Help choosing the right air compressor

[jacobm3]

I'm trying to decide between these three air compressors. My primary use will be light duty plasma cutting (~6CFM but mostly short intermittent cuts, no plans for CNC) and maybe later on running a small hand held air hammer to break up kitchen tile (4CFM).

California Air, 2HP, 5CFM @90psi, $400:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200627783_200627783

Quincy 2HP, 7CFM @90psi, $750:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612354_200612354

Quincy 3.5HP, 13CFM @90psi, $800:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200612355_200612355

My main concerns are:

1. Noise - I live in a dense neighborhood with garages in the front and short driveways. I already make a lot of noise with electric grinders. I don't want to add anything to my garage that will make more noise than I already do. I read Quincy compressors run at a lower speed and are quieter than most other belt-driven compressors. I'm not sure what the relative SPL is of each of the Quincies.

2. Portability - I'm renting right now, I already have a lot of heavy stuff to move when the time comes (3-9 months) and it's a tight space, so ease of moving is a 2nd consideration.

I have a temporary surface-mounted sub-panel in the garage so hard-wiring the 3.5HP compressor isn't a concern. I've read mixed reviews of California Air Tools support.

Or if there's another quiet compressor I've overlooked, please let me know.

Thanks!
Jacob

 

[jacobm3]

I also found an old used Quincy 206 for $400. 2HP, 2 cylinders, single stage.

 

[redmondjp]

I also found an old used Quincy 206 for $400. 2HP, 2 cylinders, single stage.

That sounds like a great deal if it is in working condition and should meet all of your needs.

 

[sberry]

Obviously the 3.5 is2 x the unit. They are not that heavy.

 

[firebox40dash5]

If you want to spend the $, either of those Quincy units would be my pick. I'm constrained to 20A/120V, and I was looking at the smaller one, but I couldn't justify the money.

If you want to keep it cheaper, Zoro sells a Speedaire version of the little CH compressors. I got the 20 gallon vertical one, and I'm pretty impressed with what it does considering what it is. I spent about $60 replumbing the outlets (3/8 out of the tank instead of 1/4, an unregulated 3/8 outlet, and shutoff valves) and it can keep up with me using my air chisel, 2135, and even whiz wheel in typical use. The pump is oiled and supposedly assembled in USA, and the motor is a Mexican-made Marathon (by GE). I got it silly cheap (I think $320ish with tax) during their St. Pat's sale. Edit: That little bastid is surprisingly quiet, pretty much just motor hum and valve/air noise. You can have a conversation next to it by speaking up a bit.

 

[Finky198]

Not sure what type of plasma cutter you have but the millers have a low pressure warning That will not let the machine run if it doesn't get enough air I had major issue try to get it to run off a 6cfm compressor that is the bare minimum for our machine and it showed in cut quality nor did our consumables last as long. We Have since upgrade to a much larger unit with a massive improvement. I have heard nothing but excellent things about Quincy

 

[doojus]

I ran a plasma off that CAT, it sucked bad. When I got tired of that machine and bought a real compressor, when I was moving the CAT to its permanent home I opened the petcock and the bottom had about a liter of water in it, despite the fact that I drained it daily.

It also wouldn't put out enough air to break the lugs on my truck with an impact.


Stay away from it.

 

[ryburns]

Ingersoll Rand Garagemate. Rated for continuous use, quiet, portable, and looks like priced in your budget. You can't go wrong.

 

[86k10]

If you want to spend the $, either of those Quincy units would be my pick. I'm constrained to 20A/120V, and I was looking at the smaller one, but I couldn't justify the money.

If you want to keep it cheaper, Zoro sells a Speedaire version of the little CH compressors. I got the 20 gallon vertical one, and I'm pretty impressed with what it does considering what it is. I spent about $60 replumbing the outlets (3/8 out of the tank instead of 1/4, an unregulated 3/8 outlet, and shutoff valves) and it can keep up with me using my air chisel, 2135, and even whiz wheel in typical use. The pump is oiled and supposedly assembled in USA, and the motor is a Mexican-made Marathon (by GE). I got it silly cheap (I think $320ish with tax) during their St. Pat's sale. Edit: That little bastid is surprisingly quiet, pretty much just motor hum and valve/air noise. You can have a conversation next to it by speaking up a bit.

