Air Compressor Help

[unimog1300]

Looking at 2 different compressors. Would like input on both of these or a different compressor altogether if you have a better idea. It will be used mainly for air tools such as grinding, impact/ratchet, and light painting needs. I don't have or anticipate a blast cabinet at this time. Greg Smith said theirs will run a blast cabinet listed on their site. I'm tired of waiting on my current 22 gallon machine to keep up.

First one is from Greg Smith:
It has a 60 gallon tank. $724 is what I was quoted plus shipping of $135 = $859 or..$724 plus sales tax if I pick it up. That makes it $774.68.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ATAF5&Show=TechSpecs

The second is from a local store:
This one has an 80 gallon tank. $778.99 plus tax = $833.52

http://www.farmandfleet.com/catalog/product.aspx?i=605037&h=050104001

In the end it boils down to $58.84 differance between the two if I pick the one from Greg Smith. These compressors are also in the price range I want to stay in.

Both of these have 3 cylinder pumps, maybe they aren't equal pumps. The numbers seem close for CFM but does the 60 gallon tank with the better CFM outweigh the 80 gallon with weaker numbers? Is there a clear winner in one of these? I'm pretty sure if I have a problem down the road my local store won't be much help. Greg Smith seems to have been around for a long time and stock repair parts in their store. They said that the CFM numbers are actual numbers 100% accurate, tested by themselves. Not looking for junk at a cheap cost, just something that will last.

I will also have to consider driving to Indy which will take 2 hours or so.

Thanks for any input.
Steve

 

[PCW]

Good luck, I posted this a few days ago with no reply's

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35189

My take is for another 100 bucks you could get a stage 2. Not sure what your using it for, but # 1 rule is if you even think you will want more CFM's down the road go larger tank and stage 2. I'm looking at the Cmen 5.4HP, 80 gallon stage 2. I can get it delivered OTD with a 5 year extended in-home service contract for 1300.00. I also called GS and talked to them. They sell Champion as well and said the Atlas was every bit as good as the Champion's they carry. Who knows, that was a sales manager, they are re-badged, as most are, he would not tell who makes the Atlas. What killed it for me was it would be 250.00 to deliver out to Northern CA. Good Luck.

PCW

 

[nadogail]

Is there sales tax involved? This could change a price.

18 SCFM is generally considered better than 14.

The savings should cover the gas. Pack a lunch and make it an excursion, you might have fun looking around in otherstores in the area .

 

[JOHNMAN]

Good luck, I posted this a few days ago with no reply's

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35189
They sell Champion as well and said the Atlas was every bit as good as the Champion's they carry.

PCW

So, is that supposed to mean that the Champion compressor pumps are good?

 

[krooser]

Those compressors are way too wimpy... I have a IMC Bel-Aire. Free freight and more CFM at higher pressures...
http://www.squaremcompany.com/industrial-air-compressors/air-compressor-3-0.html

Or try Eaton compresssors or Cast-Air... Google 'em for MUCH better compressors.

 

[PCW]

So, is that supposed to mean that the Champion compressor pumps are good?

Yes, that is how I took that comment. Champion is better know that Atlas. That was the reason I called them, I had never heard of the Atlas and wanted to know more about them.

PCW

 

[e-tek]

I have a 3 cylinder 18cfm 60 gal (diff brand) and LOVE it. It's quite, it's fast, it keeps up to full-on painting and blasting.

 

[unimog1300]

Thanks for the info.

Krooser I'll check out the Bel-air compressors. A quick look shows they are better on the numbers and only $60 more.

 

[sierrascout]

The Atlas air compressors are built by Puma, I confirmed by calling the Georgia branch. I would buy without any worries, as the 18 cfm@ 90 model is the one I have owned for 2 years and no problems.

 

[JOHNMAN]

Yes, that is how I took that comment. Champion is better know that Atlas. That was the reason I called them, I had never heard of the Atlas and wanted to know more about them.

PCW

Good to know.

My compressor pump is a Champion 2-stage pump.

 

[PCW]

Those compressors are way too wimpy... I have a IMC Bel-Aire. Free freight and more CFM at higher pressures...
http://www.squaremcompany.com/industrial-air-compressors/air-compressor-3-0.html

Or try Eaton compresssors or Cast-Air... Google 'em for MUCH better compressors.

Krooser,

Nice call on the Eaton Compressors. I have been talking with Steve Derr, Plant Manager and those compressors are beasts. CFM's are very high. They know their business, very knowledgeable and 5 year warranty included. I will be ordering one in the next couple of day. I'm looking at the 7.5 HP, 80 gallon, stage 1, rated 3-Cylinder, Y-Style Pump – Displacement 32 CFM @ 0 PSI; 26 SCFM @ 100 PSI; 24 SCFM @ 175 PSI; 800 low RPM

or a 5 HP, 80 Gallon stage 1, rated 2-Cylinder Pump – Displacement 25 CFM @ 0 PSI; 19 SCFM @ 100 PSI; 650 low RPM. Price difference is 300.00

PCW

 

[krooser]

The motor fried on my IMC this year after 8 years. I expected more from it but stuff happens. The pump has been flawless. I may install an Eaton pump on my IMC to gain more cfm's... I'm doing a little more sandblasting this summer so the extra oomph would come in handy.

