Help Choosing a New Air Compressor

[79SuperCab]

Hi y'all,

My old compressor motor burnt up and instead of buying a new motor for it I want to take the opportunity to buy a new compressor. I have narrowed my search down between either Quincy or Champion.

These were the two that I was looking at:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350476_200350476

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHAMPION-VR...hash=item4164fff9aa:m:mm9tqVJfB0r-y44BD0FJ_Ew

They have similar cfm ratings, same tank size, same hp and so on. I like how they both have the magnetic starters. The quincy is cheaper but the champion spins at a lower rpm. Would they work fine for a small shop? I believe my old compressor made about 10 cfm at 135 psi, so would there be a noticeable difference with one of the new ones? Sorry if that was a dumb question haha.

Also, since I am not planning on buying another compressor for a long time I thought it would be better to buy the 80 gallon tank size rather than the 60 gallon. Do you all agree?

This is the champion 60 gallon for reference.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/INDUSTRIAL-...693367?hash=item43c78ca9f7:g:gQUAAOxye3BRwgpB

I wanted to know what you guys thought.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cvairwerks]

What's your normal air usage? Short bursts at higher pressures, or long runs at low pressure? If you use air at lower pressures, but for long runs, such as running a blast cabinet for long periods of time, I'd look at a unit that had the ability to run in both unloaded and start/stop mode. Start/stop mode for the short use times and unloader mode for those long work sessions.

If you run enough air to drive your compressor run time above 25% or more, you need to pay close attention to this. At one of the places I worked, we started to take our 25 hp Quincy out of start/stop mode when we had heavy air needs. Kinda freaked our accountant out as we dropped our power bill about 15%, as we were able to control our demand meter a little better and that cut our power bill.

 

[md21722]

Most folks don't buy a 60 gallon tank for a 5 HP compressor.

If you are doing a lot with grinders or sand blasting, or intend to, a 7.5 HP with after cooler would be a better. 10 HP if you are high up in the Rockies.

For all other uses, the 5 HP is probably fine / somewhat overkill.

I prefer the Champion to the Quincy.

 

[artbuc]

I am just learning a little about compressors but I will pass this along fwiw. Was watching a video of a guy with commercial shop with Quincy compressor. He was hooking up an auxiliary tank and that was the subject of his video. At the end he pointed to his Quincy and said he was somewhat disappointed in that it had the same cheap Chinese business end as much less expensive brands. He said if he had it to over again, he would likely not pay a big premium for the Quincy brand. This guy seemed like a pro who knew what he was talking about but he could have also been full of BS.

 

[79SuperCab]

Most folks don't buy a 60 gallon tank for a 5 HP compressor.

If you are doing a lot with grinders or sand blasting, or intend to, a 7.5 HP with after cooler would be a better. 10 HP if you are high up in the Rockies.

For all other uses, the 5 HP is probably fine / somewhat overkill.

I prefer the Champion to the Quincy.

Thanks for your reply.
Would you mind explaining why you like Champion better?

 

[79SuperCab]

I am just learning a little about compressors but I will pass this along fwiw. Was watching a video of a guy with commercial shop with Quincy compressor. He was hooking up an auxiliary tank and that was the subject of his video. At the end he pointed to his Quincy and said he was somewhat disappointed in that it had the same cheap Chinese business end as much less expensive brands. He said if he had it to over again, he would likely not pay a big premium for the Quincy brand. This guy seemed like a pro who knew what he was talking about but he could have also been full of BS.

Thanks for the info.
What do you mean by the same cheap chinese business? That the compressor is made poorly or that quincy service is bad? I guess thats two strikes against the quincy

 

[redmondjp]

Thanks for the info.
What do you mean by the same cheap chinese business? That the compressor is made poorly or that quincy service is bad? I guess thats two strikes against the quincy

business end = compressor pump

Quincy is now manufacturing some items in China.

 

[md21722]

I am just learning a little about compressors but I will pass this along fwiw. Was watching a video of a guy with commercial shop with Quincy compressor. He was hooking up an auxiliary tank and that was the subject of his video. At the end he pointed to his Quincy and said he was somewhat disappointed in that it had the same cheap Chinese business end as much less expensive brands. He said if he had it to over again, he would likely not pay a big premium for the Quincy brand. This guy seemed like a pro who knew what he was talking about but he could have also been full of BS.

You're not talking about Chuckle 2009 are you? His 3.x HP Quincy is an ABAC model, same as Bel Air/CP. Quincy QT series is their own pump.

 

[md21722]

Thanks for your reply.
Would you mind explaining why you like Champion better?

They are slower turning, quieter, and don't have a gimmicky warranty.

I have 2 Champions in my shop, they are the R-series ones, one step up from what you're looking at.

 

[artbuc]

You're not talking about Chuckle 2009 are you? His 3.x HP Quincy is an ABAC model, same as Bel Air/CP. Quincy QT series is their own pump.

Sorry, do not remember but it must not have been a QT if it did not have a Quincy pump.

 

[md21722]

This is the 3.x HP ABAC NAPA/CP/Bel Air/Quincy:

This is the video where he adds the extra tank:

 

[redmondjp]

This is the 3.x HP ABAC NAPA/CP/Bel Air/Quincy:

This is the video where he adds the extra tank:

It's sad that Quincy has now done what just about every other once-great company has done, downgrading their units in the unending chase for dollars. Apart from the blue paint and the 'Quincy' label, that unit is no different than the Harbor Freight or box store compressors which use the same pump and motor. There is absolutely no reason to buy that particular unit from Quincy, much like Snapon relabels stuff (like Taiwan-made multimeters) and then charges double or triple for it.

 

[AJ1978]

The Champion you selected will suit you very well. I would buy that hands down over the Quincy. The Champion has a industrial motor, GREAT PUMP. Will produce lots of air. They even include the anti vibration pads... You will not be disappointed with the Champion. I had to wake up a 20 yr old model of that Champion when my main unit went down. Currently it is running the shop full time.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

It's sad that Quincy has now done what just about every other once-great company has done, downgrading their units in the unending chase for dollars. Apart from the blue paint and the 'Quincy' label, that unit is no different than the Harbor Freight or box store compressors which use the same pump and motor. There is absolutely no reason to buy that particular unit from Quincy, much like Snapon relabels stuff (like Taiwan-made multimeters) and then charges double or triple for it.

FWIW, As mentioned by MD, that particular 'Big Box Store' pump is rebranded by several companies. I believe the pump is produced in Italy (or was).
Quincy's own pumps have not been 'downgraded' per se, but rather added a line of 'entry level' pumps targeted at the homeowner DIY folks.

Champion, like Quincy has two or three levels of pumps. Saylor-Beall is the only company that produces one style pump, although it is avaliable in either 'splash' or 'pressure' lubrication.