60-gal Air Compressor Shootout (aka another compressor thread)

[HDawg 440]

Based on info from this forum and others I've come up with my compressor shootout.

Probably out of contention:

The newest versions of the Kobalt and Husky compressors:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60...c-Air-Compressor-C601H/203187350#.Un_bjeLcOV4

For a while, the Kobalt was made by Campbell-Hausfeld, but the current one is essentially a Powermate from "Midwest Air Technologies". Same for the Husky. Seems questionable for long-term parts availability. Too bad as it's good CFM for $499.​

Contenders (basically the usual suspects here on the forum):

1. Puma PK6060V, $639 shipped with lift gate service
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Puma-PK6060V-Air-Compressor/p591.html
I don't know anything about Puma. Comments?

2. Quincy 13160V, $835 shipped with lift gate service
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Iron-Horse-IHD6160V1-Air-Compressor/p5489.html

3. Chicago Pneumatic RCP-3561V, $775 shipped with lift gate service
(appears to be the same as one of the Quincy models but $100 cheaper).
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Chicago-Pneumatic-RCP-3561V-Air-Compressor/p2043.html

4. Iron Horse IHD6160V1, $749 shipped with lift gate service
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Iron-Horse-IHD6160V1-Air-Compressor/p5489.html

5. Ingersoll SSL3, $775 shipped with lift gate service
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Ingersoll-Rand-SS3L3-Air-Compressor/p688.html​

Specs of all are really close so help me decide based on the following:

1. Reliability / dependability
2. Availability of parts and support
3. Quiet

The thing probably won't get run all that much. Basically a general car hobby compressor: Painting a car or two with HVLP and maybe a D/A sander, car work with an impact wrench, a little media blasting.

Advice? Other options?


Chris

 

[djjsr]

Campbell-Hausfeld 60 gal. at Tractor supply, SKU 3310006, $430. 3 year warranty. It's the one I'm getting as soon as they have one in stock. They sell quickly.

 

[dmeadow]

There are a couple of threads on the Puma. I bought one recently and I'm very happy with it. I paid $400 on sale and with a coupon at Northern Tool. I think they are on sale again, but at $500.

 

[DekeT]

Campbell-Hausfeld 60 gal. at Tractor supply, SKU 3310006, $430. 3 year warranty. It's the one I'm getting as soon as they have one in stock. They sell quickly.

Yes this a good middle of the road compressor at the right price.

 

[HDawg 440]

An update. I bought this one from Lowe's:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_36_0__?productId=3370356

It's made by Campbell-Hausfeld and is like the one at Tractor Supply but it goes to a higher pressure and delivers more CFM. 11.5 CFM @ 90, 13.5 @ 40. The best I can tell is the performance boost is from a bigger bore for the pump and a 3.75 inch motor pulley so the pump is at about 1300 rpm. The unit has a 3-year warranty.

I was very close to getting one of the other units but I called Lowes.com and they found a store with this "older" model compressor and shipped it to my local store for a small fee. A bonus is that it's on sale for $459, so after shipping and tax it was only about $500. Clearly the best deal for my application: I won't be running it many hours or at a high duty cycle so I just didn't need the higher dollar machines.

Chris