I need a new air compressor by Saturday...

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I need to buy a new air compressor tomorrow (Friday). I need it operational by Saturday AM. Thus, my options are going to be limited to what is available locally. That means Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, and Harbor Freight. What are my least bad options? Bigger tank is better in this case.

 

[DemoFly]

Need more info.

What are your air demands, desired size, budget and electric outlet?

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Air demands: At least 6 at 80, but more would be better.
Size: Not too much of a factor but would prefer vertical. Could go either stationary or portable though.
No real budget, but not planning on dropping a few thousand on an engine driven right now.
Electric outlet doesn't but I can put in whatever is needed as long as it isn't 3Ph.

I am kicking myself because I specced out a Puma last year for plasma cutter use and I never got around to ordering it.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Can't decide between a big stationary that isn't exactly what I want, or a portable now and a stationary that really want later.

How about this Husky portable? Oiled, 2-stage, 6.2 @ 90.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3...tical-Electric-Air-Compressor-C304H/312074155

 

[engineer2]

I think Tractor Supply would have the best selection for industrial air compressors.
A couple of our local stores even show some Ingersoll Rand 2-stage 80 gal. models in stock.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Another oiled, 2-stage, 6.2 @ 90. Dewalt: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dewalt-30-gal-175-psi-air-compressor-dxcm303

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I think Tractor Supply would have the best selection for industrial air compressors.
A couple of our local stores even show some Ingersoll Rand 2-stage 80 gal. models in stock.

Local TSC has the TS4N5 in stock. 2-stage, 15.8 @ 90. Cast iron, allegedly. I have not read good things about these in the past, but maybe some more research is on order.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ingersoll-rand-80-gallon-5-hp-reciprocating-air-compressor


An example: https://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/forum/general/2046214-i-do-not-recommend-this-product-ts4n5

 

[engineer2]

A Baldor motor would be best. There are some other good motor brands too.

 

[MovingAlong]

Any chance there is a Northern Tool within a reasonable distance? That would add Quincy air compressors to your list of options. No experience with Quincy, but had heard them spoken well of in the past...

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Any chance there is a Northern Tool within a reasonable distance? That would add Quincy air compressors to your list of options. No experience with Quincy, but had heard them spoken well of in the past...

3.5 hours round trip. Not saying it couldn't happen though.

 

[dnschmidt]

Any chance there is a Northern Tool within a reasonable distance? That would add Quincy air compressors to your list of options. No experience with Quincy, but had heard them spoken well of in the past...

Problem is the phase "In the Past." Their true industrial compressors are still great but their Home Depot, Lowes, or whatever retail store carries the line now sort of ****.

 

[IndyGarage]

Why not look for a used one in good shape - a quick look at my local Craigslist shows me at least 5 that would meet your needs and you can get them immediately. I've bought several of them used, including 2 80 gallon industrial models that I've been using for 10 years.

 

[engineer2]

Are you close to a McMaster-Carr warehouse? They will do same day delivery if it's not too far.
Other options are local industrial or automotive supply distributors. The automotive suppliers are used to getting beat up on pricing. At work we were in a similar situation where we needed a compressor quickly. I called a few distributors up and made a deal with one that carried Champion.
How's the used market in your area?

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

How's the used market in your area?

Dismal.

No luck with McMaster. Local Grainger branch also has zero in stock.

 

[johnre]

If your need is only for Saturday, why don't you just rent one for Saturday and see how it performs? Home Depot has these; I'm sure there are others.

That way, rather than making a hurried decision and later having second thoughts, you can actually see how an appropriately sized one performs for you.

 

[PoorUB]

He said by Saturday, not just for Saturday. I assume he has a project Saturday and needs a compressor by then to use indefinitely.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Yeah, I can always use more air. The pressing need is Saturday, but it will get plenty of use with my air impacts. I have been using my old trusty Hitachi double-hotdog for years now but was planning on adding a 12cfm vertical for plasma cutter use eventually.

The main problem with my Hitachi is it will run too much for my Saturday project. I will need as much quiet as possible.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I haven't said what the project was because you all might laugh at me and hurt my feelings.

 

[DemoFly]

Everyone here is very mature and intellectual

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Everyone here is very mature and intellectual

Ohhh. Well, in that case:

We are losing 960 gallons of water daily somewhere underground. By my calcs, our next water bill will be somewhere north of $700.

I have an electronic stethoscope thingy arriving tomorrow and I am going to charge the water lines with air and listen for air escaping. My old hotdog compressor is only 4 gallon and - even though it is an oiled pump - will pretty much raise the dead when running.

So, bigger tank means more diagnostic time between compressor runs.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Leaning toward an HF or Kobalt quiet compressor. It can live in the garage and won't scare the garage cat too much maybe. I will get a serious compressor later and put it in the shed.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I am going to bed, but I will be sure to come back in the morning and post some more brilliant ideas.

