Compressor quality and reliability

[RickP]

I was going to recommend that exact same unit - best bang for the buck out there right now IMO. I think they use Chinook pumps. I have a coworker who just bought a used one of these for $250 and spent another $100 to rebuild the pump.

I agree - it's the best value out there for a new 2-stage compressor. But mine does have a pump "made in the E.U." Did your coworker buy it direct from HF? Because I haven't seen the factory reconditioned 60 gallon models go for less than $635. (or $750 new)

I bought mine 2 years ago, and the pictures on their web site still look identical today, so I think the pumps are still being sourced from Italy. The motor is made by Century (Tipp City, Ohio), at their plant in Mexico. The tank is made in USA. Someone on another thread suggested the unit might be made by BelAire, which has a plant in Rock Hill, SC. Mine looks almost identical to the BelAir 216V:

It looks identical except for a different muffler and locating the air outlet on top of the tank. That outlet is really the only thing I'd want to change on the unit - it's only 1/2 inch, and I'd rather have it be 3/4 inch.

I was worried about the reliability of the pump, so I got the 2-year extended warranty, but I've had zero problems with it so far, despite using it heavily about one weekend per month (die grinders, impacts, DA sanders, etc). I ran it for about 4 hours straight one day when I was blowing out irrigation pipes. I'll have to wait and see how it holds up when I start sandblasting with it later this year.

 

[Dodge]

Any reason that nobody has said to get the Quincy from aircompressorsdirect.com for $800 delivered?

Are they any good to deal with?
Is that model any good?

I just bought the Quincy Q13160VQ from aircompressorsdirect. Had a Puma for 21 years. Good compressor, just wanted to replace it. I like the Quincy so far. Reasonably quiet. As far a dealing with aircompressorsdirect, I just ordered it online. Never talked to anyone. Shipped rather quick. Only down fall was, the trucking company delivered it to a local factory receiving dock. Driver said he could not get into my subdivision with a semi. Luckily the dock person knew my son and called him and told him the compressor was on their dock. The driver never called. Poor way to do business, in my opinion. It worked out okay, just not the way it should have been. For those wondering the freight company, it was Dohrn.

 

[D45]

I am going to still argue that the Puma 60-Gallon Vertical Model# PK6060V is tough to beat for $450ish


CFM at 90 PSI 12
CFM at 40 PSI 13.5
15 AMP
Max PSI: 150

 

[davey25]

Who makes the pumas..we don't have them in canada I don't think..has anyone had luck with maxxairs or iron horse ..we can get those at tsc..or sanborn ??most reviews I read on IR are bad

 

[redmondjp]

Who makes the pumas..we don't have them in canada I don't think..has anyone had luck with maxxairs or iron horse ..we can get those at tsc..or sanborn ??most reviews I read on IR are bad

I'm not positive of this, but from what I have seen of the Puma pumps, they are made in Brazil. I haven't heard anything bad about them, and for a consumer-grade compressor, I wouldn't be afraid to get one. My $.02

 

[David C]

DK45

I clicked on your Puma link and got Sears $912. Other searches resulted in $640.

What did I miss?

 

[BBBC23]

The Puma PK6060 is $499 at Northern Tool but that's 100 miles away. Local independent (place where I bought my LuxAir 20yo) has them for $599 but will go down to $550. He's close by so saves be time and gas. Unless some smokin' deal comes up between now and the end of the week I'm likely going with that.

The Quincy would be nice but its 60% more $$.

And 100% better IMO

 

[sracer99]

The Puma was on sale at Northern store for 499 today. I bought one on line a few weeks ago from NT and it was 499 and you got a 50 credit for future purchase on line, too.

 

[raf0419]

I know I'm a troller rather than a poster.

That said, I went through the same eval process and bought that exact same 3hp 60 Ga Puma about 1.5y ago. It's quiet, reliable, easily serviced and meets my needs (weekend/evening hack). Air hungry tools like a cutoff wheel nonstop will keep it going, but that may just be my cheap HF tools. If I had to perform long stints with such tools I would probably have gone with a 2 stage 5hp.

My ONLY complaint and its minor has to do with high pressure needs. According to the manual the cut in pressure is preset at the factory and can not be adjusted. (I've not checked to see if I could bypass it.). I have a trailer that requires 120PSI so if I forget and try to fill tires when the tank pressure is near 120 the system will equalize rather than trip the motor. It's a minor issue for me, because a quick bleed and brief pause solves the issue. But it's worth mentioning.

For my needs this was $500 well spent and I would do it again.

Good luck in your search!

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Puma uses Swan pumps, made in mainland China. You can (could?) get them in Canada. An outfit in Barrie, Ontario called Omega compressors uses them on their units. I don't know what's up with their website though.

 

[66dave]

I agree - it's the best value out there for a new 2-stage compressor. But mine does have a pump "made in the E.U." Did your coworker buy it direct from HF? Because I haven't seen the factory reconditioned 60 gallon models go for less than $635. (or $750 new)

I bought mine 2 years ago, and the pictures on their web site still look identical today, so I think the pumps are still being sourced from Italy. The motor is made by Century (Tipp City, Ohio), at their plant in Mexico. The tank is made in USA. Someone on another thread suggested the unit might be made by BelAire, which has a plant in Rock Hill, SC. Mine looks almost identical to the BelAir 216V:

It looks identical except for a different muffler and locating the air outlet on top of the tank. That outlet is really the only thing I'd want to change on the unit - it's only 1/2 inch, and I'd rather have it be 3/4 inch.