 

[GAW]

Krooser,

Nice call on the Eaton Compressors. I have been talking with Steve Derr, Plant Manager and those compressors are beasts. CFM's are very high. They know their business, very knowledgeable and 5 year warranty included. I will be ordering one in the next couple of day. I'm looking at the 7.5 HP, 80 gallon, stage 1, rated 3-Cylinder, Y-Style Pump – Displacement 32 CFM @ 0 PSI; 26 SCFM @ 100 PSI; 24 SCFM @ 175 PSI; 800 low RPM

or a 5 HP, 80 Gallon stage 1, rated 2-Cylinder Pump – Displacement 25 CFM @ 0 PSI; 19 SCFM @ 100 PSI; 650 low RPM. Price difference is 300.00

PCW

Not to high jack the thread, but I think you'll be happy with the Eaton. I just purchased the 80gal 5-hp single stage a month ago and it is amasing how quite it is. Heavy duty, quality components all the way around, including the Baldor motor, dual belts, heavy duty pedistals and mounts, and a "real" pressure switch. Disc valve maintence should be a breeze with the design, and the continuous run plumbing and valve are a nice feature. The compressor runs so cool it is barely warm to the touch even after a 20 minute continous run under load. The large and slow compressor speed means the air into the tank is much cooler (much less condensation in the lines) such that the pipe leading into the tank is only very "warm" --- as compared to the "hobby" units sold by IR, CH, etc., that get frying pan hot.
I expect I'll be passing this down to my son many years from now. Note they are not putting magnetic starters on the 5hp units any more, but the Condor pressure switch should last a commercial shop for years. The customer support and service and been exceptional in answering questions before the sale, making a change order with no problem (I changed the color on them), and didn't hesitate to answer a couple trivial questions after delivery.---- no pressing one for English, no recording or menu five miles deep--- real people who know that customer satisfaction is their key to growth and success.
The only criticism I have is that there is more vibration than I would like to see--- more than a Quincy, but nothing severe. all in all, I'm very happy with the unit, the price,and customer service.

 

[PCW]

Not to high jack the thread, but I think you'll be happy with the Eaton. I just purchased the 80gal 5-hp single stage a month ago and it is amasing how quite it is. Heavy duty, quality components all the way around, including the Baldor motor, dual belts, heavy duty pedistals and mounts, and a "real" pressure switch. Disc valve maintence should be a breeze with the design, and the continuous run plumbing and valve are a nice feature. The compressor runs so cool it is barely warm to the touch even after a 20 minute continous run under load. The large and slow compressor speed means the air into the tank is much cooler (much less condensation in the lines) such that the pipe leading into the tank is only very "warm" --- as compared to the "hobby" units sold by IR, CH, etc., that get frying pan hot.
I expect I'll be passing this down to my son many years from now. Note they are not putting magnetic starters on the 5hp units any more, but the Condor pressure switch should last a commercial shop for years. The customer support and service and been exceptional in answering questions before the sale, making a change order with no problem (I changed the color on them), and didn't hesitate to answer a couple trivial questions after delivery.---- no pressing one for English, no recording or menu five miles deep--- real people who know that customer satisfaction is their key to growth and success.
The only criticism I have is that there is more vibration than I would like to see--- more than a Quincy, but nothing severe. all in all, I'm very happy with the unit, the price,and customer service.

Thanks GAW. I keep going back and forth between the 5 HP and the 7.5 HP. and the red or the black with flames for the 5 HP. I told myself I need to decide by Friday, that's when I'm ordering

GAW, why did you choose the the Eaton over Quincy?

 

[GAW]

Thanks GAW. I keep going back and forth between the 5 HP and the 7.5 HP. and the red or the black with flames for the 5 HP. I told myself I need to decide by Friday, that's when I'm ordering

GAW, why did you choose the the Eaton over Quincy?

A very simple reason--- price and quality. While Quincy manufactures some exceptional quality compressors, they have succumed to the their competition in also offering "consumer grade" models. These consumer grade models are nothing like the Quincy's of 30 years ago nor do they compare to their current true commercial grade units. I had an IR consumer grade unit that was nothing short of a POS. I have no first hand knowledge of the quality and internals of Quincy's consumer grade compressors, but Once bitten twice shy with my IR experience. Therefore, I was only interested in quality true commercial grade units. IMO there was no comparison for me. The very well built Eaton unit was $1350 including freight, whereas a comparable Quincy would have run me somewhere around $2,200-$2,500. No criticism toward Quincy what so ever. For my needs, usage, and desire for quality, Eaton fit the bill much better.

 

[PCW]

A very simple reason--- price and quality. While Quincy manufactures some exceptional quality compressors, they have succumed to the their competition in also offering "consumer grade" models. These consumer grade models are nothing like the Quincy's of 30 years ago nor do they compare to their current true commercial grade units. I had an IR consumer grade unit that was nothing short of a POS. I have no first hand knowledge of the quality and internals of Quincy's consumer grade compressors, but Once bitten twice shy with my IR experience. Therefore, I was only interested in quality true commercial grade units. IMO there was no comparison for me. The very well built Eaton unit was $1350 including freight, whereas a comparable Quincy would have run me somewhere around $2,200-$2,500. No criticism toward Quincy what so ever. For my needs, usage, and desire for quality, Eaton fit the bill much better.

Thanks GAW, appreciate the reply. I'll post pictures when I get it.

PCW

 

[unimog1300]

Well I ended up with a compressor over the weekend. It's a Champion VR5-8. I got it on a bankruptcy auction 100 miles from where we live. Got it home, cleaned it up, and checked everything out and fired it up. We just temporarily wired it to make sure everything is the way it was presented to us. That's the reason for the cord on it. It'll take my electrician a little while to get back and make it permanent. I'll change the oil out next and we should be good to go for some time. Thanks for everyones help.