The Difference Between a Single Stage and Two Stage Air Compressor

[@spelunkerd]

I've got air tools that are still going strong, over 20 years old, still running off an older 120V 5HP Craftsman compressor. In that same time I've replaced three cordless drills, all thrown in the trash when batteries eventually failed and became obsolete. It is amazing how versatile and powerful the new battery technology is, but don't underestimate the long term cost.

[@AlessioSangalli]

5HP on 120V? You need over 30A at 120V to get that power, what plug does it use?

[@spelunkerd]

@@AlessioSangalli Oh, my mistake. I believe it's 5CFM, not 5HP, it's on a 15A plug.

[@Frindleeguy]

Batteries aren't eternal. A good LiIon battery has about 300-500 recharge cycles. There's every chance you had depleted batteries and perfectly good tools and threw both away :)

[@spelunkerd]

@@Frindleeguy That's what I thought, too. When I confidently went back to the dealer, each time I was told they don't make batteries with that specific adapter any more, and even if they did, the cost to do it would be almost as much as a new drill. We've seen this time and again in the appliance, electronics repair, and even manufacturing industries. They collapsed because factories in China will produce a new one for less than a North American repair facility charge to repair the old one.

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Yea always gotta upgrade the cordless , gets pricey

[@BDNWTKFG]

you didnt say anything about CFM or whats better to run more than one tool IE Dual Action (D/A) sanders???

[@gittyupalice96]

CFM at the tool is gonna be more or less based on the size of your lines and fittings... a D.A. sander should have a P-type fitting on it, and be run with at least a 3/8 hose, I have 1/2" on mine. The compressor just needs to be around 10 - CFM at a minimum to keep up with that sander, and if you want it to surpass the sanders draw ( in other words be able to fill the tank full and shut off while running the sander, your gonna need 15-20 CFM out of the compressor pump, wich should = $1500 to $2500 ish.

[@onestopfunstop317]

Is this the one that the motor blows up on, and shoots flames out of the side, burning down your house ?

[@AlessioSangalli]

It's so unlikely that a motor blowing up could ignite a house... Unless one stores flammable material next to it.

[@onestopfunstop317]

One of the 60 gallon Ingersoll Rand compressors has a reputation of bursting into flames. I'm not sure which one, but I've seen a lot of videos about it.

[@jimmyers8939]

no, that's the one with the CHINA motor on it. Sanborn has gone china on us, small wonder

[@TravisInCanada1]

Does lowering the RPM lower the PSI or just the refill time/noise?

[@redram5150]

Lower RPM is literally fewer revolutions per minute. That means it will take longer to fill the tank to max PSI. However, residential sized tanks aren’t so large the additional amount of time is going to be a huge issue for most people.

[@dginta7932]

Likely also reduces the running amps that can be good for some motors.

[@ssimon2021]

thankyou two, sir. the information is very clear and direct.

[@you2tooyou2too]

It would have been helpful to mention that the 1 vs 2 stage compressor is a trade off at any given power, between lower pressure (120psi) but lower volume.

[@cardozomanuel0027]

I have a question I'm trying to gift my dad a compressor but don't know what to get him the biggest thing he uses the compressor is to paint cars I've seen some on homedepot 80 gallon 60 gallon 1stage 2stage what would be best thanks in advance

[@ronaldbrown5745]

Give your Dad money and he will get what he needs!

[@lennym1273]

You forgot the most important thing CFM's, as in which one has better (or more) CFM's...

[@Dr_Xyzt]

CFM is based on the power and efficiency of the compressor, not the stages. Pressure*CFM = power, as long as you're running on cool air. The compressor is really hard to turn for the last 45 degrees, then relatively easy during the intake stroke. This affects what's called the power factor. If the electric motor has to deal with these surges, then you trip the circuit, plus you have a 2 hp compressor that gets like 1 CFM at 90 PSI. Instead, many air compressors have heavy pulleys. So, that last little bit of rotation that would normally be hard to turn, gets turned by the weight of the pulley and the motor makes up the difference. 2-stages are the other way to get around this issue. You take a 2-liter cylinder and pump it into a 1 liter cylinder with a smaller bore. The smaller bore is easier for the motor to turn, while the other cylinder forced the motor to do more work on average anyways. A 2-cylinder compressor also has a good average power factor. For any air compressor, there's a certain speed the cylinders can go before the air can't get in fast enough. The compressor designers know this. They make the same size cylinder for more than one compressor, and the higher power compressors have a different pulley so they can turn the cylinders faster.

