Air compressor opinion?

[TJJP77]

Hi folks, new here but have lurked from time to time. Due to a recent theft of my old reliable (and US made!) CH 20 gallon horizontal/portable compressor, I'm now forced to get a new/replacement compressor.

While I was generally happy with the performance of the CH, it was a single cylinder model and could not run air tools at all. It was good for tires and blowing out my sprinklers, but that's about it. If I'm going to replace it, I'd like a bit more performance but I have a few limitations:

- Compressor needs to be portable
- Compressor will have to be a 120v model - I'm not wired for the bigger stuff
- I'd like to go vertical for storage reasons - tanks seem to be a bit bigger too
- Oil lube is a must
- I'd like to be able to run my IR-231 impact gun in short bursts for the occasional frozen bolt.

I'm kind of leaning towards this Schrader model SA1526:
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Schrader-SA1526-Air-Compressor/p8159.html

It seems to offer good specs and some nice features, but I can't find much in the way of reviews or opinions about it out there on the 'net. Does anyone have any experience with it or an informed opinion? I searched here as well for information on Schrader compressors but came up with nothing.

The other possibilities are the Quincy Q12126VP (or its BelAir/CP clones) or the Campbell Hausfeld VT6358. The Quincy has similar performance specs to the Schrader, but the CH is down on SCFM (5.5 vs. 7.1) vs. the other two.

I'm really bummed that you can't seem to get an all US made compressor down in this range anymore. My old CH was made back in the 1990's and all the major components were made here,

Thoughts?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Ad13]

Ive never heard of Schrader either, and the cfm is higher then ALL other dual voltage compressors I've seen. This isnt a bad thing but that is an expensive compressor. I would go with IR garagemate as I have heard only good reviews about them and it is a reputable brand.

 

[TJJP77]

Well, the Quincy (and the BelAir and CP clones) make the same 7.1 SCFM as the Schrader.

I've looked at the IR, but the lower SCFM rating and what appears to be the same chinese sourced V-twin pump as dozens of other brands turned me off to it.

 

[Grounded Ken]

I don't want to pop anyone's bubble, but I don't know of a single compressor assembled in the US that has 1oo% US content. Just like your car. The innards, castings, and little things stuck on the machines are sourced to the lowest bidder.

 

[Farmall450]

I don't want to pop anyone's bubble, but I don't know of a single compressor assembled in the US that has 1oo% US content. Just like your car. The innards, castings, and little things stuck on the machines are sourced to the lowest bidder.

Sure is a shame

 

[TJJP77]

I don't want to pop anyone's bubble, but I don't know of a single compressor assembled in the US that has 1oo% US content. Just like your car. The innards, castings, and little things stuck on the machines are sourced to the lowest bidder.

I'm coming to terms with the fact that unless I can find a nice used compressor that meets my needs, a new one is going to have some foreign content - doesn't mean I have to be happy about it though....

Anyway, I'm still eager to see if anyone has any experience with the Schrader brand of compressors. What intrigues me about it are the features/specs and the fact that it appears to be a unique machine and not a clone offered under a dozen different brands. The IR for example looks basically the same as the Puma and the Dewalt among others. Same goes for the Quincy/CP/BelAire. Granted, I understand that "unique" doesn't necessarily translate into "good"...

 

[Farmall450]

 

[kams1973]

Farmall had too many tabs open.....the 125 is a good machine though.

 

[pipsters]

Have a look see here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138871

The Craftsman also comes in a vertical. IMO it's pretty good.

 

[TJJP77]

Have a look see here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138871

The Craftsman also comes in a vertical. IMO it's pretty good.

I've seen that Craftsman in the store - not terribly impressed with the looks of it, irrational as that may be.

Until it was stolen, my CH always served me well so I'd be inclined to give them another chance before I went with the Craftsman unit. Plus the CH warranty is much better.

Still wish I could find someone who has had some experience with the Schrader...oh well.

 

[Grounded Ken]

If you're looking for the true origin of your compressor here are a few things to look up:
Uno air compressors
Do a image search: Chinese air compressors, Italian air compressors, and India air compressors.
You'll find most of the inexpensive compressors sold here. Especially the 3600 rpm stuff.
What I found interesting was how many I/R machines showed up on the Chinese search with Chinese names on them. The other thing that was horrifying was the Snap On line of 5 hp and up compressors, and the price they wanted, they are even selling the Chinese Saylor Beall. All Chinese except maybe the 15 and 20 hp units, they might me Italian, I'm looking into it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If all you are going to run is an impact gun or mailer, save some money and look at 1 hp compressors, something that will run on a 15A circuit. You could even get by with a good oil lubed, hand carry portable.

