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Any Opinions on the Air Compressor

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Does anyone have any opions on this SS5L5 Single Stage 60gal 5hp compressor?
How does it hold up using air tools like, 90 deg die grinders, air sanders, butterfly impact wrenches? Would this be a good unit to use for painting a car?
How noisy is it?
Does it cycle alot while in use?

Right now I'm using a Craftsman 3hp diaphram style compressor my wife bought me 10 years ago. It's getting tired and cycles alot.

The specs are:

SKU Number: 3301332
Manufacturers Number: SS5L5
Air Compressor | Brand : Ingersoll Rand | Type : Single Stage | Tank Capacity : 60 gal. | PSI Rating : 135 PSI | Flow Rate : 18.1 cfm @ 90 psi | Power Rating : 5 HP | Material : Cast Iron Cylinder | Application : Professionals and DIYers
 

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Hello KD...

This is always a popular discussion as there are a wide variety of uses that people have in mind when buying a compressor.

For air tools in general, 18.5 Cfm is a good number if there is one user and you're using hand tools. Blasting cabinets are in another league and require large machines to supply air. So it really comes down to intended use in all cases. It's all about Cfm, supply and demand.

Single stage vs. two stage is another consideration if you are going to have high demand usage. The $ factor starts to play in here as well - tow stage units usually start at around $1500 and up.

Another consideration if you are moving to 5 HP from 3 HP is upgrading to 220V power supply will be required for the 5HP unit.


Ingressol Rand makes great stuff so it's pretty hard to go wrong with them in terms of quality and durability. I'm not sure exactly with the unit you have listed, but I would not shy away from any of their products. Just my opinion.
Here's a link to a site that I used when I bought my unit, to give you an idea on consumption rates for commonly used tools.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-consumption-tools-d_847.html

Sorry for all the text, but there really is a lot to consider, IMHO.

:grin:
 
As single stage compressors go, it's as good as any out there. I have the little brother to this one, the SS3 which is 3 HP and rated at about 10 CFM as I remember. I also have an older Coleman 3 HP (real 3 HP) compressor and the IR is much quieter. When I need a lot of air I run the two in parallel, which doesn't happen very often, as the SS3 handles most of my routine tasks. A HVLP paint gun is likely to be your biggest CFM requirement, if you plan to paint.
 
DA's, in-line sanders and blast cabinets use the most air and they're 'continuous' use tools as opposed to say, an imact wrench which uses quick blasts. A 5 horse should easiliy be able to keep up with anything you throw at it. For the once in a while that you may use more air than the pump is capable of delivering, you'll just have to stop every so often to let the pressure catch up. I.R.'s a good machine. Single stage is fine and actually delivers a little more air than a two stage. The reason for a two stage is to go to higher pressures, usually up to 175 PSI or better. When will you ever need that kind of pressure?
 
I have a similar one only its a Sanborn and cant keep up with a DA or Inline sander.
 
I have an IR 2 Stage ,18 cfm, 80 gallon, 180psi and am still waiting for it to build pressure when I am sanding.

I found out I could piggy back a few smaller compressors and get more cfm; I kinda wish I had tried that before I bought the IR. 3 or 4 smaller ones would have given me more cfm at 90 psi than the 2 stage I have now.

When sanding cfm is more important than psi.
 
Make sure you compare the CFM at the same pressure. I have a Quincy 5 hp 60 gallon which is two stage and puts out 15.7 CFM at 100 psi, while others rate the CFM at 90 or 60 PSI. That being said, I am very happy with my Quincy, it keeps up with all I need.
 
MoparBill said:
Make sure you compare the CFM at the same pressure. I have a Quincy 5 hp 60 gallon which is two stage and puts out 15.7 CFM at 100 psi, while others rate the CFM at 90 or 60 PSI. That being said, I am very happy with my Quincy, it keeps up with all I need.
Click to expand...

I have the same compressor, and so far it hasn't let me down and does what I need from it.
 
Hey guys sorry for being MIA... buy the time I've been getting done with work I haven't had the energy to get back on the computer.

You all have been a big help. 220 isn't a problem, Either I can use my welder plug or I can run another 220 line.

This isn't going to be used for commercial use. I'm just going to be doing a lot of body work on my own car. .

