Need air compressor recommendations...

[moneyisflying]

So as I finish my barn, I am already starting to think of what tools I will want to fill it. One I keep coming back to for all my needs is a large air compressor. I have a 4.6 gallon California Air tools compressor for my garage, and it's great for what I use it for. But when using some bigger air tools it just does not have enough tank to be able to handle the larger tools I will want to use in my barn.

I want something I can use some air cutting and grinding tools with. Ideally I would like to set up a few lines in the barn I can quick connect to for access in different areas.

My thought was a 40-50 gallon compressor. My budget would preferably be under $700. If I could spend under $500 that would be ideal. I was hoping for something quiet, but I think I may just build a box around the unit to try and keep some of the noise contained when it's installed.

Thoughts?

 

[lightning02]

whatever you do. dont get oil-less.

 

[moneyisflying]

whatever you do. dont get oil-less.

To my knowledge, I believe most of the air compressors I have been around have been oil-less. I have only owned my 1 California Air tools model for the past 4 years without any trouble, but my father and father in law have had great luck with theirs and they have been using them a bit over the decades.

Could you elaborate on why oil-less ones are bad?

 

[Lotek]

If you are going to be running air tools, I'd go 5hp 60 gallon minimum, just paid $1300 for a Quincy, after looking at the ones in the $5-700 range, I found that they just couldn't put out the cfm and/or didn't get a lot of positive reviews.

 

[moneyisflying]

If you are going to be running air tools, I'd go 5hp 60 gallon minimum, just paid $1300 for a Quincy, after looking at the ones in the $5-700 range, I found that they just couldn't put out the cfm and/or didn't get a lot of positive reviews.

Okay, good to know. Whatever I buy I'll for sure only get one with good reviews. I guess a more appropriate way of perhaps going about this would be seeing what the max cfm I'm gonna need and make sure they can handle it.

 

[lightning02]

To my knowledge, I believe most of the air compressors I have been around have been oil-less. I have only owned my 1 California Air tools model for the past 4 years without any trouble, but my father and father in law have had great luck with theirs and they have been using them a bit over the decades.

Could you elaborate on why oil-less ones are bad?

they are VERY loud. not really rebuild friendly so finding aftermarket parts will be hard. not made for non-stop use. cant keep up high demand. dont offer as high cfm rating as oiled units do. over priced for what you get.

and always buy bigger then what you will need when it comes to compressors i have found out over the years.

 

[moneyisflying]

they are VERY loud. not really rebuild friendly so finding aftermarket parts will be hard. not made for non-stop use. cant keep up high demand. dont offer as high cfm rating as oiled units do. over priced for what you get.

and always buy bigger then what you will need when it comes to compressors i have found out over the years.

My California Air Tools compressor is actually the most quiet in the industry. But past that my unit is a smaller unit and was not designed for the larger usage that I am looking for and the other things you pointed out may very well be true.

Do you have a recommendation for an "oil" compressor that you think might be good for my use?

 

[Fly YX]

In the late 90s the company I was working for had a dry valve fire suppression system. We replaced the compressor with a ingersoll rand oilless air compressor. It only lasted a year. I'm sure they've made I'm better by now but I have never tried one except for a small pancake one.

 

[moneyisflying]

In the late 90s the company I was working for had a dry valve fire suppression system. We replaced the compressor with a ingersoll rand oilless air compressor. It only lasted a year. I'm sure they've made I'm better by now but I have never tried one except for a small pancake one.

Yeah, like I said, I've had great luck with mine for the few years I've owned and used it. Both my father and father in law have owned their same units for decades. But we are talking about smaller 5 gallon or less units used for the occasional pumping up of the car tires or light work here and there. And although we have had good luck with our oil-less compressors, they all are nothing for the scale or usage I plan on needing for my barn.

So for the larger tank, higher CFM rating that I may need, an oil compressor may honestly be the better way to go.

Does anyone have a good link to one they may reccomend that might fit my needs?

