should I get a shoebox compressor?

Richard,
i purchased my Freedom 8 from Pyramyd Air but I think there are other suppliers. You can go directly to the Shoebox website. 
www.shoeboxcompressor.com. You can see the different models, repair parts, misc. The Freedom 8 has all the " Bells & Whistles" and pumps up a little faster. Keep an eye open on the classifieds since they do show up every once in a while.

NMshooter,
Thank you. I laughed at a comment an Airgun friend of mine made. He said I could probably hook a garden hose into my intake and still only get air out.
 
30cal I did the read on what you learned. And now I will use that to get set up. I think I will go to the source ...and go strait to shoebox and get mine. looks like moms gun is going on the back burner... : )
bleudg I love your system but at this time I cant put out that much cash into it. I will have to upgrade a little at a time.... : ) Thanks again everyone....
 
Ya I'm very happy with mine! Had a couple issues but they were my fault. Got to keep that belt tight! The beauty of the Shoebox is that it is just a basic HP air compressor. You can customize it to suit your needs and as funds allow. Here is some more info on how I have mine set up if you haven't seen it yet: http://www.marauderairrifle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=11212
 
I just got my Shoebox Max 4500psi last Tuesday and a $100 Husky 125psi oil less shop compressor I added a water separator on the shop compressor and a desiccant moisture filter on the Shoebox side and I use it to fill my 74cuft Tiger Shark tank from Joe Brancato I bought my Shoebox directly from Shoebox compressor.com and I love this little engine that could I would recommend this setup to anyone looking to have their own personal fill source.http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w472/thomasallen1287/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-03/FE7F20CF-F46D-4534-BA5F-80F0C1359F89_zpsanps3ovj.jpg
 
Thanks for all the help. Things have changed at my house,,, life blindsided me.... : ) so funds need to go in a different direction at this time. Sooooo this is going to be back burner for a while. I will just have to keep filling my tanks at the scuba shop. Works for now but sooner or later I will get a compressor set up. Nice to see what you all are doing with your set ups. Thanks again Richard
 
From all that I have read throughout different forums if you want a solid budget compressor the shoebox is the ticket.Made in USA with good customer service. I just hate the fact you gotta buy more stuff even after you purchase one.

Budget being
Shoebox max 650$
Oilless compressor 100$
Water separator and decitiant filter before shoebox 150$
After shoebox seive filter 300$ to 400$(buy quality don't go cheap)
Total 1200$ to 1300$ on budget compressor.
If you go freedom 8 you will push 1550$ to 1700$
I have seen good used scuba/Paintball compressors going for that with nothing else to purchase but maybe an adapter to fit whatever your filling scuba or scba.
 
I was seriously considering a Shoebox Freedom 8 a couple of weeks ago, but I just couldn't get over how much all the "Extra" equipment would cost to get the thing running properly. And then on top of the that the crazy long fill times. I ended up going with the mrod airmax. Had some issues with it out of the box, but after a couple of e-mails and a call or two, everything is sorted. I seems to work very well, it's fast, and cheaper than the shoebox setup.
 
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"Irish"I was seriously considering a Shoebox Freedom 8 a couple of weeks ago, but I just couldn't get over how much all the "Extra" equipment would cost to get the thing running properly. And then on top of the that the crazy long fill times. I ended up going with the mrod airmax. Had some issues with it out of the box, but after a couple of e-mails and a call or two, everything is sorted. I seems to work very well, it's fast, and cheaper than the shoebox setup.
Checked out the website , thanks Irish. 
Looks like a smokin deal. 
For 995. Or 1250 or 1275 for the upgrade included. 
They just do not say how long it takes exactly to fill a 4500lb carbon tank. They do say in half the time as the others. 
Raf
 
There is some information on that about half way down this page http://airgunnation.dev/topic/has-anyone-received-their-mrod-compressor/page/6/ . If you read the whole thread there is a little anger there. I think some of it is growing pains for mrod, and bad communication. Like I said in my previous post, my compressor was a little beat up, there were some wires pulled free, but I was able to contact Michael at mrod, and he was very prompt and we got everything sorted and fixed.

I am only filling an FX Wildcat, so it only takes about 60-90 seconds for me. Someday I might get a bigger tank, but then again i'm only pesting on my property, so it's no big deal to walk to the shop for a fill.
 
If you guys don't have a Joe B. output filter (or Sheldens) on your shoeboxes, you ARE getting moisture in your tanks and you WILL eventually have corrosion and a weakened tank. I know noone wants to hear that, but it simply is the truth. I have seen what 3000+psi does when a tank blows up and it isn't pretty. I don't know if the CF wrap that our SCBA tanks are wrapped in will prevent the tanks from blowing shrapnel all over or not, but do you really want to find out?

It is expensive to have your own 4500 psi air source, but please figure the extra $400+ for a PROPER output side air dryer into your equation. Those wilkerson dessicant filters on the input side are helpful, but they absolutely do NOT mean you will have dry air on the output side. I also would not personally trust the diablo dryer either.
 
"chiro972b"If you guys don't have a Joe B. output filter (or Sheldens) on your shoeboxes, you ARE getting moisture in your tanks and you WILL eventually have corrosion and a weakened tank. I know noone wants to hear that, but it simply is the truth. I have seen what 3000+psi does when a tank blows up and it isn't pretty. I don't know if the CF wrap that our SCBA tanks are wrapped in will prevent the tanks from blowing shrapnel all over or not, but do you really want to find out?

It is expensive to have your own 4500 psi air source, but please figure the extra $400+ for a PROPER output side air dryer into your equation. Those wilkerson dessicant filters on the input side are helpful, but they absolutely do NOT mean you will have dry air on the output side. I also would not personally trust the diablo dryer either.
Thanks Chiro972b,
This is the most important aspect to consider when buying an air source for this great sport. 
Nothing is more important than safety, 
so thank you again for bringing this factual information to this thread. 
raf