QT-54 Any Good?

[bad_idea]

My compressor **** the bed a few minutes ago. I am looking at the QT-54. Better options? Quality unit? My budget is around $2k-$2500. I have a mild shop setup for personal use. Plan to get a plasma cutter at some point and maybe a sand blast cabinet.

 

[MJK]

I don't know, but similar needs have led me to look at the same compressor. I'd also be curious to hear people's impression of noise level.

Quincy Compressor 2021116649 5 HP 60 Gal 175 Max PSI QT-54 Pro Two-Stage Stationary Electric (230 Volt 1 Phase) Reciprocating Air Compressor with Vertical Tank | Ferguson Home

Save on the Quincy Compressor 2021116649 from Ferguson Home. Low Prices + Fast & Free Shipping on Most Orders. Find reviews, expert advice, manuals, specs & more.

www.aircompressorsdirect.com

^^^ the reviews here look favorable.

 

[mrjaw14]

I'm curious as well. I've thought about that same model myself.

 

[fastev]

Another one on the fence and looking for a push to place an order.

 

[MongoTA]

I've had mine for a little over three years.
Zero issues with it.
It's in my basement against the foundation wall so I'm sure there's some sound reflection, but even with that it's not excessively loud in my opinion. Or more importantly, in my wife's opinion? lol
It offers more air than I need. Basic air tools, die grinders, plasma cutter (Hypertherm 45), etc. No moisture issues. I have a compressor aftercooler I plumbed out of 3/4" Cu tubing. I have an air dryer (auction buy) as well. If running long and hard in the summer I'll turn on the air dryer but usually it's off in passive pass through.
I've never had to wait on the compressor to cycle.
The compressor has worked out well for me. No complaints.
EDIT to add: Ouch! I bought mine in Jan 2019 for $1150 with the first oil change kit included. Crazy they've just about doubled in price.

 

[IMCA38]

Two thumbs up!

My air compressor and air line upgrade

BACKGROUND- I got my original air compressor back when I first got my own garage, around 1992. I went to Sears one day to look at a modest portable unit. They had a 5HP/ 30 gallon unit on the floor that had been closed out. The clerk told me that if I was interested in that one, he'd make me...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[mhejl]

I have one about 7 years old for home use. No complaints or issues and drives an HVLP gun occasionally. Got it at Northern Tool for around $1200 with the 1st change kit.

Its bolted to the floor in an attached shop with isolation pads and I can certainly hear it in the house. Its quieter than my old 20 gal single-stage 5hp, though.

I keep it shut off until needed and close the feed line ball valve and it holds pressure completely but I had to clean and re-dope the 1/2 street ell and tank bung initially.

 

[Stedlin]

O issues with mine after six years.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have the older version which was just the Quincy QT-5 and it has been a workhorse. I purchased it around 1991/1992 when I built my first shop and it has been a solid and reliable compressor in those 30 years. About two years ago I had a check valve fail and that was really the only issue I have had with it other than routine maintenance.

 

[Speed-Racer]

The 60 gallon take almost the same amount of space as the 80 gallon tank. Lowes has 5% and at times 10-20% off. The QT5 with 80gallon tank is a nicer machine and very close to the same price. I own a QT5 with no issue for over a decade , very reliable.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Quincy-Compressor-Air-Compressor/5001625409

 

[montanafordman]

I have had mine for over 5 years, and last summer it survived a move handled by less than careful "professional moving contractors" which included being loaded on and off multiple trucks (without a pallet, just strapped to the wall and covered in blankets) and a month in storage in between loading and unloading. Other than a few scratches I was plased to find it worked fine and had no leaks once I finally got it plumbed, wired and bolted down in my new location.

I've used mine most frequently with die grinders for body work which my previous 110v compressor couldnt keep up with and also use my QT-54 for occasional sandblasting and it has kept up with my needs just fine. I was initially worried about noise but it's not bad, really no worse than my oil lubricated 110v compressor - and has a more constant roar sound than a hammering sound of some larger compressor types but the volume is comparable. I couldn't justify spending more than double for a slightly larger Champion at the time and I've been happy with my purchase.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I'm not the biggest fan of Quincy's quality control these days. For the outrageous premium they charge, they send out far too many leakers and QC fails. My old man currently has a QT-5, the QT-54 is, in my opinion, not something I'd pay the Quincy premium for. The QT-5 seems a much better machine, but still a large premium for the name and still poor QC.

Made the mistake of ordering a QT-54 before, drop shipped from Quincy. Those idiots sent a 60 gallon model instead of the 80 gallon that was spec'ed. Then the 80 gallon showed up and had a cross threaded inlet with a massive leak past the ruined threads. As a mea culpa, after two back to back f*ck ups, they sent a QT-5 as the replacement 80 gallon unit. Nice gesture on their part, but of course on arrival the QT-5 had defective check valve. This after they claimed they had their team go over it with a fine tooth comb to avoid a third f*ck up. Top it off, their 3rd party tech that they sent out was reluctant to replace the part and denied it was the problem. Funny how it fixed the problem when he begrudgingly replaced it. After all that hassle, yeah sure, the QT-5 is a nice machine. Worth the hassle? Absolutely not.

Sorry, Quincy's QC is a joke and to pay the kind of premium they charge for their name and their blue paint is not something I'd ever be willing to do with my hard earned money again. To each his own, but I won't be their customer again until they figure out how to ship the correct, working compressor without needing 3 attempts (4 if you count the tech visit) to get it right.