 

[lightning02]

might be hard to fine a compressor that will handle everything you want without breaking a sweat for $500. i think the good HF 60gal (no longer sold) cost more then that with tax if i recall? i haven't look for compressors in some time tho.

 

[redmondjp]

You're going to have a hard time finding what you want for $500 or less. You could get a box-store 60-gallon upright single-stage for that amount, which will be better than what you have now, but after about 10 minutes of continuous use, it will be spitting water out of the line like crazy and the motor will be hot as hades. Continuous-use air tools require a hefty compressor that can handle the duty cycle.

For a compressor that will meet your needs, you're going to want something that flows at least 16-18 scfm at 90psi or higher. That's going to be hard to find for $500 unless you find something used (80 gallon 2-stage). There are plenty of good compressor threads to read on here.

Feel free to throw stuff on here to get our opinions - there are lots of good brands out there in the used department - Quincy, Champion, Saylor-Beall, and Curtis are some of the top names (and some older Ingersoll-Rand) to watch out for.

 

[moneyisflying]

Hey, thanks for all the good info! If I have to spend more than $500, then I may just need to save for a bit longer. I would rather spend more and get what I want than save a little and not be happy with what I get.

 

[RickP]

I have the 60 gal Harbor Freight and that would be just about right for your needs. It's got an Italian pump and it's assembled in the USA. Make sure to look for the older model:

https://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-60-gallon-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html

It's still listed on their website, but you might have to search through some stores to find one that still has it in stock.

 

[Shop Dad]

No one has mentioned the. Ew Eastwood scroll compressor yet. A constant 12 crm if that meets the needs of your tools. Very quiet. Just came out so not many user reviews yet but it sounds like a number of GJ members have ordered. It only needs a 20 amp 240v breaker which may be helpful for this with limited power in their garage.

 

[lightning02]

No one has mentioned the. Ew Eastwood scroll compressor yet. A constant 12 crm if that meets the needs of your tools. Very quiet. Just came out so not many user reviews yet but it sounds like a number of GJ members have ordered. It only needs a 20 amp 240v breaker which may be helpful for this with limited power in their garage.

thats bc its more then twice his budget. if thats the case he has alot more opts.

 

[bczygan]

Hey, thanks for all the good info! If I have to spend more than $500, then I may just need to save for a bit longer. I would rather spend more and get what I want than save a little and not be happy with what I get.

Good thinking!

A minimum of: 5 real HP, 60 gallon tank, 2 stage, 175PSI.

Buy used, horizontal if you have the space because they go for less.

I got mine for $100, a Speedaire. It had a 3PH motor so I had to find a 1PH NOS for $200. Plus a new motor controller for $130. Also needed a new check valve and all the usual piping and wiring.

Mine is like the one pictured below.

If you have to have a new vertical, you will be spending much more.

Bill

 

[bob15]

Have you looked at used compressors on C-list? I bought my IR for $400 (3 phase), spent $200 on a new motor and now have a 25cfm, 80 gallon compressor for under a grand.

 

[930dreamer]

I'd look for a vintage rebuild- able USA made one from Craigslist, 1750 rpm motor low and slow. The compressor in my avatar was .99.

 

[lightning02]

note for the OP- if you buy an old compressor make sure you check the tank or get it checked. iv heard alot of stories of them blowing up. just bc it didnt happen to a hand full of people doesnt mean it cant happen to you. sometimes they are very rusted inside and look nice on the outside.

 

[DougWil]

I'd look for a vintage rebuild- able USA made one from Craigslist, 1750 rpm motor low and slow. The compressor in my avatar was .99.

Yep, I have bought 2 Saylor Beall 705s (my favorite), Kellogg American 331TV, and a Champion 15A or B. All purchased for less than $150 each.

They were rebuilt for about $200 each and all will probably last another 40 years.

The Champion I bought pump and 3 hp motor, no tank for $25 and it needed nothing but a tank and now is my in shop compressor.

There are good deals for the mechanically inclined out there.