Another Compressor Thread

[proorange]

OK, I'm ready to upgrade compressors but first a quick rundown on what I have and what I'm going to be doing.
My current compressor is a Kobalt 30G-1.6HP and right now I use your basic air tools(impact, ratchet, drill, riveter and a Kool Mist Spray Mist Coolant on my lathe and mill). Not to mention I'm using the air blower all day long so the compressor never goes it seems 5 minutes without kicking on. I'm terribly under air powered in the shop and with the new additions coming it's going to be worse.

New equipment consist of a Hydographic Tank which will have a spray gun used for spraying the activator, a couple of HVLP paint guns for spraying primers, base and clear on small parts(no cars), DA sander, small polisher plus I'm buying my sandblaster cabinet this week along with the compressor.

I've narrowed it down to a few for the reasons I will list. These are in no particular order.

Greg Smith Equipment. There website is a strong selling point for me. They have such a well organized site with really, REALLY useful information it just makes me feel I'm dealing with a company that stands behind there product. A company that puts this type of effort into there website is surely not gonna sale you **** and not stand behind it.
There pricing is good plus they have all the extras available.

Atlas 5HP-80G. $1499.00

Atlas 7.5HP-80G. $1699.00

Atlas 7.5HP-80G-Low RPM 1725. $1849.00

Eaton 5Hp-80G-Low RPM. $1340.00 but a FIVE year bumper to bumper warranty. Tough to ignore that.

Eaton 7.5HP-80G-Low RPM minus a few perks. $1575.00

Eaton 7.5HP-80G-Low RPM with all the bells and whistles. $1799.00

The the per-verbal stick in the spokes so to speak.
US General 7.5HP-80G. At 1399.99 and my 20% discount that's a $1120.00.

Help me out guys, I'm not asking myself the right questions or something. I'm really struggling with this.

 

[larry4406]

I understand well the decision you are making. I have been pondering/ anguishing this decision for months - used craigslist, Quincy, Eaton, Saylor Beall, limited cash, etc.

As far as I can tell, the Greg Smith Atlas Air Force compressors are really rebadged Puma compressors - check out the thread I started http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53851&highlight=puma

I pulled the trigger yesterday and ordered the Puma TUE-7580 (about 2 to 3 weeks out). Toolcentral.com has it on sale for $1299.99 plus shipping. These units are assembled in Tennessee and will cost me about $170 shipped with lift gate to my residence in VA. So, $1470 all-in. On price alone, the only one in your list that compares is the Harbor Freight US General and you get to deliver it. Make sure you figure in the cost of shipping.

Price and performance were key considerations for me. I could not find another new compressor at this price with similar features - Baldor 7.5hp motor 32-34 amps, 24.8 cfm @ 100 psi, 22.8 cfm @ 175 psi, continuous run feature with unloaders, 80 gallon ASME tank, Square D magnetic starter, rebuildable iron pump with insert rod bearings, slow speed 800-900 rpm pump, etc. I wanted high cfm's for presssure pot and cabinet blasting.

The pump is Taiwanese/China and uses reed valves. The rest is US and assembled in Tennessee. Some folks will say reed valves are inferior to disc valves, but Champion has a full line of reed valve compressors, so can't be all bad.

From what I have determined, Puma compressors have good performance and persons are happy with them.

I figure if the compressor self destructs, I can still buy an Eaton 7.5 hp 3 cylinder compressor head for $340 on ebag plus shipping. Assuming the shipping is $75, then the all-in is $1885, still better than any of the other options out there.

Hope this helps.

 

[proorange]

Thanks Larry.

Tool Central has it listed for $1359.97, was it just a one day sale?
Is there a place on there website where I can get more information on that unit? Features, etc...?

 

[proorange]

Nevermind, I found the sale flyer

 

[Major Ramifications]

Damn, those Eaton's are impressive. They seem very well thought out.