 

[kujawat]

I'm not the biggest fan of Quincy's quality control these days. For the outrageous premium they charge, they send out far too many leakers and QC fails. My old man currently has a QT-5, the QT-54 is, in my opinion, not something I'd pay the Quincy premium for. The QT-5 seems a much better machine, but still a large premium for the name and still poor QC.

Made the mistake of ordering a QT-54 before, drop shipped from Quincy. Those idiots sent a 60 gallon model instead of the 80 gallon that was spec'ed. Then the 80 gallon showed up and had a cross threaded inlet with a massive leak past the ruined threads. As a mea culpa, after two back to back f*ck ups, they sent a QT-5 as the replacement 80 gallon unit. Nice gesture on their part, but of course on arrival the QT-5 had defective check valve. This after they claimed they had their team go over it with a fine tooth comb to avoid a third f*ck up. Top it off, their 3rd party tech that they sent out was reluctant to replace the part and denied it was the problem. Funny how it fixed the problem when he begrudgingly replaced it. After all that hassle, yeah sure, the QT-5 is a nice machine. Worth the hassle? Absolutely not.

Sorry, Quincy's QC is a joke and to pay the kind of premium they charge for their name and their blue paint is not something I'd ever be willing to do with my hard earned money again. To each his own, but I won't be their customer again until they figure out how to ship the correct, working compressor without needing 3 attempts (4 if you count the tech visit) to get it right.

I would be upset too if I had to go through what you did... However... You can't condemn Quincy as a whole.. You purchased what amounts to their most inexpensive "home use" compressor built offshore. It's cheap and built to compete with other chinese garbage... I agree with you that blue paint is expensive... But worth it when you select from their "real" compressor lines... The easiest way, in my opinion, to tell the difference... Motor RPM... If it's 1750... Good... If it rapping out like a Japanese crotch rocket. Bad... Run.. They get 15cfm from a 2 cyl (2 stage) pump by turning it way faster.. Making it alot louder too... Now, i realize that not everyone had it in their budget to buy a real commercial compressor... Spending 4 or 5k on one for home use is a bit daunting.. But, you get what you pay for... That Chinese compressor will be just fine.. The motor will **** out 1st.. And be a "replace" not "repair" item... Then the pump will wear or you'll have valve issues... Etc... But thats after 10 or 20 years... Not bad really for under 2k... But... When you buy the real quincy... They will run for 40 or 50 years with minimal. Maintenance.. Then rebuild and go another 50... Personally, I'd never buy a new/Chinese compressor... Or any with a 3400rpm motor... I happen to collect vintage quincy compressors... I pick up 325, 350, 390s all the time for 2-300 bucks.. Running.. Might spend 100 or 2 painting, filters, oil change, maybe even valve parts occasionally... But they always work... Never disappoint.. You can have a conversation around them.. And will still be operating when my grandkids are retiring... The Chinese pumps most likely won't be... Now, I know.. Some people just won't buy used... And to stay within budgets, they are forced to buy Chinese, consumer grade, well... Junk... Regardless of name tag... Thats what it is.. Quincy's low end... And most other's higher end... (except IR, atlas, champion, etc..) you had some bad luck getting so many bad ones in a row.. But your accessment of quincy as a whole is a little unfair considering you are basing your opinions on buying their lowest end, imported, consumer line junk... Just slightly better then harbor freight.. Ok, wait.. Thats not true.. Its alot better then HF.. But still.. Quincy sells those to capture a part of the market that they would miss if they didn't import them... But quincy's core market isn't home users.. I always recommend buying a used "real" quincy... For well under 2k (more like a few hundred) you can get a nice, fairly recent unit that will out last us all... And never break... Need minimal Maintenance.. Be quiet... And won't inspire a bad opinion post like yours.. It's all about your choice.. Want a new Kia or a 2 year old Lexus.. Maybe cars aren't a good analogy... Neither will be here in 50 or 60 years.. A quality quincy not only will be here... But will be running strong like the day it was built... But you get the idea..

 

[Hohn]

Two thumbs up!

My air compressor and air line upgrade

BACKGROUND- I got my original air compressor back when I first got my own garage, around 1992. I went to Sears one day to look at a modest portable unit. They had a 5HP/ 30 gallon unit on the floor that had been closed out. The clerk told me that if I was interested in that one, he'd make me...

www.garagejournal.com

Ah, the good old days when you could get "5hp" from a 15a/120v receptacle.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I would be upset too if I had to go through what you did... However... You can't condemn Quincy as a whole.. You purchased what amounts to their most inexpensive "home use" compressor built offshore.

It wasn't built off-shore, it was sold as Made in USA. I attached a pic of the actual compressor as delivered to prove my claim. Since you aren't interested in the facts and apparently lack credibility, I also snipped out the rest of what you wrote and won't bother commenting on any more of it.

I also didn't condemn anyone. I said to each his own, and that I wasn't going to be a Quincy customer anymore, based on my personal experience (which I detailed). If your experience is different, good for you. I'm not bent out of shape about anyone else's positive Quincy experience, so why are you so worked up about a post written over a year ago? Seems an odd thing to spend all that time dabbling in thread necromancy just to defend Quincy in a discussion long since over.

If you don't appreciate my opinion from over a year ago, that's unfortunate. That said, I make no apologies for sharing the facts of my experience for the benefit of others.