Bend-Pak Compressor Woes...

[Tom Vermont]

Hello,

I ordered and paid for a Bend-Pak VMX7580-601 air compressor late last August, and they still do not have any inventory. They now expect to ship November 20th, a full three months after I paid them. They didn’t inform me of their troubles with inventory at the time I placed the order, and now they are delaying my garage build.

The salesman offered me an upgrade to a scroll type compressor, an RS7580V-601, which they do have in stock. It costs $1000 more, and he wants full retail for it, no consideration for their screw job is on offer.

The problem is that the RS compressor machinery looks much bulkier than the VMX. I poured a 4’x4’ pedestal in the corner of the garage for the compressor. The compressor will physically fit in the space, but I have no idea if the access to the filters and other service items is possible in such a small space. I tend to doubt it. The salesman has nothing useful to say; “we recommend a minimum clearance of two feet for all our equipment.” Well, I don’t have that.

I need a compressor ASAP. Should I cancel my Bend-Pak order? Can anyone recommend a reliable, quiet 80 gallon/7.5 HP alternative?

I’m so disappointed with Bend-Pak right now that canceling the order would be the most satisfying option. Be warned; they are “selling” equipment that they do not have in inventory, and will not have for months.

Best Regards, Tom

 

[Matti]

I doubt Bendpak makes it. They probably just buy or package up someone else's compressor so, yes, I would cancel and shop elsewhere.

 

[Jazzman442]

Cancel the order and go buy another one some where else. Matti is right they do not make it. Matter of fact they dont really make anything they source from China. Lots of good sales this time of the year on compressors. Good luck.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I'd look at the Eastwood scroll compressors and cancel the order. Out of curiousity, how does a compressor hold up a garage build...you building it around the thing?

 

[NitroShark]

I have the compressor you are waiting to receive. It's nice, and I'm happy with it.

Like most air compressors less than 3K they are built with components that are "globally" made/sourced . You are going to be hard pressed to get anything mostly USA built.

I can say that the castings on my BendPak compressor does have their part
number and BendPak logo cast into the parts. The machine is not a simple rebrand and slap BendPak stickers all over it.

Soo, they seem to be built with globally sourced components but under their engineering and quality control out of their California headquarters.

I'd just wait and put it in where you plan to use it.

 

[dfiler2]

I assumed he needed it to build the garage, I know I wouldn't build one without a compressor.

 

[PoorOwner]

here you go

https://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/tools/7-5-hp-80-gallon-compressors.html

The bendpak rotary model puts less cfm and cost more..

You can always hoist it out if you need to work on it, shops have them in the corner for years and years and I doubt they do much wrenching on them beside changing the oil, for regular 2 stage compressor anyway.

If they put the oil filter for the rotary screw in a stupid place that requires 2 feet to access, I am not sure I want to buy it!

 

[The Cobbler]

cancel order & buy another one that suits, or keep the order & buy a smaller compressor for 4 or 5 hundred to get you going on your build(assuming that's why the build is held up)

 

[Tom Vermont]

Thanks gents...

Getting by with a portable compressor for the nail guns for now. What I meant was, without the compressor in place and plumbed I can’t install my HD-9. Without the HD-9 in place I’d prefer not to epoxy my floors, so I don’t damage them during assembly. Without the floors epoxied, no cabinets or workbench, and my motorcycle is sitting under a tarp and my TR-6 is in a storage unit with mice eating the wiring harness, and we’ve already had snow and salt in the part of Vermont where I live. First world problems, maybe, but I expected to be farther along by now. My tools are all still in storage with the moving company, haven’t seen them since March. Tired of not having a garage. /END RANT

 

[PoorOwner]

You can do the air plumbing just leave the last couple feet on a pipe thread or union next to your compressor area and use a hose from your pancake compressor. It would be just fine to release the locks on the HD-9 lift.
I would go with something from IR or Quincy

 

[Tom Vermont]

PoorOwner, isn’t there more to plumbing the compressor than that? I’ve never owned a stationary compressor before, but the info I’ve read on this forum about dryers, regulators, and filters makes it seem that it would be hard to do the plumbing without first having the unit in place.

