Compressor poll!

[6togo]

So I have narrowed my choices down based on noise and price now I need your help with which one I should pick and why. All are right in the $2000 range.

Champion Centurion II 5HP/7.5hp
Quincy pro QT5/7.5hp
Polar air 7.5hp ind. plus

 

[ZipSnafu]

I have the Quincey and love it... Seems to be well built and is not to loud. Have not heard the others in the poll so I may be a bit bias on this.

 

[cvairwerks]

The first question is what is you planned, major use? Next, what is your biggest air usage and how much of your time do you plan on using it? Lastly, do you have enough power capacity to handle a 40-50 amp circuit without having to make sure something else is turned off when you need air?

 

[4 FN 27]

I have no experience with any of these but I do know the name Quincy. The others I have not heard of.

cv's inquiry is something to be considered before the spend.

I run a custom built C'Aire 10 HP with a Curtis D97 Pump on a 120 Gallon Tank. Bought it in 1999 for $1200 at 3 years old. Was used as a Back-up Compressor to a Screw.

 

[countryroad82]

I'm going to say any of your choices will give you years of service. I myself have an Eaton (polar air) and takes quite a beating due to running blast cabinets, paint guns, DA's, and all that stuff with my small body shop. All I've had to do is keep the oil changed and the belts tight so far. I've had it for about 6 years now if that's anything. Oh and it lives outside under a lean to at my shop.

 

[6togo]

I plan to get into a mid size blast cabinet in the near future but mostly just auto work on the weekends. I have plenty of power in the garage and have it roughed in with a 40a circuit.
Look like Quincy is the leader! So are the 7.5hp Quincy's loud compared to the 5Hp's I know they are the same just spinning faster.

 

[6togo]

I recently found a decent deal on a new Saylor Beall vt735-80 for a few bucks over $2200 too.

 

[finn]

I voted for the Champion. I have an old (1972) Champion VR5-8 pump with the disc valves, and it’s still going strong.

Both the Champion Centurion and the Quincy QT series in the poll are reed valve pumps, but either would be acceptable for a hobby shop.

Both companies offer disc valve pumps in their higher priced, commercial duty product lines.

 

[md21722]

The QT5 and QT7.5 use different pumps. They both turn about 1,000 RPM.

The Champion Centurion will turn 805 RPM at 5 HP and around 1,000 RPM RPM at 7.5 HP.

The SB VT-735 will turn 845 RPM at 5 HP and is not meant for 7.5 HP. For 7.5 HP you would get the VT-745.

Personally I would look to other more expensive models that are slower turning at 7.5 HP. Because of my high altitude I run 2 x 5HP Champion R-series to get 7.5 HP worth of air. The Champion R-series has disc valves and no valve plate. Their R15 pumps turn at 734 RPM at 5 HP.

Many here seem happiest with 7.5 HP units.

However, to wire to code for 7.5 HP you will need to wire with #6 NM-b (Romex) or #8 THHN (in conduit) if no more than 50 feet from the panel. A 5 HP you could do with #8 NM-b (Romex) or #10 THHN (in conduit).

 

[coljar]

I voted for the Champion. I have an old (1972) Champion VR5-8 pump with the disc valves, and it’s still going strong.

Both the Champion Centurion and the Quincy QT series in the poll are reed valve pumps, but either would be acceptable for a hobby shop.

Both companies offer disc valve pumps in their higher priced, commercial duty product lines.

That may be true in most cases, but I've got a Kellogg-American that has been in continuous commercial service since 1946 with reed valves and it hasn't failed or been apart yet.

I voted for the Quincy, but I'm sure the Champion would be fine.

 

[6togo]

The only ones that have disc valves are the Saylor and Polar air until you hit the $3k range and for my needs I don't think I would ever see the advantages. Like I said I want to start blasting but I don't see that being the primary thing more air tools thats why I thought a 5hp unit would suit my needs just fine. I believe I did run #6 romex when I wired the garage it could be #8 I have to check.

 

[md21722]

The only ones that have disc valves are the Saylor and Polar air until you hit the $3k range and for my needs I don't think I would ever see the advantages. Like I said I want to start blasting but I don't see that being the primary thing more air tools thats why I thought a 5hp unit would suit my needs just fine. I believe I did run #6 romex when I wired the garage it could be #8 I have to check.

5 HP is really quite marginal depending on what you're doing. I don't blast, but I do use die grinders... and unless you are careful and choose one that is frugal with air, it's gonna use 20 some odd CFM and your 5 HP compressor not going to put out that much. Blasting is also air sensitive to nozzle size etc. When you get into air tools that use "less" air like impacts, tank size is more of a factor than HP. That's because an impact buzzing off wheels might use 30-40 CFM when you have the trigger down but its not a continuous use... just for a few seconds. There are a many people that are happy with their 5 HP air compressors, but many find 7.5 HP more to be the sweet spot. I would do more searching before buying your compressor and decide what fits you better. Or be prepared to buy a 2nd compressor if the 5 HP is too small.

 

[TRWham]

That may be true in most cases, but I've got a Kellogg-American that has been in continuous commercial service since 1946 with reed valves and it hasn't failed or been apart yet.

I voted for the Quincy, but I'm sure the Champion would be fine.

As far as I know, Kelloggs do have disc valves. Every rebuild kit I have seen has discs, not reeds. My 1958 vintage 331 is disc.

