Ordered the wrong compressor - doh!

[dave hensley]

Hey everyone,

I ordered an air compressor after researching them for a couple of days and after receiving it, I realized that I ordered the wrong one by mistake (models got jumbled in my head). :o

I ended up with an oil-lube model instead of an oil-less model. I am trying to determine whether it's worth returning this compressor and getting the oil-less model for an additional $70.

Is it worth it? Will an oil-less model be a better option for air assist and easier to maintain?

Thanks!

[Dan Hintz]

You definitely don't want an oiled model for air assist, especially if your system uses an air curtain anywhere near the optics (ULS systems bathe the optics in air assist air to prevent comtamination... if that air has oil in it, you're in for a rude awakening). Even putting an oil trap in the system isn't guaranteed to get it all.

Return it while you still can.

[Gary Hair]

The one thing about an oil lube compressor is that it is much quieter than oil-less. I agree with Dan about trapping the oil, but for the noise issue I would get a couple of good traps and stay with it.

Gary

[dave hensley]

OK, thanks guys. Got it through Amazon... hopefully it will not be that hard to return it.

[dave hensley]

Well, the return was a breeze! UPS will pick it up Monday. Yay Amazon!!

Before I order another one, what is an appropriate tank size? I am thinking nothing less than 4-5 gallon.

[Dan Hintz]

If you don't want it turning on every 3 minutes (and burning up the motor), I would suggest 25-gal as a bare minimum. I have a 33-gal Craftsman, and at 10psi I get about an hour of runtime before I need to refill. This is with me manually turning it off after it fills and turning it back on when it hits 25-30psi. If I left it on automatic, I might get 5-7 minutes before it kicked back on. If you intend to run with more pressure at the nozzle, your run time would be even shorter.

[John Noell]

I decided to try the diaphragm pump from Gast and love it. Much quieter than my old tank type.

[Chuck Frysinger]

I agree with the gast Pump.Own 5 lasers and they all run onthe gast. 1/3 hp and quiet. Simple to rebuild if needed. I think the model is a 71R or 72 R