Rotary screw compressor vs piston type
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Just looking for any insight between the 2 compressors, I’ve read up on the rotary screw quite a bit but am hoping to get some feed back from anyone who uses one. Im looking at getting the Devair 7.5hp 120gal tank with air dryer for my shop, the most people I’ll have working in there is 3 but will likely only be 2 of us, I spray PPG envirobase so air dryers will used. Bit of a price difference between the 2 but not concerned about that, the rotary screw type is supposed to be a much more efficient compressor so whats your thoughts?
I’ve worked in 3 shops with screw type compressors. They are excellent for volume, speed drier/cleaner air and reduced noise, energy savings. The screw type is far superior.
The only reason I can think of for using a piston type is due to budget. If you are only going to have 2-3 guys you may be better off with the piston type. There are tons available at reasonable prices.
As with anything, quality counts. I would be more inclined to go with a high end piston type then to trust a low end rotary one. Devair is a decent name, but I am not familiar enough with them to comment on the quality of what you are looking at.
With the 7.5 horse devair you need to look at how much cfm it puts out and the recovery time it has.The only reason I say this is the portable blowers on stands eat up lots of air.If you are doing a large job in the booth and you are running 4 blowers plus your guy out in the shop is running a sander IMO you will run out of air fast,you might have to go for a 10 horse,or the screw compressor.
:agree jayson has a very good point about the airblowers and this would need to be calculated and I to think a 7.5hp screw would not be able to keep up
I was talking with the shop owner in my town there is 4 guys working off a 7.5hp piston type and if one of them is on a air sander apparently the painter is screaming lol, my understanding is that the screw type will make up the air much more quick then a piston type. I can also get a 10hp 1ph but its about a 10k unit and the 7.5hp is about $8600. I have the catalog at work I will take another read and check out the spec differences between the 2. thanks for your thoughts and opinions :cheers
get a 15hp piston for the same price or less than the 7.5 rotary screw
a 7.5 hp piston devair with a dryer is gonna run over 5grand, pretty set on a screw type just debating on whether or not I want to spend the extra on the 10hp, also I only have single phase power here. If you can get a 15hp piston type for 8grand that would be a smokin deal??
alright here are some specs
screw type 7.5hp 27 cfm @145psi
10hp 37cfm @145psi
doesnt really say anything about the recovery so not sure how these would do.
I also believe I got a my price for a 120gal tank on it
I would still recommend the 10hp screw setup. but is that the only company around are there others to get quotes from? let the sales guys duke it out on a price you may end up with a 10hp screw and a dryer for 8k who knows
it does look like a nice compressor. when i put my mine in i couldnt find a good rotary screw that ran on single phase. so i went with a curtis masterline 15hp piston. with the airdryer i believe it ran around 7500-8000. just remember, the screw compressors are a lot more expensive to maintain and repair if something goes wrong. they also work better when they run more. realistically with only 2 guys in the shop there will be very few times that you will even approach maxing out the air usage
I’m of the opinion that unless you’re in the market for a $10k or more compressor, just stick with a reciprocator. I got a 7.5 for my little shop and I love it.
Running 3-4 guys, I think a screw would be worth it. Just don’t cheap out. :deadhorse
$8600 for a compressor and dryer doesnt seem to be be cheaping out to me Bob lol, my main concern was basically for the air dryers in the paint booth because the compressor will be running pretty steady I would imagine so just figured the screw type would be better because I read they are more efficient and wont create nearly as much heat as the piston type. Devair has been around along time already too.
Today I phoned about the single phase 10hp rotary screw and the lady could only give me the list price of 14K :stoned but there is a special on for them right now but she said I had to phone my local jobber. really starting to think the 7.5hp will do lol
Just have them come to the shop and they will test for how much air you use, And then they will tell you what compressor you will need. That way your not guessing and will not be stabbing yourself in the foot for buying too small of a compressor.
[quote=”C_REX” post=24728]$8600 for a compressor and dryer doesnt seem to be be cheaping out to me Bob lol, my main concern was basically for the air dryers in the paint booth because the compressor will be running pretty steady I would imagine so just figured the screw type would be better because I read they are more efficient and wont create nearly as much heat as the piston type.[/quote]
:agree
I’d just say get what you need, like Wydir said, and go for a quality piece of equipment – I got a nice 7.5 for $2400. To get a screw you’re looking at 4 times that before you find quality units. That was all I meant.
I already had the dryer, but I’ll be upgrading that at some point with a Tsunami.
well decided f*ck it, bought a 10hp 1ph rotary screw by devair, wont have a shortage of air now 😉
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