This thread explains quite a bit about compressors in the $750 to $1400 range. http://www.chevelles.com/forums/show...ir+compressors

Rob

Last year I bought an Ingersol Rand 2 stage 60 gallon that puts out 14.7 @175.
It was $1200 delivered to my door and I got it off an online vendor
Its in my garage next to my project and its pretty quiet...much quieter that my old Craftsman 25 gallon one !!! Not bad at all to stand next to it when it runs. It keeps up pretty easy with all my grinding and my small blast cabinet etc etc.
I'm very happy with it...

I bought an 80gal Kobalt 7.5hp 19cfm/175psi up right two years ago from Lowes and untill yesterday it has been great. Not real quiet but much better than my old non belt drive unit I had. Problem is yesterday the motor fried so I need to cal the warienty department Monday morning to see what they will do about it. So I may be looking for a new one as well:(

Kevin
LFD Inc.

We run a 7.5 hp IR rotary screw... we like it alot. Whisper quiet, all the air you could want, dehumidified cool discharge... not cheap and not 110, but it's nice.

Yeah, the screw style compressors are the nice, but boy are they $$$.

Well the warienty on the Lowes Kobalt compressor's is only 1yr so I am out of luck. I found a new motor from Grainger for $300 for now but this year I will put a bit away from each built I do and I'm looking at an IR rotary screw compressor. It is 7.5HP 28cfm 80 gal tank 230 single phase for $6167 but I should never need another one and it is very quiet :thumbsup:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

I chose to go gas instead of 220. 11 hp Honda propane /gas powered two stage 18 CFM @ 175. The unit is portable when needed and with a soon to be built sound enclosure and exhaust heat exchanger the shop will have hot water as well until 220 gets hooked up.

I bought a twin screw Eaton on Ebay and it is very quiet. I would buy a twin screw before spending big dough on a piston type.. What you really need is this
http://cgi.ebay.com/1920-MICHELIN-AI...QQcmdZViewItem

Be very carefull with that transformer. Yes it will make 220v but it will also draw the current. Make sure you have the wire size and breaker to handle it. The over current will turn your wires into a crispy mess especially if they are run over a distance. Just my .02 cents. DO NOT JUST INCREASE THE BREAKER SIZE!!!