[@lennym1273]

@@Dr_Xyzt Never said any thing about stages, all I said was CFM's (cubic feet per minute) is the most important thing when looking at a compressor, if you have a compressor with only 11 CFM's and you want to run a long board sander (or any tool) that requires 15 CFM's then you will have to keep stopping and wait for the compressor to catch up...

[@Dr_Xyzt]

I'm inclined to say it doesn't make much of a difference. --Power = Pressure*volume/time. --Need more pressure and volume? You need a bigger circuit to drive the compressor to run the tool. -- The whole point of an air compressor is to store energy to run items that are normally too big to run on the installed circuit. The compressor will run them for a period of time long enough to get the job done.

[@flyurway]

@@lennym1273 I'm inclined to say that, all other things (like HP) being equal, a single stage will give you more CFM than a 2 stage. In a 2 stage both cylinders are working together to deliver the same "handful" of air. A single stage twin each cylinder has its own air intake and exhaust, technically handling twice as many cubic inches of air with each revolution. So it's the same old trade off, 1-stage = more CFM with lower pressure or 2-stage, lower CFM at higher pressure.

[@lennym1273]

@@flyurway Not really a single stage can only pump up to around 125 to 150 PSI where as a 2 stage can go over 200 PSI, the 2 stage fills the tank faster which is how you get the higher cfm's. Look at it this way 2 tanks both with 100 PSI, both will run the same tools for the same amount of time, the difference will be in how fast the tanks get filled back again to the 100 PSI. IF you look at all the compressors being sold you will see higher CFM's on the 2 stage, where as the single stage the most I have seen is around 11 cfm compared to 18 or 22 cfm on the 2 stage, a simple long board sander needs around 14 CFM's. CFM's go together with higher pressure, the more Cubic Feet per Minute you produce the higher pressure you get, 1-stage = less CFM lower pressure. 2-stage = higher CFM higher pressure. That is what I have noticed, take a look at some web sites that sell compressors and look at the spec's, If I'm wrong do show me the web sites and unit's I would like to see it for my self...

[@davidharris7618]

Dumb question. I have a V pump. Does that mean it's a 2 stage? Also I'm looking to replace it. Do I have to use the same brand because it's been discontinued. What has to match up. And how do I know horse power. I have a Campbell Hausfeld HS750000P right now. I know this an old thread. Thanks for any help. Or I need a piston or valve rebuild kit which I cant find. One of the rubber seals is broke.

[@WorkshopAddict]

No, A V does not mean you have a two stage. Is one larger than the other? That would mean it is a 2 stage. Might be best to buy a new compressor and bolt it on to your tank than searching for a rebuild.

[@davidharris7618]

@@WorkshopAddict Yes one is larger than the other.

[@davidharris7618]

@@WorkshopAddict Thanks for responding. So now that I know I have a 2 stage will any 2 stage compressor pump work. And how do I know horse power. I'm guessing it's a 5. It's a 175 max air if that means anything. Thanks for all your help

[@davidharris7618]

And I'm guessing I should go with another V pump to replace it?

[@WorkshopAddict]

@@davidharris7618 yes.

[@stoneycarter5546]

Im confused I have a single stage I just bought at tractor supply Ingersoll Rand 5hp 80 gallon every video iv'e seen says it shuts off around 150 psi but my compressor shuts off at 175psi and kicks back on at 145 psi why is this ?

[@Thetowguy77]

Can you convert a single stage from 220 to 110?

[@mo-reesespieces9066]

I purchased a new single stage 30 gal Kobolt Air compressor and 6 weeks after warranty ran out (5yr) wouldn't you know my crank shaft snapped off. I have been unable to find parts for my motor, 30gal, 155psi from Lowes or Kobolt. Does anyone have any recommendations on where I can order parts (Crankshaft) for my motor. Oil was full when I took off the plastic cover only to find the flywheel sitting there unattached to the belt. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Peace

[@Berry_MaCocknher]

Have you tried aircompressorpartsonline.com/

[@mo-reesespieces9066]

@@Berry_MaCocknher Had not as of yet but thanks for the info. Will give it a try and get back with you to let you know how I did with it. Peace

[@rabbibacongrease88]

I just picked up a 10 horsepower two stage compressor that runs on single phase power

[@BigBadJohn1892_geolesson4u]

Thagt means you are from texas

[@asherdie]

Is it fine tuned?

