Compressor recommendation

[thammel]

My last significant purchase is a 2 stage 5hp 60 or 80 gallon compressor. This is for my home shop and for restoration work of my old TR4. I've been looking for years at Quincy, Champion, Saylor Beall and also Eaton/Polar. I lean toward Saylor Beall because the quality looks really good and it's made in the US. Eaton, would save some bucks but I have some concerns about quality being as high. Anyone have any strong convincing arguments on a recommendation? Or good or bad experiences with any of the above?

Thanks!
Tom

 

[finn]

Any of your choices will be satisfactory fo a one man personal shop. In fact they are probably overkill.

Also, be aware that some of them have different design levels that will provide additional features, at a corresponding price increases. Pressure line vs splash line, disc vs poppet valves, etc.

I am partial to Champion. Quincy makes commercial and homeowner models, as does Champion. Eaton / Polar seems to advertise in the home shop market and light commercial. Sailor Beal seems aimed almost exclusively Towards the commercial market. Those are all perceptions, but I would go Champion again with no reservations.

Also, be aware that some brands are under new ownership, notably Quincy, so going back ten years likely means nothing.

That’s my opinion, and it was free, so take it for what it’s worth,

 

[ScaldedDog]

FWIW, I loved my circa-2009 Eaton, and the only problem I had with it was a pressure switch that went bad at some point. I sold it with the last house, but plan to put another one in the new barn.

Mark

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[rburke65]

I have a Champion, 5 hp, 2 stage, 60 gal. tank. I’m a one man shop and it absolutely fills my needs. It’s quite and has no problem keeping up with the sand blaster. I purchased both at TP Tool.

 

[driftpin]

I have a Saylor-Beall 705 w/a Baldor 240 volt 23 amp motor, 80 gal. tank, magnetic starter switch, bought used from a friend who's run a new/used sales/service shop for compressors for nearly 40 years. He also sold me the remote pressure regulator and water trap. I'm very-satisfied with the Saylor-Beall, proudly-made in the USA. It gives me 20 CFM. I use it for air tools and a media blast cabinet.

 

[zmotorsports]

We had a Sailor Beall at work but it was replaced about 5 years ago. Nothing wrong with it per se but corporate didn't want us to waste time and money getting the vessel test done so they told us to replace it. It was a good compressor.

I have a Quincy QT-5 at my home shop and love it. It is a 5hp/60 gallon vertical unit that easily supports both me and my son when we're working in the shop. I bought it new in early 90's when I built my first shop and moved it with me to my new shop a few years ago. I do an annual service on it for maintenance and drain the tank weekly but that's it.

 

[StRacerDuke]

I have this one and love it. https://eatoncompressor.com/product/7-5hp-quiet-air-compressor-single-phase-80-gallon-vertical/

Note that moving it wasn't easy, they hit me with $535 freight shipping and $200+ sales tax even though it was web order out of state.

 

[csp]

How many one man, DIY hobbyists would actually wear out a big box store compressor?

I have one that leaks into the crankcase, but it was used in a commercial automotive shop and ran constantly. Currently looking for a used Saylor Beall, Champion, Quincy etc pump in need of a rebuild to replace the one it has, but I've been considering just putting a rebuild on it as those commercial types don't come along often where I live. It might be easier to find one if I lived in the Midwest or along the east coast.

 

[nadogail]

How many one man, DIY hobbyists would actually wear out a big box store compressor?.....]

My big box store Devilbis will probably outlast me.