Does anyone know how loud this compressor is?

Thanks again for all of your input!


Kevin
 
oneway71 said:
I found out I could piggy back a few smaller compressors and get more cfm; I kinda wish I had tried that before I bought the IR. 3 or 4 smaller ones would have given me more cfm at 90 psi than the 2 stage I have now.

When sanding cfm is more important than psi.
Click to expand...

OneWay can you describe this a little or perhaps give a real world setup?
 
A LOT of compressors are rated for CFM at ZERO PSI. That's useless as tits on a boarhog. If that compressor really is rated at 18.1 @90PSI, that's pretty damned good.
 
Last edited:
KD Belvedere 1 said:
Does anyone have any opions on this SS5L5 Single Stage 60gal 5hp compressor?
How does it hold up using air tools like, 90 deg die grinders, air sanders, butterfly impact wrenches? Would this be a good unit to use for painting a car?
How noisy is it?
Does it cycle alot while in use? If you can afford the little extra buy the Ingersoll Rand 2 stage 5 horse 60 at a minimum. You will never regret this. I had a single before and bought a new IR from Northern toll whenit was on sale. The best money I could ever spend.

Right now I'm using a Craftsman 3hp diaphram style compressor my wife bought me 10 years ago. It's getting tired and cycles alot.

The specs are:

SKU Number: 3301332
Manufacturers Number: SS5L5
Air Compressor | Brand : Ingersoll Rand | Type : Single Stage | Tank Capacity : 60 gal. | PSI Rating : 135 PSI | Flow Rate : 18.1 cfm @ 90 psi | Power Rating : 5 HP | Material : Cast Iron Cylinder | Application : Professionals and DIYers
Click to expand...
Buy the 2 stage IR for a little more money best investment you can make.
 
mattsinger said:
I have a 5hp Sanborn also, you will want more. If you are buying, I'd go for a 2 stage
Click to expand...

DO NOT buy a single stage. It's not that they don't work (as owners will attest, they do) but they run out of breath sooner and work harder to catch up. If all your doing is air brushing or running the occasional air ratchet/ impact wrench, you'll never need more than a SS.


But when you decide to take on more and bigger projects, you'll wish you had a two stage and you can't just throw $500 at it make it so. Save your pennies and buy the better suited (to your future needs) compressor the first time around.
 
As far as noise level goes you already have two things going for you, cast iron pump and it's not oiless. Cast iron pumps usually run quiter than aluminum and the oiless compressors will drive you mad with they're noise. I have two alot like the one your looking at only mine is a two stage 17cfm 175psi 60gal and when running just one it keeps up but runs almost non stop when sanding. I found the best thing to do is just get them out of the work area altogether. I moved mine into they're own little room, they get cleaner air and I don't have to listen to them.
 
One more word of advice. We have a MAJOR air compressor company in Macon. Air Compressor Sales. If I have heard them say it once, I have heard it a thousand times. Almost EVERY ready built compressor out there has the compressor spinning to fast. You want the compressor well under 1000 RPM and MOST of them out there spin the compressor over 1K. Keep the compressor spinning at 750 or even 500 RPM and they will literally last forever.
 
This two stage 80 gallon IR is 45yrs old,never had a problem and can keep up with anything I use.View attachment 90041
 
I own the compressor that you are asking about. Its a good 1. One of the best purchases Ive made. 1 thing I always check into is the availability of parts if the need ever arises. There is nothing worse in my mind than having parts fail & not being able to find replacement parts. Ive used grinders,impacts,air ratchets,paint guns with no problem. I make sure that I change the oil regularly also.
 
RustyRatRod said:
One more word of advice. We have a MAJOR air compressor company in Macon. Air Compressor Sales. If I have heard them say it once, I have heard it a thousand times. Almost EVERY ready built compressor out there has the compressor spinning to fast. You want the compressor well under 1000 RPM and MOST of them out there spin the compressor over 1K. Keep the compressor spinning at 750 or even 500 RPM and they will literally last forever.
Click to expand...
Rusty you are speaking the magic words
 
I had an Eaton 2-stage 60 gallon and it was excellent. Low speed, cool air, and not loud like the 2000 RPM units. They cost more up front but will save you in the long run.
 
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