Best compressors?

[Remi]

Besides Ingersol Rand what are the most reliable, best preforming compresssors on the market? I'm looking for a stationary model, that is relatively quiet, 220v if need be.

[kartracer55]

Whats your budget? Quincy, Curtis, High end Champion, Le Roi... its all great stuff but also major $$$$

I haev an eaton. They are pretty quiet, and pretty good quality. Its not the best compressor, but its still one hell of a compressor for the money and VERY quiet. IR consumer level compressors suck. they are REALLY loud, and they spin thier pumps at high rpms.

Look into eaton compressors... www.eatoncompressors.com i have been very happy with mine. I have yet to find an unsatisfied customer anywhere. Great customer service too

Jim

[bmwpower]

I vote Kaeser. They make anything from a couple HP on up. Rotary screw so it's quiet and $$$.

[kartracer55]

I heard rotary screws are loud!

Jim

[bmwpower]

Not sure which ones you heard about, but Kaesers are super quiet. 65-66 dB for the low end models (the only ones I could ever afford).

[Remi]

I'm looking to spend about $1,500. Could spend more if it meant getting into something really worth it.

I would spend more for a euro model. But I'm guessing the Kaesers are beyond my budget

[mikeyr]

for that money, Quincy or Champion...I love my Champion best compressor I have ever owned and I can easily see it being the last compressor I will ever buy, its that good. Got it at TpTools.

[gb387]

Quincy all the way.... we have many of them at work both old and new and NEVER had a problem with them, I would say we have around 15.... they will run and run and run. Make sure you move up a little in their line.


http://www.quincycompressor.com/assets/images/products/PLT.jpg

Most comon one we use

[l_bilyk]

DO NOT BUY A LOW END IR COMPRESSOR!!! They are 'made in india' junk. Alot of them use crappy reed valves!

Also, go with 220V. Don't even debate about it. You can get some real nice stuff with 1500 dollars.

[kartracer55]

Yeah... avoid IR for things in your price range. My eaton was a bit less than 1200 after options and delivery.

Id say look into a quincy. The eatons are a great compressor for the money, and I know a guy who uses one to run his repair garage and he loves it. He repairs/ maintains his fleet of street sweepers, so they use 3/4 stuff all day long.

It also depends on what size compressor you need... if you need someling like 30cfm, then a quincy probably isnt in your range, in which case id say look at eaton. I have been happy with mine. Be careful with champion, because thier lowerend stuff is junky too. They have a few different model lines

Jim

[AdamMopar]

Quincy all the way.... we have many of them at work both old and new and NEVER had a problem with them, I would say we have around 15.... they will run and run and run. Make sure you move up a little in their line.


http://www.quincycompressor.com/assets/images/products/PLT.jpg

Most comon one we use


I agree after looking at all the compressors made by various compressor manufactueres I bought one exactly like pictured above. Very well made, should last forever. Adam

[kartracer55]

I agree after looking at all the compressors made by various compressor manufactueres I bought one exactly like pictured above. Very well made, should last forever. Adam


Agreed... I read that some quincy pumps are capable of pumping up the 4 or 500 psi... Def a high quality unit.

Jim

[kpendlet]

DO NOT BUY A LOW END IR COMPRESSOR!!! They are 'made in india' junk. Alot of them use crappy reed valves!

Also, go with 220V. Don't even debate about it. You can get some real nice stuff with 1500 dollars.


Is the T30 series considered lowend? I've been looking at the IR2430 - I've heard to stay away from the consumer grade TS series, but that the T series v-twin cast motors are very good.

Thanks, first post - I love this site so far.

-Kraig

[bmwpower]

Is the T30 series considered lowend? I've been looking at the IR2430 - I've heard to stay away from the consumer grade TS series, but that the T series v-twin cast motors are very good.

Thanks, first post - I love this site so far.

-Kraig

The T30 is the upper end for IR, however there are some nice lower end T30's that are tough to beat, like the new TS4L5. The lower models (SS series) are the ones people recommend to avoid.

I believe the model you mention (2340) is the older model - been replaced by the TS4L5.

[vettescout]

I have an Ingersol-Rand T-30 5 hp 3 phase 2 stage that I bought in 1983 that has given me absolutely nothing but admirable service. Many days it ran all day long sandblasting etc, can't complain about a thing!

[Roadster]

Is the T30 series considered lowend? I've been looking at the IR2430 - I've heard to stay away from the consumer grade TS series, but that the T series v-twin cast motors are very good.

Do you mean the IR-2340 (Not IR-2430)?

The IR-2340 is an electric-driven, two-stage compressor, designed for heavy shop or industrial use. Quality and performance are ideal for most applications and users, including: automotive service and body shops; fleet maintenance; machine shops; production and manufacturing lines; construction; wood working shops; dry cleaners; car washes; maintenance/repair shops and farms.

