Question Can you love an air compressor?

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Barb Pelton

Barb Pelton

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
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Shopping for a new air compressor. The above is a good working model, but it is difficult to get to the drain plug on the top tank because not only is it in an awkward spot, the handle prevents one from getting a good grip with your fingers. Therefore, it gets stripped out, because people keep using pliers to open up the valve. It's just difficult to reach.

I wouldn't mind just replacing the drain valve, but the shop I ordered it from doesn't have the part and they have continued to string us along just rigging something up. I am really fed up with it. (I have ordered a replacement valve myself. Why can't they do that?)

I want to be able to maintain and drain it as needed, easily. I'd also like something quieter. What models have you used that you truly like?
 
Thanks!

I read through it and it sounds like some are having leaks and hose issues. I don't have time to mess with issues and even though I am adept at fixing many things, I am not a mechanic. Time is money.

I think I'll move a Jun-Air to the top of my wish list.
 
I have a SilentAire compressor which is no louder than a refrigerator. Basicly the same as Junair so you can look for the best deal between the two.
 
If you do decide to spring for a Silentaire, Dixie Art has good prices and they include shipping. The unit is drop shipped to you by the manufacturer.

If you don't want to spend that much, but are wary of the one discussed in the linked thread, another good choice for reliability and relatively low noise is the Makita Mac700. It's not as quiet as the "great little compressor" but is quieter than most small units, and has Makita reliability.

:cool: Rick
 
A couple of points to consider.

The Sil-Air and I believe the Jun-air are both oil compressors. This means time required change to maintain the oil level.

I've owned a Sil-air and it was a very good compressor until the system developed a small leak. My employee forgot to turn off the compressor that night and the unit ran non-stop all weekend. On Monday morning my $800.00 compressor was toast.

I now own the Gentron which has been maintenance free and at 1/3 the cost it's a real bargain.

Doug
 
Forget the valve
Get one of those coiled plastic hoses.
Screw that into the bottom of the tank(should be the same size fitting)
Put a spray nozzle on the other end.
When you want to drain go psssssssssst.:thumbsup:
 
Barb, one of the basic tools of both my 30 years plus as a body man and also my nearly 20 years as a framer/gallery owner was an air compressor of one size or another. I had a huge 2 stage Atlas compressor in my body shop that had a larger air tank on it than the overall size of most compact cars and I have owned small portable compressors that could be moved one handed. A common trait of all compressed air units and one of their shortcomings is that fact that, when you compress ambient air to most any higher pressure, you will get condensation which causes water to accumulate which causes rust which causes stuck fittings, corroded threads, etc. etc.. I am afraid you are not going to find a "maintenance free" air compressor. They all require some kind of regular maintenance to keep them operating at peak efficiency.

To answer your original question directly, ............. only if it accepts your love and is willing to love in return, a very difficult commitment to get out of most of your modern compressors. They are all kind of air heads when you get down to the serious part of the relationship. :icon45: :cool:
 
dougj said:
Forget the valve
Get one of those coiled plastic hoses.
Screw that into the bottom of the tank(should be the same size fitting)
Put a spray nozzle on the other end.
When you want to drain go psssssssssst.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Wow. Good idea. Never thought of that.
:cool: Rick
 
Changing the oil, draining, etc= no problem, usually. This one has been a pill because of the location of the drain on the upper hot dog. I can get to it because I have very slender fingers/hand. The emplyees, however, can't seem to grasp it and it keeps getting stripped out because they're using the pliers. Even with those, it's difficult to get a good grip. BAD design!!

I really like the coil idea! If I can fix this problem, I really don't need another compressor. When I do need one, though, I'm getting a quieter one. this one sits in an insulated cabinet that doubles as our "putty" table in the back. Once it's in it's little house, it's tolerable.

(I'm still a little ticked that my pliers ran away with the mechanic. I liked those pliers.)
 
I've never owned a double-tank compressor before, but I always assumed that the top tank just drained/connected to the bottom one, and that you would just drain the water out the bottom.
:shrug: Rick
 
johnny said:
Jun-Airs are expensive but consider we purchased ours in 1990 and it's run most weeks 7 days a week. Very silently. Needs a fair amount of expensive oil though.... don't like that part.

Kinda incredible.
Click to expand...

Jun Air died yesterday. Kinda more incredible.
 
Now's the time...

Barb Pelton said:
... I think I'll move a Jun-Air to the top of my wish list.
Click to expand...

Barb,

I would not operate a frame shop without one of the REALLY silent comprssors... Jun-Air, Bambi, or Silent Aire....they all share the same technology. Yes, they cost more, but so does quality professional custom framing.

The good news is that if you've got the cash, used equipment is going for great prices.

[thread=56683]Silentaire Super Silent 50-TC compressor - $410[/thread] -- This is currently listed in the For Sale Forumn. I believe there were several. At 40-50% original purchase price, nows the time to buy if you think you need one.

John
 
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