Air Compressor Opinions

[kc10a]

Now that my workshop is completed, it is time to buy a compressor. After some research, I'm down to the Quincy 5hp, 2 stage, 60 gallon or the Bellaire 5hp, 2 stage, 80 gallon. I'd appreciate some of your opinions on which one you would recommend. I will be doing some painting/body work on my own stuff. I'm mainly interested in reliability and long life,15 years plus. Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

[Indyducati]

You probably need to supply more information. There are a lot of Quincy 2 stage compressors. Probably the same with Bellaire.

 

[rburke65]

Welcome kc10a to GJ. I have only my limited experience with my compressor but I have a Champion 5 hp 2 stage 60 gallon and I have been real happy with it. Very quite. Good luck.

 

[pcmeiners]

Have a new Curtis 5hp Masterline, good compressor, but wanted a Quincy. If I were to purchase again I hold out and buy a Quincy (used), one of the main reasons is parts availability, just check out Ebay/Google for compressor parts.

 

[ford33]

If warranty is any indication of the manufacturers implied quality than the Quincy wins at 5 years while the Belaire is 2 years.

I have never heard of a Belaire compressor. Their website does not even list contact information or company history. Their website is designed by a third party "digital edge" and the copy write states 2009. What does that tell you?

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . what country are you in?? Options for compressors vary by area.

Now would be good time to Update GJ Profile with City/State/Country.

You'll get best advice from fellow GJer's with complete information. There might be great used compressor on CL just down the road.

 

[redmondjp]

Belaire (AKA American IMC) uses Italian-made "Chinook" brand pumps which have a good reputation. The Snapon compressors also use the same pumps. I would certainly consider one.

I would stay away from Ingersoll Rand for multiple reasons, one of which is their unit at your price range most likely has a 3450RPM motor on it and runs the pump at a fairly high speed. One shop I worked at had one with the T30 pump and it was LOUD (and it was right inside the shop next to one of the lifts).

 

[My Old Tools]

I just bought an older Quincy 210. It still purrs like a kitten. Besides its longevity, one of their best features is how quiet they are. I changed the oil in mine for synthetic and you can hold your hand on the head all day without it getting to hot. Oil pressure is still exactly what left the factory.

 

[Tader82]

I will be doing some painting/body work on my own stuff.

When looking to do paint and body it more about CFM and DUTY CYCLE than anything else. If you plan on painting large projects you can spined up to a 20 - 30 minutes at a time on the trigger depending on how big the project is. Then you need to add if you're going to be using a Fresh air system or not, that add to the total cfm need. Most FA's run 5 CFM alone.

When i get around to building a new shop im going with this guys
http://us.kaeser.com/ for a oilless rotory compresser so i can run 2 paint booths and a media booth.

 

[redmondjp]

I just bought an older Quincy 210. It still purrs like a kitten. Besides its longevity, one of their best features is how quiet they are. I changed the oil in mine for synthetic and you can hold your hand on the head all day without it getting to hot. Oil pressure is still exactly what left the factory.

Congratulations! Assuming that it still has the factory maximum pressure setting of 100psi, that is the reason why the head doesn't get very hot. Consider that other compressor makers are cranking their single-stage pumps faster and running them up to 135 and even to 150psi which will of course get them very hot.

 

[Cyberbear]

Don't forget the auto drain for your new compressor for longer tank life. The larger the tank and higher the tank pressure, the longer time between pumping cycles = less wear and tear. My dad's old compressor ran very slow and had a large piston, and it never wore out.

 

[My Old Tools]

Congratulations! Assuming that it still has the factory maximum pressure setting of 100psi, that is the reason why the head doesn't get very hot. Consider that other compressor makers are cranking their single-stage pumps faster and running them up to 135 and even to 150psi which will of course get them very hot.

It's set to 135 cutoff and 90 cut in and running around 900 rpm.

 

[redmondjp]

It's set to 135 cutoff and 90 cut in and running around 900 rpm.

Sounds just fine. Of Quincy's single-stage pumps, that is the only model that has an intermittent pressure rating (150psi) above 100psi:

http://igor.chudov.com/manuals/Quincy-QR25-Compressor-Brochure.pdf

All of the larger Quincy single-stage pumps have an intermittent maximum pressure rating of only 100psi, for some reason (heat dissipation, maybe?). I still wouldn't be afraid of running one up to shut off at 120psi or so.

A local surplus business has a new 210 pump bolted onto its factory skid that they have been trying to sell on CL for months now. I've been seriously tempted to go get it and to piece together another compressor (which I don't need and don't have the time to do).