Portable Air Compressor Options

[Ford Farmer]

I know, I know. Another compressor post. I did the requisite search and didn't find a recent thread that addressed my decision directly.

I'm looking for a portable oiled single stage compressor in the 20-30 gallon range. The reason for a portable is that I have both a garage with one of the three bays walled off for projects and a detached 20' x 20' workshop in the back yard. Said compressor would spend most of the time in the garage but depending on what project I have going on may spend anywhere from a few weeks to a few months at a time in the workshop. Leaning 120v because both the garage and shop already have dedicated sub panels with every outlet on it's own 20a breaker. That being said getting 220 in either location would only take a couple of hours. Use would be mostly hobbyist car restoration type stuff. Some of the traditionally high demand tools one would use I've already duplicated in cordless. Here are the two I've been looking at:

Quincy:

Quincy Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor 2 HP, 24-Gallon Vertical, 7.4 CFM, Model# Q12124VPQ | Northern Tool

Long-lasting Quincy Single-Stage 2 HP, 24-Gallon Vertical Portable Electric Air Compressor is perfect for light commercial ...

www.northerntool.com

IR:

Ingersoll Rand Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor 2 HP, 20-Gallon, 5.5 CFM, Garage Mate Model# P1.5IU-A9 | Northern Tool

Designed for professionals and serious do-it-yourselfers, the versatile Garage Mate is ideal for the home, shop or jobsite. Deliver...

www.northerntool.com

Very similar specs except that the Quincy flows 7.5 cfm @90psi vs the IR's 5.5 and 24 vs 20 gallon. Was leaning toward the Quincy hoping the extra CFM would allow it to punch above it's weight class on a very occasional basis. However, reviews seem to indicate poor QC, leaks, plastic belt cage etc. I know it's a rebranded unit so I guess some of that is to be expected.

Thoughts or suggestions? I'm open to other brands. I have smaller compressors, and if my needs dictate I'll buy a larger stationary unit at a later time. But unless i start painting my own cars or media blasting lots of parts I think something in this size class should suit me.

Thanks

 

[theoldwizard1]

Said compressor would spend most of the time in the garage but depending on what project I have going on may spend anywhere from a few weeks to a few months at a time in the workshop. Leaning 120v because both the garage and shop already have dedicated sub panels with every outlet on it's own 20a breaker. That being said getting 220 in either location would only take a couple of hours. Use would be mostly hobbyist car restoration type stuff.

Good thing you wired those circuits for 20A. You probably would NOT be able to start a 2hp motor on a 15A circuit.

I have a similar, but much older 2hp compressor that runs on 220V. The things it can NOT do are run a sandblaster or sander or grinder/cut off wheel except for short periods. You may want to consider an even smaller compressor, like a California Air Tools and a 5hp stationary.

You can't beat Quincy quality. I think they are the only one who has pressure feed oiling in smaller compressors.

 

[GeoBruin]

I've owned that very Quincy compressor. 2 of them in fact (long story). It does everything it advertises. I tested the the flow rate both with a pump up test and a differential pressure flowmeter and both indicated it is putting out right at that 7 cmf mark. I also put a clamp meter on the outlet I had it wired to and it uses every bit of that 20 amp circuit without much headroom when the tank is almost full.

It does not have a plastic cage. Those specs are from the old model number Q12126VPQ. The updated model currently sold is Q12124VPQ. Google both and you will see the differences.

The Quincy is the highest CFM 120 volt compressor commercially available. That said, it's not quiet, it does get hot, and the pump is made China. If none of those bother you, it might be the right fit. Napa sold another version of this for a while that was cheaper. It's no longer available on their site but I've seen it other places.

If you can stomach running that 220 circuit, it opens up a lot more options.

 

[Ford Farmer]

I've owned that very Quincy compressor. .......

Great feedback, thanks so much for checking in. Good to hear that it performs as advertised. I thought I was all set to go 220 but I still wanted a portable compressor and thought the Quincy might be a good compromise that would suit 99% of my needs.