4500# compressors

[LEN]

Looking for info. See them from $200 to many $100's. Looking for experienced owners to comment. Cheap is good but I want it to last or a warranty to stand up or hopefully trouble free. Already have a SCBA tank and fill at Scuba shop but can only get 3800 pounds so fills are cut short.

[Novagun]

Remember this,

Fishing lures are made to catch fishermen- not fish.
The cheapest fish comes from the fish shop.

[Taso1000]

Len,

If you're looking for a reliable compressor that will compress to 4500 psi repeatedly look into the Shoebox compressor for $499.  It does require 125 psi max input air.  I'm pretty sure it will work with less but the manual doesn't state a minimum pressure.

http://www.shoeboxcompressor.com/freedom10/

I'm not aware of any other compressor that comes close unless it was released recently.

Thanks,

Taso

PS:  I didn't clarify my Shoebox suggestion.  If you were starting at the lowest price range, the lowest I recommend is the Shoebox.  It's a simple design and easy to fix and service.  I also forgot to mention that it needs a moisture removal system.  Thanks.

[dv8eod]

I have an Omega and am happy with it. Only serious problem has been melting the water return line and burning out the pump motor. Todd and Bruce at AOA are always available for support. Everything else is minor and easily corrected, like air bubbles in the water sensor from shipping (just tap them out).

[Privateer]

I am a happy owner of the AV for over a year now.

[bandg]

The Omegas as well as AV and now Hatsan all seem like good compressors.  I am still weighing options but will probably break down and spend the money for an Airetex.  Seems to have dive quality build, long period till first recommended rebuild, and an apparently superior drying system.  Expensive and 220V but seems like it would be foolproof.  Still, any mechanical unit can have problems.

[DLP]

I have been happy with my Shoebox. Had it over a year with no trouble. Blew a hose last week. But it wasnt the compressors fault. I have rebuilt it twice, but neither time was nessacary. I fill a 30 and 60 min 4500 tank up enery week or so. It is slow. But steady.

[Back_Roads]

 I am a Shoe Box F-10 owner & fan, ran it a year with a 90 PSI oiless  compressor before up grading to a California quiet oiless, due to needing a reliable cold weather compressor in the garage . Though some consideration could be made with the new arrivals with included filtration etc..

[Fly]

Well I have a cheap Vevor I bought for $200 from E-bay. I like many have had small issues, but nothing big. Small air leak around where gage
screwed in. Easy fix, installed another washer it seats against & Teflon tape. It had a small tight spot & needed break in with out load, 30 min.
I changed the 15 amp reset switch to a better one from Amazon $6. Been running fine since. Now I do not push it to the limit to 4500 psi. That
said I can,t help.

But if that's what you are doing every fill I would bite the bullet & pay the $$$$$$ or continue using the dive shop. There maybe people here that
use these china compressors as you plan to do. But you said in your post (people that have one) & your spot on. Most of the bashers never owned
one & repeat what they read. You do get what you pay for & these compressors are no different. For me I can't justify a $1000 or more for a compressor.
That's just me. 

                              JMOHOP  Fly

[Humdinger]

The Omegas as well as AV and now Hatsan all seem like good compressors.  I am still weighing options but will probably break down and spend the money for an Airetex.  Seems to have dive quality build, long period till first recommended rebuild, and an apparently superior drying system.  Expensive and 220V but seems like it would be foolproof.  Still, any mechanical unit can have problems.

The Airetex brand is no longer available if you are looking to buy a new compressor.  Alkin compressors are now sold from New Jersey.  Omegas are glorified hand pumps in a box and  rely upon rubber o-rings for seals.  Look at the Youtube rebuild video for an Omega.  They have nothing in common with a heavy duty compressor design. If you are willing to spend $2K-$3K there are several excellent compressor designs available.  Coltri, Alkin, Nardi Atlantic, or a used Bauer just to name a few.  The Alpha Carette is a well designed low stressed compressor at a lower price point.  It is a more reliable design than the Air Venturi or new Hatsan Lightning.   

[Thane]

X2 for the $200 Vevor. Been operating for months with only a check valve spring replacement and some teflon tape. Added a coalescing filter.
It's works great, any compressor will require some attention and occasional maintenance. If you're maintenance adverse, stick with the scuba shop.

[ezman604]

Airetex is still available and in business. The owner, Bruce Dodson, is just relocating his business to another location but still in Texas. He has a cell number to reach him during the transition and setup.

[ezman604]

Also see his introduction post as member Curly1.

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=148804.0;topicseen

[bandg]

Welcome aboard, Bruce.  Looking forward to information about your new location.  I had identified the original location on google maps and was planning to visit in the near future to look at your available compressors.  I will now plan for the new location when operational.  Please keep us informed.

[wimpanzee]

I bought an AV compressor in May.

On the first fill, it blew out the seal on the vertical output tube. PA had a new one shipped that day, and 0 problems since then.

I like it a lot because it will run off my 2000w inverter generator, so I can take it anywhere and have air if necessary.

[triggertreat]

I really like my AV compressor.  It will do a true 4500psi fill.  It is self contained with water tank and radiator and runs fairly quietly for a compressor.  It is very fast to fill and cools the output air considerably with its design so the receiving tank doesn't loose what you put into it after the fill from heat loss (the tanks do not get hot).  It has a auto shut off you set and a large vertically mounted filter on the output so the air comes out dry.  I fill a 88cf and a 44cf 4500psi tank with ease.  I haven't had any issues with it, but if I do, the repair parts are easily ordered from the PA website.

[wimpanzee]

...the repair parts are easily ordered from the PA website.

That was what really sold me on the AV compressor. PA support is top of the line.

[LEN]

Just checking in so you know I am reading the posts. Like the Idea of a self contained with just power, no xtra cooling system.

LEN