 

[PoorOwner]

No. The lines are straight out from the compressor outlet and at full pressure.
You just need a flex hose from the compressor and hard piping

It is at the end near your car or lift where you add a regulator and filter combo just before your hose reel. You can add those right now.

Here is a diagram.

 

[chinboys]

I am sorry about your problem with your Bendpak air compressor order Tom Vermont.

Some years or many months ago, Bendpak via senior member JSK did have a great offer for us in this forum to order their compressors at really good prices but limited to the number of participants per model type.
The special pricing was again extended due to popular demand and I was lucky to get my order last March\April.

I would suggest you contact JSK via the forum's email system and ask if he can assist.

The 7.5 HP 80-gallon compressor is a beast and very quiet. The electrical install instructions could be better.

good luck

 

[PoorOwner]

I am sorry about your problem with your Bendpak air compressor order Tom Vermont.

Some years or many months ago, Bendpak via senior member JSK did have a great offer for us in this forum to order their compressors at really good prices but limited to the number of participants per model type.
The special pricing was again extended due to popular demand and I was lucky to get my order last March\April.

I would suggest you contact JSK via the forum's email system and ask if he can assist.

The 7.5 HP 80-gallon compressor is a beast and very quiet. The electrical install instructions could be better.

good luck

I know it has good spec and all, but charging full price up front for 3 months is ridiculous. If there is such a shortage then imagine trying to get a part for it later. This is not their main product like lifts and good luck getting support if you need it. I can see maybe if it is $200 item, but I think he paid up front almost $3000.

Where as with IR, Quincy, or even the Delta group, dewalt, CH etc they have exposed diagrams and parts you can order.

 

[Tom Vermont]

Thanks for the suggestions gents. I guess I really could do all the plumbing first without having the compressor in place. I didn’t realize it was so standardized that it could be done in that order.

Jeff from Bend-Pak has reached out and is looking for solutions, but I think I’ve placed myself in a bind by pouring a raised pad for the compressor in the corner of my shop. I have radiant heat in the floor, so the purpose of the 4” pedestal was to make sure the bolts didn’t hit a plastic heat line. I’m committed to a single location, and there is no room there for a larger compressor unless I take the hoist-for-service suggestion.

Thank you for all your ideas. Tom

 

[BillK]

Thanks gents...

I’d prefer not to epoxy my floors, so I don’t damage them during assembly.

I would personally want to epoxy the floors first so that the entire area is covered.

Just my opinion but if you are worried about hurting the floor while putting the lift together and you plan on actually working in the garage, you might want to rethink the epoxy and just go with a good sealer.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

If I were building new, I'd be getting a Saylor Beall or a Champion.

My IR is on it's way out and that's where I'm headed.

 

[Tom Vermont]

Thanks all. I canceled the order and bought a Quincy 7.5 HP from Air Compressors Direct. Hopefully they stock what they are selling.

 

[rburke65]

That would be the day where I would wait 3...4 months for an item. I’ll bet TP Tools would ship you a good one tomorrow

 

[Tom Vermont]

My Quincy compressor has already shipped. Thank you, aircompressorsdirect.com

 

[Tom Vermont]

And just to wrap it up...compressor delivered today. About 8 days to my door. Niiice.

 

[Junkman]

Don't forget to install the oil. Most, if not all compressors are shipped dry, and the oil is installed upon delivery. My Quincy has been running strong for over 20 years.

 

[ZipSnafu]

I like my Quincy a lot. I think you will not be disappointed.

 

[dwram]

Hey Tom,

How do you like the compressor so far? How was Aircompressors Direct to deal with in regards to their ordering process?

 

[rburke65]

You’ll be happy with the Quincy!

 

[Tom Vermont]

Hey Tom,

How do you like the compressor so far? How was Aircompressors Direct to deal with in regards to their ordering process?

The compressor is in place and running, but my manifold and air distribution lines are not installed yet. I plan to have two drop lines, plus one ceiling-mounted hose reel. The compressor will also be plumbed to my HD-9 lift. It’s quieter than I expected.

Air compressors direct was great. I’d buy from them again. The site made it easy to select what I needed and the shipping was quick and easy.