in the video. So much so that you can literally take it to your work station, work with it running next to you, and still have a conversation with a co-worker, friend, or perhaps even on a phone call. It seems it's legit, and his video is a non-sponsored review, which GJ is always very forthcoming about his stance is doing an honest review, which I think is all anyone can ask for and expect. Now, for me, I am coming from a Harbor Freight compressor, so you know that thing is probably one of the worst and loudest compressors out there.... I'm ready for some quiet time and when I get the new house finished I am going to be looking at ways to keep as much floor space open as possible.

https://www.garagejournal.com/2017/11/the-eastwood-qst-3060/
 

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I have a friend in Austin who has ordered one and once he gets it I'm going to swing buy and see if I can taste the flavor-aide. I've seen a lot of keyboard commandos say disparaging things about why they would not own one but none of them seem to really have first hand experience with this unit and as usual I think it is the preference over the known vs the unknown. I figure the best way to make a determination is in person. Fortunately my friend runs a small business making metal products for LS swaps into Chevy trucks and various other commerical work so he has to be able to grind heavy steel, run his plasma table, and he's got to invest in machinery that works and has high efficiency rating. It seems like he was on the verge of buying a new compressor as well and after reading about the QST he stopped his previous purchase and did his homework and figured out the QST was the right choice for his needs.

Sounds like you and I have the same friend. So he did decide to go with the Eastwood instead of the EMAXs he was looking at? I'll have to stop by and check it out once he gets it.
 

yevgenievich

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My old piston driven unit is pretty low on noise, around 65 db 1 meter away. But it is only 25 or so gallon.

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Mr Clean

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So this is subjective, and I have an opinion about not getting a unit that will run me out of the garage or risk hearing loss, but I have been looking at and reading reviews on the Eastwood QST 30-60 and I have been hearing a lot of great things about it. It's more expensive than a standard comparable sized compressor at 1300 USD, but its performance is pretty much above and beyond what even the much larger pro series compressors offer... The price tag is basically 1300 bucks but I know at certain times you can call and get a 10 to 15 % discount.

Here are some of it's features:

  • Innovative - Direct Drive Cast Iron Scroll Pump
  • Integrated Air Cooler - Multi-stage oil filtration system
  • Low Noise Level - Only 69db, 87% noise reduction over standard piston compressors
  • Compact Size - Performance of a 60 gallon in the size of a 30 gallon
  • Powerful - 12 cfm @ 40 psi: True output cfm 12 cfm @ 90 psi: True output cfm 145 psi max pressure, 100% Duty Cycle

It sounds small, but the reviews I have seen offer the idea that you could add extra storage if you wanted to, but because its so quiet and because of the efficiency of the scroll compressor, it doesn't run long when it runs to fill, and when it is running its not ear shattering or anything that makes you regret having it in the same room (much less next to you while working) so the idea is if it runs more because of the smaller tank it is no big thing, and due to it's size being smaller you can take it to your work area and move it around as needed

it's one of those ideas where you pay up front for the portability of the unit and save on the back end by not having to buy accessories to run air lines and extra hoses.

I'm not sure I am 100 % on board with it until either someone gives me a demo unit to try out or someone I know can get m enext to it while running and I can use something with it that uses a ton of air though, lol.

I am building a new house and keeping in lines with a two car garage so being semi portable and smaller does have it's appeal and if it does as advertised I am not opposed on spending money on a unit that does what it advertises.

I looked into this, and it is very cool...price is with in range, the problem is it wouldn't ship until March of next year...bummer :bawl::(. So unfortunately that will not work. Thanks for the info. I have been with my wife for 26 years, I know her if I wait to long she will come up with something else to spend my money on...lol so I have to strike while the iron is hot.......:Big Laugh:
 

Jrgunn5150

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I guess it depends on what you're doing, but for me a 60 gallon single stage meets my needs, be it sandblasting, sanding, air hammering, whatever.

I can run two of anything I want at a time without issue.

Mine is a Husky, but there's a clone Sandborn and a few others, I just went Home Depot because they had the lowest price and also offered a 10% discount to veterans.

It's a big investment and a bit nerve racking, I know, so good luck!
 

Jrgunn5150

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What are y'all pulling under it so it don't break the concrete

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Mine is still on its shipping pallet lmao.
 

Mr Clean

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It's here..... it's finally HERE
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foamypirate

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It's here..... it's finally HERE
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Yeeeeeaaaah buddy!
 

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