Air compressor

[mortimersnerd]

My craigslist air compressor has died after many years of service. I'm looking for suggestions on a new one, ideally a 220v upright unit. I don't care about name brands and am looking for good bang for the buck in a home shop setting. Ideas?

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

What are the details with your dead compressor? Tank size? Motor? Did the motor or the pump die? Depending on your situation it might be easier, cheaper and better to just replace the broken part rather than replacing the entire compressor.

 

[mortimersnerd]

It's a oiless 22 gallon Campbell Hausfeld. It needs rings and something in the shutoff assembly has given up the ghost. The parts will be more than the compressor is worth, and the tank will make a lovely smoker. I'm in the middle of upgrading the garage with 220v, so I'd rather put the money into a compressor that isn't maxed out by my plasma cutter.

 

[zkling]

What is your budget? What are your air needs?

 

[mortimersnerd]

$500, give or take. I can save up for longer if needed, but would really like to get something soon as I've got a week off work this month to complete a full width axle swap on my '71 Bronco. Air needs aren't super high. The plasma cutter needs about 5cfm, other than that I'm just running impact guns and the like.

 

[Doradoguy]

Buy one and be done. http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-2V41C60VC-Air-Compressor/p855.html

If you can swing the price this is a great compressor for the money. This compressor is sold below dealer cost. I know because I was once a quincy dealer and was quite upset trying to compete against an internet site. Quincy feeling is this enrty level and they want to grow with you. I realize it's a bunch of doe. I spent 700.00 just for my motor on my compressor and another 1200. for rebuild kit but my 8 year old will be using it when he's 90. I'm restoring the family 74 bronco but looking for another one to build a buggy out of.

 

[Davefr]

$500, give or take. I can save up for longer if needed, but would really like to get something soon as I've got a week off work this month to complete a full width axle swap on my '71 Bronco. Air needs aren't super high. The plasma cutter needs about 5cfm, other than that I'm just running impact guns and the like.

Can you go to $800??

As much as I don't care for HF, their 5HP 60 gallon compressor is really a nice unit. It is not Chinese or Indian!!!

The pump is a 2 stage ABAC/IMC B4900 made in Italy, the motor is an AO Smith made in Mexico. The tank and assembly is USA.

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive with some guys using them commercially day in day out for many years and they seem to hold up just fine.

This unit is identical to Bel Aire Model 216V.

I'd get this one over the other crop of consumer grade compressors.

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

As far as bang for your buck, I think this is probably the best you're going to find.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60...ompressor-C601H/203187350?N=c27p#.Us4OC-DjPao

From what I understand the pump is identical to the CH unit and it's assembled in the USA. It won't be a pig on electric, 60 gallons is a decent size tank, and 11 cfm @ 90 psi will power most anything you want to do, even if intermittently on particularly high demand tasks. Given that you've been using that little 20 gallon, I don't get the impression you're going to be continuously running a DA sander or blast cabinet. This Husky seems to be a nice compromise between price, value, performance and quality.