I was worried about the reliability of the pump, so I got the 2-year extended warranty, but I've had zero problems with it so far, despite using it heavily about one weekend per month (die grinders, impacts, DA sanders, etc). I ran it for about 4 hours straight one day when I was blowing out irrigation pipes. I'll have to wait and see how it holds up when I start sandblasting with it later this year.

A few years ago I called ABAC (parent company of Bellaire, but who is owned by atlas copco) and validated they also build the HF units. This data can also be validated today on the mastertoolrepair.com website. Check out any of the HF units and look at the pumps. Let me be clear, I was only reserching pumps. I have no clue about the quality of the motor or pressure switches.

Here is a link for the big unit, click on the pump link and see what pops up...

http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/air-compressor-parts-us7580v-90836-p-28457.html

Link about ABAC getting acquired by Atlas Copco:
http://www.atlascopco.com/us/news/c..._acquisition_of_abacs_compressor_company.aspx

As a disclaimer I use a sc23 pump on my system, just wish it was a real SB.

Hope this helps

 

[whyNick?]

Thought one of the reviews on the TSC might be of interest. On the IR model posted by Garageman,

>>>
Got it home. The pressure switch auto / off switch made out of cheap plastic was broke. The pressure switch cover would not even screw down. After looking the pressure switch over I have decided to take it back before I ever try to fire it up. I don't think anyone cares about quality anymore. I'm gonna spend the extra money and get me a Quincy.
<<<

I was all set to buy an IR 60 gallon compressor a few months back but I found a lot of negative reviews on them. Stuff like bad pressure switches out of the box and bad motors after a little use. Several reviewers mentioned that IR's lighter-duty stuff has gotten really cheap in the last few years. I didn't find nearly so many negative reviews on the Husky/Kobalt/Sanborn 60 gallon units.

 

[davey25]

Puma uses Swan pumps, made in mainland China. You can (could?) get them in Canada. An outfit in Barrie, Ontario called Omega compressors uses them on their units. I don't know what's up with their website though.

I have seen omega here in ontario..just not puma

 

[bobforapples]

Just my 2 cents. Spend the extra money and buy a good quality compressor. Stick with Quincy (Pro Quad) or Champion (centurion II series) If you spend say 1500-1600 you will have a compressor that runs quiet and lasts forever.

I know spending money on an air compressor doesn't seem like a lot of fun.... people don't usually walk into my garage and say.... "WOW! Nice compressor!!" -however the guys who know equipment do.

I work in an industry that relies heavily on air compressors, my hobbies also require more air supply than some others... I have experience with cheap and morbidly $$$ compressors. Let me know if you have any questions, just shoot me PM.


http://www.tptools.com/Champion-5HP-2-Stage-60-Gal-Air-Compressor,6246.html?b=d*8065
http://www.tptools.com/Quincy-5HP-2-Stage-60-Gal-Air-Compressor,8112.html?b=d*8069

 

[Lassen Forge]

Let me ask the dumb question... is it worth the extra $$$ to go with a commercial rotary screw compressor over a piston type? It seems like they're a whole level quieter and will put out volumes of air I've only dreamed of, but are they worth the cost? Anyone go with one of these in their shop (and lived to tell)??

 

[66dave]

Let me ask the dumb question... is it worth the extra $$$ to go with a commercial rotary screw compressor over a piston type? It seems like they're a whole level quieter and will put out volumes of air I've only dreamed of, but are they worth the cost? Anyone go with one of these in their shop (and lived to tell)??

This is all we use at work, and there is a ton (300 or so of them) of them ranging from 5hp to 100hp. They are quitter and more efficient means of making air but there is more maintenance involved and it is a pain if you want to use it for painting. There is due to oil blow by on screw compressors, meaning you need very high quality filtration (and allot of maintenance) to create CDA (clean dry air). If you are concerned about noise then muffle the intake, there are a few theads that discuss this topic.

I agree with the others buy a high quality 2 stage and be done foe life. Lots of good stuff out there, and everyone has their own opinion...but Champion, Gardener Denver (parent of champion), upper level quincy, any T30 IR system, Jenny, Lei Roy, any Saylor Biele (best in my opinion) are all great units.

Check out the IR discount site to get quality filtration at a discount price. Make sure to note the thead type (British standard or NPT) when ordering. http://shop.ingersollrandproducts.com

 

[66dave]

I was all set to buy an IR 60 gallon compressor a few months back but I found a lot of negative reviews on them. Stuff like bad pressure switches out of the box and bad motors after a little use. Several reviewers mentioned that IR's lighter-duty stuff has gotten really cheap in the last few years. I didn't find nearly so many negative reviews on the Husky/Kobalt/Sanborn 60 gallon units.

The nicer Colman and Sandborn units use a knock-off Saylor Beile SC23 or SC46 pump...they are nice and parts are readily available. The vales are disc style that can be repaired without taking the entire unit apart.

I did a bit of research at the local compressor shop, the opinion from the techs there was that the lower level IR units have inferior pumps. As a disclaimer they push Champion/Gardener Denver and T30 equipped IR units for shop use.

 

[Signalman]

I got a 80-gal Dewalt single stage compressor for my new shop. I got it from a Atwood Country store at Clarksville Arkansas. They put them on sale from time to time. I like the three piston compressor, gives more surface area for cooling of the compressor. Been pleased with it so far.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

A rotary screw will give you a 100% duty cycle, pulsation free air delivery, and possibly quieter operations (depends on sound deadening). They produce slightly less air per hp than a reciprocating compressor.They always carry over some oil with the air, unless they are oilless.

A piston compressor gives the most air per hp.