Which air compressor to get?

[Bobbo]

I am going to buy an air compressor. I have a shop compressor to use as the first stage of a Shoebox, so that is not a consideration. My question is: Shoebox Freedom 8 or Joe Brancato's Alpha90?

Is one better than the other, other than the Alpha90 not needing a shop compressor? The prices are equivalent (enough).

[jeff76]

well if they are the same price get the one from joe.  it looks the same as the omega aircharger.  im sure it probably is just rebranded.  it can just do more.  its stand alone.  it hasn't been around quite as long so it hasn't proven its reliability yet.  it can be rebuilt though.  there really isn't much to fail other than the internals that are in the rebuild kit. 

[johninthecamper]

look at sheldon sporting goods in wichita,ks

[benj397]

One thing to consider. If you go somewhere and want to ensure you have air do you want to haul an air charger / alpha90. Or do you want to haul a shoebox and all of its fittings and a shop compressor?

[silent_airman]

I bought a Shoebox Max 4500psi and I couldn't be happier. The Freedom 8 is a lot more money and I did not need all the extra bells and whistles. Mine just sits there and pumps away happily.

[caniborrowsomeammo]

A-90 from Joe is much faster, and less maintenance I believe. Set it to where you want it to shut off, very quiet too. I like mine.

[jeff76]

the a-90 isn't just a set it and forget it unit.  you have to hit the bleed valve every few minutes unless you want to fill your tank with water

[benj397]

Does a shoebox have a way to bleed at all?

[caniborrowsomeammo]

I fill my 71 cu ft tank in about a half hour from 3000 to 4600 (yes 4600), I just pulled my Synrod apart, I have NO moisture problems. RH around here is about 70-80%. I have a good amount of moisture in the trap, but I see no sign of it getting in my guns.
In fact, I just turned my tank valve side down- and opened the valve. If it was full of water methinks I would have seen some spray on the wall I had the nipple pointed at.
Trust me wait all day to fill your tank with the SB or fill with the A90 in an hour or less.

[Charles Outdoors]

Does a shoebox have a way to bleed at all?

No it doesn't.

To me this is a no brainer. Do you want to spend 3 hours topping off your tank or 45 minutes. I have a shoebox and I'm glad to have it for the price. I bought it used, but if I was going to spend 1000-1200 I would get the faster compressor that does not need an oil less shop compressor to feed it.

[jeff76]

I have the omega air charger, which I believe is the same thing as the alpha 90.  and I love it.  it fills a scba tank from empty to 4500 psi in about 3.5 to 4 hours.  I filled two a week ago.  haven't needed to top up the first one yet.  but I will make note of how long it takes when I do

[caniborrowsomeammo]

I have the omega air charger, which I believe is the same thing as the alpha 90.  and I love it.  it fills a scba tank from empty to 4500 psi in about 3.5 to 4 hours.  I filled two a week ago.  haven't needed to top up the first one yet.  but I will make note of how long it takes when I do

HaHa, go out and shoot. Trigger time soothes the soul. You'll get that tank down eventually

[Case Stuffer]

Does a shoebox have a way to bleed at all?

Yes the vent / bleed screw is just above the Foster output fitting.It does not have a water trap however. Shop compressor on the floor, Shoebox Max on a shelf 4 feet up and CF tank standing up next to it. When I bleed the line at the Shoebox there is just a trace of moisture at that point but non in the 40 " micro hose and non from the tank's bleed valve even after setting upside down for an hour after filling.

[Case Stuffer]

the a-90 isn't just a set it and forget it unit.  you have to hit the bleed valve every few minutes unless you want to fill your tank with water

Interesting fact is the faster you compress air the hotter it gets and it gets  more difficult (read expensive) to remove the moisture.


scubaengineer.com/high_pressure_compressor_filtrat.htm

[jeff76]

so basically you are saying that the alpha needs the moisture trap, and the shoebox doesn't because of the rate at which they compress the air?

[Case Stuffer]

I have read that some Dive Compressors separate and remove  as much as 140 ml / 4.75 oz) of  water  prior to the final in line air  drier media. 
Most who fill their own tanks for PCP using their own compressors do not post detailed post with tank capacity ,start and end PSI , amount of water removed etc..

I have filled a 17cu. ft. and a 87 cu. ft. from 0 to 4500 PSI with my Shoebox Max and have not  had any moisture make its' way thru the 40" micro hose to the female quick disconnect / male Foster on the tank being filled.  I have had only a trace, perhaps 2  drops of water from the Shoebox Max  after  three to five hour run time.

Perhaps look up a chart showing moisture content of compressed air at  different temperatures and humidity. My shop compressor pumping from 120 to 150 PSI which takes 30 seconds creates much hotter air than the Shoebox does running for hours on end. Five hours of the shop compressor ,a Porter Cable C2002 feeding the SB which is 10 min. total run time , 30 sec. on  once every 15 minutes and it has a more than a noticeable amount of water vapor in the air when I bleed it.       

Go to thread here scroll down to second post by thread starter and use the second link to a very good article on Dive Compressors. 

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=84327.0

Best video I have found on using Shoebox Max.

You will have to do a Search as I am not allowed post a direct link to offsite .     


Cricket Takes a look at the 4500 PSI Shoebox ... - YouTube

     


                         

[Jtlittle]

The thing no one seems to address is when a shot is fired in pcp at some point the air drops to 0psi. When this happens the suspended moisture precipitates out. Google removing moisture from scuba air. This is dealing with breathing quality air but moisture and carbon monoxide are a problem.


http://www.scubaengineer.com/high_pressure_compressor_filtrat.htm

[Case Stuffer]

  The thing no one seems to address is when a shot is fired in pcp at some point the air drops to 0psi. When this happens the suspended moisture precipitates out.               

I have read several post on that  however there still remains the possible damage done to the  air storage tanks, both the bulk fill one(s) and the one built into the airgun.