How much to pay for IR compressor

[Weedwaka]

The unit the OP was looking at is easily worth $1200 as it sits.
That is not a consumer-grade IR, like they sell at T/S or Lowes, it is a commercial-grade unit, with the 2475 pump, which is one of the best pumps made.
At 32A/230v, that is a real 7.5HP motor, and it won't be cheap to run, but it won't have any problem keeping up with a blast cabinet.

What he said. The 999 tractor supply unit is a pos compared to this industrial unit. IR makes badass industrial compressors. Buying a compressor like that hobby unit at Lowes is like buying furniture at walmart.

 

[IONH]

What he said. The 999 tractor supply unit is a pos compared to this industrial unit. IR makes badass industrial compressors. Buying a compressor like that hobby unit at Lowes is like buying furniture at walmart.

Most furniture you probably use every day whereas a compressor you may only charge up once weekly or even less frequent during some times of the year. That said, many of us DIYers don't need a truly industrial grade compressor.

 

[Kevin54]

I agree with this. I also think that there must be different levels of IR

I am the tool/hardware manager at Lowe's. I have had 3 of the IR compressors come back in the last 6 months.
1 80 gal 5hp
1 60 gal 3hp
and one of the smaller ones on wheels

I purchased the 80gal for myself for $75(basically scrap). When the guy returned it he said the compressor was making a lot of noise. He had it for 2 weeks. I could see that there was some oil leaking from the seals on the compressor.

I figured I could up grade my 60gal tank to an 80 gal tank and maybe sell of the motor
I have a 60gal that was my dads 50 years ago. the 5hp motor he bought 40 years ago for $500 works great(and is twice the size of the IR 5hp). I don't know how old the compressor is.I did have to replace the tank about 7 years ago because the tank he had(horizontal) rusted through. I replaced it with a vertical tank
I got it when he passed away over 20 years ago. I don't get to use it much because I work 75 hrs a week and dont get to play in the garage much.

The IR 80 is still sitting complete in my garage waiting to be dismanteled.

The 60gal we had come back was having same issue according to the buyer. He had it about 3 months before it went bad. I purchased it for $60 and let a friend buy from me for $60 it to rebuild

In a home garage the IR will probably be fine. Using it in a business where it runs all day long......I would go find another brand

Before you tear the 80 gallon IR apart, fire it up and see where the noise is coming from. Mine started making noise one day while I was using it. It almost sounded like a rod knock. In the electric motor there is a plastic fan. The fan slid forward and was hitting the housing. I slid it back, and I can remember whether there was a setscrew or not, but it hasn't made that noise in over 6 years now.

 

[stingry]

Before you tear the 80 gallon IR apart, fire it up and see where the noise is coming from. Mine started making noise one day while I was using it. It almost sounded like a rod knock. In the electric motor there is a plastic fan. The fan slid forward and was hitting the housing. I slid it back, and I can remember whether there was a setscrew or not, but it hasn't made that noise in over 6 years now.

Or maybe it was just the compressor!! I had an IR T30 7.5 hp 80 gallon compressor. Great compressor but LOUD!! It was so loud when running that I had to leave my shop. Lost it in a shop fire, replaced with a Quincy, much quieter!

Cheers
Steve

 

[james_98188]

From what I've read, Quincys are the best, and Ingersoll-Rand come in second. (Yours isn't the first complaint I've read about their quality.) That said, I'm picking up my 5hp 60 gallon 2 stage Ingersoll-Rand compressor on Monday. There's no local Quincy dealers by me, so the best I could get would be freight service and a 450 lb compressor on my sidewalk. For Monday, I've hired a truck and a two man crew for picking up the Ingersol Rand and depositing it in the workshop in my backyard.