Compressors
 

A neighbors son is looking to buy a compressor. His question was what is the difference between and single stage and 2 stage compressors? Can anyone help?

Two stage compresses the air in one chamber, then compresses it some more in a second chamber.

Stay away from 'oiless' comrpessors.

Get the biggest one you can afford.

I installed mine outside and built a nice little 'doghouse' for it to keep the noise down, and then plumbed underground and through the wall into the shop. It's nice to be able to work and not be deafened by the compressor.

A buddy gave me his Porter and Cable - great two stage and it only goes off every so often and then only for a minute. If he spends more then $600 he is wasting his money - unless he has all air tools and is running a shop.

Thanks Thom & Mike, I'll forward this to him.

Alot of 2 stage compressors also pump up to higher psi's. I did say alot, not all though.

It's pretty common to see a 2 stage that pumps up to 175psi.

I have a single stage 135psi 60gal 220v, from Home Depot. It was a good price, and can pretty much run any tool I have in the garage, so long as it's just one person running a tool at a time.

Two stage compressors also cool the air when goiung into the second stage. This is a good thing.

BEWARE: Many oil-less compressors represent themselves as "two stage" but they are not, in the traditional sense.

Anything that says "oil-less" pr Lube -for-life" should be avoided at all costs! Unless you want to pay through the nose in parts repair!

......if you can even get parts. Many are sealed units.