I need some help picking out an air compressor. I am looking for a nice single-stage to keep in my home garage. I frequently use tools, work on cars, etc, so I think a single stage should work for me. Just looking for tips on brands, features, or any other advice you may have for me.
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Air Compressor Help
- Thread starter DrGarage
- Start date
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
- What kind of tools ? Big difference between a tire chuck. blow gun and a 1/2" impact wrench or DA sander or a sand blaster.
- Oil-less compressors are generally very loud and tend not to have a long life.
- What kind of power do you have available ? Many compressors will run on 120V but they really need a 20A circuit.
AndrewH
Well-known member
How big are we talking? I just recently bought a 20 gallon belt drive Sanborn air compressor. I'm very pleased with its performance as it's able to easily keep up with any air tool that I currently use (1/2 impact, die grinder, air ratchet, blow gun, airing up tires etc) so depending on your electrical, space and use situations people will recommend anything from a 80 gallon to an 8 gallon. We need more information to give you the best recommendation.
Depends on what you want to do.
I have a Craftsman 220v that has run since the late 70s so think any good brand with a regular piston pump is good. The only thing I would have done differently then was to get a 30gal tank instead of 20. It is enough for anything except heavy use of the very air-hungry tools like sanders and buffers. I am just recently upgrading to a larger model but could have gotten along with the other.
I have a Craftsman 220v that has run since the late 70s so think any good brand with a regular piston pump is good. The only thing I would have done differently then was to get a 30gal tank instead of 20. It is enough for anything except heavy use of the very air-hungry tools like sanders and buffers. I am just recently upgrading to a larger model but could have gotten along with the other.
xtremek
Well-known member
Old Sears/Craftsman are really pretty decent compressors if they have not been abused. The newer models, no so much !
- What kind of tools ? Big difference between a tire chuck. blow gun and a 1/2" impact wrench or DA sander or a sand blaster.
- Oil-less compressors are generally very loud and tend not to have a long life.
- What kind of power do you have available ? Many compressors will run on 120V but they really need a 20A circuit.
I have a 220v 5hp, single stage IR on a 60 gallon tank and I wish I knew then what I know now. It won't keep up with some of what I do (DA, sand blasting, painting, die grinder). Listen to the Old Wizard.
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
Are you looking for a 220V model or a 110V? What will you be using it for?
Talk to me, Goose.
Talk to me, Goose.
I'm probably looking at getting one with a 60 gallon tank. I did some searching and it looks like IR, Campbell Hausfeld, and Quincy are some of the most popular. Any opinions on any of these?
I would scratch off the IR from the list. They seem to be mostly junk these days from what members here have experienced.
Even GJ member unashamedlaborer who works as a service tech for them calls them cheap and does not recommend them as stated below:
I work for an ingersoll rand distributor, we see this from time to time, IR Is so cheap they will NOT just send you a new unit, a tech such as myself will come out and change everything over to a new bare tank.
And yes you should buy a QUINCY. Not a cheap splash lube model though. Buy a pressure lube unit and it will be the last one you ever have. I have one that is a 1940's unit only thing that's been done to it is valves and unloader.
I personally would try and stay away from the aluminum pump models from any manufacture; they just don’t appear as durable as the all cast-iron type. If it’s just for homeowner use I’m sure most all will work fine though.
Just make sure to get one that can produce the air requirements that will suit your needs.
Last thing you want is to be disappointed with your purchase because the unit can’t deliver to your expectations.
Mooniac
Well-known member
You can't buy one that is too big or too powerful, unless you just can't fit it in whatever space you have. You can get creative and put it outside with a shelter around it, or up in the rafters, etc. and just work the power and plumbing from there.
If you plan to any sanding or similar (die grinder, polisher, etc.) or big painting projects then you really need to go big. Small jobs you can get by with a smaller compressor and wait for it to catch up. I'd recommend just to buy the biggest and most powerful one you can find and install.
I have a 17 year old Quincy portable 3hp 20 gallon and it continues to work nicely. I just bought a 60 gal 5hp Sanborn at an auction for $150 but I'll need to put in another 220V service before I can set it up. The Quincy will move to my hangar permanently now.
Check Craigslist and industrial auctions for deals on compressors if you're patient and don't need to buy new. Generally I think the older and more American the better, unless you're buying new Quincy or equivalent. A coworker just got a very nice 30+ year old Craftsman 80 gal vertical compressor and it is supposedly very nice. (auction find)
If you plan to any sanding or similar (die grinder, polisher, etc.) or big painting projects then you really need to go big. Small jobs you can get by with a smaller compressor and wait for it to catch up. I'd recommend just to buy the biggest and most powerful one you can find and install.
I have a 17 year old Quincy portable 3hp 20 gallon and it continues to work nicely. I just bought a 60 gal 5hp Sanborn at an auction for $150 but I'll need to put in another 220V service before I can set it up. The Quincy will move to my hangar permanently now.
Check Craigslist and industrial auctions for deals on compressors if you're patient and don't need to buy new. Generally I think the older and more American the better, unless you're buying new Quincy or equivalent. A coworker just got a very nice 30+ year old Craftsman 80 gal vertical compressor and it is supposedly very nice. (auction find)
Gwarren
Active member
Thanks a lot for your help guys. I found quite a few that I liked at Air Compressors Direct, but I think I am going to go with this Quincy:
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-Q13160VQ-Air-Compressor/p12330.html
They also had a Puma for a few hundred dollars cheaper, but I think I would rather pay the extra money for something I know is going to last.
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-Q13160VQ-Air-Compressor/p12330.html
They also had a Puma for a few hundred dollars cheaper, but I think I would rather pay the extra money for something I know is going to last.
Gwarren
Active member
I'm personally not a fan of aluminum pumps.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Quincy is definitely one of the "premium" brands !
DirtRoad
Well-known member
Ive had my husky 60 gallon for a year now and its been fantastic, they go on sale for $400 often.
Check my sig link for pics
Check my sig link for pics