Is it the single cylinder one model 4TW29? I was looking at that one but bought the Northstar one from Northern Tool, just waiting on it to show up.

 

[The DIY Hubby]

I have researched quite a few <a href="http://www.thediyhubby.com/air-compressor-reviews/">reports and feedback</a> on air compressors over the last few years. In the class you are looking at the Ingersol-Rand garage mate have received very good feedback from consumers. Is has a 30 Gal tank and a 2Hp motor.

 

[Finky198]

That wouldn't have the cfm he would need to run a plasma cutter and there are better options for the price

 

[MacMcMacmac]

I see Copco is busy eroding the Quincy rep with their ABAC junk. Sad.

Can you find a dealer nearby for Jenny?

http://www.jennyproductsinc.com/stationary/electric1.html


I'm starting to run out of machines I can recommend!

 

[jacobm3]

Copco? ABAC?

I just looked at some of them in person at Northern Tool. The 20g/2HP Ingersoll Rand and the 20g/2HP NorthStar are almost identical and they both even have the tank drains in the same (wrong) spot on the side of the tank instead of the bottom.

They didn't have the Quincy Q13160VQ on display but they had the QT-54 (5HP, $1400). Why doesn't anyone publish SPL numbers for their compressors??

 

[finn]

Copco? ABAC?

I just looked at some of them in person at Northern Tool. The 20g/2HP Ingersoll Rand and the 20g/2HP NorthStar are almost identical and they both even have the tank drains in the same (wrong) spot on the side of the tank instead of the bottom.

They didn't have the Quincy Q13160VQ on display but they had the QT-54 (5HP, $1400). Why doesn't anyone publish SPL numbers for their compressors??

If the drains are like my 38 year old Champion, the drain on the side of the tank is actually connected to a tube leading to the bottom of the tank (internal to the tank). Air pressure in the tank blows accumulated moisture up the tube and out the valve.

It's a clever idea, as the user is much more likely to routinely flip a lever on the side of the tank than to get on his hands and knees to loosen a petcock under the center of a tank.

 

[jacobm3]

Not sure what type of plasma cutter you have but the millers have a low pressure warning That will not let the machine run if it doesn't get enough air I had major issue try to get it to run off a 6cfm compressor that is the bare minimum for our machine and it showed in cut quality nor did our consumables last as long. We Have since upgrade to a much larger unit with a massive improvement. I have heard nothing but excellent things about Quincy

I'm looking at either the HyperTherm Powermax 45 or the Lotos LTP5000d. I know, they are on opposite ends of the price spectrum, but I read some people saying the Lotos is very reliable and doesn't burn consumables as long as you keep the air really dry, and I plan to plumb in an after-cooler and water drain between the pump and the tank, then either a separator or desiccant at the plasma cutter.

I have long-term dreams of a diy refrigerated air dryer after the first open air after-cooler radiator, but that's not going to happen right away.

The Lotos requires 4cfm @70psi. The HyperTherm requires 6cfm @80psi.

 

[jacobm3]

If the drains are like my 38 year old Champion, the drain on the side of the tank is actually connected to a tube leading to the bottom of the tank (internal to the tank). Air pressure in the tank blows accumulated moisture up the tube and out the valve.

It's a clever idea, as the user is much more likely to routinely flip a lever on the side of the tank than to get on his hands and knees to loosen a petcock under the center of a tank.

That would be a clever idea. I don't imagine the Northern Tool people would like me grabbing a wrench and opening the inspection port though. Is there any other way to tell?

 

[firebox40dash5]

Is it the single cylinder one model 4TW29? I was looking at that one but bought the Northstar one from Northern Tool, just waiting on it to show up.

That's the one. I'm by no means a fan of CH, but it seems to work just fine. I wasn't expecting it to be nearly as capable with typical air tools... it didn't even run much using the air chisel.

 

[jacobm3]

I've been all over the map on this one, but I just ordered the 12cfm/60g Quincy Q13160VQ:
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Quincy-Q13160VQ-Air-Compressor/p12330.html

I have an SPL meter and one of those laser thermometers coming in the mail too. I'll post a video once I have it setup and include real SPL levels before/after an intake muffler, possibly sizing down the motor pulley a little bit to run the pump slower, etc.

Thanks for everyone's input!