IR is garbage, its an indian pump with a chinese motor. By the way i dont think that the compressor you posted is even 2 stage meaning two pistons and much faster refill.
I dont mean to be rude but there are so many threads like this you could really just search and find all the info you need. Thats what i did.
I bought a quincy QT-54 with a magnetic starter and wired it in with 8 gauge.
The box stores do not carry anything that is worth buying, find yourself a local industrial compressor dealer. If you pay cash the price is actually cheaper because you dont have to pay out the *** for freight and also the lift gate fee (which is ******** - read the fine print at northern tool)
If you decided you dont want to spend more than 1000 i recommend the harbor freight 60 gallon. Its an italian pump stamped made in the EU (european union) and a chinese AO smith motor (AO smith used to be american). It is the exact same unit as the belair compressors (search) which are a medium grade compressor.
I saw 3 IR 80 gallons smoke the motors at my old workplace within months, they warrantied every time but what a pain in the ***.
Champion is another good brand
Not sure why people are talking about die grinders vs electric grinders, (which are both a necessity in and shop) Compressed air is a necessity for automotive work - leak down tests, impacts, pneumatic drills, air hammers, are all tools that once you use you cannot live without.
As for cfm my quincy is around 16 cfm @175 and 21ish@90
Also down the road dont forget you are going to need real air filters and a decent plumbing system. I ran mine for a year without a decent setup then bit the bullet and put about 400 into plumbing and filters.
I call BS on that IR info. Clearly bias, for other reasons.
I've owned two IR's in the last 11 years. Not one issue here. Sure , if you spend twice as much and go with a Quincy or Champion you'll get a better compressor.
1. IR Pumps are made India.
2. The Motors they use are NOT made in China. Not the units I've had experience with. = USA motor co, - assembled in Mexico.
They are far from garbage.
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OP, - as said earlier, an electric grinder for allot of grinding is a better choice. There are times when you might need a small air grinder for the job or a cut off. Most likely, the machines your being refereed to should handle that without much difficulty. 5 horse 15-20 CFM machines can handle that comfortable when the need arises. If you run DA's, I would think about stepping up the CFMs.
I would suggest a 5 hp compressor , 80 gallon 2 stage unit at the least. When browsing, you'll find that the nicer units will produce more CFM's at lower motor rpm's, which make them quieter as well.
Good Luck.
