Any experts on screw type compressors?

[Grant H.]

I have a Sullair ShopTek 5HP at home, and a Sullair S-Energy 1800eV at the shop.

I absolutely love them. Stupid quiet, tons of air, and easy to maintain.

[XJ]

I'm not a fan of Atlas Copco at all. Some parts come from overseas with a long delay, and their reliability isn't always the best.

Used is probably not a good idea unless you know the complete history.

For 8 hrs/day commercial use you may not need a variable speed model, those pay off in energy savings for 24h industrial use. But there isn't much downside if the price is right, its not like electricity prices will ever decrease. Depending on what it costs you for downtime, it may be worth considering two compressors so you have redundancy. Each would be capable of 100% of the flow, and a cable between the two so they alternate.

Add up you expected air usage carefully, and keep in mind that compressors at altitude need special consideration. Besides getting it sized right there is also cooling, compressors give off a lot of heat and thin air carries heat away less than at sea level. You can't stuff the comp in an un-ventilated closet, it needs a lot of air to the cooling fans and likely some ductwork to prevent short-circuiting and keep sawdust away. Also keep in mind the routing for the pipe out to the intake filters.

Sizing the receiver is important too. Don't skimp on accessories like the drier, coalescers, particulate filters, etc. It may be cost-effective to divide up the treatment system, general tool air is split off from before the extra equipment used to get the quality right for paintshop air.

[Tim K]

I think I'm in the market for a 15hp unit. Looking at IR as first choice. They have a direct sales department in Denver, but I'm wondering if I should look at any of the myriad of suppliers out on the internet.

How necessary is an integrated dryer? It's expensive, adding $2K to the cost. We're only powering polishers, and they're relatively cheap. Does the water in the air really mess them up? All my experience is with spray equipment where water is an obvious no-no, but we have a separate system for the cabinet shop. This unit will only be used on the granite side.

[Great-Kazoo]

I think I'm in the market for a 15hp unit. Looking at IR as first choice. They have a direct sales department in Denver, but I'm wondering if I should look at any of the myriad of suppliers out on the internet.

How necessary is an integrated dryer? It's expensive, adding $2K to the cost. We're only powering polishers, and they're relatively cheap. Does the water in the air really mess them up? YES Not only to the equipment used, but the lines them self
All my experience is with spray equipment where water is an obvious no-no, but we have a separate system for the cabinet shop. This unit will only be used on the granite side.

The internet offers some good deals. BUT................................ The big question is Customer service & warranty repairs. Sure you can save $500 online. However that money saved might be wasted if you're paying out of pocket for warranty, waiting on a reimbursement from original vendor.
Going back to the drier. it's not only the equipment used but those couplings. based on your needs / run time. Those couplings and line having to be replaced, plus the polishers add up.

What do you value your labor / down time to money saved. Your system needs a PM for water issues. How much will that cost?

Based on your expansion since starting, isn't it beneficial to spend the money one time. This way you install everything now, instead of having to figure out where you're going to fit it in later.

I'm a small nobody with a personal "shop" for my hobbies. I had a deal on air line and other items when money was tight. Now i need to redo (due to space) somethings, had i spent more the first time would have been easier. Including re-figuring the shop to make it work, again

[Grant H.]

Gotta agree with GK on the dryer.

Same theory as everything else, buy once/cry once. I don't know what a granite polisher costs, but every single air tool you ever hook up to that compressor will benefit from having a dryer.

[y4m4]

I don't know anything about screw compressors, but there is a government auction in Colorado Springs for a Curtis SE25. It's 100 SFM, so bigger than you probably need, but it might be worth keeping an eye on.

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...45&acctid=7998

[Tim K]

I'm resurrecting this old thread to update anyone considering a screw type compressor to avoid Ingersol Rand at all costs. What a goat rope this has been. We bought a $7,000 compressor (new) January of '17. It went down the first time within a couple days. Since then, we've had at least 25 service calls on it. After today's call, the tech told me he suspects it has a serious problem and we should be prepared for a catastrophic failure.

Unbelievable.

On top of that experience, we had another IR piston type compressor that blew a piston right through the case after 13 months. IR's response? Tough shit.

Never, never, never again will I spend a dime with Ingersol Rand.

[buffalobo]

That really sucks. Very disappointing news about IR.

[Wulf202]

Damn. I'm very surprised and disappointed