Help me pick my next compressor

[absintheisfun]

My compressor of three years took a dump on me last night--it was a harbor freight special, but it was all I could afford at the time and it did me right for a while.

I know that HF tools are a luck of the draw, but I think I got my money's worth out of the compressor...I ran it at damn near 100% duty cycle for about 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. I didn't expect it to last as long as it did!

Anyway..I've got it narrowed down between CH, IR and Quincy. Here is a screen shot of the three side by side. I do lots of body work, and want to have a reliable, long lasting piece of equipment. Any pieces of advice I could gather from you guys would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[olytdi]

This appears to be an apples and oranges comparison. That said, I would spec what you need and disregard the difference in price and get what you need. You won't notice the difference in $$ a year from now.

I'm preferential to Quincy compressors but you'd pay more for one that specs-out the same as the IR. I don't particularly care for CH.

Have you thought of getting a used Quincy two stage? I picked one up with 5 hp motor and 80 gal tank for $200. Needs a gasket kit, new filtered intake and some cleaning-up but it's a beauty. They're out there...some still working from the 40's and 50's.

 

[hofferwood]

They're out there...some still working from the 40's and 50's.

Like this one

e-bay, $46.00 and 150miles (local pick-up)
Go with the Quincy
Chuck

 

[71flh]

From what I saw when looking at Quincy compressors at Northern Tool, they seem to have a crappy low end compressor to compete with the other similar compressors from HD, Lowes, etc.

CH and IR aren't brands that inspire confidence. Lots of failures of IR on the internet.

I'd be looking for a next level up name brand on CL with a true 5HP motor at 1725RPM, USA made pump, motor and tank.

5HP at 1725RPM is a lot different than 5HP at 3450RPM because HP is a fictional value obtained from the product of torque and RPM. Just as a 4 cylinder engine may make lots of HP at a high RPM, it doesn't compare at low RPM to the old time V8.

A 5HP motor at 1725RPM is rated at about 23A; needless to say that's 240V.

That motor spinning twice as fast has to work harder (more prone to failure) is probably spinning the pump faster (more prone to failure) and making more noise than a better compressor.

I did the 3 bears routine with compressors. I got a 20 gallon to spray drywall texture, then a 60 gal for the garage, then a real compressor http://www.saylor-beall.com/air_compressors/tank_mounted_vertical.php when that didn't work out.

I bought the last one from an artist type guy on CL. I suspect the compressor is from about 1979 (date stamp in the contactor) but never got much real use. Water drained from the tank comes out clear.

I guess since it took me 3 tries to get a decent compressor, its likely the biggest er, tool in the garage, essentially another utility like electricity, requires you spend about as much on pipe, fittings filter, dryer, regulator, and finally air toys as the compressor itself, my opinion is you might as well go with a good piece of equipment.

You can get a good used big time compressor for the same or less money on CL as the junk in the comparison above. You just need to be patient and spend a few weeks waiting.

 

[PsRumors]

Id go used for a better compressor if that is an option. I ran a 1960s Curtis which put out more air than those listed. Paid $400 for it and sold it for $500 after 10 years.

The compressor i have now is putting out 15.8 cfm at 150 psi. Only paid $475 for it.

 

[94yj]

go for a used compressor a lot better and cheaper i picked up a quincy 325 with a fresh rebuild on the comp and a single phase motor and 80 gallon tank for 600 awhile back and the thing is awesome

 

[TommyK]

Another option:

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...n-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html

 

[Carl B]

I don't think I would buy an $800.00 compressor with a 90 day warranty - from anyone.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[94yj]

I don't think I would buy an $800.00 compressor with a 90 day warranty - from anyone.

FWIW,
Carl B.

i have to agree 800.00 would buy a lot better compressor than a hf china made junk

 

[PT Doc]

You have almost a $200 spread between these compressors. I would get the lowest rpm pump so that it is quiet. If you can't get what you want now then wait a bit and do it right the first time. I would buy a new one since you never know what you are buying when it's old even though people say that old is best. I don't think that you will save that much money buying old. The exception is if you really know the person selling the compressor. Good luck.

If you are set on this class of oppressor, then throw in the Industrial brand 80g 2 stage. Variations of this can be had for $900 through sears. Look into this also. They will be loud though and for me that was the primary reason for buying a new one. I simply did not want to wear hearing protection around it.

 

[PT Doc]

i have to agree 800.00 would buy a lot better compressor than a hf china made junk

I thought that the hf compressors were made by BelAire and that they were US made. Can anyone confirm?

 

[TommyK]

I thought that the hf compressors were made by BelAire and that they were US made. Can anyone confirm?

That is my understanding. I looked at one at my local store and it had a Baldor motor on it. I don't own one (yet) but I think it is a pretty good value and I can pick it up locally.

 

[Davefr]

Look what you can buy used if you shop around:

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/2696833514.html

Add $100-200 for a single phase motor and you'll end up with industrial quality vs. homeowner quality.

 

[PT Doc]

My Quincy has a Baldor on it also. I would consider the hf unit if it was slow and quiet.

 

[94yj]

the ones i have seen locally at the hf store say made in china

 

[94yj]

Look what you can buy used if you shop around:

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/2696833514.html

Add $100-200 for a single phase motor and you'll end up with industrial quality vs. homeowner quality.

great find

 

[kennyb52]

I used to be warranty service for CH,they are great for simple home owner use....Only!Quincy used to be Emglo,always quaility equipment!My choice.

 

[BBBC23]

we have a 5 hp Quincy that was bought used in about 1966. It is the main compressor for our 4-man body shop. We change the oil in it 3 times a year & never had a problem with it. I highly recommend Quincy

 

[waggie]

I have the SS5LS from Northern. the exact same one you are looking at. I got mine for 835$ shipped.

the thing was awesome for 6 month of constant use. I let it sit for 5 month, and the valves developed a problem. it would only build pressure up to 50psi or so, and it would just keep running but the pressure wont go up. 50psi? wtf am i gonna do with 50 psi?

Warranty was a hassle. Finally, after 6 trips or so from an IR service tech, they figured that it was the valves. Then it took another month to order the valves... i wont get into it all here.

I'll just say this, i thought 835$ was a kick a$$ deal for the IR... now i realize i should have spent more to get a dual stage quincy.

for what it's worth, the IR is working quite well again after the valves were replaced. but you know i always have that little bug at the back of my mind. that just keeps nawing at me.

get the quincy.

EDIT: i'm a hobby guy, i use the compressor to run plasma cutter once in a while, mostly use it to power my DA sander, angle grinder... very intermittent use. but no more than 3 or 4 hours at a time.

 

[1984Datsun]

I used to be warranty service for CH,they are great for simple home owner use....Only!Quincy used to be Emglo,always quaility equipment!My choice.

What do I need to watch out for on my Husky (CH) 60 gallon 3.2 hp single stage?

Just want to get the straight poop from a guy that knows what he's talking about.

 

[kams1973]

There's no way I would pay $800 for a single stage unit.

 

[lars]

Judging by the specs in the Northern Tool catalog the Quincy is an exact copy of the Chicago Pneumatic RCP 3561V. It's $680 w/ free shipping from NT.