Shop Time w/T.W. Friends

My one and only time deer hunting…..that’s a lie

 

My one and only time this afternoon?

Same corner, different tree... I'm liking the climber.

 

They really do not want a kaboom in there.

 

So you drill and tap the hole for a larger thread (for the insert) and then in our case the handle would thread back into the insert? I’ve never used these things before!

 

Looks like raccoons are starting to ride the stalks over in that corner.

 

Any recommendations on air compressors?
I’m going need a more air for another CNC machine and I also need to get a blast cabinet for blasting parts.
Trying keep the budget under $2k and would like something on the quieter side because the kids bedroom is above my garage and I do a lot of my work at night.
Looking at this option currently.

 

Yes sir, you’ve got it!

 

The biggest thing is the CFM’s to what the compressor puts out and the sandblaster uses. I know they eat a lot of air!!!

 

I just asked him what the thread pitch was on the handle, he said probably JB Weld pitch! I told him I could grind off the chrome and weld it.

 

Or take it apart and have a guy make a whole new one

 

You and me both!

 

Compressor Tech with Rusty, part 1

Blast cabinets take huge volumes of air and will work consumer grade compressors to death in fairly short order. A true 5 hp, 2 stage, 80 gallon unit is a good start.

A good commercial grade 2 stage reciprocating compressor will produce 3-4 cfm per horsepower at 175 psi, note many consumer compressors show a cfm at 40 psi, this is a worthless number used to try to look good -- you show me an impact gun that runs on 40 psi.


Below please find an example of the Rolls Royce of air compressors, this is a Saylor Beall 705, made in St. Johns Michigan. This is a design standard that you can compare all others to, most will fall short.

1) Valves: The valves are the #1 thing that requires service on an air compressor, this unit (all SB compressors) uses air operated disk valves, they wear virtually forever and are easy to service. Notice the threaded plugs for access. Lower grade units use reed valves.

2) Bearings: The crankshaft (ductile iron) rides on tapered roller bearings, lesser compressors ride on ball bearings. Both ends of the connecting rods have replaceable bearings.

3) Cast iron block and heads: Even the intercooler is cast iron on a SB, lesser compressors use aluminum heads, many consumer grade units use aluminum blocks too.

4) Other: Note the centrifugal unloader, this is a standard item on a commercial grade compressor, it allows the pump to come up to speed before pumping air, it makes the electric motor last longer and saves electricity too.

Finally, observe that this is a splash lubricated compressor, although "pressure lube" sounds nifty it really isn't needed in all but the most severe service, all SB compressors have a pressure lube option.

 

I don’t think he’ll ever use it again, but I’d like to fix it right.

 

I'm not kidding. I've only been deer hunting once.

 

Oil less compressors are noisy as fuck.
Have not heard a quiet one yet.
belt driven compressors are lower rpm and the pulse is a lot more calm.
It’s going to be noisy anyway but much more manageable.
I’m still looking for a vertical belt driven I can snag.
Can’t hear anything when mine is running.

 

Me too.

 

Compressor Tech with Rusty, part 2

Bullet points:

• Disk valves
• Roller bearings
• Cast iron block & head

Although all Saylor Beall compressors meet this list they aren't the only units built this way. In the past there were many, the list has dwindled over the years.

Quincy QR series: This is the top of the Quincy line and their only model checking all 3 of our points.

FS Curtis Masterline series: Checks all 3 points. These have been in production since 1897! Built in St. Louis, Missouri. I have one built in 1944.

The CA & CT series also feature cast iron construction, the literature is a bit vague on the bearings and valves. Curtis used to be 100% US owned, in 2005 they were purchased by Fusheng Industrial (FS) who is the largest manufacturer of air compressors in China.

Tier twos:

Champion R series: These have disk valves and roller bearings however they use an aluminum cylinder with a cast iron liner and perhaps an aluminum crankcase.

Ingersoll Rand: Personally I'm not a fan for a few reasons.
The famous V style Type 30 is a good unit with a long history, it is a reed valve, ball bearing unit however. You will work on the valves long before a disk valve pump.

The mono block units you see at TSC are consumer grade units.
Personally, IR is a giant p-i-a to get quotes, information or parts from and expensive for what you get too.

https://www.saylor-beall.com/

https://www.quincycompressor.com/products/reciprocating-piston/

https://us.fscurtis.com/product-category/reciprocating-air-compressors/

https://www.championpneumatic.com/en-us/products/reciprocating-compressors

https://www.ingersollrand.com/en-us/air-compressor/reciprocating-air-compressors