[@cecilarnold6843]

What brand & how much did it cost?

[@rabbibacongrease88]

@@cecilarnold6843 It's a cheap Chinese brand called Tech top. It was approximately $800. If you for shop around you can find it fairly reasonably priced. www.caldwellmotors.com/products/techtop-rd1-rs-tf-215t-4-b-b-10-10-hp-1800-rpm-215t-tefc-single-phase-farm-duty-motor

[@joejoe1738]

Thank you

[@Stoparts]

Nice channel colleagues. Regards from StoParts Ltd

[@DB-jx9sj]

Fabulous inflator!!

[@12RCARR]

I’ll tell ya the best kind of air compressor is a screw type way better than the pump type and when using tools your not really looking at PSI your looking at CFM the more CFM you have the more continuous air you get like for sand blasting plasma cutting even the air tool needle scalers the list is endless with a screw type

[@terrellscaife2411]

Now I’m running a 10 gallon Central pneumatic 125 psi with to 20 gallon industrial air auxiliary tanks

[@georgespangler1517]

My single stage has 150 lbs of plenty of psi,,,and much quieter then 2 stage, and faster recovery, because both pistons work together

[@silversurfer1472]

2 stage for the win.

[@jago5300]

Not enough information. Cubic feet per minute, cfm, etc etc.

[@bohaggin5913]

I remember a time when IR and Quincy made good compressors. Cheap, Chinese, high rpm junk now.

[@AK74Man87]

Bo Haggin My Quincy 2016 model is US ( motor tank and pump) made.

[@ghatazhak4265]

Bo Haggin what do you recommend?

[@labian5]

Bo Haggin ir is made in America

[@jasonfontenot596]

Larry house. Ir may be assembled in USA but its definitely not made here. Their ss4 pumps which is what was on the first compressor they showed is made in china and you cant even get parts for it to replace a blown paper head gasket unless you order one for an ss3 model. Their ss5 pump on the second compressor they showed is made in Taiwan at least that one you can get parts for.

[@Dr_Xyzt]

@@jasonfontenot596 Dude, you can make new paper gaskets. Put the paper gasket in a copy machine. Spray the copies with polyurethane. Make sure they're the right thickness, and slap them on. If you need more than one piece, you have to wet them with polyurethane before you stick them together.

[@jimcole6423]

Air compressors are like mother-in-laws: Full of hot air and noisy. At least with an air compressor, you benefit from it.

[@daveshiroma]

Just get a twin screw 😂

[@jimmyers8939]

in grade school there was a greg pinkston screw

[@thomaseichstaedt4988]

IR pumps are made in India

[@mrpush2532]

Huh, that single phase model you showed had terrible ratings....poor quality. Even IR has lowered their standards! Nice!

[@nasirali5404]

Most bast usa

[@EverywhereisHE]

Other than inflating tires, I have little use for a compressor. Battery tools have evolved so much, pneumatic tools are obsolete. No more dry rotted diaphragms in the 1/2" impact air wrench that has less than 10 hours of use on it... They even have airless paint sprayers. Nail guns are evolving as well. Big compressors will be a thing of the past fairly soon.

[@btrswt35]

Scott Everywhere Battery powered tools are advancing by leaps and bounds but I don't see them replacing large compressors any time soon. Certain air tools (primarily auto mechanic tools) still have some significant advantages over cordless or corded tools.

[@chrismills498]

David Mm I think if your going for anything over 1/2 inch then yeah air dose win but the power and portability of cordless is extrem I work in a garage where the only things using the compressor now is the tyre machine, tyre inflator and blow gun

[@eosjoe565]

Doesn't anyone use their air compressor with a blow gun nozzle anymore? I use my compressor more with a blow gun for cleaning debris out of things than I do any other pneumatic tool.

[@RyanTaylor3D]

So absolutely wrong. The benefit of pneumatic is that you can take the weight of the power source off of you and get more precise tools with less moving parts that are more accurate. Try going upside-down with a battery powered dual action sander all day compared to a 2 1/2lb Dynabrade pneumatic. Come onnnn.

[@FirearmTutorials]

one word, maybe 2... sandblast. Can't do that with batteries.