Pick my compressor - Poll Included

[Conductor562]

The time has finally arrived for me to buy a compressor for my new shop attached to my wife's house we close on Tuesday. I've narrowed it down to the following 2:

1. Ingersoll Rand 5HP, 60 gal. (single phase), 14.1 CFM @ 90, 135 max PSI $750 at Tractor Supply

or

2. Central Pneumatic 5HP, 60 gal. (2 stage), 15.8 CFM @ 90, 165 max PSI $799 at HF

Clearly the Central has the advantage of a 2 stage motor, 1.7 CFM, and 30 max PSI. At face value the HF is more compressor for pretty much the same money. I'll be the first to admit that I don't like Harbor Freight. I don't shop there much and I'm skeptical about dropping $800 on anything in their store. However, the compressors have seemed to get some respect on GJ and I'm can't afford a high quality USA made equivalent.

My intended uses are high torque impacts, small sand blasting jobs, and small painting jobs.

What say you fellas. I intend to buy whichever one gets the most votes.

 

[redwrench60]

I like my garage not burned down.

I vote Ingersoll.

 

[DekeT]

Where is your selection for none of the above?

 

[Conductor562]

What do you suggest Deke?

 

[zkling]

Where is your selection for none of the above?

I try to find an older, used industrial unit, quincy, kellog, champion, OLD IR or CH.

Between those two, if I had to, I would go with the IR, although the link doesn't work for me.

 

[cinco]

I try to find an older, used industrial unit, quincy, kellog, champion, OLD IR or CH.

Between those two, if I had to, I would go with the IR, although the link doesn't work for me.

What he said... all of it. Without an idea of what part of the state you're in it's tough to be specific, but there doesn't seem to be much going on in the WV craigslist at the moment. I did see some decent stuff in OH and PA, though. If you're patient you'll end up with a high-end compressor for less than you were planning to spend on a wimpy aluminum one. Or if nothing else you'll get the same questionable quality for half-price.

 

[DekeT]

What do you suggest Deke?

Your budget is in the middle range of not quite enough for the some of what I would suggest for the better compressor and a little bit more for what you have to spend for your anticipated use.
Like you I would hesitate to spend $800 at harbor freight. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose there. Crapshoot. The new lower cost Ingersoll brand is an iffy proposition to me with the made in India pumps. I run the other way when I see Indian manufacturing. Read the reviews on the Ing SS-5 pumps failures even on the TSC site. Type 30 pumps are better but more expensive.
I do a moderate amount of sandblasting in a cabinet and painting with HVLP. The Campbell hausfeld that costs about half of what you are spending does that for me. Nearly any compressor will provide the short term power needed for a torque wrench.
Having said that if actually pressed between those two I would pick the Ingersoll and be damn careful about oil quality and other maintenance. Buy the Ingersoll to get to work, sell it when you expand your compressor use after buying the industrial compressor when you find one.

 

[zruvalcaba]

I have this IR unit here: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200367716_200367716

It's been a workhorse so far but I'm a weekend warrior so that's not saying much. One thing I will say about it...it leaks small drops of oil from the pump and trickles down the side of the compressor. Not terrible but enough to bother the $#%# out of me. It also gets into the IR sticker edges and looks like ****. I don't know what to make of it.

 

[JimmyTheMonkey]

That particular IR model has really negative reviews on a lot of the websites that sell it.

I have done a ton of research on compressors on this forum, and the general consensus is three options:

1) Preferred: hunt CL for as long as it takes to find a high end, USA made compressor for cheap. These compressors are the best, and the compressors should last forever, assuming you can ever find such a deal on CL

2) 2nd best: drop serious cash ($1500+) on a new two-stage, low RPM MOTOR (not just low RPM pump motor) USA made compressor. This compressor is for those who don't have time to hunt CL. These compressors should last a lifetime.

3) 3rd best option: buy one of the big box splash oiled compressors for around $400-500 new, depending on the sale. Buyers understand that these units have limited lifetimes (Kobalt states 5000 service hours and gives a 3 year warranty), but with proper maintenance should serve the weekend DIYer well, depending on air requirements. The Red Husky Pro and Kobalt models have the best reviews.

Personally, I will probably ultimately go with 3, although I troll CL every day looking for something decent (no luck yet). I looked around a lot of "mid-level" compressors. Quincy has a great brand name, but you have to spend close to $2K new if you want to get in into their high quality stuff. The $750 and $1400 Quincy units have high RPM, less reliable motors. Most people say that the basic IR units are junk as well.

I don't plan on using my compressor more than 50 hours/year. I also don't need a ton of air, so I can't justify the additional cost of going for a $2000 compressor. I figure that even if my $400 Kobalt only lasts 10 years, I can still get 5 of them over the course of 50 years and come out the same. If you factor in the time value of money, well the Kobalt is definitely the superior option. Cash in hand now is worth more to me than having to replace an air compressor in a decade. If I find something on CL while waiting for a sale, I will jump on it.

