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Air compressor shopping

Nitrofish1

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Hi all, I just moved and am going to be moving out of the shop I've been co-renting for the past year to cut some expenses and now since I have my own garage I may as well. I need an air compressor for my tooling needs (die grinders, cutoff wheels, soda blasting), but I can't buy a tiny one, yet I don t want to destroy the relAtionship with the neighbors/neighborhood, I need one big enough and quiet enough for my needs, any suggestions?

im not opposed to harbor freight but the one I've been lookin at is a 60gal model Husky from Home Depot, don't really want to spend a huge amount either, prolly 4 or 500 is my limit, or else I could buy a smaller one like 30 gallons and build an enclosure for it for sound deadening?
 
I own a Quincy like this:
Its very reliable.
 

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If you buy a small one you will regret it. Buy the biggest one you can possibly afford. all the money you will spend on the smaller ones that you will be unhappy with since they won't do the job could have been put towards one that covers all your needs in one good compressor.
 
If you can only afford 4-500, go for something like a 60 gallon Ingersoll Rand or Campbell Hausfeld. Look for 100% duty cycle, longest bearing life you can get...
 
Key word here is TWO STAGE !!!
Any links to good ones? Still like to stick to my budget as much as I'd like to have the income for a big IR compressor

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The 60gal Husky I was looking at is single stage but it has the capacity
 
I debated a long time before upgrading mine. I ended up with a 60 gallon Quincy unit (v-twin style because I had to have that). I would never go back to anything else. It's two stage, (175 psi) and moves >15cfm continuously at that pressure. It's definitely not cheap, but ask yourself if this is a "permanent" buy or not. It's rated at 50000 hours on the bearings compared to 5000 on "better" units like IR. And it's 100% duty cycle.

Having used Craftsman, IR, C-H, and others... there's really no comparison to the "pro" stuff. Of course, you do have to pay for it.

Either way, buy with CFM in mind more than storage capacity and keep in mind your ultimate requirements (not what you're doing with one now)- because once you get going with a good compressor, you won't look back...

Another funny thing to consider is your tools. I have a cheap-o die grinder that just runs the compressor continuously. But I can run two "good" die grinders and it will still cycle.

There's a thread on the modifications I made to mine somewhere in the "garage" or "tools" section too.
 
Right on with the Ingersoll Rand ! You can get a 5 horse 60 gallon @ Tractor supply for 650, I know it's a little more that what you want to spend but it will be worth it and you'll save money in the long run.





 
I debated a long time before upgrading mine. I ended up with a 60 gallon Quincy unit (v-twin style because I had to have that). I would never go back to anything else. It's two stage, (175 psi) and moves >15cfm continuously at that pressure. It's definitely not cheap, but ask yourself if this is a "permanent" buy or not. It's rated at 50000 hours on the bearings compared to 5000 on "better" units like IR. And it's 100% duty cycle.

Having used Craftsman, IR, C-H, and others... there's really no comparison to the "pro" stuff. Of course, you do have to pay for it.

Either way, buy with CFM in mind more than storage capacity and keep in mind your ultimate requirements (not what you're doing with one now)- because once you get going with a good compressor, you won't look back...

Another funny thing to consider is your tools. I have a cheap-o die grinder that just runs the compressor continuously. But I can run two "good" die grinders and it will still cycle.

There's a thread on the modifications I made to mine somewhere in the "garage" or "tools" section too.
I thought about buying a used IR compressor off of craigslist for next to half off, but I do need something. Most of my air tools are from harbor freight so I have to stop on occasion even with a 33gal compressor I was using to wait for it to catch up. I tried to use electric tools as much as possible for bodywork cutting but it'll get taxed using an air ratchet, but I think the 60gal would suffice for a very long time, I really wished I could afford a 2 grand compressor, if I could I would, among other tooling I need/want
 
Right on with the Ingersoll Rand ! You can get a 5 horse 60 gallon @ Tractor supply for 650, I know it's a little more that what you want to spend but it will be worth it and you'll save money in the long run.





I'd prolly spend the extra on the IR one on sale, it flows good CFM, it is single stage but looks like it's got the motor to keep up with it. Nice find

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And then the realization that I don't have a 230v outlet :(
 
Look around craigslist or at an auction, I found an 80 gallon 2 stage 220 IR pro series with a magnetic switch included for a whopping 200 bucks at a shop in town going out of business. I would have never purchased it new and it is probably waaaay to big for my needs. That said there is no replacement for displacement, the same goes for compressed air, you can never have enough. Just my .02
 
If you can get a used 2 stage american made for a good deal, go for it. You will hate a smaller unit, especially if your using harbor freight air tools which use a lot of air.
 
I'd prolly spend the extra on the IR one on sale, it flows good CFM, it is single stage but looks like it's got the motor to keep up with it. Nice find

- - - Updated - - -

And then the realization that I don't have a 230v outlet :(
Nvm I can wire up my own 230v at the breaker box conveniently located in my garage :)
 
Also check out Craigs list. You might be able to find something higher than your price range, yet still afford.

A good used compressor is not a bad investment.
 
I do agree with most comments here! The bigger the better. But remember CFM's will go a long way. I purchased a IR 60 gal from craigslist and paid $350 for it. So if you can shop around you might find a good deal.
I almost bought from Home Depot then I read the reviews and decided not to touch with a 10' pole. Remember that most all compressors at HD are built for HD so the only way to get warranty is through HD.
And the manufactures build it for them at sub par spec's so they can sell to the consumer at a lower price. Just like lawn mowers, kitchen appliances and the list goes on.


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I, too, bought IR only because we use their screw compressors in some of the plants and I got a good discount. (60 gal. 220 60 amp. for around $850) we also use some quincy's. both are top notch products. I would stay away from the "Big Box Store" or Harbor Freight stuff just because they offer ZERO service if something happens.

BTW, you're up in Mr. Norm's town. Ever stop over at the shop and see the cars and what Tim and the boys are working on???
 
I 100% agree with the look on Craigslist guys for an older American made cast iron 2 stage compressor...I bought a 2 stage Curtis with a 7.5 single phase motor for $350.00 on craigslist. It took me about a month of checking a state wide craigslist search engine daily to find it, had to drive 100 miles to pick it up but it was well worth it. Run from the Home Depot Husky, probably the sorriest excuse ever made for a compressor.


The newer imported compressors are JUNK IMHO. The motor on my Compressor is about the size of a 5 gallon bucket.

Don't pass on a 3 phase 7.5 HP, you can replace the 7.5 with a used 5 HP single phase Baldor Motor. I prefer a 1725 RPM motor over a noisy hyperass 3500 RPM motor anyday. Pressure oiling is nice. Pay no attention to the stated motor HP instead look at the full load amps of the motor.
Brands to look for are Curtis, an older Quincy, Saylor-Beall, older American IR......

Just my 2 cents worth
Rick
 
I, too, bought IR only because we use their screw compressors in some of the plants and I got a good discount. (60 gal. 220 60 amp. for around $850) we also use some quincy's. both are top notch products. I would stay away from the "Big Box Store" or Harbor Freight stuff just because they offer ZERO service if something happens.

BTW, you're up in Mr. Norm's town. Ever stop over at the shop and see the cars and what Tim and the boys are working on???
I haven't but it seems like I miss it when they got auction show cars on display. Oh well.

right now still looking at that IR 60gal from tractor supply, tax season is just around the corner
 
Cfm, cfm, cfm....cfm.
 
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