"How would a compressor retard (like me) find out enough about compressors to be able to buy one. I will (hopefully) be doing independent instruction by summer. My dad has offered to buy me a compressor before christmas. I don't know where to begin. I'm even at a loss trying to understand all these foreign language threads... :0("
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How to buy a compressor? This probably deserves a whole new thread but I will try to answer it here. Well I think one of the best ways is to look on the forums like this one. The people who own them will tell you honestly what they think. If they did not think they got a good value and quality believe me they would tell you.
Things to look for or look out for. **SCFM numbers are genarally about 30-35% optimistic of actual numbers. If Bauer 7.5 Hp and AireTex 7.5 Hp compressor puts out 8 CFM but another brand puts out 11+ **SCFM from a 7.5 Hp motor then do not triust those figures. Ask on one of the forums what the actual is.
Check with their warranty, if they void the warranty for filling multiple tanks and cascade systems then it means it will not last as required. Generally the lower the RPM the quieter and more durable the compressor will be.
Every manufacturor has had warranty issues myself included. Nobody is perfect. The question is how were they resolved? Did the manufacturor fix the problem or did they find a reason to void the warranty because you used your compressor?
I have only voided the warranty on
one compressor. The customer ran it 180 hours with out draining the water separator one time! the water separator and purifier were completly full of water and it was squirting out the hose! It ruined the final pistons, crank, rods and was a total mess to clean up. He had it in a Paintball store and did not think it was needed since it was not for breathing air. Still I gave him dealers pricing on all of the parts and a very good deal on the labor costs. He was very happy and promised he would drain the separators from now on.
Ask on the forums who are the good guys to deal with and who is not. You might look on the paintball forums about compressors, those guys are brutal on compressors and they will tell you who the good guys are and are not. Some of my paintball customers run their compressors non stop during tournaments for the whole weekend. Just make sure those people have actually used the compressor and not what they "Heard" from someone else. Do not let price be the only deciding factor, spending $150 more may get you a compressor that will last forever where saving that $150 may get you a compressor that gives up the ghost after 50 tanks. That compressor is worth nothing when it breaks. A good compressor will hold its value and you should get most of your money back if you ever decide to sell. Once again if you start out with junk you end up with junk.
Ask about parts and repairability. Some of the cheaper compressors are just not cost effective to repair when they break and are just "Disposable" compressors. A good compressor will last a lifetime with normal use. A good compressor starts with a good solid design and is easy to repair.
Parts must be readily available. I have all parts in stock but most of my normal wear and tear parts are available from Lawrence Factor also to give my customers other options. That also helps keep our prices reasonable by competition.
Lawrence Factor also makes most parts for Bauer compressors That helps to keep the parts prices down. There is one brand of compressor that is of decent design, quality and purchase price but when you need parts they are outrageously expensive and no other place to get them.
I think the Bauers and the AireTex (ALKIN) are the best two in the business and both have certain advantages and fewest disadvantages over the others. You the customer has to decide what is best for your budget and needs. A personal compressor may not be for everyone but if you are in the market those are the things I would look for. In fact that is what got me in this business. Bruce