Air chisels, die grinders and cut off wheel take more air (CFM). Sanders and sand blaster take even more.

 

[CNGsaves]

Wow that Schrader you're liking only has 90 day warranty and is $750 . .

For $750 I'd have myself both a small portable compressor . . . AND . . . . a nice 60 gal 5 HP compressor . . . but those would be used off of CL !!

At that same website you were at, they have Chicago Pneumatic 2 HP 26 gal dual voltage for $680 with 1 yr warranty, and their website calls it "best" in their comparison. It puts out 7.1 CFM at 90 psi with max 125 psi.
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Chicago-Pneumatic-RCP-226VP-Air-Compressor/p2041.html

Good luck in your decision.

 

[TJJP77]

Do a image search: Chinese air compressors, Italian air compressors, and India air compressors.

Thanks for the tip. I just did a search using the recommended terms and nothing out there quite looks like the pump on the Schrader.

1hp probably isn't enough for blowing out my sprinklers. My 2 hp CH used to run almost constantly when doing that. I'm also perplexed at how a 1hp compressor could run an impact gun when my 2hp unit couldn't??

 

[TJJP77]

Wow that Schrader you're liking only has 90 day warranty and is $750 . .

For $750 I'd have myself both a small portable compressor . . . AND . . . . a nice 60 gal 5 HP compressor . . . but those would be used off of CL !!

At that same website you were at, they have Chicago Pneumatic 2 HP 26 gal dual voltage for $680 with 1 yr warranty, and their website calls it "best" in their comparison. It puts out 7.1 CFM at 90 psi with max 125 psi.
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Chicago-Pneumatic-RCP-226VP-Air-Compressor/p2041.html

Good luck in your decision.

There are places that sell the Schrader for under $700.

My only concern with the CP/Quincy/BelAire (apparently they are all the same) is that they apparently pull 19 amps when running from what I can find online.

My house has the old glass screw-in fuses and the garage is a 20 amp circuit/fuse. Per the specs, the Schrader requires 15 amps like my old CH, and I never blew the fuse with the CH. I'd be worried about popping the fuse every time I turn on the 19 amp units - maybe needlessly?

90 days warranty is commercial. I'm a consumer - warranty is 1 year for me.

Believe me, I'd love to find a nice used one off of craigslist - I've been looking constantly. Seems like most of the vertical portable units are either huge 220v units (no room) or cheapy oil-less ones - no thanks.

As much as I would love it, I don't have room or electrical service for a 5hp/60 gal unit. The cost to replace my service panel (no electrician will add a 220 circuit to the garage without updating my panel from what friends have told me) and add 220v to the garage would absurd, based on coworkers/friends who've had it done and would put me way over the price of a new Schrader or Quincy unit. Even if I had 220 in the garage, I still have the space problem, so that's not going to happen.

Honestly, I really wish I were in a position to move and get a house with a bigger/better garage already wired for 220, but that's not a reality at the moment.

 

[Grounded Ken]

I found the mother load:
E mall air compressor co.
Nanjing China
There even selling I/R units! I'll bet without I/R's blessing.
Got a fist full of money, you to can have a container of air compressors.

 

[Grounded Ken]

A word of warning with the Atlas/ Belaire/CP/NAPA/Northstar units. When it is time to do the valves, the valve plate is $243.00 and the gaskets, you'll need 2 or them, are a little over $20.00 each. While you will be able to get parts for these units for a while, it ain't going to be cheap.

 

[Grounded Ken]

The prices I quoted were for one on the 5 Hp. units. Just wanted to clarify myself.

 

[TJJP77]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Problem solved for now - I picked up a Campbell Hausfeld off of craigslist that is similar to the one that was stolen except older and with a 2-cyl pump (the one that was stolen had a single cylinder).

It's a bit grungy but will clean up nice. It needs a new air filter & housing (old one is warped and won't shut properly) and a new drain valve.

I really wish it was a vertical tank, but it will do for now. Seems like the only vertical tank portable compressors for sale around me on CL are the oil-less & made in china variety. At least this old CH say made in USA all over the major parts.

Thanks again!
Chris