 

[ybnormal]

Ohhh. Well, in that case:

We are losing 960 gallons of water daily somewhere underground. By my calcs, our next water bill will be somewhere north of $700.

I have an electronic stethoscope thingy arriving tomorrow and I am going to charge the water lines with air and listen for air escaping. My old hotdog compressor is only 4 gallon and - even though it is an oiled pump - will pretty much raise the dead when running.

So, bigger tank means more diagnostic time between compressor runs.

hire a water leak detector guy. that's what we did 25 yrs ago with a pool leak of 1k gals/week.
$750 to find the leak in less than 2 hrs, another $150 to fix it. that way you don't have to compromise on the compressor

 

[driftpin]

If you posted in your picture space where you are that might help. I have a friend who sells compressors, and services them, in S.E. FL. He usually has some used ones on-hand, that's how I got my Baldor 240V 1-ph, 5 HP 80 gal. upright Saylor-Beall.

 

[mike93lx]

After getting a California air tools compressor, I am solidly in quiet compressor territory. It's so much nicer

 

[Davefr]

Have you tried NAPA? I've seen commercial grade compressors in stock. If not, then Tractor Supply may be your best option.

 

[Ohmthis]

With that job your needing a compressor for, I’d rent one. Then order the one you really want/need. I’m not knocking those places for a compressor, I bought my dad a kobalt 30 gallon and it’s been great……..for him. It would not make it in my shop.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I'm back, mostly awake, and halfway through a cup of coffee.

hire a water leak detector guy. that's what we did 25 yrs ago with a pool leak of 1k gals/week.
$750 to find the leak in less than 2 hrs, another $150 to fix it. that way you don't have to compromise on the compressor

H h h hhhire somebody?

If you posted in your picture space where you are that might help. I have a friend who sells compressors, and services them, in S.E. FL. He usually has some used ones on-hand, that's how I got my Baldor 240V 1-ph, 5 HP 80 gal. upright Saylor-Beall.

Arkansas and not in an area with an industrial tradition. I envy the guys that live in areas that have Craiglist full of mills, lathes, etc.

Have you tried NAPA? I've seen commercial grade compressors in stock. If not, then Tractor Supply may be your best option.

Yep. Checked the local store's stock yesterday. Also the local farm & home stores in addition to TSC. Even the local Ace Hardware (which is mostly worthless).

With that job your needing a compressor for, I’d rent one. Then order the one you really want/need. I’m not knocking those places for a compressor, I bought my dad a kobalt 30 gallon and it’s been great……..for him. It would not make it in my shop.

I understand where you are coming from, but having a quiet portable in the garage won't go to waste.

 

[strutaeng]

Are you already at the store checking out with one of those $600-$800 air compressors you posted?

Everything you posted will honestly work. Don't sweat it. Flip a coin or if you want I can choose for you.

If you have 240V ready to connect to, go with the Husky 60 gallon. It's gonna be only a slight price increase and will get you in the 10 CFM range, plenty for for just about anything. Lowe's has a similar version for the same price, branded as Craftsman. At least the THD around here always seem to have the 60 gallon in stock.

 

[loganb]

How far from Harbor Freight? Their knockoff of California Air Tools, the Fortress Ultra Quiet or something is very well reviewed. For water lines you're going to be regulating down to 40 or 50 psi so that will help the cycling a bit

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

25 minutes from Harbor Freight, Home Depot, and Lowes. They are all within a mile or so of each other.

Yep, I figured I would start it out on 35 PSI.

 

[Zewnten]

Menards usually has some good compressors

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I would like to check out a Menards someday. Closest one is about 4 hours round trip and I haven't made it there yet.

 

[Speed-Racer]

Deleted original suggestion..........Just saw you are in Arkansas
http://www.pneupower.com/ They are in Arkansas

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I went with the Kobalt quiet compressor. I went to the closest Lowes because they showed to have several in stock. I should have learned my lesson by now - that Lowes always disappoints. They only had one in stock and when I pulled it out to load it on a flat bed, I saw that the back of the carton had been horribly brutalized by something - likely a forklift. So, drove in the other direction and that Lowes also only had one in stock, but at least the carton looked only slightly irritated.

 

[ybnormal]

I'm back, mostly awake, and halfway through a cup of coffee.



H h h hhhire somebody?

and I see the issues you had in sourcing one from Lowe's justifies my answer. when you're in a time crunch of your own making, but don't want buyers regret, there ain't no shame in hiring someone who has the tools and expertise to get it done right now, thus saving you aggravation on picking the right compressor for the right amount of money.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Plan coming together:

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I'm impressed with it so far.

 

[loganb]

How'd the leak hunting go?

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

How'd the leak hunting go?

Success! I think. When pressurizing the lines with air, can hear sounds coming from just under the foundation where the city water enters the house. Will try to hand dig it a little tomorrow to confirm and then open it up with an excavator Monday morning.