Features:

* Durable cast-iron, two-stage design, offers extended pump life for years of trouble-free service @ 175 PSI maximum operating pressure
* 100% continuous duty for tough applications
* Automatic start/stop control/pressure switch operation
* Includes motor starter, manual drain, and ASME tank

http://air.irco.com/IS/product.asp/item/12878
http://air.irco.com/IS/modelComp_full.asp?item=12878

[NSXSOON]

I bought this Champion a year ago from a local garage equipment supplier for $1500 delivered. I did have to pay sales tax but I still saved $600 off the TP Tool price! This is by far the best compressor I have ever owned. It runs at 805 RPM and is so quiet you can stand right next to it and hold a normal conversation without having to raise your voice. Baldor motor, US made, magnetic starter, automatic tank water drain, etc. etc. It doesn't get much better than that!



http://www.tptools.com/product.asp?base%5Fno=8550%2D5ADV&str%5Fbase%5Fno=5HP%2DCENTURION+%2C5HP%2DHD%2DCENT URION%2C8550%2D70DS%2C8550%2D5ADV%2C8550%2D7ADV%2C 8805%2D38DS%2CQUINCY%2DQT5%2C8805%2D58DS%2C8805%2D 75DS%2C&header%5Ftitle=Air+Compressors%2D5+%2D+7%2E5+HP+El ectric+Air+Compressors&page%5Fname=prod%5Flist%5Fdisplay%2Easp&search%5Ftype=L2%7E91&size1=&size2=&gender=&ShowImages=yes&sq=0&cont=1&intPgNo=1&mscssid=TLQGK55GFXQ58J932XR29M3RN5TM36X5



5 HP, 2 Stage Champion Advantage

SPECIFICATIONS: 5 HP, 2-stage, 25 amps/230 volts, 1-phase, maximum pressure is 175 psi. Cylinders: (2) 4-5/8'' and 2-1/2'' bore x 3'' stroke, 80 gal vertical or horizontal tank, 805 pump rpm, 23.5 piston displacement, 19.1 cfm @ 125 psi, 16.5 cfm @ 175 psi. Vertical tank: 77" high, 32" wide, 24" deep. Horizontal tank: 49" high, 67" wide, 23" deep. Made in USA.

It's easy to compare specifications, but specs alone cannot tell the value story. You need to look deeper to see the differences that ensure a Champion will cost you less where it counts, in many years of trouble-free service!

Look into the heart of a Champion Advantage Series Compressor - and see why it is the best possible value in a two-stage reciprocating compressor...

[kpendlet]

Do you mean the IR-2340 (Not IR-2430)?

Yes, I meant the IR2340 - my mistake. I think Iwill pull the trigger on this compressor - I can get it for < $1200. Thanks.

[bmwpower]

Do you mean the IR-2340 (Not IR-2430)?

The IR-2340 is an electric-driven, two-stage compressor, designed for heavy shop or industrial use. Quality and performance are ideal for most applications and users, including: automotive service and body shops; fleet maintenance; machine shops; production and manufacturing lines; construction; wood working shops; dry cleaners; car washes; maintenance/repair shops and farms.

Features:

* Durable cast-iron, two-stage design, offers extended pump life for years of trouble-free service @ 175 PSI maximum operating pressure
* 100% continuous duty for tough applications
* Automatic start/stop control/pressure switch operation
* Includes motor starter, manual drain, and ASME tank

http://air.irco.com/IS/product.asp/item/12878
http://air.irco.com/IS/modelComp_full.asp?item=12878

Roadster... Where's you get those links? I drilled down thru irtools.com and could not find it on their site anymore....thought it was an older model, but some places are still selling it.

[Roadster]

Roadster... Where's you get those links? I drilled down thru irtools.com and could not find it on their site anymore....thought it was an older model, but some places are still selling it.

Yeah, the IR website is a crap, especially when you are looking up model-specific details. Their web designer should be fired.

Anyway, here's how you navigate to those links...

Home page: http://air.irco.com

Top menu bar: Products & Solutions

Left menu bar (successive, cascading links): All Products / Small Reciprocating / Stationary

Bottom of the page: Electric-Driven Two Stage / View Model Specifications / Click here to view the full chart

[motorheadjohn]

I've got an IR, TS5N5. Probably what should be considered consumer-grade. Two-stage, vertical twin cylinder, 230v 5hp, 80 gal, etc.

It's noisy when running but has had no problems keeping up with a blast cabinet, sander, etc. Had it about 5 years now and I'm sure it's going to last me many more.

...but I should have bought the T30 V-twin. At the time I did not understand why I should spend the extra money. This is why they always say to buy more compressor than you think you need.

Look at a Quincy and a Champion, in addition to the IR T30. They will all treat you right for home duties.

[bmwpower]

I've got an IR, TS5N5. Probably what should be considered consumer-grade. Two-stage, vertical twin cylinder, 230v 5hp, 80 gal, etc.

It's noisy when running but has had no problems keeping up with a blast cabinet, sander, etc. Had it about 5 years now and I'm sure it's going to last me many more.

...but I should have bought the T30 V-twin. At the time I did not understand why I should spend the extra money. This is why they always say to buy more compressor than you think you need.

Look at a Quincy and a Champion, in addition to the IR T30. They will all treat you right for home duties.

OK.... now I'm confused. I thought the TS series WAS the same as the T30. Plus I thought it was newer.

[Elroy]

Elroy is going to recall this off his bald little head. It is correct to the best of Elroys knowledge so IF I am proven wrong be kind.

From what I recall a Rand T-30 is a V-block design that has been around from 1929. It utilizes a single piece connecting rods. That is there is NO cap on the rod. To utilize this requires the crank shaft to be a cantilever design. It's a proven design to be sure, I just don't care for the over hung crank.

The newer TS series I believe Rand refers to as a "monoblock" . It is an inline cylinder design with a conventional design crank and rod assembly. This design utilizes a cap on the rod. The main bearings of the crank are on both ends unlike the T30 that has both main bearing on one end of the crank only.

Both designs are splash lube and have reed valves. If your looking for top end features in a compressor look for a pressure lubricated bottom end and "Disc" valves. Automatic drains, low oil shut down, fan cooled intercooler with sound enclosures are options that bump the $$$.

[krooser]

I've got an IMC....good unit...as good as any in the price range around $1200.00 or less...do a search and you'll find lotsa info already discussed here...