What Compressors Are You Running?

[Prosperi-Tees]

Would like to hear what you guys are running for compressors. What you like and dont like, reliability, break downs, noise, cost etc etc...

[Rick Roth]

My maintenance person is a compressor mechanic by day and he recommends what we had before he came to work for us, a Kaeser.

We have had a Kaeser for over ten years and we don't do anything to it but change filters and very infrequent maintenance and it runs and runs and never stops. It is a screw type and don't get any other kind but a screw type.

Also do not be tempted to get a compressor that is barely powerful enough, you will regret it.

You MUST have a good and adequate chiller as well (takes moisture out of the line.)

You also should have a tank so the compressor does not have to run all the time.

[bimmridder]

I second the Kaeser screw type compressor. We have a couple and they run like champs. And quiet? Heck ya. You can literally stand right next to it while it's running and carry on a conversation. Very simple PM on them also. Just did ours and it took about 30 minutes to do everything. Local service when I need it, but haven't had to use yet. 

[GraphicDisorder]

Kaeser SX6 here.  Screw compressors are where its at. 

[Homer]

 we have 6 hamsters, a piston and a bucket with a lid. . . it works. . .

we have a Schultz. . .I know, I never heard of them either but it is a monster.

[mk162]

Heck if i know what we have, it's loud and sits outside...so I don't care.  The pump on it isn't the best, it goes every 5 or so years and has to be rebuilt.  They aren't making parts for it anymore, so we have to get a new pump when this one is done.

The biggest thing with them is maintenance.  We change oil and filters that thing keeps pumping right along.

[alan802]

When we buy a compressor again I'll likely go with the screw type but we kind of went cheap with our newest compressor and bought a Speedaire 7.5 hp 80 gal.  We've had it for 2 years and haven't had any issues with it yet.  It's not quiet, but it doesn't turn on but about every 200 indexes.  Even though it hasn't given us any problems, I always have this feeling about it, like it's my young daughter that is so sweet right now but she's going to turn into a monster in a few years.  I get paranoid when I buy something that isn't the best at what it does.  I'm like Dave on the power washer thread, I certainly don't mind paying more money to get something that is very high quality, although I didn't do that with the compressor...hopefully it won't bite me in the ass.

[tonypep]

Whatever you choose pay attention to where you place it. Mfgrs give different #s but at least three feet of free air all around to prevent overheating.

[Clark]

I'm running a speedaire 7.5.  No issues thus far with it.  The company I bought it from had three of them running 4 autos.  It's loud, but I have it outside the shop, so you can't hear it. 

[ebscreen]

Third or fourth the Kaeser. Oil and filters is all.