[DeathByGreaser]

I was wondering the difference between a single stage air compressor and a duel stage. I was looking at a 60 gallon single stage for about $750.00 bucks. I was wondering if this will work for paint and air tools or do I need a duel stage?

And what kind of plasma cutter should I pick up? I'm not rich so I'm looking for a decent lasting cutter and compressor that will keep me out of junk piles.

[Kevin45]

For a single stage that is too much. Besides that you want a dual stage. Work less and is quieter. A single stage will have a hard time keeping up for most things. You should be able to get a good brand name dual stage for that price.

Kevin

[willys36@aol.com]

You should be able to get a 2-stage, 5hp, 50 gallon compressor for way less than $500. Here is nice unit from Harbor Freight

HF compressor

In general, you need compression stages for pressure and HP for volume. Single stage compressors can RELIABLY only go to 70 or 80psig. I know ads say they will do 115psig but that is really tough on them. As compression ratio increases on a stage, the temperature goes up. Two stage compressores split the compression into much milder increases with cooling between the cylinders and everythhing lasts longer. Two stage compressors take the pressure up to +120psig which is what you need for most serious applications. You need 5hp to get in the 10cfm @ 100psi range which, again, most serious tools need.

[asennad]

Hey Willys36,

Did you mean to link to a single stage compressor? Or is this a single stage that will do the job?

[Dubz]

i have a 7 horse sinngle stage 2 piston compressor

what's the biggest air consumption rating you need?

[troy-curt]

My two stage kicks off at 160 lb. Most two stage compressors are classed continuous run. That's what you need to run air sanders for hours at a time.

Troy

[willys36@aol.com]

Originally posted by asennad
Hey Willys36,

Did you mean to link to a single stage compressor? Or is this a single stage that will do the job?

Woops! No I didn't . I picked the wrong one. Mine looks like that one but is a Campbell Hausfeld 5hp 2 stage. They have it listed in their catalog but isn't on their web site. There are a lot of parts they carry that aren't on their web site which is strange. Anyway, you can get a good 5 hp, 60 gallon, 2 stage that will serve single users of any tool for under $500.

Originally posted by Dubz
i have a 7 horse sinngle stage 2 piston compressor

what's the biggest air consumption rating you need?

Look for 10cfm @ 120psi (2 stage) and you will be in good shape.

[oldred]

willys-Are you sure about that price? I just looked at my HF catalog and the cheapest two stage campbell hausfeld compressor they have is $999.99 (in this book anyway).It is a 5 horsepower 80 gallon tank item90391-oxwa. They have some six to seven horsepower models for under $500.00 but they are all single stage.They also have a 7.5 horsepower 80 gallon 4 cyl. model that is also single stage but comes close to two stage performance (15.4 cfm@140 psi) for 899.99. I could be wrong but less than $500.00 for a good 5 horse two stage seems a little too cheap to me.But like I said I could be wrong.

[willys36@aol.com]

You are probably right. I got mine as a gift many years ago and that was on sale so that is where I am getting the <$500 number. Still, HF has sales all the time and I'm sure it can be had for not much more than $500 on sale. For sure, Death should be able to get a good 2-stage for the price he quoted for the single stage.

[Dubz]

what would you need that kind of cfm for?

[Yucholian]

Home Depot has a 80 Gallon, 7HP, dual stage that does 15.1 cfm @ 90 psi and 13.7 cfm @ 175 psi. It's Husky and is made by Campbell Hausfeld with 3 year warranty all for $799. I am 99% sure I'll pick one up this week.

[Dubz]

Originally posted by willys36@aol.com

Look for 10cfm @ 120psi (2 stage) and you will be in good shape.

just a question, what for?? i'm quite happy with my compressor, don't know what i'd need that much compressor for. Maybe it's because i'm a slow worker but my compressor seems to be great for any and every tool i've hooked up so far.

what are the big power robbers that you need these big compressors for?? or is it just so the compressor lasts longer since it's only working half as often?

[troy-curt]

It takes that size to keep up with a DA, or a long board . A good compressor will be classed as a continuous run, meaning it can run for hours without hurting it.

Troy

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[astroracer]

"80 Gallon, 7HP, dual stage that does 15.1 cfm @ 90 psi and 13.7 cfm @ 175 psi. "
Like Troy says, if you are planning a lot of body work and doing complete paint jobs, you will need the above power.
I got along with a 5hp, 60gal unit for years but, as soon as I upgraded to HVLP spray guns I noticed a big drop in performance. Spraying panels or doing lite body work is okay for the smaller compressors but, if you are going to do any major work step up the big dog...
Mark

[goldfinger111]

Originally Posted by Yucholian

Home Depot has a 80 Gallon, 7HP, dual stage that does 15.1 cfm @ 90 psi and 13.7 cfm @ 175 psi. It's Husky and is made by Campbell Hausfeld with 3 year warranty all for $799. I am 99% sure I'll pick one up this week.

when i go to the store after reading the nets advertisement i almost ddint buy it and n fact i had done scoured the net and local places, the compressor actual only has a 4hp motor but runs at peak 7hp its a bit mis leading but it will actually give you the cfms and its two cylinder and two stage wth a 3 year pump warranty weighs 458 lbs was tough to get in garage but after weeks of price battles that was the best i could find for that range of money.