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Garage/Shop Air Compressor Reccommendations

VANDAN

VANDAN

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Well, after 30yrs, my Craftsman portable compressor is finally giving out. I've patched the tank a few times, some other minor repairs, and it's either the motor or the pump departing. I'm looking at replacing with a larger, standing unit, as to run some air tools easier, without struggling to keep up. I may want something to run a small blasting unit, but mostly the common air tools we all use on our cars. I'm not running a production shop, so sized appropriately. I can go 220V with my supply, but not looking to go overboard with it. I've looked at Quincy, as they claim US Made, and would like to buy OUR Products. Any, and All input appreciated, Thanks and Stay Healthy...
 
Quincy's have a rep for being oil pumpers in the industrial world. I've seen many that have poor ring seal - you'll need a really good separator, trap and filter I have a long background in pneumatic controls. I like my 5 hp Champion. It's an older model, pulls a good bit of amperage.

https://www.championpneumatic.com/en-us
 
I sold Quincy's on the tool truck for years. Never an issue. 5 horse 80 gallon would be my choice.
C-aire Scott mentioned is a dandy as well. Ingersoll Rand is another good brand. Just remember, the cheaper they are, the cheaper they are! LOL
 
O.K., You asked Quincy and Champion is a great compressor. I have an old (1960's vintage) Quincy with a 5HP 1725RPM motor.
Had the head re-built 20yrs ago and will last me till I die. If you're looking to do ANY blasting, you'll need a minimum
5HP 1725RPM motor compressor. The problem out there is everyone sells compressors and lies about the HP of the
motors. REAL industrial compressor heads put out approximately 3.4cfm per horsepower (if it's a 1725/220v motor).
Don't buy any compressor that has a motor that runs 3450 or 3600 rpm. They lie! The key to using a 5HPcompressor
for blasting is buy a compressor with an 80 gallon tank and maybe add a 60 gallon air receiver. You need the storage!
Saylor Beall is also a good unit. They all have two things in common, They're good quality and they cost more than
the cheap ones. If you buy any of these three manufacturers, you'll be very happy and you'll never need another one.
You sure got your money's worth out of the old one!
 
Remember that they don't build 1960's anything anymore. It is now 2020. Always buy more than you think you will ever need. The old "better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." I agree especially if you have air tools or plan on doing blasting. VOLUME and CFM are everything. At least 5 hp. and 80 gallon, 2 stage oil type. Use good filters and drain it daily.
 
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The cheapest real 100% duty cycle compressor is an ingersol type 30, 5 hp about $1300, then eaton at about $1600, then quincy qt, or champion, about $2000, quincy qr is the best there is, price is high but have seen them last 50 years in a body shop with oil changes and valves.
 
A vote for Speedaire, had my 80-gallon 5-horse for 44 years. Never uses any oil and the pump-up time is still the same as when it was new.
 
In my garage I'm using a Campbell/Hausfeld 60 gallon powered by a 6HP motor. I bought it at Tractor Supply 15+ years ago and haven't had any issues with it all. That said, I'm not using it on a daily basis.

It handles 100psi for most air tools OK, but if you're using a particular tool that's an 'air hog' the compressor will run constantly to keep up with you until you take a break. As the gentleman in post #5 said, 'you need the storage', so I'd recommend buying the biggest tank you can based on your expected usage. Air Storage keeps your compressor happy.

Something else to consider is the noise from the compressor on a standing unit when it's running. For small projects it's no big deal to have the compressor running inside your garage while you work. [My garage is 40 x 30]. But there's been a few occasions when I've been running air tools all day and wished that my compressor was in a separate room just because of the noise. Some guys have partitioned off their compressor area from their main garage and added sound deadener. I've seen others buy a small shed from Home Depot and park it right next to their garage and that's where the compressor goes. Food for thought, again all based on your expected usage. :)
 
Sixpaksteve said:
In my garage I'm using a Campbell/Hausfeld 60 gallon powered by a 6HP motor. I bought it at Tractor Supply 15+ years ago and haven't had any issues with it all. That said, I'm not using it on a daily basis.
Click to expand...

Back in '92 I bought one of these as a "second" at the Nat's for $300.. It has worked like a charm ever since. I did have to replace the belt once and the check valve a couple years ago. I use mine A LOT !! One of these years I should do an oil change !!
 
I'll add Bel-Air to the list of high quality US made compressors.

I bought 5 hp 30 CFM unit built in the 1980's about 10 years ago and it has been rock solid.

If you will be doing any blasting, CFM is the key.

I wouldn't try even light blasting with less than 10 CFM @90 psi.
 
I haven't looked of late
not sure how many Made In USA brands they have either
https://www.Grainger.com
go to pneumatics &/or air compressors

they use to have a few good/better ones
for reasonable prices,
starting at about $375 for a portable & appr. $450 for an upright
or 220vlt or 3 phase stationary with bigger tanks 60 gal, or more
in the neighborhood of starting at appr. $600 & up
up-to thousands of $$'s, depending on what you want & need

I haven't been there in a while, you'll need to check

if you run a lot of air tools,
a 1/2" impact or DA or long boards etc. a lot
more CFM the better, usually 5 cfm min for occasional use
to a min. 8-10 cfm or more for constant duty,
like a body or repair shop has

bigger tanks help, the 220vlt or higher voltage 'electric compressors"
seem to work & last longer

good luck & happy shopping
 
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Demonic said:
Quincy's have a rep for being oil pumpers in the industrial world. I've seen many that have poor ring seal
Click to expand...

my 1982 Quincy is a rock solid beast.......hope I didnt just jinx it

img_20170403_132804-jpg.jpg
 
VANDAN said:
Well, after 30yrs, my Craftsman portable compressor is finally giving out. I've patched the tank a few times, some other minor repairs, and it's either the motor or the pump departing. I'm looking at replacing with a larger, standing unit, as to run some air tools easier, without struggling to keep up. I may want something to run a small blasting unit, but mostly the common air tools we all use on our cars. I'm not running a production shop, so sized appropriately. I can go 220V with my supply, but not looking to go overboard with it. I've looked at Quincy, as they claim US Made, and would like to buy OUR Products. Any, and All input appreciated, Thanks and Stay Healthy...
Click to expand...
Look up Schultz air compressors, have many models and made in USA
 
Oh, and by the by, make sure you get a vertical tank unless you have a huge garage!
 
The best compressor for blasting is any one that you can set to run the motor continuous so it can keep cooling the compressor and motor when it is not pumping. I know most can be set up that way. That 50 year old qr quincy in the body shop was that way, and have heard the eaton brand can do that. I bought a cheap cambell hausefield 5 horse 2-stage 175 psi in 1992, figured it would last a few years....still running and I have run it blasting until it is so hot you can't touch the tank. I change the oil and air filter once a year. A quincy or champion, speedaire with the same output as mine runs the compressor at half the speed, and cool 1000% better. Anyway, a 5hp 2 stage 15-17 cfm at 175 psi is the least I would get for blasting. The cheaper ones will need a fan on them in the summer.
 
I'm also in WNY... I have a 5 hp 80 gallon Quincy.... you can come check it out if you'd like... I would definitely recommend it.
 
That Bluepoint has a 3450 RPM motor on it. The compressor head is made by a Canadian company,
so that means that the pump runs twice as fast as it would if it had a 1725 RPM motor.
 
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