Air Compressor Thoughts

[pottsie454]

Im looking at getting a new compressor for my new shop but I have no experience with any except for the Huksy home depot brand. I know I do not want to go that direction with this heavily used machine. I am looking in the 60-80 gallon, 5-7.5 hp range. I defiantly want to get a motor that runs sub 1800 rpms. Price range is sub $2000 if possible. But I am willing to spend a little extra to get more if I have to.

Brands that I have looked into,

Curtis 7.5 hp, 80 gallon, $2200
Schulz 7.5 hp, 80 gallon, has after cooler $1600
Quincy 7.5 hp, 80 gallon, $2000

Schulz has the best price by far, but from a company I cannot find much information on. I found a thread on here where they were advicated, but it almost sounded like it was a paid advertisement and not a real review. Quincy and Curtis are excellent choices but I am worried about how much I am paying for the brand.

What are you thoughts?

 

[kams1973]

You may want to consider Saylor Beall as well. They are still manufactured in the USA.

 

[CNGsaves]

Another good compressor brand is Ingersol Rand.

 

[Seb650R]

I just got in my Quincy 60 Gallon 5HP about a week ago. Haven't had a chance to even wire it up. All my research led me to Quincy. Made in the USA, 100% duty cycle, and the longest warranty of any manufacturer. Also, I have yet to see any negative comments about the Quincys.

 

[bsaint]

Where did you get that curtis quote from?

 

[PT Doc]

If in home/shop warranty means anything, then you should strongly consider Quincy. They are stout and should not need service, but inquire about how the other brands would handle warranty service. A 7.5hp, 80 gal, 2 stage Quincy would be the cats meow and likely the last compressor you would buy. If you can get it for 2K then its a no brainer since the 5hp/80 gal, 2 stage seems to be at that price. Good luck.

 

[pipsters]

Compressor pump RPM is MUCH more important than the electric motor RPM.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Im in the same market. I've narrowed it down to Quincy Northern has it for $1299 not sure how much lift-gate would cost with them. Its $1450 with lift-gate from compressorsdirect. My 2nd choice is the Champion from TPtools for $1650 with lift-gate.

The Champion has a slower pump RPM. It also says it delivers 19.1cfm at 125psi were Quincy says 15.4cfm at 100psi

I'm lost at what to pick.

 

[PT Doc]

The Champion has a slower pump RPM. It also says it delivers 19.1cfm at 125psi were Quincy says 15.4cfm at 100psi

I'm lost at what to pick.

Those Champion numbers are what you would expect to see on some 5hp units. Would be interesting to see how they get those numbers.

 

[Higgins]

What ever compressor you go with, I would suggest they have a made in USA electric Motor AKA AO Smith or equivilant, as so many of the China motors catch on fire! i.e. recall of 429,000 motors in 2011.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Those Champion numbers are what you would expect to see on some 5hp units. Would be interesting to see how they get those numbers.

I wonder to. They say it has 16.4cfm at 175psi and the Quincy says it will deliver 15.2cfm at 175psi. I dont understand how the Champion has only 1cfm more at max pressure but has 4cfm more at 125psi.

 

[bsaint]

Better design. Champion has aluminum finned cylinders with cast iron liners. Better heat dissipation.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Better design. Champion has aluminum finned cylinders with cast iron liners. Better heat dissipation.

So you would go with Champion over the Quincy?

 

[bsaint]

So you would go with Champion over the Quincy?

Yes. Quincy are good too. I worked for a Champion distributor in my early days of compressor work, but rebuilt Quincy's also once in a while. To me a Quincy is over kill to achieve the same reliability and longevity of a Champion R series pump. Quincy's have miniture versions of valves found on ES and LLE series IRs from a dead generation of piston machines.

Champion R series you can get with aftercoolers, pocket valves with simple and reliable unloaders for constant run, and less expensive maintenance parts. If you want pressure lube look at Champion PL series but you end up paying twice the money for it.

And people who think aluminum cylinders with cast iron liners is less reliable - my BMW has aluminum cylinders with cast iron liners and has 260k miles on it.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Yes. Quincy are good too. I worked for a Champion distributor in my early days of compressor work, but rebuilt Quincy's also once in a while. To me a Quincy is over kill to achieve the same reliability and longevity of a Champion R series pump. Quincy's have miniture versions of valves found on ES and LLE series IRs from a dead generation of piston machines.

Champion R series you can get with aftercoolers, pocket valves with simple and reliable unloaders for constant run, and less expensive maintenance parts. If you want pressure lube look at Champion PL series but you end up paying twice the money for it.

And people who think aluminum cylinders with cast iron liners is less reliable - my BMW has aluminum cylinders with cast iron liners and has 260k miles on it.

Do you know how the outlet size on the Champion?
The 60gal Quincy is 1/2" and the 80galQuincy is 3/4" . Is the larger tank outlet the reason for the increase in cfm at lower pressure?

 

[bsaint]

Do you know how the outlet size on the Champion?
The 60gal Quincy is 1/2" and the 80galQuincy is 3/4" . Is the larger tank outlet the reason for the increase in cfm at lower pressure?

On the tank or at the pump? I want to say its 1" or at least 3/4" on the pump.

