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What smaller commercial compressor doesn't have interstage moisture separation?For me, the answer is almost zero in terms of actual money. I have several motors laying around that would work, I already have a filter system and I have access to a full weld shop and machine shop.
I don't know how many other people like me there are in the world though, which is what I was curious about. If you didn't see the post and almost immediately know what you would need to finish out the system, it probably wouldn't be your thing, but here is a stab at it:
Harbor freight has a 3hp motor for $190.
Filtration for breathing air is a giant can of worms that I don't want to open. It is the most important part and everyone seems to have their own idea of what is required. I am going to throw $500 out there based on what it would cost for a replacement housing and parts for some of the commercially available small compressors. You could spend way more than this though.
I am going to assume it and the motor are just screwed to a 2x6 with some #8 sheetrock screws and not include any cost for mounting or piping or fittings. If you can't figure out a way to mount it and get the air from one place to another, again not for you.
Total cost: $1190
I am planning on building a prototype that I will machine all of the parts for. I was originally planning on just releasing the prints as just an open source kind of thing, but then I realized that the part cost would be really high if you just ordered one set of parts at a time. I would probably have to make at least 10-15 to make it cost effective for someone ordering the parts through a machine shop.
A. Yes. Several of the smaller commercially available compressors do not have interstage water removal.
B. No. The recommended maintenance sheets for compressors I looked at had the first major service around 500 hours. (stuff before that were just checks and oil) I am saying you might have to do things like valves after 100 hours.
C. I haven't quoted any parts yet, but yes that would be the idea.
That sounds insanely cheap.snip
Total cost: $1190
a $500 kit that you could assemble with basic tools that would produce a compressor capable of something like 3-4 SCFM at 3500 PSI
I think the question would be who wouldn't be interested in a $500 compressor head that can pump safe air at 3 to 4 cfm to 3500. Although the filtration issue is a huge added cost. I'm currently looking into filtration housings and such and they are very expensive especially for a home build, probably twice the projected cost of your compressor for a filter setup with good usable life.How many people would be interested in a $500 kit that you could assemble with basic tools that would produce a compressor capable of something like 3-4 SCFM at 3500 PSI? Motor, filtration and mounting not included. Just trying to gauge interest at this point.
If you could do it 'dry' and make a Rix alternative that would be super interesting!!
The one we saw was electric and used a laptop USB port for recharging.Oh, yea, I heard about this. The giant compressor companies tried to pay the inventor a lot of money to keep the idea off the market because it would kill all their business. It uses an incredibly powerful but tiny magnet on the fill whip to remove all the impurities by reorganizing the harmful ions into harmless oxygen. And the motor has a 100mpg carburetor.
It costs $500 for a "kit that will produce a compressor "and is going to turn the hobby upside down. I hope big brother isn’t listening, otherwise the inventor might disappear.
Let me get this right. You want an oil free oil less Rix all for $500?If you could do it 'dry' and make a Rix alternative that would be super interesting!!