 

[engineer2]

The thing I like about our Champions is that they have no head gasket. Our two VR5-8's have been trouble-free and reliable.
Our previous cheap-*** compressors (went throught two of them) would start seeping oil past the head gasket when they got older and make a mess.

 

[6togo]

My garage is not that busy of a work place except on weekends and that is just sometimes. So for the most part the compressor will not see allot of hours. I'd be willing to bet my old 5hp 30 Snap on after 15yrs had less than 100hrs of use.
The new compressor will probably see more with blasting but not much more.

 

[sberry]

Yes, it takes a long time for a hobby guy to put 100 hrs on. Some of the pumps have a 30k hr service life. I bet any7 of those are 5K hours anyway. Even by mfgr 500-1000 hour oil changes with dino. Mine runs a couple 3 hrs a week, 40 years, a start cap, 2 bearings in the motor and a minor issue with a pump with 1 service, turned on in 1972.

 

[Augus7us]

I bought a used QT5 that is like new. Saved me a bunch of money and its immaculate. Sadly I haven't heard it run yet since I'm still working on my shop...

For the record, I don't know a whole lot about compressors outside what I've read. That said, I bought a Quincy because whenever I asked what a good compressor was, Quincy always came up. I've never read a bad comment about them either. Figured buy once, cry once!

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Polar air's silencer kits are very appealing to me after having been exposed to relatively quiet compressors. if they're located near you, the price premium is well worth it, imho.

 

[6togo]

I chatted with Carmen at TP tools today and he said with 30 years of selling compressors he would choose a Champion over a Quincy he didn't say why.

 

[HydroDog]

As an owner of a Quincy QT5 reed valve compressor for the last 20 years of just weekend hobby use. I would recomend STAY AWAY from it.
I bought it new, I'd would be surprised if it had a 100 hours on it, and after 5 sets of head gaskets and a new reed valve plate because one reed broke off and wedged between the piston and cylinder wall it still runs but just has a little more blow by in the crank case because of the groove now carved into the cylinder wall.

10 years ago when I was replacing my valve plate and complaining to Quincy dealer about the head gaskets sealing problem, I was told i should replace the aluminum head that was only quoted at $1000.

I have a 5HP Speedaire from Grainger which are made by Saylor Beall at work that I had for the last 15 years that has been absolutely flawless.

Just my 2 bits.

 

[HydroDog]

I recently found a decent deal on a new Saylor Beall vt735-80 for a few bucks over $2200 too.

We have 2 of those at work but 3 phase and auto tank drains. 9 years of 24/7 use operating automated valves and controls.

 

[coljar]

As far as I know, Kelloggs do have disc valves. Every rebuild kit I have seen has discs, not reeds. My 1958 vintage 331 is disc.

Thank you. I stand corrected. I was told some misinformation several years ago without checking it out further.

 

[TRWham]

Thank you. I stand corrected. I was told some misinformation several years ago without checking it out further.

 

[md21722]

As an owner of a Quincy QT5 reed valve compressor for the last 20 years of just weekend hobby use. I would recomend STAY AWAY from it.
I bought it new, I'd would be surprised if it had a 100 hours on it, and after 5 sets of head gaskets and a new reed valve plate because one reed broke off and wedged between the piston and cylinder wall it still runs but just has a little more blow by in the crank case because of the groove now carved into the cylinder wall.

10 years ago when I was replacing my valve plate and complaining to Quincy dealer about the head gaskets sealing problem, I was told i should replace the aluminum head that was only quoted at $1000.

I have a 5HP Speedaire from Grainger which are made by Saylor Beall at work that I had for the last 15 years that has been absolutely flawless.

Just my 2 bits.

I am pretty sure Grainger is selling Champion and CH, not Saylor Beall.

 

[rburke65]

I have a Champion 5 hp, 2 stage. I like it.

 

[md21722]

I chatted with Carmen at TP tools today and he said with 30 years of selling compressors he would choose a Champion over a Quincy he didn't say why.

The Quincy name was built on the QR series. What you can buy on the floor at Northern Tool or farm and ranch stores is the QT series which is cheapened up considerably compared to the QR. Some of them don't even have magnetic starters.

The Champion Centurion compressor is a decent unit, but not as good as their R-series.

Saylor Beall doesn't have a value line.

You might also consider getting 2 x 5HP HF compressors. That will give you plenty of air and redundancy. The HF compressors are made by ABAC. The Quincy 26 gallon roll around and many NAPA compressors are also from ABAC. ABAC is a subsidiary of Atlas Copco which is one of the largest, if not the largest, compressor and air tool company in the world. They sell everything from HF compressors to super high dollar mining equipment.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I am very pleased with my IR T30 with an 80 gallon tank. I do not mind the noise because the pump is not rotating at a high speed.
I had a HUSKEY OILESS I gave it away because I could not live with the noise it made. The frequency and volume combined was making me difficult to get along with.

 

[PT Doc]

I have a QT5 80g, 5hp. I am happy with it. Added a Universal Silencer for noise reduction, plumbed the tank discharge into bucket, installed hour meter, motor rated Leviton Disconnect switch and oil drain spigot. It does what I need. I am at 6100ft and it seems to be doing well. Would be interesting to do some output testing at my altitude and compressor performance.