I hope that helps anyone trying to jump into this topic. It is quite confusing. Remember, YMMV depending on your air requirements and patriotism.

 

[sgs236]

I think the IR model will have a higher resale value if you do decide to upgrade in the future.

 

[stratman977]

The TSC Ingersoll Unit has 100% duty cycle, whats the duty cycle on the Harbor Freight?

I have the Ingersoll Rand ss5n5 from TSC which is the next model up. It's a piece of **** and I am waiting for the pump to throw a rod any day now. I have no where the 9,000 hours on it that they claim and the pump is worn out. I'm also on my second motor. I have been putting money aside for a better unit instead of fixing mine.

I would save up some more cash and wait for something a little better knowing what I know now.

 

[Davefr]

IR's non industrial units are ****. I'd go with HF over IR any day. However I'd probably go with Quincy first.

Old units can be OK but repair parts can be unobtanium.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I was going to suggest looking at aircompressor direct.com. They have few shipping. It seems the BelAire compressor they have for a $1039 is te same at HF. The specs are the same. Even the reviews comment on buying it in black at a chain store and saving 30%.
I had an older 2 stage IR I sold to buy a Champion. I would stick with the HF unit. Consider the extended warranty if it makes you feel better. More CFM the better if you sand blast.

 

[scw1991]

I would never pay that kind of money for a compressor utilizing a 3600 RPM motor.

 

[CNGsaves]

NONE of above . . . if you're in big hurry, and "settle" on store bought, then should have bought recent deals for $400 for virtually the same thing but around 3 HP.

If you're going to spend $700 to $800 . . . . then wait and find something USED but excellent like Quincy, Champion, Saylor, Curtis, etc. (ie low rpm Made In USA reliable compressors). CL or Ebay is your friend, but you'll have to look in wider geography than just your hometown.

Use GOOGLE . . . . example for Quincy below:

. . . . Quincy air compressor 5 HP site:craigslist.org

 

[Conductor562]

The Craigslist situation in my area is usually dismal for tools.

I stopped at HF today and looked at the CP compressor. According to the fellow working there (who was unaware it required oil) said the tank is made in the USA, The pump in Italy, and no clue on the motor. The pump clearly specified EU in one place and Italy in another. The tank gives no COO info at all, and the motor states it is ASSEMBLED in Mexico of I assume Asain components.

The IR appears to be an Indian/Chinese mutant. Anything with India on it turns me off instantly. There is little info on the IR in terms of reviews, but most that you do find are poor.

I'm afraid with the IR I'm paying more for the name.

The CP on the other hand has very good reviews for the most part and while max psi isn't a concern, I do like the idea of a 2 stage.

I value everyone's input, but in all honesty I'm not doing the Craigslist thing. In my area the selection is typically ****, I cant wait months to find it, and I might have to drive 3 hours (that I don't have) to find it. Potentially good deals, too much time and ******** to get them.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have a 7.5 HP IR about 7 years old from TSC and it puts the 5 HP IR 80 gallon at work to shame. The new ones how ever have terrible India pumps on them. If faced with buying a new one, I'd get a saylor bell.

 

[kc-steve]

I can feel your pain. It hasn't been that long ago that Tractor Supply sold a Farmhand labeled 4 hp. Campbell Hausfeld made in the USA. I bought one for around $540 on sale. Since I don't use it much it took it almost year to finally break in to where it didn't bleed down much so it maintains air pressure for long periods without running.

I think your problem is distribution. Try and find some local retailers willing to ship a better quality compressor your way. If they have weekly shipments, then it shouldn't cost much.

Steve

 

[woody 73]

Not sure if this will help you out but I bought an IR model T30, 5HP, 80 Gal. tank back in Oct. 1998, and that unit has never let me down; still going strong after all these years.

 

[devoncoolman]

I bought a 80gal two stage ir off my buddy because the motor took a dump after less than 20hrs of use. I honestly wouldnt rec. an ir. only their big ones are good. Mine works great after i put a new motor on it. I know alot of people who bought ir's and had the motor go with low hrs on it. Dont buy it. Roll the dice and go with the hf model.

 

[Conductor562]

I bought a 80gal two stage ir off my buddy because the motor took a dump after less than 20hrs of use. I honestly wouldnt rec. an ir. only their big ones are good. Mine works great after i put a new motor on it. I know alot of people who bought ir's and had the motor go with low hrs on it. Dont buy it. Roll the dice and go with the hf model.

Despite the nearly 80% vote in the poll, my gut tells me the same thing. I think a lot of people do the same thing that I did and assume the IR is a quality unit based on the name. A lot of complaints about these Indian pumps.