 

[pipsters]

Do you know how the outlet size on the Champion?
The 60gal Quincy is 1/2" and the 80galQuincy is 3/4" . Is the larger tank outlet the reason for the increase in cfm at lower pressure?

Tank would have nothing to do with the pump capacity.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Tank would have nothing to do with the pump capacity.

Why does the 80gal Quincy have more cfm then the 60 gal. Same motor and pump the only difference I can see is outlet size on the tank.

 

[Xicaque]

sub'd...

 

[bsaint]

Why does the 80gal Quincy have more cfm then the 60 gal. Same motor and pump the only difference I can see is outlet size on the tank.

Has to do with a duty cycle of the pump. For example, a little pump runs less to fill a gallon tank for 95 to 125 than to fill an 80 gallon.

When your compressor is designed to run full out is when tank size doesn't really matter. We have 30 hp screws plumped into a 2500 gallon tank.

 

[Sachseguy]

I have the Quincy 7.5 hp, 80 gallon compressor and couldn't be happier with it. I use a lot of air and felt it was the best way for me to go. Before I bought it I looked at a number of other compressors. As soon as I saw the Quincy, I knew it was the one. It was obvious that it was a high quality piece of equipment that would last me the rest of my life. I'm not sure if the newer Quincy compressors still use the Baldor motor, but that was another great selling point for me. I also considered Champion, another high quality brand, and I'm sure would have been very happy with it as well. The Quincy ultimately won out because it was available at my local Northern Tool at a good price, with no additional shipping charge. I don't think you'll ever regret buying any of the high quality compressors out there. The cost will only hurt for a little while and the quality will last for as long as you own it.

As a side note, as you've probably read on Garage Journal numerous times, there are many of us who value quality and feel that in the long run it's always the best buy......especially if you really use your tools a lot. I don't think anyone needs to go over the top and buy tools and equipment they don't need or can't use. But personally, I've never regretted spending money on a high quality tool. I have many tools that I've been using for 30-40 years and the high quality stuff I bought in my early 20's is still being used and is just as functional as it was when it was new.

 

[bsaint]

I think buying quincy here is a trend. There are many other compressor companies that make just as good compressors that have lasted just as long. I worked on a 1928 Champion machine a couple years ago.

Quincy is actually the least popular brand I see when I worked in that field. By popularity at commercial shops was:

IR
Champion
Campbell Hausfield
GD
Quincy
Worthington

 

[Gunnert]

I bought an IR 60 gallon, 5 HP, with a T 30 pump about 5 years ago. I have no regrets! Bought new off the internet. The T 30 has been around since the '50s. IR got it right to start with... My. 02....

 

[IndyGarage]

For a home shop - even a heavily used home shop, I would strongly recommend buying a used compressor rather than a new one.

For a few reasons: First, they are readily available right now, and it will save you a lot of money to buy a good used one over a new one.

Second: if you buy one that came out of an industrial setting, it's more likely to be a high quaility unit. The ones that are priced below $2,000 are generally consumer grade units. You may have to mount a single phase motor to replace a three phase, but that will still give you a machine that is higher quality than the one you would buy new.

Third, you will be doing the environment a bit of good by reusing something that might be scrapped.

Yeah, a nice shiny machine is great, but really nobody is going to envy you over a compressor. I have two of them I bought used - both 80 gallon 5 hp - first a Snap-on that had just had the motor replace, and second an older Champion that leaks a tiny bit of oil, but otherwise runs like a top.

 

[Xicaque]

I vote for Quincy. Have a 30 gal CH that has been good to me until the tank developed a pin hole. Time for an upgrade. It pays to go for the best you can afford. Right now I am going to be buying a QP 5 or QP7.5... Not sure yet but I am going with a lot more than I need. But that is what I want. In my part of the woods, you can not get a good used compressor. Mainly garbage. I have to go to ATL for a good find but that kills the deal when I have to drive 2-2.5 hrs.

 

[Xicaque]

I have the Quincy 7.5 hp, 80 gallon compressor and couldn't be happier with it. .

Can you give me the exact model number of your Quincy? I am thinking of buying the 7.5, 80 gal. I will order mine online...

Are you using at home or a shop? What gauge wiring did you use?

Thanks!

 

[Xicaque]

Third, you will be doing the environment a bit of good by reusing something that might be scrapped.

Yeah, a nice shiny machine is great, but really nobody is going to envy you over a compressor.

If it gets scrapped, would it get remelted to make a new tank??

As for envy, I envy the ones here with a Quincy

My buddy will sure be drooling when he sees my Quincy

Cheers.

 

[CNGsaves]

Has to do with a duty cycle of the pump. For example, a little pump runs less to fill a gallon tank for 95 to 125 than to fill an 80 gallon.

When your compressor is designed to run full out is when tank size doesn't really matter. We have 30 hp screws plumped into a 2500 gallon tank.

WOW, 2500 gallons of stored high pressure air . . . . you could have your own Compressed Air Vehicle!! Would be great low cost in-town commuter car . . . I'm thinking Smart Car size with a big air tank up where the engine would normally go!!

Those rotary screw air compressors are awesome.

Great thread . . . thanks for sharing expertise!